2026 Convocation Student Speakers
Student Welcome
Ankita Akanksha, from Westford, MA, is graduating with a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering with a minor in business administration. She has been involved in the Engineering Governing Council since joining Rutgers as a first-year student and now leads the organization as its president, championing the engineering experience and addressing school-wide policy concerns. Ankita is also a member of the Honors College and holds a leadership position with the Society of Women Engineers. Her work as an Aresty Summer Science student focused on the nanocoating of vaccine needles. She has held a software test internship with Medtronic and a design engineer co-op with Johnson and Johnson MedTech. After graduation, she will join medical device company Becton Dickinson in a three-year R&D rotational program starting in Chicago, IL.
Student Speaker
Atharv Koratkar is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering. Originally from California’s Bay Area, he chose to pursue his undergraduate studies on the East Coast to broaden his perspective and engage with a diverse community. Since coming to Rutgers, Atharv has been an active member of the Rutgers IEEE Micromouse division, where he served as team captain and division lead. He also mentored younger students, supporting their academic and personal development. Atharv also completed an internship at Schindler as an electrical engineer. Following graduation, Atharv will attend the University of Pennsylvania to pursue a master’s degree in robotics, where he aims to develop solutions that make a meaningful impact on the robotics world.
