Muslum Demir wasawarded a scholarship that allows Turkish undergraduates to pursue a master'sdegree at a university of his or her choosing.

CAMDEN — When the time came to choose a university to pursue his
master’s degree in chemistry, Muslum Demir says his decision was an easy one.

“Rutgers–Camden was always my top choice,” Demir says with a smile
while working in a chemistry lab on the Rutgers–Camden campus. “Even while
still living in Turkey, I knew very well that Rutgers is one of the best
universities in the U.S.”

Demir, from the city of Gaziantep in southeastern Turkey, was
awarded a scholarship last year from the Republic of Turkey’s Ministry of
National Education. The prestigious scholarship allows Turkish undergraduates
to pursue a master’s degree and doctorate at a university of his or her
choosing anywhere in the world.

“I have friends from Turkey studying at Rutgers–New Brunswick, so
I’d heard about Rutgers through them while I was still a student in Turkey,”
says Demir, who completed his undergraduate degree in chemistry at Cukurova
University in Turkey. “Rutgers was always a place I wanted to be.”

With Rutgers on his mind, Demir reached out to Alexander
Samokhvalov, an assistant professor of chemistry at Rutgers–Camden.

“After I had a conversation with Professor Samokhvalov, I
knew Rutgers–Camden would be a good fit,” says Demir, who began taking classes
at Rutgers–Camden this semester.

Demir is working on a research project
that seeks to remove harmful aromatic sulfur compounds present in
petroleum and liquid fuel. 

“If we can remove those unwanted compounds selectively
and in non-destructive fashion, using advanced materials called Metal Organic
Frameworks, MOFs, it will be beneficial both to our health and environment,”
Demir says.

Muslum Demir (left) and Alexander Samokhvalov, an assistant professor of chemistry at Rutgers-Camden, work on a research project that seeks to remove harmful aromaticsulfur compounds present in petroleum and liquid fuel.

He is quick to point out that studying with Samokhvalov
has taught him a lot about research.

“He’s taught me a lot about the uses and the assembly of
different instruments required in my experiments,” Demir says.

Samokhvalov says he has been impressed with Demir’s work ethic and
accomplishments.

“It’s not easy to adjust to a new environment, especially when
taking graduate courses in a new country,” Samokhvalov says. “Muslum has been
outstanding. He’s very motivated and hardworking, which is the reputation
of all students at Rutgers–Camden, its chemistry department, and the graduate
chemistry program."

Samokhvalov says, "I’m making every effort to contribute to the growing
strength and international recognition of Rutgers–Camden through my research,
teaching and outreach, and by attracting outstanding international students
like Muslum to campus.”

Demir is pursuing a career in academia and when he
completes his master’s degree and doctorate, he wants to return to Turkey to
teach undergraduate chemistry students there.

“I like chemistry so much and after coming here, I
realize how important it is to complete your master’s degree and doctorate,”
Demir says. “I’ve only been at Rutgers–Camden for a few months, but already I’ve
learned so much about performing research and improving my knowledge of
chemistry. That’s something I’d like to share with other students.”

He continues, “I would love to serve as a model and
encourage other international students to come to Rutgers–Camden to study.”

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