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 of their career exploration process. Robyn oversees the Common Good & Creative Careers team and is a part of the OCS Senior Leadership Team. She manages a number of public service partnerships and is the Office of Career Strategy (OCS) liaison for student athletes. Robyn is also involved with a number of strategic initiatives across OCS. 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 with her husband, two children and dog, Hogan.
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 (he/him)
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 outside of academia. 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. He lives along the Connecticut shoreline in Old Saybrook with his wife, son and Vizsla dog. In his free time, Jacob is either backpacking or hitting the trails on his mountain bike.
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
MastersPh.Ds & 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
GSAS Alumnus/aMaster of ArtsMaster of SciencePhDPostdocPostdoc Alumnus/aYale College Alumnus/aCareer
STEMConnectCustom Email Group [Internal Comms Only]
GSAS Masters & PhDs – Hum/SSGSAS Masters & PhDs – STEMPostdocs – Hum/SSPostdocs – STEMHyun 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
MastersPh.Ds & 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 and alumni 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 ClassroomAffinity/Identity
First Generation and/or Low Income StudentsSelect 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.
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 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 internships. Jorimel is a member of several career-related professional associations, including the Connecticut Career Counseling & Development Association (CCCDA) in which he is a past president. He 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 going to the gym, 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 ClassroomArdavan Abiri
McDougal Career Fellow
Harry is a 2nd year PhD candidate in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (CBB) & Physical and Engineering Biology (PEB). With a background in pharmacy and enthusiasm for machine learning, he is passionate about applying modern artificial intelligence-based algorithms to design and engineer new proteins and drugs. Before stepping into his current role at the Office of Career Strategy (OCS), he was a Strategic Data Fellow at the Yale Office of Postdoctoral Affairs & he was the Director of Communication for Yale Biotech Club (YBC) for 2023-2024. Harry is an avid tennis player and loves to listen to audiobooks, read, and learn when he has spare time.
Bella Bao
Quick Question Advisor
Bella is currently pursuing an M.S. in Health Informatics at Yale University, having graduated Cum Laude with a B.S. in Bioinformatics and a minor in Computer Science from UC San Diego. Her academic journey is complemented by hands-on experience as a Software Engineer Intern at companies like Adobe and ByteDance, where she developed key software solutions and improved development processes. Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, Bella is deeply engaged in technology communities, having served as the Vice President of the Chinese Computer Community at UCSD. In her free time, she enjoys video editing and is a devoted cat-lover.
Maryam Berih
Health Professions Quick Question Advisor
Maryam is a second-year M.D. student from Toronto attending the Yale School of Medicine. Before attending YSM, she worked as a Research Assistant studying frontal temporal dementia (FTD) in addition to working on clinical trials for Parkinson’s and FTD.
Maryam is a graduate of Western University and specialized in Physiology and Pharmacology. During her time as an undergraduate, she completed Medical Biophysics research, volunteered with the Black Outreach Leadership Directive (BOLD), mentored newcomer refugees, and ran the Multiple Sclerosis Chapter at her university. In her free time, she enjoys watching and playing sports and trying new food spots with friends!
Applying to Graduate & Professional School
Health ProfessionsAustin Blanton
Quick Question Advisor
Austin Blanton is an MPP candidate at the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs interested in the intersection between environmental justice, sustainability, and international development. Prior to Yale, Austin was a senior consultant in the energy, sustainability, and infrastructure (ES&I) practice at Guidehouse, where he supported clients at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Transportation. He also helped lead contract support for a number of major initiatives under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including the FAA Fleet Electrification Program.
Through the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), Austin served as a volunteer program manager for sustainable development programs at Ecoresolve, a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating ecosystem restoration and conservation through cutting-edge technology, science, and community engagement. Austin graduated summa cum laude from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs, attaining proficiency in Russian through a study abroad program at Moscow International University.
At Yale, he intends to craft a curriculum that allows him to explore his interests in sustainable development, the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, and Chinese language. Following his MPP program, Austin hopes to work with the United Nations Development Programme to deliver solutions to eliminate poverty, improve access to clean water and sanitation services, and develop climate resilience.
Helen Cai
Health Professions Quick Question Advisor
Helen joined the office of Career Strategy in Fall 2022 as the inaugural Health Professions Quick Questions advisor. In her role, Helen works with students of all class years as well as alumni as they explore their interests in the health professions and start preparing for the medical school application process. She is also happy to provide advice on how to prepare and study for the MCAT.
Helen is a third-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. She has also served as teaching staff at the Summer Science Program (SSP), an international residential research program for high school seniors, for four consecutive summers between 2019 to 2022.
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 currently is 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
Quick Question Advisor
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.
