Robyn Acampora
Deputy Director, Office of Career Strategy
Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers
Robyn joined the Office of Career Strategy (OCS) in the fall of 2012 and is eager to meet with students who are at any point in their career exploration or job search process. Robyn is the Deputy Director of OCS and works closely with senior leadership across the office. She is also involved in several strategic initiatives across OCS, oversees vendor management and internal communications. She is the OCS liaison for Student Athletes and Students with Disabilities. She is a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers (EACE). Before joining OCS, Robyn spent seven years at Yale Law School’s Career Development Office as the Associate Director of Administration, where she focused on public interest programming and was responsible for all postgraduate employment reporting. When she is not working, Robyn is typically either chauffeuring or attending an athletic event for her two teenagers. The rest of the time, you can catch her attempting to train her puppy, Cookie.
Career
Public Sector & Non-Profit ConsultingCommon Good & Creative CareersEnvironment, Sustainability & EnergyNon-ProfitPolicy & Think TanksCGCC in the ClassroomAffinity/Identity
Student AthletesNext Steps
CGCC - Career Coffee ChatsLisa Blees
Assistant Director, Programming & Internal Relations
Preferred pronouns: she/her
Lisa started her Yale career in 2004 and joined the Office of Career Strategy in 2006 where she supported Health Professions Advising and STEM Connect for several years. In 2021 she moved to her current role supporting office-wide initiatives in the Office of Career Strategy. In her free time, Lisa enjoys traveling with friends and family, playing with her two dogs, and listening to podcasts.
Denise Byrnes
Associate Director of Employer Relations
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Denise focuses on employer development and engagement predominately within business, law and industry, while also advising students as they pursue their career goals. During her time at Yale, she has been actively involved with EACE having served on two committees, and more recently served on a committee for NACE. Denise is a first year and sophomore college adviser and an appointed Fellow in Branford College. Prior to joining Yale, she advised MBA candidates while at the Lubin Graduate Center of Pace University. Denise began her career working in the financial sector and has held positions at two major financial institutions. She graduated from Stony Brook University and has a Master’s in Education from Fordham University. She enjoys cycling, hiking and paddle boarding.
People
EmployersLaurie Coppola
Senior Associate Director, STEM & Health Professions Advising
Preferred pronouns: she/her
Laurie advises and counsels undergraduates and alumni in Yale College and students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences interested in pursuing further education and careers in the healthcare and STEM fields. Prior to joining Yale, Laurie held various managerial roles for AT&T. During her tenure with AT&T, she managed a staff of over twenty employees and led process improvement efforts which enhanced the effectiveness, accuracy and delivery of billing information to customers. Laurie earned a B.A. from Albertus Magnus College. She embarked on her new career with the Office of Career Strategy after obtaining her M.S. in Human Services from Albertus Magnus College. Laurie’s latest opportunity has been teaching counseling techniques to students pursuing their undergraduate degrees in human services from her alma mater. As an active member of the National and Northeast Associations for Advisors in the Health Professions, Laurie attends annual conferences and meets with pre-health colleagues and representatives from health profession and medical schools. She is a member of the National and Eastern Associations of Colleges and Employers and the Connecticut Career Counseling and Development Association. She is a first-year advisor and fellow for Ezra Stiles College.
Career
STEMConnectApplying to Graduate & Professional School
Health ProfessionsDental School ApplicationsMedical School ApplicationsOther Health ProfessionsPublic Health ApplicationsVeterinary School ApplicationsJeanine Dames
Director, Office of Career Strategy and Senior Associate Dean, Yale College
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Jeanine oversees the Office of Career Strategy and the Office of Fellowships, and prior to this role, she served as a Director in the Career Development Office at Yale Law School, and a Senior Associate Director in the Career Development Office at the Yale School of Management. Before joining Yale, Jeanine worked in career services at both Fordham University School of Law and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in Manhattan. She is an active member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers and was a founding member of the Alumni Section of the Association of Legal Career Professionals. Prior to transitioning to career services, Jeanine was an attorney and practiced real estate and environmental law in New York and Connecticut. She also served as pro bono legal counsel for South Brooklyn Legal Services. She has a B.S. from Cornell University and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. Jeanine is an avid Greek Mythology fan and enjoys spending her free time with her husband, son, and two dogs – Artemis and Atlas.
