Applicant: Rahul Khandelwal Program: PhD in Biochemical Engineering.

Statement of Purpose
I am a fourth year undergraduate student in the department of Chemical Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur. I am interested in pursuing graduate studies at your esteemed institution. This written statement elucidates upon my research interests, background and career goals. y interaction with the field of !iology began at high school le"el. The physiology of li"ing beings and their functioning capti"ated my interest. The able tutelage of my !iology teacher nurtured my interest on the sub#ect. $e always belie"ed in presenting a practical perspecti"e of the material deli"ered during a lecture. It was from him that I learned the importance of understanding any sub#ect from a pragmatic "iewpoint. y fascination with !iology continued after %econdary !oard (&'th grade) and I opted it as a main sub#ect along with athematics, (hysics, Chemistry and English for %enior %econdary !oard (&)th grade). *t IIT Kanpur, I didn+t allow my enthusiasm fade away due to undergraduate studies in engineering. Through continuous interaction with my elder brother, an orthopedic surgeon himself, and constant reading, I enhanced my knowledge on the sub#ect. *t present I am doing a course titled ,%tructural !iology- offered by the !iological %ciences and !ioengineering .epartment, as an open electi"e. .uring the course I gained deeper insight upon the functioning at cellular le"el. I was especially fascinated by the role played by proteins in go"erning molecular processes. The approach to drug design has undergone radical changes in the post genomic era by focusing upon manipulating the /0. structure of the malfunctioning protein. *part from in0depth analysis of protein structure and functioning, the course also pro"ided an insinuation of how knowledge of life sciences coupled with Chemical engineering can lead to de"elopment of useful substances by the application of biocatalysts such as microbes and en1ymes. %ince !iochemical Engineering would pro"ide me an ample opportunity to e2ercise Chemical engineering skills in life sciences, I am moti"ated to pursue a doctoral degree in this field. *part from !iochemical Engineering, field of Colloids and Interfacial sciences also stimulates my interest. *t present I am doing a course titled ,3undamental of Colloids and Interfacial sciences- under (rofessor *shutosh %harma (.epartment of Chemical Engineering, IIT Kanpur). 4earning how molecular interactions at nanoscales can lead to significant changes in the physical properties was an enriching e2perience. In particular, the mechanism by which surfactants lower surface tension of the medium on which they are adsorbed grabbed my interest. .uring my !.Tech pro#ect, ,%tandard .ispersion odel "s 5a"e odel6 )0. study on packed bed reactors ,, under .r 7ishith 8erma (*ssociate (rofessor, .epartment of Chemical Engineering, IIT Kanpur), I ha"e had an opportunity to ha"e hands on research e2perience. The pro#ect, currently under progress, in"ol"es theoretical study of both the models followed by e2perimental analysis with different orders of reaction in packed bed reactors. The pro#ect has enabled me to gain e2perimental skills coupled with data analysis of the results obtained. !esides this, constant interaction with (h.

students in the lab helped me in impro"ing my research skills and obser"e their functioning from close 9uarters. 5inter *cademy )''), organi1ed by .**. :ermany, pro"ided another platform for understanding how research is initiated and carried out. (articipating institutes were ;ni"ersity of Erlangen (:ermany), IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur and IIT :uhawati I was among the &< students selected from IIT Kanpur from "arious disciplines to participate in the *cademy. The purpose of the academy was to stimulate research aptitude among undergraduate students. Throughout the two week academy, I was able to interact freely and e2change ideas with distinguished (rofessors of the abo"e mentioned prestigious institutions and appreciate how fruitful as well as demanding a research career can be, re9uiring high le"els of perse"erance and patience. It has been aptly stated ,4ife is what happens when you are planning for it-. !iochemical engineering is well poised to make significant contributions to humanity. 4ooking forward, I plan to pursue a research career in the field of !iochemical Engineering in con#unction with constructi"e collaboration with the industry. entally stimulating en"ironment along with the independence granted to thinking in research would be in"aluable assets which would assist me in contributing to the field. *cti"e research being carried out in !iochemical engineering especially in the area of======================has moti"ated me to apply to ;ni"ersity of ===========. The ;ni"ersity en#oys e2cellent reputation coupled with the presence of eminent faculty members. The fertile en"ironment for learning and research would enable me to nourish my research skills and shape a career in the field of !iochemical engineering. *s a student, I ha"e always stri"ed to achie"e e2cellence. This is reflected in the resume sent along with the application package. y curiosity to learn and absorb ideas has always propelled me forward. Through my analytical and research skills de"eloped at undergraduate le"el, I belie"e I would be able to do #ustice to ;ni"ersity+s aspirations. Thus, I submit this written statement with an earnest re9uest to consider my candidature fa"orably.