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Rita Matta Position: Co-President Field of Research: Biomedical Engineering Email: rita.matta@yale.edu I am a fourth year biomedical engineering PhD student studying the microvasculature of the brain and tissue engineering systems for stroke therapy. On 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. |
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Laura Morales Position: Co-President Field of Research: Biomedical Engineering Email: laura.morales@yale.edu I’m a second 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! |
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Kate Bridges Position: Treasurer Field of Research: Biomedical Engineering I’m a second 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! |
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Heather Liu Position: Professional Development Co-Chair Field of Research: Biomedical Engineering Email: heather.liu@yale.edu I am a fourth 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. |
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Serrae Reed Position: Professional Development Co-Chair Field of Research: Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science I am a second 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. |
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Jenette Creso Position: Etiquette Dinner Co-Chair Field of Research: Biomecial Engineering I am a third 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. |
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Elise Bullock Position: Outreach Chair Field of Research: Biomedical Engineering Email: margaret.bullock@yale.edu I’m a fourth 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! |
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Sam Rossano Position: Communications Chair Field of Research: Biomedical Engineering Email: samantha.rossano@yale.edu I’m a fourth 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! |
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Tayah Turocy Position: Conference Co-Chair Field of Research: Chemical Biology E-mail: tayah.turocy@yale.edu I’m a second 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.
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Holly Rudel Position: Diversity Co-Chair Field of Research: Environmental Engineering I am a second 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. |
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Sherry Qiu Position: Diversity Co-Chair, Etiquette Dinner Co-Chair Field of Research: Computer Science Email: sherry.qiu@yale.edu I’m a third 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! |
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Ann Chen Position: First-year E-Board Member Field of Research: Biomedical Engineering Email: ann.chen@yale.edu I am a fourth-year PhD student in biomedical engineering where I design nanoparticles to improve drug delivery to the brain for glioblastoma treatment. In my free time, I enjoy training for my next marathon, eating hotpot, and hanging out with my cat, Spicy Tang. Feel free to ask me questions about the best cheap eats in New Haven, why New England summers are terrible, and my cat. |
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Chang Shen Position: First-year E-Board Member Field of Research: Biostatistics I am a first-year master student in Biostatistics. I devote myself in applying Statistics theories and algorithms to public health and medical researches, creating value with data. I am also interested in statistical learning and artificial intelligence. In my free time, I would like to watch a music drama or opera and paint with watercolor. Feel free to contact me and talk about anything graduate life, data science, culture, and where to eat authentic Chinese food in New Haven! |
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Anna Lynn Position: First-year E-Board Member Field of Research: MD-PhD, Biomedical Engineering Originally from Kansas City, I am a 3rd year MD-PhD student in the first year of my graduate phase. I am in the lab of Dr. Mark Saltzman, where I am studying the delivery of nanoparticles in utero. Outside of research, I enjoy rock climbing, ballet, reading, cheering on Jayhawk basketball, and eating Arethusa ice cream. Always happy to chat about life as a Yale graduate student, New Haven, or anything else! |
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Saiti Halder Position: First-year E-Board Member Field of Research: PhD, Biomedical Engineering Email: saiti.halder@yale.edu I am a first 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! |