Anjali Chaparala
B.S. Chemical Engineering, UCLA 2025
Research Associate, Seawolf Therapeutics
For Anjali Chaparala, UCLA Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering was more than a degree program. It was a place to build community, learn how to solve hard problems, and grow into a young engineer ready to begin her career in biotechnology. After graduating from UCLA CBE in 2025, Anjali joined Seawolf Therapeutics in San Diego as a Research Associate. It is her first role after college and a natural next step from her biomolecular concentration at UCLA.
“The classes in this curriculum were very well tailored to providing a solid understanding of concepts I use every day at the biotech startup I work at,” Anjali said. She also credits UCLA CBE with helping her build confidence in unfamiliar situations. Chemical engineering, she said, taught her how to approach new problems, learn new topics, adapt to changing projects, and communicate technical ideas clearly, skills that have already become important in her work.
One of the most meaningful parts of Anjali’s UCLA experience was AIChE. “AIChE was one of the most impactful parts of my UCLA experience,” she said. “It gave me a community that introduced me to some of my closest friends and connected me with mentors who shaped my personal and professional growth.” As AIChE president, Anjali had the opportunity to help create that same environment for others. She worked with fellow students, CBE faculty, and administrative staff to coordinate programs and recruit incoming students. Those relationships gave her a deeper appreciation for the department and the people who support it.
Her connection to UCLA CBE continued after graduation. Anjali returned to campus for the Senior Design Showcase, an event that held special meaning for her. As a senior, she served as project manager for her capstone team. The experience of working with a large team to produce a comprehensive final project was one of the most rewarding parts of her undergraduate education. She also helped faculty put on the first Senior Design Showcase, making it especially meaningful to see how the event has continued to grow.
“I wanted to come back because it’s exciting to see how the Senior Design Showcase evolves,” Anjali said. “It’s awesome to see how it and the project continue to improve.” Returning also gave her a chance to reconnect with professors and see the next generation of students take on leadership roles. Some of the current teaching assistants had been on her capstone team, and she enjoyed seeing them use their own experience to mentor current students.
Anjali’s advice to current UCLA CBE students is simple: build community early and often. “Join AIChE,” she said. “I may be biased, but the friends and connections will last as a support system well beyond graduation.” She also encourages students to build relationships with professors outside of class, not only for academic support but also for mentorship, guidance, and professional growth. “ChemE is hard and the coursework is challenging,” she said. “But the most important takeaway is the ability to solve problems and the confidence to learn new things and communicate them. That will set you up for success in any future pursuit.”
From student leader to recent alumna in biotech, Anjali’s path reflects the lasting value of technical training, mentorship, and community within UCLA CBE.