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. A member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers (EACE), Robyn co-leads the NACE Individuals supporting/recruiting students with Disabilities Affinity Group. 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.
Lisa 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.
Laurie 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.
Jeanine 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.
Lori 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 and later the Common Good & Creative Careers team. She also supported graduate students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Currently, her role as a member of the STEM Connect team is assisting with students interested in the health, medical, pre-law and STEM fields. 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, traveling 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.
Elizabeth 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.
Elayne 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.
Kristin 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).
Kelly 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.
Montrell 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.
Hyun 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.
Reed 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.
Giselle 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.
Stanley 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.
Jorimel 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 pursue 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 includes 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.
Surendra Bhattarai
Surendra is a PhD student in the Department of Astronomy at Yale University, where his research focuses on asteroseismology, the study of stellar oscillations to probe the interiors of stars, which he likes to call the “music of the stars.” He uses time-series data from space-based telescopes like TESS and Kepler, and builds theoretical models to estimate the ages of stars and the open clusters they belong to. Before coming to Yale, Surendra completed an integrated BS-MS degree in Physics at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata and conducted his Master’s thesis research at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore. Outside of research, Surendra is a music enthusiast who enjoys jamming on the flute and guitar, and has a deep appreciation for old music and philosophy. He loves the outdoors, whether hiking in national parks, climbing, or setting off on long drives with no fixed destination, and has a profound love for animals, doing his best to make the world a little kinder and freer for them.
Alexandra Ceballos
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Alexandra Ceballos is a senior in Branford College from Miami, Florida, majoring in Political Science with certificates in Data Science and Chinese Language. On campus, Alexandra has served as Secretary-General of Yale Model United Nations (YMUN) China and as Director for YMUN Korea, Europe and here in New Haven. She has also studied abroad through Harvard Taipei Academy and Pembroke College’s Semester Programme at the University of Cambridge during her time at Yale. She’s excited to support you in planning for and pursuing academic and professional opportunities.
In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, baking, and exploring campus with her camera. She’s excited to see you for Office Hours in Branford and Pierson!
Office Hours for Fall 2026:
Pierson College – Pierson Common Room
Tuesdays 3:30 – 5:30 pm
Branford College – Branford Common Room
Wednesdays 8:00 – 10:00 pm
See all Outreach Coordinators, and their availability here
Neo Chen
Student Ambassador
Neo is an undergraduate student in Branford College pursuing the BS/MS Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry and BA in Applied Math. On campus, he is involved in peer mentorship, student leadership, research, and community engagement, with a particular interest in helping students navigate Yale’s academic and professional resources. As an OCS Ambassador, Neo hopes to make career resources more approachable and accessible while connecting students with opportunities that support their personal and professional goals. Outside of academics, he enjoys playing violin, exploring New Haven, and meeting new people across campus.
Esther 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 senior in Berkeley College from San Francisco, CA, majoring in Political Science with an intensive certificate in Human Rights. On campus, she is involved with Yale Model United Nations and the MacMillan Center, and off campus, she works at the Federal Public Defender’s Office in New Haven. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, reading books, hiking, and watching movies with friends.
Fall 2026 Office hours:
- Berkeley Buttery: Tuesdays, 6-8 pm
- Davenport Common Room: Wednesdays, 6-8pm
See all Outreach Coordinators, and their availability here
Ammara Fatima
Graduate Peer Advisor
Ammara is an Advanced Professional MPH student in Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Yale University and a physician by training. She aspires to pursue a career in cardiothoracic surgery, with research interests in cardiovascular disease, genetics, artificial intelligence, and surgical outcomes. She has gained cardiovascular and cardiothoracic clinical exposure through clinical work and research at the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and has contributed to published research articles. Through her MPH training at Yale, she is strengthening her skills in epidemiology and biostatistics to integrate clinical medicine, research, and population health into her future surgical career. In her free time, Ammara enjoys trekking, horse riding, and exploring new places.
Casandra Garza Resendez
Casandra is a fifth-year doctoral student in Spanish and Portuguese and Early Modern Studies. Her dissertation examines women’s engagement with learned magic in early modern Spain. Before enrolling at Yale, she worked as a literature teacher in her hometown of Monterrey, Mexico. She holds a B.A. in Spanish Literature from Tecnologico de Monterrey.