People
Faculty/StaffFamiliesProspective Students & GuestsStephanie DelVento
Senior Administrative Assistant, Health Professions Advising/STEM Connect
Stephanie joined the Office of Career Strategy in January 2022 as the Senior Administrative Assistant for the STEM Connect and Health Professions Advising team. Prior to joining Yale, Stephanie worked at a community college in Pennsylvania for 5 years supporting career services. She earned her master’s degree in higher education administration from New England College (2020) and she has a Bachelor’s degree in media and communication from Delaware Valley University (2016). Stephanie’s undergraduate experience in Career Services helped shape her decision to enter higher education post-graduation and she is excited to support programs that help students as they take the next step in their careers. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys camping, kayaking, gardening, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Career
STEMConnectLori Ferrara
Senior Administrative Assistant
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Lori joined the Office of Career Strategy in the spring of 2001 working with the domestic internship program. She now works with the Common Good & Creative Careers team and also supports graduate students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Additionally, Lori oversees the weekly Yale College newsletter content compilation and distribution. She graduated with a B.S. in Marketing from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI. In her spare time she enjoys sports and hanging out with friends and family.
Stephanie Glover
Senior Administrative Assistant
Stephanie joined the Office of Career Strategy in 1999. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Consumer Affairs in Management/Business Administration from Howard University. After graduating she worked as a fire and lawn equipment safety specialist with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in Bethesda, MD. Stephanie has a passion for health & wellness/nutrition and will be pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in Dietary Science at the University of New Haven in the fall. Stephanie lives in New Haven and when not at Yale she can be found gardening or working on a DIY project at home. She likes to travel, loves children and in her spare time she sings with her church choir and works with the Youth Ministry.
Jacob Gonzalez
Senior Associate Director, Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Services
Jacob Gonzalez joined the Office of Career Strategy in the fall of 2021 to help graduate students and postdoctoral fellows leverage their degrees and training to find fulfilling careers. Prior to joining Yale, Jacob served as the Associate Director for Career Advising (Sciences and Mathematics) at Wesleyan University supporting undergraduates, graduate students and alumni to explore and prepare for careers in STEM and healthcare-related fields. He was involved in biomedical research for ten years, participated in numerous professional development programs in the life sciences industry, then later transitioned to career services. Through his academic career and experiences as a biomedical scientist and career advisor, Jacob developed a passion for mentoring and supporting the professional development journeys of scholars across the arts and sciences. He earned a B.S. in Biochemistry from California State University, Fullerton and holds a Ph.D. in Cell Biology from Yale, where his research focused on epigenetic mechanisms of stem cell self-renewal. After graduating, Jacob completed a postdoctoral fellowship in cancer biology at the University of California, San Diego.
Graduate & Alumni Levels
GSAS Alumnus/aMaster of ArtsMaster of SciencePhDPostdocPostdoc Alumnus/aYale College Alumnus/aCustom Email Group [Internal Comms Only]
GSAS Masters & PhDs – Hum/SSGSAS Masters & PhDs – STEMPostdocs – Hum/SSPostdocs – STEMPeople
MastersPhDs & PostdocsElizabeth Keane
Recruiting Coordinator
Elizabeth joined the Office of Career Strategy in 2022 as the Recruiting Coordinator after supporting the Arthur Liman Center for Public Interest Law at Yale Law School for nearly five years. Prior to joining Yale, she had been the Director of Marketing for a large Connecticut law firm and worked in the financial industry for many years at the beginning of her career. Elizabeth graduated from Albertus Magnus College with a bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics. In her free time, when not enjoying the Connecticut shoreline with family and friends, Elizabeth and her husband are exploring Washington, D.C., and beyond, with their college-age son.
People
EmployersElayne Mazzarella
Director of Pre-Law and Alumni Advising
Elayne has worked in Higher Education, specifically in Career Services for over 20 years and has been at Yale since 2003. Elayne is a general career advisor with a specialty in career exploration. Elayne works with undecided students, graduating seniors and is also a pre-law advisor. In addition, Elayne works with alumni throughout all stages of their career development process. Elayne is MBTI, Strong, SDS and Clifton StrengthsFinder certified. Elayne holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Manhattanville College; a Masters of Arts Degree in Psychology and a Master’s of Education Degree in Counseling Psychology from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. She has held leadership positions on the executive boards of the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers, the Metropolitan New York College Placement Officers Association, the New York State Career Counseling Association, the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, the Northeast Association of Pre-Law Advisors and the executive board of the Connecticut Career Counseling and Development Association.
