Hello Friends, my name is Al-Muthanna Al-Ani. I am a graduate student working on 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 9 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 to power next generation reactors.  I’ve had the opportunity to conduct research on exosuits, building and running one of a few molten salt experiments in the United States, 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 garages (feel free to join). Each of these experiences taught me that there is no end to learning, you continue to accumulate knowledge that ends up helping you in the most unexpected places.

I have been with STEM ambassadors for 8 years now and I showed tons of kids the huge world of engineering. 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 2026-27 year and hope to meet you all soon.