Anwar Khaddaj

Anwar Safwan Khaddaj, from a small Lebanese village, embodies resilience and passion in pursuing his dream of mathematics. Since childhood, he saw maths not just as science but as art and philosophy. Winning a merit scholarship for his bachelor's at Lebanese American University, he excelled, achieving a 3.97 GPA to become a top scorer in Lebanon’s national exams. Amidst Lebanon’s crises and the 2020 explosion, he persevered, seeking therapy and pursuing a PhD in computational mathematics at Rice University. An advocate for mental health and education, Anwar co-founded Stoodie to guide students in career paths, impacting Lebanon’s youth and fostering global citizenship through leadership and innovation. 

Anwar Safwan Khaddaj’s journey from a small Lebanese village to pursuing a PhD in computational mathematics at Rice University is a testament to resilience and passion. Since childhood, Anwar viewed mathematics not merely as a science but as an art and philosophy, a viewpoint that guided him through challenges and crises in Lebanon. Excelling academically, he secured a merit scholarship for his bachelor’s at Lebanese American University, achieving a remarkable 3.97 GPA and ranking among Lebanon’s top scorers in national exams. 

Despite Lebanon’s turbulent times, including economic collapse and the devastating Beirut explosion of 2020, Anwar persisted, even seeking therapy to manage the mental toll. His determination led him to Rice University, where he embarked on a PhD journey in computational mathematics, focusing on computational neuroscience and developing software to analyse neuron behaviour. 

Beyond academia, Anwar co-founded Stoodie, a platform helping Lebanese students explore career paths by connecting them with professionals, demonstrating his commitment to education and innovation. He’s also a mental health advocate, fostering community support through initiatives like “capturedthoughtsandmemories” on Instagram. 

Anwar’s impact extends globally through roles like International Student Outreach Director at Rice, supporting fellow students and organizing cultural events to promote diversity and inclusion. He champions women in academia through the Association for Women in Mathematics, addressing gender disparities in his field. 

Through it all, Anwar Safwan Khaddaj’s journey exemplifies resilience, passion for mathematics, and a commitment to empowering youth and fostering global citizenship.