Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Engineering Faculty, Mechanical Engineering Doctorate student Amirsalar Khandan has been accepted by Harvard University. Khandan has also gained the opportunity to work one to one, with one of the world’s most cited academicians Prof. Dr. Ali Khademhosseini as a researcher at Khademhosseini Lab. Prof. Dr. Kahdemhosseini was seen fit to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) and was presented this award at the White House by US President at the time, Barack Obama.
EMU was the turning point of his career
Amirsalar Khandan, who completed his university and postgraduate education at the Esfahan Islamic Azad University of Khomeinishahr in Iran got acceptance to EMU’s Mechanical Engineering Doctorate program where he is working on “Cancer Therapy and Tissue Engineering” under the counselling of Vice Chair Asst. Prof. Dr. Neriman Özada. During his doctorate education, Khandan published 12 articles in international academic journals and presented 4 articles at conferences. During this period, he also contributed to two book chapters. Describing coming to EMU as the turning point of his career, Amirsalar Khandan stated “EMU helped me a lot with my research. I have gained important experience here. I was a part of 46 articles and was awarded Iran’s Nano Organization’s “Best Honour Student Award”.
“EMU always supported me”
Providing information about his doctorate program at EMU, Amirsalar Khandan stated, “EMU provided us a very friendly and international environment. The instructors and staff were very kind. Also, the campus had good facilities for social and sporting activities. During the tough periods of my PhD, I relaxed on the EMU campus by going to the gym and playing tennis. I also had a great time enjoying the Spring Festival events. The transportation was no problem because EMU transportation service is very punctual. The academic staff is always easy to contact. EMU always supported me and all other researchers during their study.”
Khandan continued, “My supervisor influenced me when becoming a better Mechanical Engineer with her kindness and professional attitude. The Chair of EMU Mechanical Engineering Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Hacışevki, has been working very intensively to update the equipment and machines in our laboratories. The Chair was so kind and helpful to all the students and instructors. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Rızaner and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Hakan Ulusoy from the EMU Graduate Institute were especially very supportive and paid great attention to students. Meanwhile, I must also mention that the EMU Library helped me greatly with its rich content providing me with a great scientific database in all academic areas.”
“EMU was influential in my Harvard acceptance”
Amirsalar Khandan laid emphasis on his acceptance process to one of the most prestigious research centers in the world, the Khademhosseini Lab at Harvard University. He said that it was very difficult to contact the Khademhosseini Lab at the beginning because thousands of students from all over the world annually applied to this facility. Khandan noted, “It was hard to convince Prof. Dr. Ali Khademhosseini to accept me to the Lab; however EMU and its affiliations created an environment for me to attract his attention. After 2 years of hard work, Prof. Dr. Khademhosseini gave me the chance to work for him as a researcher for 1 year. I am greatful to EMU for its influence on my acceptance to Harvard Medical School as well as my supportive supervisor, Assist. Prof. Dr. Neriman Özada. EMU also influenced my acceptance to one of the most important universities in Iran, Amirkabir University of Technology (AUT) as a postdoctoral researcher.
