Student Councils

Lucy Adams - Physics

Lucy Adams is a senior Physics major and Philosophy minor from Allentown, PA. On campus, they are the president of the Women and Gender Minorities in Physics club, the secretary of the Society of Physics Students club, a member of the Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society, and a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Women’s Fraternity. In addition to this, they are a Physics Peer Learning Assistant and a lab assistant in Professor Dave Medich’s radiological sciences lab, where they conduct research on brachytherapy, a form of cancer treatment. Outside of the classroom, they play Dungeons & Dragons, work out, and build miniature houses.

Trevor Bush - Biology & Biotechnology

Trevor Bush is a Biology and Biotechnology (BBT) & Biochemistry (CBC) double major from Leominster, MA. On campus he is a BBT department ambassador, a Community Advisor, a Crimson Key Admissions Tour Guide, the VP of recruitment for the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, the secretary and worship leader for the Christian Bible Fellowship, the founder of the Spanish Fluency Association, and a long time executive of the Biotechnology club. Trevor is also an undergraduate researcher with a keen interest in medicinal chemistry and regenerative medicine. In the Weathers Lab, he conducts translational research on phytochemicals derived from 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘶𝘢 and 𝘈. 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢 and their use to treat both communicable and non-communicable diseases 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘳𝘰. This includes the development and use of plant tissue scaffolds for 3D modeling of disease states. In his free time, Trevor enjoys running, cooking, playing piano in Alden Hall, and enjoying the company of friends and family.

Lauren Brooks - Biochemistry

Lauren Brooks is a junior Biochemistry major and Bioinformatics and Computational Biology minor from Windham, NH. On campus she is the vice-president of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, a Community Advisor, a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Order of Omega, the vice-president of her respective sorority and an undergraduate researcher in the Mattson Lab. In her free time, Lauren enjoys competing with the Women’s Club Soccer Team and traveling with her friends and family!

Aksel Jensen - Computer Science and Bioinformatics & Computational Biology

Aksel Jensen is a junior Bioinformatics and Computational Biology and Computer Science double major, a Psychology minor, and a BS/MS in Neuroscience student from Falmouth, MA. On campus, he is the president of the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Club, an undergraduate researcher in the Social Neuroscience of Affective Processes Lab, a member of Psi Chi the Psychology Honor Society, and a pledge for Alpha Phi Omega, the co-ed service fraternity. Outside of the classroom, he is a part of the WPI competitive pickleball team, enjoys reading, baking, and playing board games.

Benjamin Levy - Interactive Media & Game Development

Benjamin Levy is a junior Interactive Media & Game Development (IMGD) and Computer Science major from Kensington, MD. On campus he is the vice-president of the Video Game Club and a student representative for the IMGD program. In his free time, you can find Benjamin playing games with friends, participating in game jams and going on hikes!

Matthew Lydon - Mathematical Sciences

Matthew Lydon is a senior from outside of Washington D.C. While double majoring in Mathematical Sciences and Mechanical Engineering, he is also studying a minor in Professional Writing & Rhetoric. His research interests include rhetorical analysis, research methodology, feminist theory, machine design, and nonlinear thermofluid mechanics. Outside of his coursework, You may find him baking, playing cello, or building small robotics projects. 

Esther Mao - Data Science and Social Science & Policy Studies

Esther is junior double majoring in data science and policy studies. She currently does research for Dr. Robert Kreuger of the Social Sciences and Policy Department, where she uses machine learning models on data from the Poverty Stoplight to attempt to draw conclusions about public trust in democracy across Latin America. On campus she is also the Director of Philanthropy for Alpha Phi, the treasurer of Data Science Club, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa. In her free time Esther enjoys going to the beach, reading history books, finding new ways to stay active, and spending time with her friends and family. 

Thei Riley - Computer Science

Thei Riley is a senior pursuing a BS in Computer Science focusing on cyber security. They are passionate about reverse engineering as well as binary exploitation and love introducing others to the topics. On campus, they are the undergraduate student representative to the CS department, a peer mentor, a department ambassador, on the Cyber Security Club officer board, and heavily involved with the Society for Medieval Arts and Sciences. In their free time, you can find them larping, reading a good book, or playing board games.

Benjamin Tate - Mathematical Sciences

Benjamin Tate is a senior at WPI from Niskayuna, NY majoring in actuarial mathematics with a minor in data science. He serves as Vice President of Lambda Chi Alpha and Treasurer of the Investing Association. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, refereeing soccer, and relaxing with friends and family

A&S Graduate Student Advisory Council 2024 - 2025

Enis Agyeman Boateng  - Sustainable Development Engineering 

Enis Agyeman Boateng is a PhD student in Sustainable Development Engineering Social Science at WPI. Enis holds a master’s in Science and Technology for Innovation in Global Development from WPI and is passionate about environmental sustainability and innovation in material development. With a background in engineering and the social sciences, Enis is passionate about exploring the intersection of technology, policy, and society. His research explores sustainable composite materials, emphasizing recycling and advanced manufacturing techniques. He focuses on sustainable development and the innovative use of technology to address global challenges beyond his academic pursuits. Enis is passionate about fostering collaboration between academia and industry to drive impactful social change.

