Education Advocate | Former Scientist and Lecturer

Anju has had a lifelong passion for learning, teaching and giving back to the community. She received a Ph.D. in Molecular Oncology and Immunology from NYU School of Medicine and did a post-doctoral fellowship at the Center for Advanced Biotechnology & Medicine in Piscataway, NJ.

Anju continued her career as a Scientist in the Department of Neuroscience at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. After a successful scientific career with numerous presentations at scientific conferences, publications in prestigious scientific journals and being granted a patent, she took some time off to raise her children. During this time, she was a Lecturer at both Rutgers University and Princeton University.

Anju got involved in primary education while implementing the Blessings in a Backpack program for students in underserved communities. This program mobilizes individuals to provide food for the weekends for school children who might otherwise go hungry. Through the program, Anju was introduced to the Greater Brunswick Charter School in New Brunswick, NJ where she has served on the Board of Trustees for the past 5 years. Anju also serves as a member of the Advisory Board on JerseyCAN, an education advocacy group, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Somerset County YMCA.