GradSWE Eboard

This is our executive board for the academic year 2024/2025:

To be updated

 

Laura Morales

Position: Co-President

Field of Research: Biomedical Engineering

Email: laura.morales@yale.edu

I’m a third year Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering studying how white blood cells change as they migrate through the microvasculature, and into tissues. I’m originally from Colombia but moved to Florida for my B.S. at the University of Miami.

In my spare time, I enjoy dancing, cooking, and reading a good book. I’m happy to chat about anything and everything over a nice cup of Colombian coffee!

Farrah Mohammed

Position: Co-President

Field of research: Biomedical Engineering

Email: farrah.mohammed@yale.edu 

I am a second year PhD student rotating in the Zhou lab studying the use of magnetic nanoparticles to permeate the blood brain barrier and treat neurological disease. I grew up in Miami and Kelly Village, Trinidad and in my spare time, I enjoy traveling, fishing, dancing in Carnival, working on public health construction projects and geeking out over Harry Potter! I am ecstatic about being a part of SWE and am always open talk about anything whether it be STEM , music, adventure or even food related! 

 

Kate Bridges

Position: treasurer

Field of Research: Biomedical Engineering

Email: kate.bridges@yale.edu

I’m a third year PhD student in the department of biomedical engineering. My research currently focuses on computationally constructing cell-cell communication networks in the melanoma tumor microenvironment, but I am interested in systems biology and machine learning techniques in general. In my free time, I enjoy going to spin class, reading a good book, and cooking up new vegetarian recipes. Also happy to chat about trashy reality TV shows, college basketball (go hoos), or Yale in general!

Heather Liu

Position: Professional Development co-chair

Field of Research: Biomedical Engineering

Email: heather.liu@yale.edu

I am a fifth year PhD student in biomedical engineering studying mathematical modeling and parameter estimation, as it applies to PET neuroimaging. Apart from modeling neurotransmitters, I also enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles and caring for my ever-growing indoor garden (plantstagram @kevinthecurlykale shameless plug). I have a huge sweet-tooth and enjoy making a mental list of the best dessert places around. Though I live in New Haven, I spend the majority of my weekends in Boston or New York–so I’d be happy to chat about balancing my research life in new haven with my everything-else-life both inside new haven and in surrounding big cities.

Tayah Turocy

Position: Professional Development co-chair and National Conference Attendance Planning co-chair

Field of Research: Chemical Biology

Email: tayah.turocy@yale.edu

I’m a third year chemical biology student studying the gut microbiome and utilization of probiotics to develop colorectal cancer prevention techniques and inflammatory bowel disease treatments. In my free time, I love to get creative, grab food with friends, and exercise. Although I am a chemistry student, my undergraduate studies were in chemical engineering. I would be happy to talk about bridging chemistry and engineering or switching career paths.

Serrae Reed

Position: Outreach co-chair

Field of Research: Mechanical Engineering

Email: serrae.reed@yale.edu

I am a third year PhD student in the mechanical engineering and materials science department. I’m interested in growing 2D materials and fabricating ultra-thin transistor devices. I am from the GREAT state of Texas, and I enjoy doing yoga, listening to live jazz, and trying out new restaurants in my free time.

Elise Bullock

Position: Outreach co-chair

Field of Research: Biomedical Engineering

Email: margaret.bullock@yale.edu

I’m a fifth year biomedical engineering PhD student in the Miller-Jensen Lab coming from the great state of Texas.  I’m interested in quantitative systems biology and the use of the synthetic biological circuits to generate information about cellular signaling.  My pastimes include running, board games, and swing dancing. I’m always down for a cup of coffee to answer any questions you might have about Yale graduate school, New Haven, and how to survive the Northeast winters!

Jenette Creso

Position: National Conference Attendance Planning co-chair

Field of Research: Biomecial Engineering

Email: jenette.creso@yale.edu

I am a fourth year PhD student in the Biomedical Engineering department. I am from Washington State but moved to southern California for my B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California Irvine. My current work uses engineered heart tissue to study how genetic mutations that contribute to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affect heart biomechanical properties. In my free time, I love cooking and baking, doing art, being active, and playing piano.

Sam Rossano

Position: National Conference Attendance Planning co-chair and Communications chair

Field of Research: Biomedical Engineering

Email: samantha.rossano@yale.edu

I’m a fifth year PhD student in the biomedical engineering department, working in the Carson lab at the Yale PET Center. I’m interested in using medical imaging techniques including PET and MRI in neuroscience and neurodevelopment applications. In my free time, I like to read, draw, and listen to music. I’d be happy to talk about BME, graduate school, life at Yale, and/or Yankees baseball!

 

Rita Matta

Position: National Conferenc Attendance Planning co-chair

Field of Research: Biomedical Engineeering

Email: rita.matta@yale.edu

I am a fifth year biomedical engineering PhD student studying the microvasculature of the brain and tissue engineering systems for stroke therapy. In my spare time I love exploring new national parks and cities, trying out new recipes, and being with my cat. I love to chat about anything from life in New Haven/New England, research collaborations, and work life balance.

Saiti Halder

Position: Diversity Chair

Field of Research: PhD, Biomedical Engineering

Email: saiti.halder@yale.edu

I am a second year PhD student in Professor Campbell’s lab where I make engineered heart tissue to understand how different genetic mutations lead to hypertrophic cardiomyopathies. I love dancing and am a member of Yale Kalaa which is Yale’s only South Asian classical dance group. I am always down to talk about life as a graduate student, tissue engineering and its applications, different dance forms around the world, where to find good noodle soup or literally anything else! 

Holly Rudel

Position: Diversity co-chair, Etiquette Dinner co-chair

Field of Research: Environmental Engineering

Email: holly.rudel@yale.edu

I am a third year in Environmental Engineering studying metal oxide nanoparticles for drinking water treatment in Professor Julie Zimmerman’s lab. I went to Bowdoin College (Go UBears!) where I studied chemistry, and also was on the swim team (something I’m hoping to get more involved in here at Yale)! am passionate about crosswords, and am always looking for a good book recommendation, so feel free to reach out to chat about anything and everything.

Sherry Qiu

Position: Etiquette Dinner co-chair

Field of Research: Computer Science

Email: sherry.qiu@yale.edu 

I’m a fourth year PhD student in computer graphics studying sketching applications. In my spare time, I consume a lot of visual media (TV shows, movies, photography, museums, you name it), indulge in sugar, and try to balance that out by going spinning or doing yoga. Having interned in the tech industry, I’m happy to chat about experiences in industry and academia, or anything at all related to grad school!