Andrew Lockhart

President

Kenneth Kim

Executive Vice President

Tyler Gray

Vice President of Finance

Emily Konopka

Vice President of Operations

Alison Bashford

Vice President of Professional Development

Ijeoma Okoye

Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion

David Joyner

Vice President of Community Service and Outreach

Lindsay Barger

Vice President of Event Management

Grace Giddings

Vice President of Public Relations and Communications

Isabella Bendorf

First-Year Liaison

Nicholas Wilson

President

Nicholas Wilson, a dedicated researcher from Ghana, is currently pursuing a master's degree in Drug Discovery and Development at Drexel University. With an undergraduate degree in doctor of pharmacy from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, Nicholas has a strong foundation in pharmaceutical sciences. His research focus lies in the field of cancer immunotherapy, where he aims to develop targeted therapies and enhance immune response for effective cancer treatment. Nicholas is a 4D fellow conducting his research in collaboration with Janssen, a leading pharmaceutical company. This prestigious fellowship program provides him with unique opportunities to engage with industry experts and contribute to cutting-edge advancements in cancer immunotherapy. With his strong work ethic, team spirit and excellent communication skills, Nicholas is driven to make a significant impact in the field, bringing transformative innovation to the forefront of cancer treatment research.

Keziah K. Adjei

Vice President

Keziah Adjei is a second-year student in the Molecular Medicine program. In 2019 Keziah earned her BSc in biotechnology and molecular biology from University for Development Studies, Ghana. Prior to gaining admission she worked as a research assistant at Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, where she was involved in diagnosis and research concerning SARS-CoV-2. Keziah is a current Fulbright Foreign Program awardee and lab member of Professor Jain Pooja working on cancer cell-derived exosome effects on dendritic cells. Keziah's research interest is on immunopathogenesis of viruses (such as HTLV-1) with focus on translational research in the development of therapeutic strategies. Keziah looks forward to working with fellow ICO GSA executive board members and making the experience of ICO graduate students at Drexel exciting this year.

Grace Holstein

Event Coordinator

Grace Holstein is a second-year Master of Molecular Medicine student at Drexel. She is from Upstate New York, but has lived in Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont and Utah prior to Philadelphia. She graduated from Springfield College with her BS in sports biology in 2021, and plans on applying to medical school during the 2023-2024 cycle. At Springfield, Grace was an RA and acted as a board member for multiple organizations. She currently works in a research lab here at Drexel focusing on malaria parasites. She is excited to work with the ICO GSA executive board this upcoming year and looks forward to helping put together plenty of engaging events and activities for our students!

Brittany Schleeter

Treasurer

Brittany Schleeter is a Pathologists’ Assistant student at Drexel. Brittany was born and raised in rural Ohio before obtaining her BA in forensic biology at The Ohio State University. While at OSU, she worked as an undergraduate anatomy TA and aided in cadaveric dissection for the anatomy department. Immediately after graduation, she moved to Philadelphia to join Drexel’s Pathologists’ Assistant MS program. She is very excited to soon be working as a PathA! In her free time, Brittany enjoys drawing, being active and spending time with her pet rabbit. She also loves to explore Philadelphia with her friends and family.

Samantha Heinlein

PathA Program Representative

Samantha is a first-year Pathologists’ Assistant master’s student here at Drexel University. She earned a BS in psychology at Fairfield University and had been working as a licensed pharmacy technician on Long Island prior to moving to Philadelphia. Having experience in retail, hospitals and outpatient cancer center pharmacies, Samantha is now focusing on becoming part of the health care team involved with patient diagnosis. She enjoys being a dog and plant mom and spending time with her husband. She’s excited to expand her involvement here at Drexel through GSA!

Arathi Pillai

President

Arathi Pillai is a second-year MS student in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program. She holds a BS in Biology with minors in Writing and Communication, and an MPH in Community Health and Prevention from Drexel University. Her research interests are focused on understanding the intersections of public health and medicine, particularly exploring health outcomes using the social determinants of health as a framework. In her role as PMPH GSA President, Arathi is dedicated to fostering camaraderie among the student body, engaging students in the PMPH community, building strong alumni relations and representing the student voice. As a Philadelphia local, she aims to connect the student body with the community. Outside of her academic pursuits, Arathi enjoys watching horror movies and cooking fusion foods.

