Meet Ahmad Elgazzar. Elgazzar is a second year Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Rice University. Elgazzar is from Egypt and is a Rice Graduate Ambassador. Ambassadors are students who represent the university and help prospective students gain knowledge of student life as a graduate student at Rice.
Elgazzar chose Rice as a graduate school because of Rice’s diverse community and the weather in Texas. His research focuses on capturing and converting carbon dioxide to valuable chemicals and fuels.
When he is not conducting research, he serves in various leadership roles within the Rice community. He is a part of the Graduate Student Association (GSA), the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Graduate Student Association (CHBE GSA) on campus and a resident assistant (RA).
Elgazzar advises prospective students to be specific instead of generic when they are reaching out to professors.
“Do not make your emails generic,” said Elgazzar. “You should customize the email to make it appear as if that email is dedicated specifically to that professor. Be sure to include their research and connect it to your interests.”
Elgazzar advises current students to create their own work style to help keep their focus on their journey and pathway.
“Do not compare yourself to anyone,” said Elgazzar. “If you are going to make comparisons, just compare yourself based on the progress you are making with your research.”
Outside of academics, Elgazzar used to draw as a hobby during his first year in college and wishes to get back into that hobby during his graduate studies.
As a fun fact, Elgazzar attended high school in Egypt, and he would frequently see the pyramids from his classroom.
Other than the Texas weather, Elgazzar enjoys going to POST Houston, the Downtown Aquarium, and exploring the Museum District.
Graduate ambassadors can be contacted via email at gradambassadors@rice.edu. Ahmad Elgazzar can be contacted directly by email at ae35@rice.edu.