Shanelle Bhajan
I'm a senior at NYU studying Global Public Health and Biology with a minor in Chemistry on the pre-med track. Within NYU, I'm also an RA and Vice President of the American Red Cross. I'm a Medical Scribe at Hoboken University Medical Center and a Certified Phlebotomist. I'm currently working on research on Marijuana Usage and Hypertension Endpoints with Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health under Dr. Diachi Shimbo. Aside from this, I spend time shadowing physicians and surgeons in different specialties. So far, my favorite experience has been seeing a heart transplant! After graduating, I plan to take a gap year before applying to medical school, and during this time, I intend to apply the skills I've learned and broaden my experiences. Aside from research and academics, you can find me in the gym, traveling, or trying new restaurants!
Class of 2023
Andrea Cortes
I am a first-generation student majoring in Biology on the honors track with a minor in Chemistry. I am also a Dean's and Presidential Honors Scholar. In the past I have focused on microbiology bioinformatics research with NSURP and Johns Hopkins BioREU, public health research with Polygeia, chemotherapy and cognitive research through the Georgetown ARCHES Program, and I am completing my honors thesis on stem cell regulation in the Bach Lab at NYU Langone. In the future I hope to attend medical school and practice as a pediatrician while researching cancer genetics. During my free time I love to hike back home in Upstate, NY and explore the city. On the weekends I enjoy volunteering as an EMT with the Central Park Medical Unit.
Trinity Casimir
I'm a junior studying global public health and anthropology in CAS with a minor in documentary film at Tisch. Currently, I'm a lab assistant with the Applied Global Public Health Institute at NYU and I volunteer as a tutor with Reading Partners in NYC. I also do independent research/volunteering in racial health disparities and substance use. I’m learning to roller skate in my free time and I love to go to museums!
Gaby Garcia
Hello! I am a first-generation senior majoring in Global Public Health with a concentration in Anthropology. In addition to WINS, I am also a member of the Global Action for Urban Health Lab and a Personnel Services intern at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Epidemiology Division. During my years at NYU, I have mentored first-generation students, led a service-learning program, and represented my dorm in the EcoReps program. Post-graduation, I hope to pursue an MPH and study infectious diseases and community health.
Carla Garcia Medina
I’m a senior majoring in Computer Science and Data Science at CAS. Currently, I’m a student researcher at the NYU CILVR Lab (Computational Intelligence, Learning, Vision, and Robotics) where I am investigating the use of Multimodal Learning Models for Reinforcement Learning. A few of my other passions include exploring new places, hiking, reading, and catching up with friends!
Medha Gupta
I am a senior at New York University studying Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences with a minor in the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology jointly in the Stern School of Business, Tisch School of the Arts, and Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. I'm passionate about leveraging technology, communications, and analytics to explore trends and make an impact in politics, entertainment, and finance. Last summer, I had the opportunity to intern as a Digital Strategy Analyst Intern at Adobe where I had a transformative experience both professionally and personally. In college, I'm involved as a board member in the TAMID Group, Delta Kappa Delta, and Indian Cultural Club. I also host a podcast with WNYU called Saree Not Sorry. Outside of college, I serve on the Congressional App Challenge Alumni Advisory Board and host a podcast called Debugged.
Amanda Lihari
Hi! I am from Brooklyn, NY and am currently a senior majoring in Neural Science with a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies on the pre-med track. I am also apart of the Presidential Honors Program. For my research, I am an assistant in Dr. Wendy Suzuki’s lab, where we are studying the effects of different short interventions to try to reduce stress and anxiety, while also heightening cognitive ability. I believe taking care of one’s mental health is just as important as one’s physical health, and this is especially vital for the success of college students. Outside of WINS, research, and working part time at an urgent care, you can find me trying one of NYC’s delicious restaurants with friends or spending time with my adorable dog, Mylo!
Brenda Liu
Hi! This is Brenda from CAS Data Science and Economics double major, ENFP for MBTI personalities test. I love socializing and exchanging creative ideas with other people. Can't wait to meet you all!
