Kenneth Kim
President

Ken is a 4^th year PhD candidate in the Microbiology and Immunology program at Drexel University College of Medicine. He graduated with a BS in general biology from The Pennsylvania State University. He then received the Cancer Research Training Award (CRTA) post-baccalaureate research fellowship at the National Cancer Institute and graduated with MS in biomedical science at Hood College. His research focuses on translational applications harnessing biomaterials, immunology, and immune engineering to develop antigen-specific immunotherapy for autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. He is committed to advancing BSGSA’s mission through strong leadership and strategic initiatives. He has successfully driven impactful initiatives and fostered community engagement. He is eager to contribute to BSGSA’s ongoing success and ensure meaningful progress for the organization.

Nichole Yakas
Executive Vice President

Nichole is a 4^th year PhD student in the Neuroscience program. In the lab, she uses a rat model of spinal cord injury to study the mechanisms of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation as it relates to the treatment of spasticity. As executive vice president, Nichole coordinates communications between program and first year liaisons to the BSGSA to assess the needs of students and helps determine how the BSGSA and Biomedical Sciences Division can better serve them.

Tyler Gray
Vice President of Finance

Tyler is a 3^rd year PhD student in the Neuroscience program. Her research interests center on plasticity of spinal networks following spinal cord injury. Using a rat model of spinal cord injury, she evaluates how stimulation and activity-based therapies can contribute to functional recovery. In her role as vice president of finance, Tyler manages allocation of funds and maintains a record of spending with the goal of giving students access to shared resources, adding to meaningful events and contributing to a sense of unity.

Arden Edgerton
Vice President of Operations

Arden Edgerton is a PhD student in the Microbiology and Immunology program at Drexel University College of Medicine, researching strategies to enhance CD8+ T cell function in chronic infection and cancer. Her work focuses on translational immunology, lipid nanoparticle delivery systems and nucleic acid vaccines. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from Drexel University, where she was also a student-athlete on the women’s lacrosse team. Before starting her PhD, she contributed to the development of gene-edited, iPSC-derived immune cell therapies at Century Therapeutics. She currently serves as vice president of operations for the Biomedical Science Graduate Student Association and is committed to fostering scientific collaboration and mentorship.

Mary Marino
Vice President of Event Management

Mary is a 3^rd year PhD candidate in the Microbiology & Immunology program at Drexel. Her research aims to elucidate the genetic components of the opportunistic pathogen Haemophilus influenzae that contribute to persistent infections. By studying mechanisms leading to antibiotic resistance and tolerance, Mary hopes to someday improve treatment strategies for infections caused by this bacterium. In her role as the vice president of event management for BSGSA, she creates engaging events that foster a sense of community among graduate students. Through this role, Mary strives to make graduate education at Drexel a more enriching experience academically, professionally and personally.

Felicity Tso
Vice President of Public Relations and Communication

During her undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas, Felicity worked to characterize the soil microbiome and its phenotype to confer drought resistance to Zea mayes and Tripsacum dactyloides (eastern gamagrass) in Dr. Maggie Wagner’s lab. After graduating, she worked for a year as a laboratory technician to finish her work in the lab. She completed her Masters degree in Microbiology at Drexel University College of Medicine and matriculated into the PhD program shortly after. She is now a 3^rd year PhD student in the lab of Dr. Donald Hall Jr. and Dr. Garth Ehrlich. Her current research focuses on exploring new drug targets for the treatment of bacterial biofilms and chronic infections. Her overall interests are understanding host-pathogen interactions and the human microbiome with an emphasis on bacterial pathogens.

Emily Konopka
Vice President of Professional Development

Emily is a 4^th year PhD candidate in the Microbiology & Immunology program at Drexel University. She graduated with a BS in cell and molecular biology from Lycoming College in 2021 prior to joining the PhD program at Drexel. Her research interests are focused on immune correlates of protection and the effects of aging on Clostridioides difficile infection and recurrence susceptibility in addition to vaccine efficacy. Emily enjoys networking with other researchers and getting to know her fellow BSGSA board members.

Taylor Flynn
Vice President of Community Service and Outreach

Taylor is a 3^rd year PhD student in the Neuroscience department, where she studies the behavioral, electrophysiological and epigenetic effects of the psychedelic psilocybin in rodent models of depressive-like behavior. As service chair, Taylor works to organize community service events where Drexel graduate students give back to their Philadelphia community. In her free time, Taylor enjoys reading, writing and crafting of any kind.

Ijeoma Okoye
Vice President of Student Culture and Community

Ijeoma is a 4^th year PhD candidate in the Microbiology and Immunology program at Drexel University College of Medicine. She completed her undergraduate studies at Vassar College, graduating with a BA in biochemistry. She is passionate about global infectious diseases such as malaria. As her undergraduate thesis project, she determined the structure and antioxidant activity of bioactive compounds in traditional medicinal plants used to treat malaria in endemic regions in Africa. At Drexel, her doctoral research focuses on investigating the mitochondria of malaria-causing parasites, Plasmodium falciparum, to contribute to the discovery of antimalarial targets and development of new antimalarials. As VP of student culture and community, Ijeoma is committed to organizing events and providing the resources needed to foster a supportive learning environment and build a safe community for all students within the division. Outside of the lab, Ijeoma loves to watch movies, read books and crochet.