Buwei Chen
Technical Mock Interview Peer Advisor
Buwei Chen is a junior Computer Science major at Benjamin Franklin College. Buwei is also pursuing a certificate in data science, and takes interest in astrophysics, philosophy, and math. Outside of classes, Buwei is involved with the ICPC Club, Yale Computer Society, Student Technology Collaborative, and Yale Esports Club. In his free time, Buwei enjoys video games (competitive and single-player), playing guitar, competitive programming, PC building, and poker.
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 SchoolDeja 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
STEMConnectJohn Gonzalez
McDougal Career Fellow
John Gonzalez is a Ph.D. student in Experimental Pathology specializing in aging biology at Yale University. His research focuses on the mechanisms of aging, aiming to contribute to the development of preventative therapies. Before his doctoral studies, John completed a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Sciences with a minor in Microbiology from the University of Vermont. He also gained substantial research experience at MIT in Dan Anderson’s lab and at SQZ Biotech. Passionate about advancing preventative care, John envisions a career either as a biotech scientist or in roles that empower and promote the work of scientists. He has held mentoring roles as Vice-Chair of the Yale Graduate Student Assembly and has participated in various mentorship programs. Outside of academia, John is committed to community development and enjoys fostering connections.
Zeba Khan
McDougal Career Fellow
Zeba Khan is a PhD Scholar in the Global & International history subfiles of the History Department, at Yale University. Her research focus is the intellectual history, and history of ideas in trans-border connections of Islamic reformists/modernists/utopians across the imperial borders of colonial India, the Ottoman Empire, and Soviet Russia and their successor states. She is interested in discourses on the Muslim self, belongingness, global minority, and questions of empire following the alternative trajectories/imaginaries in metropolitan spaces from 1914 to 1947.
She taught at the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs in the spring of 2024. Before coming to Yale, Khan spent several years in India, Russia, and Turkey learning languages and gaining teaching experience at institutions such as Middle East Technical University in Ankara. She has a Masters in History from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, and an MPhil from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Zeba publishes regularly on issues of Muslim Women, Body Politics, Islam, the Middle East, and North Africa with a special focus on Turkey and Tunisia. She has edited books and worked with international publishing houses like Sage, Taylor & Francis and has recently section-edited Handbook of Contemporary Islam and Muslim Lives for Springers. She is the founder of the ‘Why History’ platform, an initiative on public history awareness and discourse. She welcomes questions and is happy to support fellow scholars. More on her writings:
https://jnu.academia.edu/ZebaKhan
Teddy Kim
Quick Question Advisor
Teddy is a second-year MBA student with a focus on product management and strategy. He has over 7 years of experience working with the public and private sectors on self-driving cars and infrastructure and 2 years within tech as a program manager and product manager. Teddy holds a B.A. in physics from University of Chicago, where he worked on his own startup as well as a leukemia and emergency medicine researcher. In his free time, he enjoys powerlifting, fishing, and learning how to bake.
Reyhan Kusumaatmadja
Quick Question Advisor
Rey is a second-year MBA student at Yale School of Management. He grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia, and has a strong passion for technology and financial inclusion. Before attending Yale SOM, Rey worked at GoPay, the largest fintech firm in Indonesia, and spent his summer as a Corporate Strategy Consultant at IBM in New York City. In his free time, Rey enjoys solo travel, bouldering, and exploring new restaurants, sharing his experiences on Instagram and Beli under the hashtag #reycommended.
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 SchoolLakshmi Venkataraman
Quick Question Advisor
Lakshmi Venkataraman is a third year MBA/MPP joint-degree student at the School of Management and the Jackson School of Global Affairs. She is interested in food systems reform, sustainability, a just protein transition, and animal rights. Over the past two summers, she has worked with the Bezos Earth Fund and with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) on alternative protein projects. She is a graduate in law from NALSAR University of Law, India, and in her free time, enjoys cooking and painting.
Zhongju Wang
Quick Question Advisor
Zhongju (Jōn-jo͞o) is a second-year MBA candidate at Yale School of Management (SOM). At SOM, he is involved in various clubs and activities, including the Finance, AI, PE/VC, China, and Japan Clubs. He has also taken Intellectual Property at the Law School. During the last summer, he completed an internship in business development and analysis at Axiomatic_AI, a VC-backed startup in Cambridge, MA. There, he worked with physicists, mathematicians, semiconductor engineers, and AI researchers and developers to help drive the company’s mission of building automated interpretable reasoning models that accelerate engineering and scientific discovery. He obtained a PhD in Electronic and Computer Engineering from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where his research focused on (non-)convex optimization for applications in machine learning and signal processing. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in communication engineering from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. Before moving to New Haven to pursue his MBA, he worked as an engineer, researcher, and data scientist in Hong Kong and Japan. He is a runner and a rowing crew member. He has trained with Yale Grad Crew and Harvard Graduate Crew. He has also volunteered at New Haven Reads and Harvard Square Homeless Shelter.