Applying to Graduate & Professional School
Law SchoolAffinity/Identity
LGBTQ StudentsPeople
AlumsKristin McJunkins
Director of Advanced Degree Applications & STEM Career Advising
Preferred pronouns: she/her/hers
Kristin McJunkins oversees advising and counseling for undergraduates and alumni in Yale College and students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences interested in pursuing further education in the health and medical fields, is a general advisor for STEM fields, and oversees processes for other advanced degrees to graduate and law school. A longtime higher education professional, Kristin began her career handling event planning and facilities management at Widener University, where she obtained a B.S. in Business Administration and M.Ed. in Education. Transitioning to advising services at the University of Pennsylvania, she coordinated the peer/faculty advising program for 1,600 first year undergraduates as well as managed special services for first-year students and sophomores, in the College of Arts & Sciences. In 2004, Kristin joined Johns Hopkins University as a Pre-Health and Pre-Law Advisor, and since 2006 has worked at Yale University, serving as Director since 2009. Kristin is an active member of the National and Northeast Associations for Advisors in the Health Professions, NACADA (The Global Community for Academic Advising), and the National and Eastern Associations of Colleges and Employers, and NAPLA (Northeast Association for Prelaw Advisors).
Career
STEMConnectApplying to Graduate & Professional School
Health ProfessionsDental School ApplicationsMedical School ApplicationsOther Health ProfessionsPublic Health ApplicationsVeterinary School ApplicationsKelly McSergi
Director of Employer Relations
Kelly McSergi joined Yale in 2021 and recently became the Director of Employer Relations in June 2024. Kelly focuses on employer development and engagement. She also serves as Treasurer for the CT Career Consortium. Prior to joining Yale Office of Career Strategy, she served as employer relations manager in the career development center at the University of New Haven. Kelly earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance at Marymount Manhattan College. She then earned a Master’s in Education in Higher Education Leadership at Florida Atlantic University. Kelly has held various positions in alumni engagement, operations, and events at Marymount and Florida Atlantic University. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new cities, being outside, and having a good cup of coffee.
People
EmployersMontrell Seay
Senior Associate Director of STEM Employer Relations
The newest member of the Office of Career Strategy is Montrell D Seay, a Senior Associate Director of STEM Employer Relations. Working with Hyun Ja Shin and Jacob Gonzalez, he will support the career advancement of Yale GSAS students and postdoctoral scholars by building robust talent pipelines from Yale to industry, with a focus on the local life sciences ecosystem.
Montrell has deep roots at Yale. After completing his PhD from Yale in Molecular Biology, he continued his research work here as a postdoctoral fellow and research scientist. He brings expertise in diverse scientific fields—including neurobiology, hematology, genomics, and translational research—and has extensive experience leading multi-disciplinary teams, managing cross-functional partnerships, and driving large-scale projects. This broad understanding has allowed him to connect scientific disciplines and effectively communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including collaborators at federal agencies and private donors.
Outside of Yale, Montrell has held teaching positions in the Hartford school system . He enjoys translating complex scientific concepts into relatable and engaging ideas for diverse audiences, and has endeavored to build strong, trusting relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the broader public. As a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Montrell advocates for K-12 STEM education and actively supports mentorship programs in his community, creating initiatives that inspire and guide future generations in science and technology. When he’s not at work, Montrell enjoys attending music festivals, gardening, traveling, and watching sporting events.
Graduate & Alumni Levels
Master of ArtsMaster of SciencePhDPostdocPeople
EmployersHyun Ja Shin (she/her)
Director, Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Services
Since 2015, Hyun Ja has served as the Director of Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Services in the Office of Career Strategy. In this position, she oversees advising and programming to support graduate students and postdocs considering careers beyond the academy. Prior to this role, Hyun Ja performed strategic business analysis for Yale’s Vice President of Business Operations and Yale Conferences & Events, and served as the founding administrator for the Becker-Friedman Institute for Economics at the University of Chicago. Before moving into higher education administration, she was an economic consultant specializing in antitrust matters for Charles River Associates. She received a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University and her undergraduate degree from Princeton University.
Graduate & Alumni Levels
GSAS Alumnus/aMaster of ArtsMaster of SciencePhDPostdocPostdoc Alumnus/aYale College Alumnus/aCustom Email Group [Internal Comms Only]
GSAS Masters & PhDs – Hum/SSGSAS Masters & PhDs – STEMPostdocs – Hum/SSPostdocs – STEMPeople
MastersPhDs & PostdocsReed Srere
Senior Associate Director
Reed Srere joined the Office of Career Strategy in the fall of 2023. As a member of the STEM Connect team and a pre-law advisor, he is excited to meet with undergraduates in all stages of their career exploration process. Prior to being a career services advisor, Reed spent 6 years working at Yale’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions. He graduated from Yale as a history major. In his spare time, Reed loves cooking, playing board games with his wife and friends, and generally enjoying all that New Haven has to offer.