Shirley Barrera
Alumni Representative

Shirley is currently a 3^rd year Microbiology & Immunology PhD student. As a member in Dr. Will Dampier and Dr. Brian Wigdahl’s lab, her current research focuses on a computational approach improving CRISPR-associated HIV-1 proviral targeting. As a Master’s student at the University at Buffalo, she worked on characterizing bacteriophages of oral Tannerella. Prior to Drexel, she had the pleasure of working with middle and high school students in a STEM-focused program in NY for several years. She looks forward to connecting with alumni and current students in her role as alumni representative.

Henok Ermias

President

Henok Ermias is a second-year master’s thesis student in Drug Discovery and Development at Drexel. He is from Seattle, Washington, and has lived in New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Texas before Philadelphia. He graduated from Weatherford, Okla. with his BS in Chemistry and plans on applying to the PhD program in Physiology and Pharmacology during the 2024-2025 cycle. He currently works in a research lab on a debilitating psychiatric disorder here at Drexel focusing on Schizophrenia. He 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.

Lucie Stein

Vice President

Lucie Stein is a second-year student in the Pathologists’ Assistant program. She grew up in a family of artists in Vermont and in 2017 earned her BS in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Vermont. After working in Boston, Mass. for a year at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in hematology, she worked at the University of Vermont Medical Center in microbiology for four years before applying to Drexel. With her background in art, she delights in the detail-oriented work of pathology and enjoys educating others about science. In her free time Lucie loves rock climbing, tennis, hiking and making art and rave costumes for her and her husband.

Samantha Heinlein

Treasurer

Samantha Heinlein is a second-year student in the Pathologists’ Assistant program. She was born and raised on Long Island, N.Y. and earned her BS in Psychology at Fairfield University in Connecticut. She had been working as a licensed pharmacy technician prior to moving to Philadelphia to start the MS in PathA program at Drexel. Being here for over a year with her husband and two dogs, Philadelphia is now home. In her free time, she enjoys reading, true crime podcasts and exploring the city. She was introduced to GSA last year as a class representative and is excited to be more involved this year as a board member.

Jesty Patel

Event Coordinator

Jesty Patel is a second-year year Master of Science in Drug Discovery and Development student at Drexel. She is a Doctor of Pharmacy graduate from India and moved to Philadelphia in the fall of 2023. She has prior event management experience and is looking forward to working as an event coordinator for ICO-GSA, organizing meaningful as well as fun events for students.

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.

Danny Mahmoudi

DPMS Representative

Danny Mahmoudi is a DPMS student from the Bay Area in California. He earned an Associate of Science in physics and mathematics from Mission College and a Bachelor of Science in microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics from UCLA. Danny has a deep passion for research in novel areas of genetics, particularly gene therapies utilizing viral vectors. Before pursuing a career in medicine, Danny was a professional chef in the San Francisco Bay Area. Now, he is excited to contribute to the rich legacy of Drexel University and the DPMS program. Drawing on his own non-traditional journey, Danny is committed to helping individuals from underprivileged backgrounds, inspired by his belief that resilience and dedication can make the dream of wearing a white coat attainable for anyone. In his free time, Danny enjoys exploring Philadelphia's vibrant food scene, traveling and cooking with loved ones. He hopes his story and experiences will inspire others to chase their aspirations in medicine.

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.

Ayaan Memon

IMS Representative

Ayaan Memon is an IMS student from Millstone Township, New Jersey. He completed his undergraduate degree at Rutgers University – New Brunswick and graduated with a BA in cellular biology and neuroscience and a minor in cognitive science. He has always loved the city of Philadelphia and is thrilled to have a chance to explore it more this year. In his gap year before he joined the program, Ayaan was involved in his local community, serving as a volunteer EMT and spending time with a local organization to provide various supportive services for the unhoused. He is grateful to have met many wonderful students this year and hopes to use the insights he’s gained from his time as a student and community member to represent concerns regarding the program to administrators. Outside of academics you can find Ayaan playing the guitar, exercising, walking around the city and stargazing.

Jordan Dowtin-Dorsey

MBS Representative

Jordan Dowtin-Dorsey is a second-year MS student in the Biomedical Studies program. She is originally from Prince George’s County, Maryland and holds a BS in Neuroscience with a minor in Public Policy from the University of Maryland. Her interest lies in research relating to neurological disorders, diseases and injuries. This passion has opened doors for her to work under the Detloff Lab at the Drexel University’s College of Medicine assisting in studies relating to pain modulation and rehabilitation post spinal cord injuries. Outside of school, she has a strong passion for fitness, reading and hiking. As the MBS representative, she is hoping to bridge the gap in relationships within the PMPH division while strengthening the program’s ability to make an impact on their students.