How do I approach a guy who is between 10-12yrs older than me? Do I?

For background, I’m in my early 20s and have seen this guy around my campus for about a year now. Recently, I unexpectedly had an opportunity to talk to him but it was specifically for a research project I’m part of. He is getting a PhD in the same field I’m getting a Masters in so I don’t know if that would make it weird. Anyway I think he’s pretty quiet and he’s from somewhere in the Middle East so I know that brings up some cultural differences in maybe speaking to women. So I’m not even sure if I should try haha. Any help would be appreciated!