Career
STEMConnectApplying to Graduate & Professional School
Law SchoolGiselle Tsikaridis
Senior Administrative Assistant
Giselle joined Yale College as a Senior Administrative Assistant in January 2023, supporting the Office of Career Strategy, the Office of Fellowships, and the Office of Study Abroad. Giselle joins us from Yale Law School, where she most recently served as a Senior Administrative Assistant working with faculty and the Arthur Liman Center for Public Interest Law. Prior to YLS, she was with NYU Law School and spent several years with Pax Ventures in NYC in human resources, accounts receivables, and as a financial clerk. Giselle graduated from Pace University with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring hiking trails and new cities with her husband and children.
Derek I. Webster
Director of Common Good & Creative Careers
After studying film and literature at Yale, Derek spent a decade in Los Angeles as a literary manager and script consultant. He now organizes and expands the university’s Common Good & Creative Careers resources. Derek works with students to explore CGCC interests; which can include pursuing recruited or external job searches; reviewing submission and pitch materials; improving networking approaches; and helping Yalies to navigate the . Also a graduate of the Fairfield Creative Writing MFA program, when not adventuring with his wife and precious/precocious children, Derek is prone to the occasional burst of fiction, both literary and genre: ivanhope.com/writing.
Career
Advertising, Marketing & PRPublic Sector & Non-Profit ConsultingStartups, Entrepreneurship & Freelance WorkCommon Good & Creative CareersArtsArchitectureDesignFashionFine & Visual ArtsMuseums & Arts AdministrationTheater, Dance & MusicEducationEnvironment, Sustainability & EnergyGovernmentMedia & CommunicationsDigital MediaEntertainmentJournalismMusic RecordingPublishing & LiteraryNon-ProfitPolicy & Think TanksCGCC in the ClassroomSelect Internship Programs
Buckley Media & Public Policy Funded InternshipsPaul Block Journalism Funded InternshipsYale Arts Apprenticeship ProgramYale in Hollywood Summer Internship ProgramStanley Willard Jr.
Assistant Director of Employer Relations
Stanley Willard, Jr., MSEd joined the Yale Office of Career Strategy in September 2024. In this role, Stanley will focus on building employer relations and identifying employment opportunities for students interested in Common Good & Creative Careers (CGCC). Stanley brings a wealth of experience from his role as the Pre-Business Career Advisor at Connecticut College. In this position, Stanley has been instrumental in guiding students on their paths to careers in business, including fields such as finance, real estate, marketing, and human resources. His work involved personalized one-on-one advising, teaching multiple sections of a Career Preparation course, and orchestrating events in collaboration with employer and alumni partners. With over seven years of experience in higher education, Stanley is passionate about helping college students evolve into bright, young professionals. His journey before Connecticut College includes more than five years in college athletics across several institutions, where he specialized in marketing and honed his leadership and student engagement skills. Outside the office, Stanley enjoys working out in the gym, exploring different restaurants, and enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning.
People
EmployersJorimel Zaldivar
Senior Associate Director for Common Good Careers
Jorimel joined the Office of Career Strategy in the fall of 2021. As a member of the Common Good & Creative Careers team (CGCC), he supports undergraduate students who are pursuing careers within education, government, and non-profits. Jorimel loves meeting with students as they reflect on their personal and professional development, prepare and plan towards achieving their career goals, and seek to maintain their wellness throughout the job search process. He also manages programming for the CGCC that include overseeing the Yawkey and the Yale Alumni Community Service funded internship programs. Jorimel is a member of several career-related professional associations and he is a past president of the Connecticut Career Counseling & Development Association (CCCDA). Jorimel studied history as an undergraduate at New York University, where he also earned his M.A. in Mental Health Counseling. Jorimel is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) within the state of Connecticut and a national certified counselor (NCC). Among his favorite activities outside of work include watching/playing tennis, listening to opera, and keeping up with his favorite heroes from Marvel and anime.