Adam Beauchaine - Computer Science

Adam Beauchaine is a PhD student in Computer Science. He is advised by the amazing Craig Shue, and his research work lies in the domains of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. He holds a B.S. in Computer Networking from Wentworth Institute of Technology, and recently completed his M.S. in Computer Science at WPI. Since his second year, Adam has been working on a research project involving the application of unsupervised learning models in endpoint system security, and he has enjoyed advising several undergraduate groups in this domain. Outside of his work at WPI, Adam is a year-round R&D Scientist at Sandia National Laboratories, where he specializes in the security of operational technology networks for nuclear power systems. In his free time, you’ll likely find him reading, hiking, or playing video games.

Darren Cole - Interactive Media & Game Development

Darren Alexander Cole is a moving image sound artist born in Kansas City, Mo. Cole researches emerging technology as he explores the meeting place between media literacy, ethics, and social justice. Cole is currently a Ph.D. student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in computational media. 

Gabrielle Cabebe - Bioinformatics & Computational Biology 

Gabrielle is a PhD student in the Bioinformatics & Computational Biology program. Under the advisement of Dr. Natalie Farny, she does transcriptomic and various molecular biology analyses to further the development of a re-engineered P. putida soil bacterium. Her current research interests are in gene circuit characterization and optimization combined with Machine Learning methods, discovery of RNA interactions that affect gene expression, and understanding gene regulation in P. putida. As a Circular Economy and Data Analytics Engineering Research for Sustainability (CEDAR) Fellow, Gabrielle aspires to utilize synthetic biology, the soil microbiome, and bioinformatics methods for sustainable agricultural development and soil bioremediation. Outside of research, Gabrielle enjoys piano, indoor climbing, and taking care of her house plants.

Abigail Rose Drumm - Mathematics

Abigail is a graduate student from nowhere in particular (but she'll tell you that she's from California). Pursuing a Ph.D. in Mathematics, she is advised by Dr. Francesca Bernardi and is currently studying bacterial contamination of microfilters. Prior to joining WPI, she attended a small liberal arts college in Virginia, where she obtained a B.S. in Mathematics. When not studying, teaching, or figuring out how to do research, Abigail can be found reading anything-but-horror novels, writing little stories, trying new vegan recipes, and buying overpriced lattes.

Fatemeh Farajzadeh - Data Science

Fatemeh is a Ph.D. candidate in Data Science at WPI with a Master’s in Industrial Engineering from the Sharif University of Technology, Iran. During her Master’s, Fatemeh designed a mixed integer programming (MIP) model to optimize drone last-mile delivery operations, which evolved into a novel MIP approach integrating drones with public transport for emergency urban delivery operations. Currently, her research centers around managing migration crises at international borders to ensure equitable and proactive resource allocation. She has co-developed RUTH, a pioneering preference-based matching system that uses an optimized algorithm to match Ukrainian refugees to host communities in the US.

Opeyemi Ibitoye - Biology & Biotechnology

Opeyemi is a PhD candidate in the Biology and Biotechnology department. He works in the Shell lab where they focus on the mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in mycobacteria. His research project is on investigating the roles of regulatory small RNAs on the Mycobacterial stress response. Outside the lab and WPI, he plays tennis, enjoys long drives with friends, and sees soccer matches.

Mira Kirschner - Neuroscience

Mira is from San Francisco, California and she is currently an M.S. student studying Neuroscience. She manages the SEED Lab and the SWEET Center on campus, and is a part of the Psychology Society and Psi Chi. In her free time, she loves to play games, bake cookies, and have fun with her friends. 

Anna Mederer - Physics

Anna is a graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics and earned her B.S. in Robotics Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from WPI. Her research interests lie at the intersection of Physics Education Research and Learning Science. Anna works with Professor Ben Pollard of the Physics Department and the CEDAR Lab led by Professor Stacy Shaw of the Learning Sciences and Technologies Program. Currently, her research focuses on implementing wakeful rest within introductory physics classes to investigate its impact on memory consolidation of physics concepts. Outside of research, Anna is passionate about sharing her appreciation for physics with students as a TA. Beyond academics, she is a member of the Glee Club and Alden Voices Choirs on campus and enjoys photography, reading, and nature.

Kathleen Morrissey - Computational Media

Kathleen Morrissey is a Ph.D. student in the Computational Media program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), within the Interactive Media and Game Design department. She is a contributing author of Pandemic Play: Community in Performance, Gaming, and the Arts and The World of Final Fantasy VII: Essays on the Game and Its Legacy. As the director and producer of the positively reviewed Memoirscape, Kathleen merges interactive gameplay with physical installations to create immersive experiences. 

Maddie Rennie - Chemistry & Biochemistry

Madison is a fourth year PhD student in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. Madison works with the Scarlata group investigating how nematodes, a worm model, 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. In her spare time, you can find her reading a book, scrolling on Instagram or convincing people to get coffee. This is her third year on the graduate council and she is very proud and grateful to be part of this community and cannot wait to continue to foster her professional career.