March 26, 2025

Get to know the seven students serving as Spring/Summer UREP Ambassadors for 2025! They have a wealth of experience with UREP programs and resources, including the STAR Scholars Program, SuperNova, fellowship applications, and more. Throughout the spring, they'll be sharing their knowledge with peers at events and drop-in hours. Over the summer, they'll mentor and organize social events for our 2025 STAR Scholars. We're so pleased to have them join our team!

Jessica Abu
environmental engineering '26

Jessica is a fourth out of fifth year student majoring in environmental engineering. She has been involved with the UREP office through her time as a STAR Scholar in the summer of 2022. She has been familiar with the Drexel Study Abroad office when she embarked on an international course abroad to Italy in the summer of 2024. She is currently President of Drexel's American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) Chapter and has also worked as a co-op at SEPTA and David Mason & Associates, a civil engineering firm. 

Her interests and hobbies include reading, taking walks, and seeing live music events!

Sarah Bonsall
graphic design '27

Hi! My name is Sarah Bonsall. I am a second-year graphic design student interested in art history and product design. Over the summer term of 2024, I participated in the STAR Scholars program, assisting in research and creating social media content for the Graphic Design Department. Outside my classes, you can find me watching reality TV with friends or thrifting on South Street.

Khizar Kashif
economics '26

I’m an economics major with minors in finance and data science, passionate about entrepreneurship and venture capital. Before college, I co-founded and exited a startup during my gap year, which fueled my interest in innovation and business strategy. Beyond academics, I’m the captain of a Bollywood fusion dance team, an active member of undergraduate student government, and a resident assistant. I love collaborating with diverse teams, exploring new ideas, and bringing creative solutions to life - whether in business, leadership, or the arts.

Khizar has previously served as a UREP Ambassador and has also been involved in UREP as a 2022 STAR Scholar, fellowship applicant, travel grant recipient.

Madeline Navea
psychology '26

Hi, my name is Maddie and I'm a 4th year psychology major and data science minor! I am passionate about making research opportunities accessible to all students and fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to explore their academic interests. Through my own experiences, I’ve seen how transformative independent research as an undergraduate can be in shaping a student’s career trajectory and intellectual growth; yet, I also recognize that many students are unaware of the abundant resources and opportunities available at Drexel, which limits their growth potential. This knowledge gap prevents many students from pursuing such goals, especially with barriers such as lack of guidance or financial support.

As an ambassador, I want to bridge this gap by sharing my knowledge on how to get involved in research programs, both within Drexel and beyond. I strongly believe that access to research opportunities should not be limited by privilege or circumstances but made available to all who are motivated to contribute to their fields.

Maddie has been involved in UREP through the SuperNova Undergraduate Research Fellows Program. She has also received a travel grant to present her work at a conference and is a nominee for the 2025 Goldwater Scholarship.

Rina Notani
biological sciences '28

Rina is pursuing a biological sciences major along with a biochemistry minor. She plans to declare a Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) concentration in the spring. 

Rina has been involved with UREP via their STAR Scholars program, where she experimented with germline stem cell signaling in relation to tumorigenesis. Now, Rina conducts research under Thomas Jefferson University’s Medical College; she studies human short non-coding RNAs in the context of cancer health disparities and neurological disorders.

Along with her projects, Rina is a CoAS BRIDGE Peer Mentor, as well as a Resident Assistant in Kelly Hall. She’s also been involved in the Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Research Support Fund (ASURS) program. 

In her free time, Rina explores new cafes in Center City and enjoys picking up new books. She also loves doing mehndi/henna and drinking chai!

Dwij Rana
biological sciences '27

My name is Dwij Rana, I am a second year biology major and neuroscience minor at Drexel! After my STAR experience with UREP I developed an intense passion for neuroscience and spend a lot of my time outside the classroom, contributing to research at my lab! I am very passionate about neurodiversity and love to help out at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute as a peer mentor whenever I can. Lastly, I love helping people learn, so don't hesitate to ask questions!

Matthew Uppani
biological sciences '27

My academic/scientific interests include learning about cancer and the immune system of the human body, the signaling pathways in developmental biology, effects of chemotherapy on cells within the human body, physiology, anatomy, and learning new experimental protocols. Some of my hobbies include playing tennis, traveling to places, watching movies, reading mystery novels, and working out in the gym.

Matthew has been involved in UREP as a 2024 STAR Scholar.