Career
Common Good & Creative CareersEducationGovernmentFederal, State, Local, and Tribal GovernmentIntelligence & Counterterrorism IntelligenceNon-ProfitPolicy & Think TanksCGCC in the ClassroomPranjal Agrawal
Career Advisor
Pranjal Agrawal is a second-year MBA student at the Yale School of Management from India. This past summer, he interned with McKinsey & Company in the Miami office. He brings experience across product management, operations, and entrepreneurship, having worked at Amazon, Procter & Gamble, and McKinsey, and as a founding member of a Sequoia-backed startup. Pranjal earned his B.Tech. in Materials Science from IIT Bombay, where he graduated summa cum laude. In his free time, he enjoys cooking Indian cuisine, playing strategy board games, and competing in chess at the national level.
Henry Aguirre
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Enrique Aguirre | Pierson, ‘26
Enrique Aguirre is a senior in Pierson College from El Paso, Texas, studying Mechanical Engineering. This past summer, he worked at Bell Helicopter, where he contributed to drive systems testing for next-generation aircraft. He is especially excited to support students pursuing STEM and engineering pathways and hopes to make the process of navigating classes, internships, and career opportunities easier for his peers. Outside of academics, Enrique enjoys working out, playing basketball with friends, and even line dancing for fun.
Fall 2025 Office hours:
- Pierson Common Room: Tuesday’s, 3:30 – 5:30
- Grace Hopper Common Room: Thursday’s, 3:30 – 5:30
Emma Barrett
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Emma Barrett | Pauli Murray, ‘26
Emma is a senior in Pauli Murray College from Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. She is pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies. Throughout her time at Yale, Emma has connected with OCS and the Office of Fellowships to support the development and implementation of environment-focused work experiences from New York City to Malawi. Outside courses, she is involved in research at YSE and is on the executive board of the Rural Students’ Alliance at Yale. Emma is excited to help students navigate the endless resources available to them during their time at Yale.
Fall 2025 Office hours:
- Pauli Murray Common Room: Mondays, 3-4 pm
- Morse Common Room: Mondays, 7-9 pm
Helen Cai
Health Professions Quick Question Advisor
Helen is a fourth-year M.D. student at the Yale School of Medicine. Before attending YSM, she was the recipient of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) award to teach at high schools and community centers in Estonia. During her tenure at YSM, she has also completed one additional year of computational biology research in pursuit of a Master of Health Science (M.H.S.) degree.
Helen is a graduate of Yale College, where she studied Applied Mathematics and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. During her time as an undergraduate, she was an avid participant in residential college life, volunteered as an EMT both on- and off-campus, and taught English as a Second Language to adult language learners. She is currently a Graduate Affiliate for Pierson College and serves as a production assistant for Primary Care Pearls, a medical education podcast produced in conjunction with residents and medical faculty at Yale.
Applying to Graduate & Professional School
Health ProfessionsJack Carew
McDougal Career Fellow
Jack is a second-year PhD student in Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases. His research explores novel malaria diagnostics, the evolution of drug resistance, and vector-parasite interactions. Jack holds a BA in comparative literature with a minor in global health from Middlebury College and an MPH from the University of Vermont. While completing his MPH, Jack was a Fulbright student researcher in Morocco. In addition to global health, he is proficient in Arabic and Spanish, and studies French and Mandarin Chinese. In his free time, Jack loves to cook, hike, and play ultimate frisbee.
Janice Cheon
Humanities/Social Science Graduate School Advisor
Janice is a second-year PhD student in German Studies. She is also in the certificate program for Film & Media Studies. Her research explores expressions of non-linear time and temporality in modernist and avant-garde German film, media, and literature. Janice holds a BA in German with a minor in violin performance from Princeton University and a MSt with Distinction in Modern Languages from the University of Oxford, where she was a recipient of the Ertegun Graduate Scholarship in the Humanities. In her free time, Janice is an avid cook, concert-goer, and cat-lover.
Applying to Graduate & Professional School
Graduate SchoolSelecting a Graduate ProgramGraduate School Application Process & TimelineFinancing & Evaluating Graduate SchoolEsther Choi
McDougal Career Fellow
Esther Choi is a McDougal Career Fellow supporting employer relations at Yale’s Office of Career Strategy. She is a Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering, focusing on DNA methylation analysis for cancer research. In her role at OCS, Esther helps connect students with employers through outreach, events, and strategic partnerships. Beyond work, she enjoys travel, wine tasting, and the occasional marathon of her favorite sitcoms.
Yoselin Colin
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Yoselin Colin | Berkeley, ‘27
Yoselin is a junior in Berkeley College from San Francisco, CA, double majoring in Political Science and Ethnicity, Race, & Migration with an intensive certificate in Human Rights. On campus, she is involved with Yale College Democrats, Yale Model United Nations, and the Yale Undergraduate Prison Project. Off campus, she works at the Federal Public Defender’s Office in New Haven. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, reading books and the news, hiking, and watching movies with friends.