Jay Gandhi
Health Professions Quick Questions & Exploring MD/PhD Advisor
Jay Gandhi is an MD-PhD student with experience navigating the medical school application process. He is happy to advise students as they think through their coursework, prepare for the MCAT, develop a compelling application narrative, and identify schools and programs that are a good fit. He particularly enjoys helping students bring together their research, clinical experiences, and other interests into a cohesive application while preserving what makes their individual story distinctive. He can also offer perspective on research-intensive career paths, including MD-PhD training and academic medicine.
Lucy Guo
Mock Consulting Case Interviewer
Lucy is an incoming Silver Scholar at the Yale School of Management. She recently graduated from Emory University, where she double majored in Quantitative Science and Religion. Across her academic and professional experiences in analytics, strategy, and technology, Lucy has become particularly interested in problem solving at the intersection of analytical thinking and human understanding. This interest naturally led her to consulting, where she enjoys combining structured analysis with an understanding of people, organizations, and the broader context behind a problem. During her undergraduate years, Lucy developed extensive case interview experience. Over the past two years, she has also regularly cased with and coached peers preparing for consulting recruiting, many of whom went on to receive offers from MBB and Tier 2 consulting firms. She particularly enjoys helping others identify patterns in their case performance and develop approaches that are structured, adaptable, and natural to their individual problem-solving styles. Outside of consulting, Lucy enjoys snowboarding, exploring new restaurants, and meditation.
Tyler Harvey
Health Professions Graduate Peer Advisor
Tyler Harvey is an MD-PhD student at Yale School of Medicine and Yale School of Public Health, where their research focuses on how social and structural experiences shape health across the life course. As a graduate peer advisor, Tyler enjoys supporting students as they navigate the medical school application process, from developing their personal narratives and written materials to preparing for interviews. Tyler is especially passionate about helping applicants identify and communicate the experiences, interests, and perspectives that motivate them to pursue careers in medicine.
Valerie Henriquez
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Valerie is a senior in Trumbull College majoring in History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health on the premed track. On campus, she works as a student assistant at the Yale LGBTQ Center and serves as a mentor for the SAY-YES program, which focuses on health and medical learning for high school students in New Haven. She is excited to support students as they explore and apply for opportunities such as fellowships, study abroad programs, and other career-related pathways. In her free time, she enjoys reading literary fiction, crafting dioramas or clay figures, and caring for her five pets at home — two dogs, two cats, and a bunny!
Fall 2026 office hours:
- Saybrook College – Saybrook Common Room: 6-8 PM, Wednesdays
- Trumbull College – Trumbull Buttery: 8-10 PM, Wednesdays
See all Outreach Coordinators, and their availability here
Simran Jain
Graduate Peer Advisor
Simran is a first year Master’s student in Personalized Medicine and Applied Engineering. Her professional interests include immunology, CAR-T cell engineering, and medical device testing. Simran earned a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Connecticut (UConn) in 2026. She has worked on research teams and at Yale and UConn through summer internships. She has also held internships in technology commercialization and event planning. Before coming to Yale, Simran worked as a research assistant at Connecticut Children’s Hospital. Simran’s hobbies include running, reading, drawing, and testing out new restaurants and coffee spots!
Elizabeth Kenda
Student Ambassador
Kenda is a rising junior in Trumbull College studying Biomedical Engineering with a Global Health Studies certificate, from Eldama Ravine, Kenya. She is passionate about ethical healthcare innovation and equitable access to healthcare technologies, as well as global health and health policy more broadly. On campus, she has been involved in outreach coordination for conferences and student organizations such as the Yale Model African Union, Yale African Innovation Symposium, Yale African Student Association, and Tsai City. She is also working on the Global Health Ethics Program at the Yale Institute for Global Health. In her free time, she enjoys nature walks, reading nonfiction, traveling, and playing volleyball.
Simrun Khan
Graduate Peer Advisor
Simrun is a first-year Master of Public Policy student. Prior to Yale, she spent over four years as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, advising private companies, governments and non-profit organizations across various sectors including telecom, financial services, real estate, energy, and healthcare. Her work spanned strategy, organizational transformation, and economic development, with experience across the Middle East, Pakistan, and Turkey. Originally from Pakistan, Simrun earned her BSc in Economics and Mathematics from the Institute of Business Administration Karachi, graduating first in her class. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, jogging, swimming (work in progress), and exploring new places.
