Robbyn Anand Recognized for Success in Chemistry
BY FAITH E. SAYLES ’18
2 MIN. READ
Anderson University alumna Robbyn Anand ’04 has been making some waves within the field of chemistry.
The Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, usually referred to as Pittcon, recently recognized Professor Anand with three awards: the Pittsburgh Conference Achievement Award, the ACS Analytical Division Satinder Ahuja Award for Young Investigators in Separation Science, and the SEAC-Royce W. Murray Award.
For Anand, these awards and the recognition for her work have been validating, but she is most proud of the things that led her here. She shares that Anderson University — from academics and professors to service clubs and internships — built her confidence and has helped her to soar in her vocation.
Anand enjoyed her undergraduate experience. A chemistry major from 2000 to 2004, she benefited from the smaller size of the university and got involved in service clubs, which helped build her leadership skills. She was close to her professors, who made science relatable and interesting and gave her confidence.
“My classes made me rethink my own assumptions about the world and made me a stronger person prepared for a diverse community,” Anand shared.
AU’s Dr. Scott Carr, professor of chemistry, helped connect Anand to the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU), which later led to her internship at Miami University of Ohio and then Texas A&M. She went on to obtain her PhD in analytical chemistry in 2010 from the University of Texas at Austin. Currently, she is continuing her research at Iowa State University as an assistant professor of chemistry.
According to Anand, her calling is “to create an environment that’s welcoming to anyone interested in science, and to help them excel.” At Iowa State University, she leads students from around the world who join the Anand Group. Her favorite part of the role is working with her students, who create a unique environment with their desire for learning and their perspectives from different cultures and backgrounds.
Her advice to her students and others aspiring to join the field of chemistry is to “celebrate failures,” which is “part of the process.”
For more information about Anand’s research, check out Iowa State University or the Anand Group.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.