Fall 2025 Office hours:
- Berkeley Buttery: Tuesdays, 7-9pm
- Davenport Common Room: Wednesdays, 7-9pm
Deja Dunlap
STEMConnect Peer Technical Mock Interviewer
Deja Dunlap is a junior Applied Mathematics major, Computer Science concentration. Originally from Las Vegas, NV, she now calls Pauli Murray her home (Go LiMurs)! Deja has been involved with a myriad of clubs on campus including the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Yale Computing Society, and even the Yale Prison Education Initiative. In addition to this role she also serves as a Office of Educational Opportunity Mentor, a STARS Peer Mentor, and a Mellon May/Edward A. Bouchet Fellow. When she is not working she enjoys reading or hanging out with her friends.
Career
STEMConnectPrabaha Gangopadhyay
OCS Career Fellow
Prabaha Gangopadhyay is a Ph.D. candidate in the Psychology program under the Neuroscience track at Yale University, where he studies the neural computations underlying primate social behavior. His work focuses on using probabilistic and statistical modeling to analyze large-scale neural data, and he employs recurrent neural networks (RNNs) to understand the temporal structure of neural encoding during social interactions.
Prior to his doctoral studies, Prabaha completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biology at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. During his time at IISc, he engaged in a diverse array of research projects. His undergraduate thesis explored the neural and behavioral correlates of visual perception, employing computational models to elucidate observed data. Additionally, he participated in research internships and course projects that spanned genetic engineering and population ecology, further broadening his scientific expertise.
Combining expertise across biology, computation, and behavior, Prabaha is passionate about interdisciplinary approaches to neuroscience. Outside of research, he has a deep interest in music and has been learning to play the guitar throughout graduate school.
Learn more at his website.
Tia Ketsan
Quick Question Advisor
Tia is a first year master’s student in bioengineering. Her research interests lie at the intersection of transplantation, bioengineering, and medical ethics, with a focus on xenotransplantation, CRISPR-enabled organ editing, and 3D bioprinting. She has conducted research at NYU’s Transplant Institute and UCLA, where she investigated complement inhibition and organ rejection.
Jojo Lee
Digital Content Creator
Jojo Lee is an undergraduate junior in Pierson College majoring in East Asian Languages and Literatures with a concentration in Korean. She plays for the Yale Women’s Golf Team, serves as President of Hangarak, Yale’s Korean a cappella group, and is also a member of Yale Model UN Korea. In her free time, Jojo enjoys hiking, tasting different kinds of matcha, cooking new recipes, cuddling with her puppy Lucky, reading Korean literature, and exploring new skincare routines.
Ruth Lee
Quick Question Advisor
Ruth is a first year Divinity School Student in Christian Ethics. She graduated from Yale University with a degree in Political Science, along with certificates in Education Studies and Human Rights. Her academic interests include moral philosophy, constitutional law, and criminal law. In her free time, Ruth loves everything outdoors, including hiking, running, and climbing.
Julia Lin
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Julia Lin is a senior in Silliman College from Frederick, Maryland, majoring in Sociology on the intensive track. On campus, she has been involved in increasing student civic engagement through the Yale Democracy Project (formerly known as Yale Votes: A Student Initiative), building community for rural students with the Rural Students Alliance, and conducting research for Professor Kevin DeLuca. Supported by various public service fellowships, Julia has interned with the Maryland Department of Labor’s Office of the Secretary, the U.S. Department of Labor, and Rank the Vote. She is also an Institution for Social and Policy Studies Director’s Fellow and a Dwight Hall Summer Fellow. In her free time, she enjoys scrapbooking, making Pinterest boards, and soaking up the sun around campus. She looks forward to answering any questions about careers and fellowships!
Ayman Naseer
Digital Content Creator
Hi! My name is Ayman Naseer, a sophomore in Pierson College hoping to major in Global Affairs and Data Science. I am very excited to be working with the OCS team as a content creator. A fun fact about me is that I love photography!
Mytien Nguyen
STEM Graduate School Advisor
Mytien is a seventh-year MD-PhD students in Immunobiology. Her research focuses on host-bacteria interaction in the gut. She is a student leader in the Yale BBS Diversity and Inclusion Collective, as well as the National First-generation and Low-income Students in Medicine Association. Prior to coming to Yale, Mytien studied Biology (undergraduate) and Bioengineering (master’s) at Cornell University. Outside of lab, Mytien likes to go on hikes with her husky, Jasmine.
