Diving headfirst into challenging work
Meet Anjali Asthagiri ’27, an undergraduate researcher for the Hanrath Lab. She is working on modeling and controlling the self-assembly of semiconductor nanoparticles—called quantum dots—at fluid interfaces. She is also a member of the AguaClara project team.
During my time at Cornell, I’ve had the opportunity to dive into projects that bring together my passion for technology development, global sustainability, and a deep curiosity about how the world works. These experiences have shaped not only my academic journey but also who I am becoming as an engineer and person.
Since my freshman fall, I’ve been a member of the AguaClara Cornell project team, where I discovered a newfound passion for the water sector. Through AguaClara, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Honduras for two weeks. There, I visited our water treatment plants, engaged with local community members, and gained first-hand insight into the many facets—economic, social, political, and technical—that must be considered when addressing global challenges. This experience was both transformative and empowering. It gave me a tangible sense of how chemical engineering can be applied to make a real-world impact and offered me a glimpse of my potential, which I hope to continue developing through my Cornell education, graduate study, and beyond.
My research experience in the Hanrath Lab has further deepened my passion for scientific exploration. I’m grateful to Professor Hanrath for giving me the opportunity to dive headfirst into challenging work—something that always excites me. I’m currently working on modeling and controlling the self-assembly of quantum dots (semiconductor nanoparticles) at fluid interfaces. Our goal is to create customizable materials for applications in electronics, catalysis, photovoltaics, quantum computing, and more. This project has taught me how to approach complex problems systematically and creatively. The mentorship of Professor Hanrath and the graduate students in the lab has been invaluable, encouraging me to explore all aspects of research, from experimentation and fabrication to theory and modeling.
One of the most lasting lessons I’ve learned at Cornell didn’t come from a textbook—it came from working with people. Real teamwork isn’t just about splitting tasks or getting along; it’s about navigating complexity together, leaning into different strengths, and knowing when to ask for help. I always heard about the importance of collaboration, but it wasn’t until I got to Cornell that I truly understood it. The breadth of Cornell—where every person is studying something unique, from engineering to public policy to agriculture—makes collaboration not just valuable, but necessary. Through projects like AguaClara and research, I’ve seen how the best solutions emerge not from individual brilliance, but from thoughtful, interdisciplinary effort.
Academically, I’ve had the privilege of learning from exceptional faculty in chemical engineering, chemistry, and physics. Walking the halls of Cornell and engaging with such brilliant minds has been an honor. Each class has changed the way I see the world. In CHEME 3230 (Fluid Mechanics) with Professor Hormozi, deriving the Navier-Stokes equation revealed how billions of water molecules can be distilled into a few elegant equations. In CHEME 2190 (Process Design and Analysis) with Professor Duncan, I learned how creating process diagrams can simplify complex chemical systems. And in PHYS 1116 and CHEM 3890, studying special relativity and quantum mechanics with Professors Hartman and Ezra filled me with wonder and a sense of endless curiosity that will never fade.
Beyond academics and research, my Cornell experience has been rooted in the friendships I’ve made—bonds that I know will last a lifetime. I cherish the moments of having deep philosophical conversations on the Slope before finals, grabbing dinner in the Commons, hiking the Beebe Lake and Cascadilla trails, and studying late into the night in Olin Library. Cornell has taught me to find joy in the simple things: walking up the Slope as the morning sun shines, eating Morrison pizza and tacos every Friday, sitting in lecture beside friends. I love every moment of it.
Cornell annual funds support transformational student journeys like Anjali's. Learn more about them and the impact of annual fund donors in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