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.
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!
Spring 2026 Office hours:
- Murray common room: Mondays, 7:00 PM-9:00 PM
- Morse common room: Tuesdays, 1:15 PM-3:15 PM
Gretchen Long
Health Professions Graduate Peer Advisor
I completed my undergraduate degree in Nanoscale Science at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE, SUNY Polytechnic Institute) in 2020. This sparked my interest in using engineering and technology to improve health, which led me to pursue a PhD at Yale. During this time, I studied glioblastoma biology and worked on optimizing novel gene delivery technologies for the brain, which inspired me to learn more about the human impact and clinical applications of research. This ultimately led me to pursue medicine, and as I was finishing graduate school, I applied to medical school and began my MD at Yale in 2026. In my free time, I enjoy running, cycling, reading, baking, and visiting my sister (and her very cute dog!) in Philadelphia.
Nghi Nguyen
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Nghi Nguyen is a senior in JE, majoring in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. She is from Saigon, Vietnam, but now calls Portland, Oregon, home. When she is not busy exploring the world, she’s at Yale, where she previously served as a senator on the Yale College Council and worked with the Asian American Cultural Center and Fashion Lifestyle at Yale.
Office Hours for Fall 2026:
Grace Hopper College – Grace Hopper Common Room
Tuesdays 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Jonathan Edwards College – Jonathan Edwards Common Room
Thursdays 11:00am – 1:00 pm
See all Outreach Coordinators, and their availability here
Chigozirim Ogbonna
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Chigozirim Ogbonna is a Junior in Morse College studying Computer Science. She is originally from Brooklyn, NY, and grew up loving trying new foods, learning new languages, and exploring local neighborhoods. On campus, she is involved in many clubs, including Yale Steppin’ Out, the Yale Black Solidarity Conference, and the Yale Nigerian Student Association. She is excited to work with the OCS to support students in determining their career endeavors.
Office Hours for Fall 2026:
Morse College – Morse Buttery
Mondays 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Pauli Murray College – Pauli Murray Buttery
Mondays 2:45 – 4:45 pm
See all Outreach Coordinators, and their availability here
Wendy Oluwaji
Student Ambassador
Wendy Oluwaji is a Sophomore in Berkeley College studying Economics with a certificate in Data Science. She is from Virginia and loves trying out new restaurants around New Haven in her free time. On campus, she is a model for Fashion Lifestyle at Yale and a Tax Preparer for VITA. She is very excited to work with students and support them throughout their career journey.
Taani Panjwani
Graduate Peer Advisor
Taanishka is an MBA student at Yale School of Management, originally from Mumbai, India. Before coming to Yale, she worked in M&A and strategy consulting at EY-Parthenon, where she advised companies and private equity firms on transactions and strategic transformations. She holds a Bachelor & Master of Commerce from India. Outside of work and school, Taanishka enjoys reading mythology and fiction, she is a particular fan of Jane Austen- trying new food, stargazing, and visiting planetariums. She also loves spending time with her family and friends. You can call her Taani!
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.
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.
Shitij Singh
STEMConnect Peer Advisor & Technical Mock Interviewer
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.
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.
Spring 2026 Office hours:
- Jonathan Edwards Common Room: 2-4 PM, Saturdays
- Saybrook Common Room: 3-5 PM, Sundays
See all Outreach Coordinators, and their availability here
Renee Ocara Tracey
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Renee Tracey | Benjamin Franklin, ‘27
Renee is a senior 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 2026 Office hours:
Benjamin Franklin College – Beanjamin Cafe
Saturday 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Ezra Stiles College – Ezra Stiles Common Room:
Tuesdays 1:30 – 3:30 pm
See all Outreach Coordinators, and their availability here.
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.
Anping Zhu
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Anping Zhu | Silliman 2028
Anping is a junior 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 2026 office hours:
- Timothy Dwight Buttery: 8-10 PM, Tuesdays
- Silliman Buttery: 9-11 PM, Thursdays
See all Outreach Coordinators, and their availability here
