Hello Friends, my name is Al-Muthanna Al-Ani. I am a graduate student doing my PhD in mechanical engineering. I graduated with my masters in ME under the mechanical systems track specializing in robotics and vibrational analysis but shifted over to energy and heat transfer. Why do more school instead of going off into the real world? Well, I’m one of those people who loves school, learning and wants to become the expert who inspires others to join STEM.

Over the 8 years I’ve spent at UCF, I made a lot of long-lasting connections with students and faculty working to achieve my goal of convincing you that STEM is really not that hard. Currently I’m preforming research on molten salt systems trying to get the next generation of power systems.  I’ve had the opportunity to conduct research on exosuits, taking classes where infinity is a regularly used word, teaching math and physics to our brave freshmen, and hosting movie nights at UCF’s parking garage I (feel free to join). Each of these experiences taught me that I really don’t know anything, but if you’re willing to continue learning you can do some pretty cool stuff.

I have been with STEM ambassadors for 7 years now and I showed tons of kids the huge world of engineering, math and science from planes to beams to robots. A driving motivation of why I am continuing my degree is to show that yes, it’s a little hard, but with a little work it’s very realistic, believe me my spelling and grammar is far below where it should be, and I don’t actually remember every detail from my classes.  I am excited to return as an ambassador for the 2025-26 year and hope to meet you all soon.