Applying to Graduate & Professional School
Graduate SchoolSelecting a Graduate ProgramGraduate School Application Process & TimelineFinancing & Evaluating Graduate SchoolMicah Okwah
Quick Question Advisor
Micah is a first-year Master of Public Health (MPH) student at Yale School of Public Health, specializing in Chronic Disease Epidemiology. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MB.Ch.B) from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, where he graduated with distinctions in Biochemistry, Physiology, Dermatology, and Internal Medicine. Micah’s research interests focus on cardiovascular epidemiology, chronic diseases, and health equity, particularly in resource-constrained settings.
Adriana Purcell
Health Professions Quick Question Advisor
Originally from northern New Jersey, Adriana is a 4th year MD/PhD student in Medical Anthropology, currently in her 2nd year of her PhD. In 2022, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with her BA in Anthropology and minors in Chemistry & Hispanic Studies. Adriana’s dissertation is a comparative ethnography between New Haven and Puerto Rico, focusing on uncovering the multifaceted barriers to fertility care that Puerto Rican women face across their lifespans. Through this work, she hopes to begin a career of improving contraceptive, infertility, and menopause care for all women. Adriana has completed two years of medical school and is excited to help students who are interested in pursuing/learning about an MD, a “non-traditional” or traditional (i.e. lab-based) MD/PhD, or a social science PhD. In her free time, Adriana loves to cook, exercise, and drink a ridiculous amount of coffee.
Career
Exploring CareersSTEMConnectSTEM Connect Community: Healthcare, Biotech & Global Public HealthUmar Qureshi
Quick Question Advisor
Umar is a second-year MBA student at Yale School of Management. He grew up in Indiana and has a strong passion for technology and Healthcare. Before attending Yale SOM, Umar worked in consulting, focusing on pharmaceutical and financial services clients. He spent this summer as a Product Manager Intern at EndoMD Health, a Health Tech startup focused on pediatric care.
Ella Salim
Quick Question Advisor
Ella Salim is a first-year Master of Public Health student on the Health Policy and Management track. Originally from Los Angeles, California, she completed her undergraduate studies in Global Public Health at the University of Virginia. Her academic interests center on chronic disease prevention, health equity, and the intersection of policy and community health. In her free time, Ella enjoys reading, needlepoint, and beaded embroidery.
Ahana Shetty
Quick Question Advisor
Ahana is a Master of Public Health student in the Health Care Management program. Her work focuses on the intersection of healthcare operations and finance, with a particular interest in improving efficiency and access within health systems. She earned her BA in Healthcare Administration with a minor in Accounting from Austin College. Outside of her studies, she enjoys baking, going to the gym, and spending time outdoors.
Kimia Sinaeian
McDougal Career Fellow
Kimia Sinaeian is a Ph.D. candidate in Chemical Engineering at Yale University, where she investigates ice nucleation mechanisms and antifreeze proteins within the Computational Soft Matter Group. She previously served as a two-year Graduate Professional Experience Fellow at Yale’s Office of International Students & Scholars, organizing events to support and engage the student community. She is also a fellow of the Advanced Graduate Leadership Program in SEAS, sharpening her leadership skills. Currently, she serves as the Office of Career Strategy’s STEM Career Fellow for Physical Sciences and Engineering, developing career-readiness initiatives and resources for graduate students and postdocs. Outside of her academic and professional work, Kimia enjoys gardening, hiking, and playing board games with friends and family.
Shitij Singh
Shitij Singh is an MBA candidate at the Yale School of Management, originally from Mumbai, India. He earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. Before Yale, Shitij worked in product management and digital transformation, leading initiatives in blockchain and AI across sectors like agriculture and sustainability. At SOM, he’s passionate about technology-driven impact and global innovation. Outside of class, you’ll likely find him at the gym or out with friends—he lives by a “work hard, play hard” philosophy.
Career
STEM Connect Community: EngineeringSTEM Connect Community: Healthcare, Biotech & Global Public HealthSTEM Connect Community: Life & Physical SciencesSTEM Connect Community: Programming & Data ScienceSabrina Soriano
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Sabrina Soriano | Timothy Dwight, ‘26
Sabrina is a second-year transfer student, entering as a Senior in the class of 2026. Sabrina’s residential college is Timothy Dwight (TD), where she has been fortunate to find a close-knit community since arriving on campus. Sabrina is majoring in Psychology and Statistics & Data Science.