Charlene Manipon
I am a current senior at NYU majoring in biochemistry, minoring in CAMS, and following the pre-med track. I am from the Hudson Valley area of New York, and I love being a supportive member of the pre-health community. Outside of WINS, I am a Learning Assistant at the ULC, and the president of Phi Lambda Upsilon - NYU's Chemistry Honor Society. Currently, I also work in the Stokes Lab at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. My favorite part of being a member of the STEM community at NYU is meeting and encouraging other students who study the sciences. After graduation, I hope to take a gap year before attending medical school. Aside from science, I love playing music, traveling, and serving my community.
Karlee Rowland-Paz
Hi! I am a senior pursuing a bachelors degree in Biology with a minor in Psychology on the pre-med track at the College of Arts and Science at NYU. I am currently researching gap junctions in the developing Drosophila visual system in the lab of Claude Desplan at the New York University department of Biology. Through the SURP program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), I worked as a summer intern in the lab of Yihong Ye, studying the role of ubiquitin in microautophagy. I have remained an active member in the community by volunteering at the Columbia Irving Medical Center and St. Joe's soup kitchen, serving as an ambassador for Egypt Cancer Network USA, and tutoring New York City high school students. After graduation, I hope to return to my hometown in Virginia and work in a research lab during my gap before medical school. In my free time, you'll probably catch me baking, watching Netflix, or exploring new restaurants around the city:)
Mennah Soliman
Hi! I am a senior honors Biology candidate on the premed track with minors in Psychology and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. I am an undergraduate research assistant in the Desplan lab at CAS where I research the patterning mechanisms of optic lobe neurons in Drosophila. Additionally, I am an undergraduate research assistant Giannarelli lab at NYU Langone where I investigate the involvement of T immune cells in the formation of necrotic cores in atherosclerotic plaques. My on-campus involvement includes my role as a CAS College Leader where I help my first-year cohorts adjust to the college transition, being a student ambassador for Egypt Cancer Network, and membership in clubs including Heart to Heart, SJP, and AAP. Outside of school, I volunteer at St. Joe’s soup kitchen, spend time with my kittens, and exploring the city with friends. :)
Omnia Soliman
I'm Omnia, and I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NYC! I am a senior studying Global Public Health and Biology on the premed track. Outside WinS, I am a research assistant at the Empower Lab where we research sex and gender-based violence. I am a 3-time College Leader in CAS where I lead and mentor a cohort of first-year students to aid their transition to college. I serve as an Events chair for the Academic Achievement Program to plan and organize events for students of color on campus, as well as a mentor to specifically aid first-year students of color. I am also a Dean's and Presidential Honors Scholar. After graduating, I plan to take a gap year before applying to medical school to gain more experience. I'm also really interested in public health and hope to spend time working with underserved communities in NYC in order to improve healthcare access. In the future, I hope to become a pediatrician! In my free time, I love cooking, baking, and watching Egyptian soap operas!
Cheryl Quainoo
Hi! I’m a senior in CAS studying Global Public Health and Biology on the pre-med track. Outside of WINS, I am involved in neuroscience research in the Schoppik Lab at NYU Langone. I am currently researching the developmental timing of extraocular motor neurons in larval zebrafish. I am also a Patient Advocate Intern at Bellevue Hospital, where I advocate for patients by interacting with them and supporting them during their emergency room visit. In addition, I am a volunteer at the NYC Free Clinic, where I spread the word about the free clinic’s services and recruit new patients and community partners every year. On campus, I’m a PUMP mentor and I’m a member of Black Student Health Association. After graduation, I plan on taking a gap year before applying to medical school and I would like to become a pediatric surgeon! In my free time, I enjoy trying new restaurants, shopping, and going to concerts.
Lolayemi Charles
Lolayemi is studying Global Public Health and Sociology with a minor in chemistry on the pre-medical path. Her research interests lie at the intersection of social inequalities and medical outcomes. She currently works as the Associate Director of Research for the NYU Empower Lab where she leads and works on teams exploring the intersection of medical outcomes and gender-based violence including sex trafficking and male intimate partner violence. Lolayemi also works for Mount Sinai and NYC Health and Hospitals as an on-call ED advocate for survivors of sexual assault and violence. At NYU, her honors thesis investigates perceptions of health, safety, and risk of Black and Afro-Latine birthing people in New York City in the prenatal and postpartum time period. In the future, Lolayemi aims to pursue her medical doctorate and receive her masters in public health as well.