Fanmei Xia
McDougal Career Fellow
Fanmei Xia is a Ph.D. student in Sociology at Yale University. Her research focuses on education and human development, particularly how to maximize people’s potential in development contexts. Prior to graduate school, Fanmei worked at the Center for the Economics of Human Development at the University of Chicago.
Qi Yan
McDougal Career Fellow
Qi Yan is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in C&M Physiology at Yale University. Her research aims to uncover novel insights into cell membrane biophysics with nanoscale tools. Before her doctoral studies, Qi graduated from the School of Life Sciences at Tsinghua University. She also holds a B.F.A. in Industrial Design. Outside of academia, Qi is actively involved in mentorship programs and community development, fostering connections and supporting the next generation of scientists.
Junwei Zhang
McDougal Career Fellow
Junwei (Jeff) is a 3rd year Ph.D. candidate working with Professor Elimelech in Chemical and Environmental Engineering. His research interests lie in the design principles and transport mechanisms of ion-selective membranes as well as corresponding applications in resource recovery, desalination, and water reuse. Prior to his Ph.D. study, Jeff obtained a B.Eng. degree in Civil Engineering from The University of Hong Kong and a M.S. degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from University of California, Berkeley. Outside lab, Jeff is an experienced badminton player, a fan of NBA, and a frequent traveler around the world. In addition, as a Needham Scholar, he hopes to promote science and humanity and contribute to solve equal education problems and supports the development of undergraduate research. Lastly, Jeff is also interested in entrepreneurship where IPs from the lab can make direct impact on the industries.
Yanyu Zhao
McDougal Career Fellow
Yanyu is a third-year graduate student in the chemistry department. She is working in the Crawford lab on West Campus. Her research work lies in the interface of human gut microbiome and human host, where she aims to characterize how these gut microbes metabolize nutrients and drugs human host intake. Before coming to Yale, she did her undergraduate studies in biochemistry at Haverford College in Philadelphia. Outside of the lab, you can find her either baking Japanese-style buns, hiking out in nature, or just cuddling with her cat at home.
Henry Aguirre
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Henry Aguirre | Pierson, ‘26
Outside of classes, Henry enjoys playing basketball with his friends and tends to get pretty competitive at club basketball. Henry also spends a lot of time at Bulldog Racing and Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association. Aside from clubs, he likes working out and watching shows. Let him know if you have any recommendations!
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.
Yoselin Colin
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Yoselin Colin | Berkeley, ‘27
Yoselin is a second-year student at Yale, double-majoring in Political Science & Ethnicity, Race, and Migration, and in Berkeley College. She is from San Francisco, California, and loves the outdoors (walking, hiking, swimming, reading a book outside, etc). At Yale, Yoselin is involved in several organizations/clubs that relate to her interests in politics and law. For example, Yoselin is a legislative fellow for Yale College Democrats, the Secretary of Yale Undergraduate Hispanic Pre-Law Association, and the YCC Events Pre-Law Coordinator. Every morning, Yoselin loves to read the New York Times and complete the wordle as she has breakfast at Berkeley. And every night, Yoselin loves to watch movies and TV shows. Yoselin is very excited to join the OCS and OF Team, and get to know everyone.
Johann Ortiz Castillo
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Johann Ortiz Castillo | Branford, ‘26
Johann is in Branford College, class of 2026, and studies Computing & the Arts. He enjoys graphic design, photography, and cooking!
Sabrina Soriano
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Sabrina Soriano | Timothy Dwight, ‘26
Sabrina is a first-year transfer student, entering as a Junior 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!
Clarissa Tan
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Clarissa Tan | Jonathan Edwards, ‘26
Clarissa Tan is a junior 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. She enjoys solo backpacking, portrait photography, figure skating, and everything matcha.
Renee Tracey
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Renee Tracey | Benjamin Franklin, ‘27
Renee (she/her) is a sophomore in Benjamin Franklin College. Renee is majoring in neuroscience and is on the pre-med track. She is super excited to work with everyone and have fun spreading the word on outreach and fellowship opportunities (especially in Franklin and Murray; Renee feels like they get news two days later than main campus)! Outside of school, Renee enjoys drinking tea, drawing/painting, thrifting, and anything creative. These days she is pretty interested in the HBO show “Industry”…unfortunately season three just ended, so what now?!
Hao Xie
McDougal Career Fellow
Hao Xie is a 3rd year PhD student in Electrical and Computer Science Engineering, working with Professor Hong Tang. His research focuses on integrated photonics, where advanced nano-scale fabrication enables the development of essential parts for quantum computing. Before he came to Yale, Hao obtained a B.Eng. degree in Zhejiang University major in Optical Engineering. Outside the lab, Hao enjoys playing badminton and practice quite often in his spare time. He also likes to travel around and loves the feeling of discovering new things on the trip.