JOSEF ALAVI
Undergraduate: University of California-Berkeley
Fun Fact: I usually only eat one meal a day. There’s all this stuff out there about intermittent fasting being good for you, but in reality, it’s out of convenience… and some laziness. The bloating after consuming 2500 calories in one sitting just hits different. Also, shout-out to Panda Express for maximizing my calorie to dollar ratio.
TANVI BANOTA
Undergraduate: Rutgers University - New Brunswick
Fun Fact: I was born in Delhi, India but grew up in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Oman, and Canada! I graduated from Rutgers University in 2022 with a degree in Cell Biology and Neuroscience, but my research has focused on inflammatory mechanisms of toxicant-induced lung injury. I am a huge sports fan (Go Pats and Mets!!), and I fenced epee for the Rutgers Fencing Team. I also love classical music, reading as a form of escapism, Netflix documentaries, and lettering/calligraphy. And wine...love a good Napa Valley Cab!
AGNIESZKA BROJAKOWSKA
Undergraduate: Skidmore College
Fun Fact: When growing up or visiting my farm in Poland, I spent time learning to forage for mushrooms with my parents and now I really enjoy it; chanterelles are my favorite!
JORDAN GALBRAITH
Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University
Fun Fact: One of my favorite past times is playing games - (especially) board games, video games, and arcade games - and I've met many friends in college through game clubs, bars, and cafes. A few favorites of mine include Pandemic, Secret Hitler, and Code Names, but I'm really happy playing any game. A random specific game that I dork out about is Tetris (although I'm really bad at it), and it's on my bucket list to go to the Classic Tetris World Championship one year in person.
JAY GANDHI
Undergraduate: Columbia University in the City of New York
Fun Fact: I spent several years of my childhood in India, where I underwent rigorous training to become a professional musician. My instrument, sitar, is a medieval era lute with Indian and Persian origins. Although my professional goals have since changed, music remains an important part of my life, and I can’t wait to collaborate with the many musicians in the program!
RAUL GARCIA ROSARIO
Undergraduate: University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus
Fun Fact: I am a big science fiction and comics fan. I have watched every movie and series about Star Wars, Marvel, and DC Universe. I also like animated series and anime. I have a collection of Funkos and figures of some of my favorite shows. Game of Thrones is one of the most famous TV shows ever, but I didn’t watch it while it aired. So, in the summer after finishing my bachelor's degree, I binge-watched all eight seasons of Game of Thrones. Even though the ending is a bit controversial, it is one of the best shows ever.
SHU TING (“Allison”) LAW
Undergraduate: Harvard University
Fun Fact: I took two gap years between my undergraduate and medical education. I moved to England and used one year to earn a master's degree and another year to work and travel. I was a barista at a local coffee house before I joined NHS England to work on the COVID vaccination program in Oxford. Ask me about my roadtrips throughout England, Wales, and France!
LINDA LIN
Undergraduate: Swarthmore College
Fun Fact: I like to dance! My favorite styles are Chinese and contemporary, but I really enjoy dabbling in other styles
MICHELE MELINE
Undergraduate: Swarthmore College
Fun Fact: I like to look for signs or souvenirs that spell Michele with one ‘l’.
IFUNANYA (“Ozi”) OKEKE
Undergraduate: Scripps College
Fun Fact: I used to own over twenty rabbits as pets.
BISMARK OWUSU FRIMPONG
Undergraduate: State University of New York at Stony Brook
Fun Fact: I coached my class soccer team for a year, but got sacked after an 0-3 record. Forget the record and I am still an incredible coach. My fantasy premier league totals speak for themselves.
TIMOTHY PARIS
Undergraduate: South Dakota State University
Fun Fact: When I was 12, I played in the Little League Baseball World Series. My team and I competed in three games, each of which were televised on ESPN.
Bonus fact: In high school, I was a state champion wrestler.
TUAN ANH PHU
Undergraduate: University of California-Berkeley
Fun Fact: One fun fact about me is that I participated in the Guinness World Record's largest human letter!
MATTHEW PONTICIELLO
Undergraduate: Cornell University
Fun Fact: In high school I won the superlative for "Most Huggable," and when I was 10 years old I had a fish tank I was obsessed with and used to literally measure the pH and nitrogen levels to make sure my fish had a healthy tank (hence the aquarium pic above!).
ADRIANA PURCELL
Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania
Fun Fact: I lived in Philly for 4 years and (before you ask) ... Pat's is better than Geno's for a cheesesteak. Even though I have been a pescatarian for about 3 years, that sandwich is hard to forget!!
EVA REST
Undergraduate: Georgetown University
Fun Fact: I once met Ruth Bader Ginsburg at a synagogue and almost didn't recognize her because she was even shorter than I expected.
NAHID SAVAN
Undergraduate: Michigan State University
Fun Fact: I have a thing for basilicas, craft beer, art history, and snow. Also, I throw my cat a birthday party every year. Everyone is invited for the next eight years...
ANNE SIDAMON-ERISTOFF
Undergraduate: Princeton University
Fun Fact: I've been to Mount Everest!
KRIZA EMILLE SY
Undergraduate: University of Chicago
Fun Fact: One day I hope to have a small farm animal sanctuary. I have a soft spot for goats - they have so much personality!
ELENA WILSON
Undergraduate: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Fun Fact: I have a sweet 2-year old cat named Gus who is quite adventurous and loves to make new friends!
Submitted by Reiko Fitzsimonds on December 19, 2022