Chemical Engineering
Biography
My name is Mustafa Abbas, and I am a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering with a concentration in Biomolecular Engineering. I am from Maryville, TN, which is Knoxville’s sister city.
Being very academically inclined throughout high school, I had never spent enough time working in a team outside of extracurriculars such as Model United Nations. I look forward to harnessing my team and leadership skills within HIBEP so that I can grasp what it is like to work as a team in real-world situations. As a member of both the Chancellor’s Honors Program and the Cook Grand Challenge Honors Program, I am conditioned to the academic challenges provided at UTK and look forward to being challenged professionally.
This year, I am excited to begin my journey with Heath IBEP as an engineer for the class of 2027 cohort. This program will prepare me to engage with industry professionals and work on interdisciplinary projects. Heath IBEP caught my interest ever since I first learned about it at a freshman career fair before the first day of classes. Even though I always knew I wanted to be in chemical engineering, part of me also wanted to work more socially and collaboratively like someone in business does. Through Heath IBEP, I have been able to receive the best of both worlds and look forward to discovering what is entailed within the medical, pharmaceutical, and environmental industries.
In addition to my academic endeavors, I actively pursue activities that help me maintain mental clarity and focus, such as long walks and working out. These activities play a crucial role in balancing the demands of a rigorous academic schedule.
My leadership experience includes serving as the Secretary of the Muslim Student Association (MSA), where I coordinate events, manage outreach efforts, and foster communication within the organization. This role has helped elevate my leadership skills by teaching me effective time management and coordination with a group.
Pursuing a chemical engineering degree was essential for me because it offers entry into multiple fields. Combined with HIBEP, now I have the chance to make an impact across various industries including medical, pharmaceutical, and environmental sectors.
