Student Councils

Isaac Benjamin - Physics

Isaac Benjamin is a junior Physics major at WPI with an interest in History. They are looking to work in green energy with a graduate degree in Materials Science or Chemical Engineering and are currently working on an Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) to investigate the reintroduction of nuclear power to WPI's campus. Their hobbies include electronics repair, weightlifting, and cycling. 

Gabriella Guzman-Jerry - Bioinformatics & Computational Biology

Gabriella Guzman-Jerry is a junior Bioinformatics and Computational Biology major pursuing a minor in Global Public Health. Outside of the classroom she is a board member in Worcester's Regional Environmental Council and the Food Recovery Network. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, as well as traveling.  

Jada Hinds-Williams - Social Sciences & Policy Studies

Jada Hinds-Williams is a first-generation student born to Jamaican immigrants. She is a senior majoring in Psychological Science with a concentration in diversity science. One of her greatest passions is helping the underrepresented and overlooked excel in life.  Beyond that, she is also an extroverted introvert who enjoys creative writing and sharing poetry with my friends. On-campus she is a program assistant for the Connections Program and a Student Support Network leader and also a member of the National Society of Black Engineers, the Alliance, the Society of Women Engineers, Black Student Union, and African Student Association.

Aruzhan Koshkarova - Data Science

Aruzhan Koshkarova is a senior student from Kazakhstan, double-majoring in Computer Science and Data Science. She is the Publicity Chair of the WPI Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success and a Vice-president of the WPI Russian Speaking Student Association. Outside of WPI, Aruzhan loves to run, and has a passion for educating youngsters about coding. 

Alana Lue Chee Lip - Biology & Biotechnology

Alana Lue Chee Lip is a junior from Trinidad and Tobago majoring in Biology and Biotechnology (BBT). On campus, she works as a student intern at the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education, a peer learning assistant for the BBT department, and a Biology Ambassador. She also volunteers in the Shell Lab working to understand the roles of RNA regulatory proteins in mycobacteria. In her free time, you can often find Alana spending time with friends and watching terrible reality TV. 

Camille McDonnell - Physics

Camille McDonnell is a senior undergraduate student from Voorheesville, NY. She is majoring in Applied Physics and minoring in Chemistry. On-campus she does research with Professor Raisa Trubko in Quantum Sensing, is a Physics Peer Learning Assistant, President of the Art and Design Club, and President of Women and Gender Minorities in Physics. 

Robbie Oleynick - Computer Science

Robbie Oleynick is a junior Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science major from Yardley, PA. He is involved with numerous performing and extracurricular groups on campus, including Pep Band, Jazz Groups, Brass Ensemble, Hill House, VOX Musical Theatre, LNL, IEEE, HKN, and SAS. In his free time, he likes to tinker with electronics and create projects with embedded systems. When he’s not busy with a soldering iron or computer, he enjoys camping, kayaking, and cooking. He plans to pursue a master’s in ECE with a double major in CS and a minor in Music.

Mira Plante - Computer Science

Mira Plante is a junior studying Computer Science with a concentration in Cyber Security. She currently works as a Student Assistant for the Computer Science department hosting office hours to review concepts and debug code, grading assignments, and monitoring class forums. She is the President of Women in Cyber Security, the Tech Director of WWPI, the Fundraising Chair for Engineers Without Borders, and a founding member of WPI's Equestrian Team. Mira is also a member of the Scholarship for Service cyber security cohort. Outside of academics and extracurriculars, you can find her crocheting, reading through a good history book, or hanging out with her lizards.

Skye Rae Pritchard - Interactive Media & Game Development

Catherine Reynolds - Chemistry & Biochemistry

Catherine Reynolds is a senior from Concord, NH. For her MQP, she is studying lipid domain behavior in asymmetric vesicles in Professor Gericke’s lab. Outside of the classroom, she is captain of the Varsity Volleyball team and the Varsity Volleyball representative for the Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC). She also enjoys hiking and spending time with her friends and family.

Maceo Richards - Data Science

Maceo Richards is a senior student pursuing a BS/MS in Data Science and Neuroscience. He strongly encourages and emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary studies at WPI. In his free time, he enjoys exercise, researching new technologies, and spending time outdoors. 

Natalie Tierney - Mathematical Sciences

Natalie Tierney is a junior at WPI from Chelmsford, MA majoring in mathematical sciences with minors in data science and computer science. During the academic year, she works as a Peer Learning Assistant within the mathematical sciences department. Natalie serves as the secretary and public relations chair for the Association of Women in Mathematics (AWM) chapter at WPI and is also a member of the women's club basketball team, women's ultimate frisbee team, and the WPI concert band. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with friends and family. 

