Neethu (she/her) is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering in Professor Pulickel Ajayan's research group. She completed her bachelors at Cornell University in Materials Science and Engineering in May 2020 as Rawlings Presidential Research Scholar and Jacobs Scholar. Currently, as Rice Innovation Fellow and NSF Graduate Research Fellow, Neethu researches on the exciting intersection of materials engineering and food technology. She is passionate about all things food and entrepreneurship!

Fun Fact:

I was born in Japan!

Favorite thing about Rice:

The lovely, supportive Rice community and of course, the beautiful campus!

Favorite thing about Houston:

Love the diversity in cultures and food! And the weather!

Why did you decide to go to graduate school?

I wanted to explore the interdisciplinary study of materials science and food engineering and learn more on creating innovative sustainable food technologies.