A couple of fun facts about Sabrina: her favorite Disney Pixar movie is Ratatouille, and she has a love for cheese (though the two are unrelated!). You can often find Sabrina at St. Thomas More Chapel, the Elm, or relaxing in TD’s library or hammock. Sabrina is excited for the journey ahead and look forward to making new memories!
Fall 2025 Office hours:
- Timothy Dwight Common Room: 9-11 am Saturdays
- Trumbull Common Room: 2-4 pm Sundays
Clarissa Tan
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Clarissa Tan | Jonathan Edwards, ‘26
Clarissa Tan is a senior and FroCo in JE, double-majoring in Global Affairs and Art (Graphic Design) with a French Language Certificate. She is originally from California, attended elementary school in China, and grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. On-campus, Clarissa writes a travel column in the YDN, is in Danceworks, and is a former USG/Director for YMUN Taiwan, Korea, China, and Latin America. In her free time, she enjoys solo backpacking, hiking, photography, and ice skating.
Fall 2025 Office hours:
- Jonathan Edwards Common Room: 2-4 PM, Saturdays
- Saybrook Common Room: 3-5 PM, Sundays
Renee Ocara Tracey
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Renee Tracey | Benjamin Franklin, ‘27
Renee is a junior in Benjamin Franklin College. Renee is a double major candidate for Neuroscience & HSHM and is on the pre-med track. She is super excited to work with everyone and help students feel confident in pursuing their career and funding goals. On campus, Renee is involved with STARS mentoring, YNEURO, American Women’s Medical Association and research at the Pittenger Lab. Outside of school, Renee enjoys drinking tea, writing and exercising.
Fall 2025 Office hours:
- Benjamin Franklin, Beanjamin Cafe: Sundays, 12-2pm
- Ezra Stiles Common Room: Sundays, 2-4pm
Trinity Tunstall
McDougal Career Fellow
Trinity Tunstall is a 2nd year in the graduate school pursuing a combined PhD in English and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Her research focuses on black feminist theory, subjectivity, sexuality studies, and black existentialism. Trinity is broadly interested in how sexuality informs and complicates personhood, particularly for Black women. Her research interests stretch across the history of cattle slavery and its foundational discursive injuries to contemporary considerations of marginalized sexual subjectivity. Trinity’s work aims to reimagine the boundaries of identity and embodiment by uncovering the potentials of desire, subversion, and paradox.
Ignacio Ugalde
McDougal Career Fellow
Ignacio is a second-year PhD student in Political Science and Economics, with a focus on political economy. His research explores the interplay between media and electoral accountability. Ignacio holds a BA in Financial Economics from the University of St Andrews, and an MA in Economics from Columbia University. He is proficient in English, Spanish, and Italian.
Haley Xiaohe Zhang
Quick Question Advisor
Haley is a second-year PhD student in Computational Biology and Biomedical Informatics. Her research explores the integration of genetics, large language models, and other machine learning tools to advance precision psychiatry and improve understanding of psychiatric disorders. Haley holds a BS in Applied Mathematics and Neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has also collaborated with research teams across multiple institutions through summer internships. Before coming to Yale, Haley worked as a research officer in the bioinformatics team at the Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences. In her free time, Haley enjoys hiking, watching movies and TV shows, and trying new restaurants.
Jiawen Zhang
McDougal Career Fellow
Jiawen is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Cellular & Molecular Physiology at Yale, working in the Gracheva Lab. Her research focuses on how thirteen-lined ground squirrels keep track of time—not just by the day, but across the seasons. Originally from China, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Bioscience from Nanjing University, where she dabbled in everything from intermittent fasting and weight regulation to the biodiversity of Lake Baikal and engineering cancer-fighting salmonella.
Outside the lab, Jiawen finds joy in both wild landscapes and quiet moments. She’s often hiking, paragliding, photographing nature, or deep in a book. She also loves crafting, hitting the gym, and spending time with her beloved standard poodle, Momo.
Anping Zhu
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Anping is a sophomore in Silliman planning to major in Global Affairs. He is from San Mateo, California and loves all things outdoors. On campus, Anping writes for the Yale Review of International Studies and was a USG for Yale Model African Union. In his free time, he can be found reading, hiking, or in the Silliman buttery.
Fall 2025 Office hours:
- Silliman Buttery: 9-11 PM, Thursdays
- Branford Common Room: 8-10 PM, Tuesdays