A&S Graduate Student Advisory Council 2022 - 2023

Jezabel Aleyda Aponte Figueroa - Social Sciences & Policy Studies

Jezabel is a master’s student in Science and Technology for Innovation in Global Development. She is a Nicaraguan Civil Engineer graduated from the Universidad Centroamericana (UCA).  Jezabel's volunteering experience with NGOs, TECHO (Emergency Shelter Construction), World Vision (Disaster Relief), and Raleigh International (Climate Change Resilience) motivated her to pursue a career in Development. After graduating, she worked as a Consultant for the Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association, an NGO specializing in comprehensive water and sanitation solutions in Nicaragua and provided logistic support to the Nicaraguan Network of Water and Sanitation. Later she joined the Japan International Cooperation Agency as a Project Assistant for the Revision of Zoning Regulation in Managua, a project to support the local government's Direction of Urban Planning and Environment. 

Jake Bouchard - Physics

Jacob is a PhD candidate with Professor Doug Petkie in the Physics Department studying THz spectroscopy for various industrial purposes. Primary projects include a millimeter-wave based RADAR system for medical applications, full characterization of paper drying using THz, and imaging porosity in carbonate rocks. Within the lab, Jacob has enjoyed mentoring many undergraduate students carrying out independent research projects. He has participated in multiple NSF research marketability and value creation programs and enjoys working with industry partners to develop emerging technologies. Outside of the lab, he is involved in the New England chapter of Optica where he focuses on outreach and bridging the gap between students and industry. In his free time Jacob enjoys cooking, hiking, and exploring the forests of New England. 

Geri Dimas - Data Science

Geri-Louise is a PhD Candidate in Data Science with anticipated graduation in May 2023. Her PhD research focuses on the application of analytics to inform decision-makers in both the government and non-governmental (NGO) sectors. Her research uses both primary and secondary data seeking ways to address an array of different social issues through the application of data science. More specifically she works in domains involving vulnerable populations such as asylum seekers, the homeless, those participating in social programming, and individuals who are (or at risk of) experiencing human trafficking.

Sabine Hahn - Biology & Biotechnology

Sabine is a Biology & Biotechnology PhD candidate in the Manning Lab which primarily focuses on the cellular mechanisms that maintain genome stability and how these pathways might be compromised in cancer.

Trusting Inekwe - Computer Science

Trusting is a graduate student pursuing a PhD in Computer Science at WPI. He holds a master’s degree in Computer Science from WPI and a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus. His research interests are centered around CS education in contextualized settings through the creation of interactive systems that intersect science, culture, craft & art, and programming with the goal of improving the livelihood of target groups and advancing STEM education. During his free time, he enjoys singing and playing musical instruments.

Ashley Lockwood - Mathematical Sciences

Ashley is a Statistics PhD candidate in the Mathematical Sciences department and is working as a Research Assistant for the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS). Her research involves Bayesian methods for nonparametric modeling, combining data from multiple sources, handling non-probability data, and small area estimation. The previous two summers she has worked as a Data Scientist Intern for Meta and Liberty Mutual Insurance. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Assumption College in 2018 with a double major in Mathematics and Economics and a minor in Computer Science. 

Gabrielle Plainte - Neuroscience

Gabrielle is a master’s student in the Neuroscience Program. Hailing from Central Massachusetts, she completed her undergraduate degree in psychology at Worcester State University. At WPI, her main research interest is mental health, and working towards finding beneficial and novel treatments for different conditions. She is currently looking into identifying symptoms of a new possible psychiatric condition. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, creative writing, reading, and photography.

Maddie Rennie - Chemistry & Biochemistry

Madison is a second year PhD student in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. Madison works with the Scarlata group investigating how cells respond to extracellular signals; a large part of this research focuses on G-protein signaling and other conserved protein pathways. In parallel to her own research, she has been given the opportunity to take part in various mentorship and teaching opportunities on campus including training undergraduates in the Scarlata lab and teaching opportunities in undergraduate chemistry courses. She is very proud and grateful to be part of this community and cannot wait to continue to foster her professional career.  

Sarah Weintraub - Bioinformatics & Computational Biology

Sarah is currently a Bioinformatics and Computational Biology PhD student, advised by Dr. Eric Young in Chemical Engineering. Her current research interests are systems biology, genetic engineering, and bioethics. Sarah is driven to contribute to the expansion of human potential. Starting at the University of Florida, she leveraged systems biology to further comparative metabolomics understanding in lilies. She then worked at NorthShore University Healthsystem and studied Schizophrenia using CRISPR tools in stem cells and neurons. As a Circular Economy and Data Analytics Engineering Research for Sustainability (CEDAR) Fellow, she is currently leveraging non-model yeast systems for climate change solutions. Sarah's curiosity has led her to try a variety of activities, including joining her collegiate crew team and becoming SCUBA certified. As a woman in STEM, supporting and developing her community continues to be her inspiration throughout her PhD and beyond as a pioneer in biotechnology.