_Program:
Biological Engineering

_{Current employer:}
MIT

_Program:
Biological Engineering

_{Current employer:}
MIT

Synthesising ammonia — a key ingredient in fertilisers — is the largest carbon dioxide-emitting process in the chemical industry. “Food production is ever increasing, and agriculture needs to keep up with demand,” Thapa says. “Replacing harsh chemical-based processes in agriculture allows us to meet these needs, keep ourselves fed, and keep our planet healthy to continue to provide for us.”

For international student Bishal Thapa, attending U of I allowed him to grow both personally and professionally. “I have seen things from a different culture and been able to see the world in a different way. I became a better person coming to college, not just a better researcher,” he says.

The Biological Engineering graduate found that while high school education was all about preparing for exams, his university experience allowed him to explore his true passions in research. “At U of I, the focus was more on application and trying new and different things and exploring new opportunities – like research,” he says. “I learned that getting your feet wet is important. And if you don’t like something, you’re not stuck.”