Ameer Ghaderi

Vice President

Ameer Ghaderi is a second-year MS student in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program. He holds a BS in Chemistry from Georgia State University. His research interest lies in spinal cord injury and how the immune system responds to such injuries. In his role as PMPH GSA Vice President, Ameer is dedicated to fostering a tight-knit community within the student body and planning events to help his classmates reach their professional goals.

Diego Molina

Treasurer

Diego Molina is a second-year MS student in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program. He earned his BS in Biochemistry from Stony Brook University, where he also minored in Biomedical Engineering. Originally from Long Island, New York, Diego is enjoying living in a new city and experiencing everything Philadelphia has to offer, from dining and museums to parks and cafes. As a student and new member of this community, Diego engages in volunteer work with the Red Cross and participates in extracurricular activities, including the Drexel chapter of Doctors Without Borders. In addition to academics, he enjoys watching soccer (his favorite team is FC Barcelona) and exploring new foods and sights. As PMPH GSA Treasurer, Diego understands the importance of student involvement in adapting to a new city and school. He is committed to working alongside his fellow GSA members to provide the best environment for growth, exploration, and success for both current and future classmates.

Christine Ukubiwe

Secretary

Christine Ukubiwe is a second-year MS student in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program. She holds a BS in Biology from the University at Albany. Her clinical interests include harm reduction for individuals battling substance use disorder. As an EMT, Christine has witnessed many disparities toward that community and is dedicated to eliminating stigma in healthcare. She is also passionate about mentoring first-generation students navigating the collegiate world, with goals to create a youth center in underserved communities. In her role as Secretary, she aims to foster a sense of community within the PMPH program, bringing together students from all programs to ensure their time at Drexel is enjoyable and memorable. Outside of academics, Christine enjoys recreating new recipes she finds online.

Andrea Roguer

Events Coordinator

Andrea Roguer is a second-year MS student in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program. She earned her BS in Healthcare Administration from The University of Texas at Dallas, as well as her EMT-B certification. As a former National Science Foundation REU Fellow, she researched the roles of socioeconomic status and household chaos on the sleep quality of Hispanic and Latino parents with young children. Currently, Andrea is a member of the Detloff Lab, where she contributes to various projects investigating neuropathic pain and the immune response after cervical spinal cord injuries. Outside of research, Andrea volunteers at Puentes de Salud, a clinic bridging the gap between Philadelphia’s Latino population and their access to equitable health care. As an Ecuadorian immigrant herself, Andrea finds her time at Puentes de Salud to be incredibly rewarding. In her role as Event Coordinator, Andrea is eager to bring all programs together through fun and meaningful events, create a welcoming environment, and foster a strong sense of camaraderie within the division. In her free time, Andrea enjoys catching a Phillies or Sixers game, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Hemani Patel

Philanthropy and Community Outreach Chair

Hemani Patel is a second-year MS student in the Biomedical Studies program. She earned her BS in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Holy Family University. Her interests lie within neurology and psychiatry, fields in which she hopes to build a career after completing her program. She actively served as a Crisis Counselor, an experience that reinforced her dedication towards serving the community and promoting mental well-being. Additionally, she held several roles within organizations that strived to cultivate a positive and welcoming community throughout her undergraduate experiences. In her role as Philanthropy and Community Outreach Chair, she’s committed to serving as a liaison for many community service-related and pre-professional activities. She wants to improve accessibility towards these resources for the student body and help foster a strong, goal-oriented community within Drexel University. During her spare time, Hemani loves to learn new languages and create paintings/greeting cards.

Chinonye Charles-Obi

IHS Representative

Chinonye Charles-Obi is a second-year MS student in the Interdisciplinary Health Science (IHS) program. She holds a BS in Biology with a minor in Mathematics from Duquesne University. Her research interests focus on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), particularly in managing symptoms through natural remedies. Upon moving to Philadelphia, Chinonye actively contributes to the community by volunteering with the American Red Cross and Dawn’s Place. As IHS representative, she is dedicated to advocating for IHS students by voicing their concerns and assisting incoming students in navigating their way through the program. She is also committed to bridging the gap between IHS and other PMPH programs by promoting unity within the student body. Outside of her academic pursuits, Chinonye enjoys completing puzzles, knitting and reading books.