"I could never have predicted coming out of Rutgers Engineering that I'd be where I am now." - Rami Elghandour
School of Engineering alumnus Rami Elghandour is a noted humanitarian and social justice advocate, business leader, and entrepreneur. In addition to this Rutgers bachelor's degree in electrical and computer engineering (ECE), he holds an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. His technical, problem-solving mindset and business expertise enabled him to build two multi-billion-dollar companies. As CEO and chairman, he scaled Arcellx, a biotechnology company developing immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune disease, from a small start-up into an $8 billion commercial-ready organization. Arcellx is currently being acquired by Gilead Sciences, Inc. An impassioned champion of gender equity and social justice, he is a sought-after guest lecturer, keynote speaker, and TEDx speaker on unconscious bias. He is an executive producer of "The Voice of Hind Rajab," a 2026 Best International Film Oscar nominee, and "American Doctor," which premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. In recognition of his achievement, Rami has been selected to deliver keynote remarks during the School of Engineering's 2026 convocation exercises.
Why Rutgers and why ECE?
Rutgers had the perfect balance for me of a small engineering community within a large university that offered uncapped opportunities. You could have it all. As for ECE, that's just genetic. I have loved computers since I was a kid, so there was really no doubt for me.
What do you most value about your SoE education?
It gave me the first principles of thinking about really breaking down problems to a solvable form. To this day, that serves me well in business and in life. Engineering also gave me confidence through learning how to solve hard problems. That combination of first principles thinking and the confidence to make hard decisions plays a huge role in being a successful CEO.
What have you been most proud of as Arcellx CEO and Chairman?
I'm proud to have led the company's growth from start-up to a leading company committed to developing innovative therapies for patients and clinicians. We made anito-cel, a best-in-class therapy for people with multiple myeloma and are handing the company off to the single best organization to maximize its impact. I'm especially proud of the culture we built and of our people. We proved that diversity and an inclusive culture that puts people first is a winning formula for success.
You returned to campus earlier this year for a Fireside Chat with students and faculty. What did you most enjoy about your campus visit?
I was so impressed with the passion, character, and intellect of the students. And that a couple of them—particularly women—said they wanted to be CEOs. Mission accomplished—I love that so much.
You are a tremendous advocate for gender equity. Where does that stem from?
First, my mom raised me so that I don't have any gender biases thanks to the example she set. Next, my competitive drive to succeed depends on building strong teams and my insistence on interviewing people for talent and impact led me to hire a lot of women. Finally, I'm a justice-driven person, and when I'm aware of injustices, I'm inspired to make a change.
You were an executive producer on the Oscar nominated film, "The Voice of Hind Rajab." How did you get involved in filmmaking and how does this movie fit in with your humanitarian advocacy?
I'm so proud of supporting work like this. It fits my focus on justice and giving a voice to the voiceless. Making sure our country reflects its ideals. Making a difference in the world. One of my favorite lines from "House of the Dragon" is: 'What is this mortal life if not the pursuit of a legacy?' I'm trying to leave a legacy of kindness and justice.
In terms of getting involved, it was quite serendipitous. And it's a good reminder that often doing the right thing has surprising results. Who would have thought I'd get to the Oscars?
What interests you most about filmmaking?
Film breaks through propaganda to show reality. "The Voice of Hind Rajab" and "American Doctor" do really well in showing the reality that people in Palestine are no different from us. They have hopes and dreams and want to live as we do. At the end of the day, humanity always wins.
What are your plans once Gilead acquires Arcellx?
I'll have some free time. It's bittersweet and emotional when you build something, and it will be hard to step away. I view leadership as a responsibility and we are taking care of people as best we can through the transition. After the acquisition, I plan on going back to my engineering roots to do some coding and play with AI. I'm also excited to watch the World Cup and spend time with family and friends. Then I'll start to look for my next adventure.
Where would you go if you could take a vacation tomorrow?
I'd love to go to the Galapagos or go on a safari. But for relaxation, I'd go to Hawaii and Disneyland, which are family traditions.
