# Graduate & Professional Student Spotlights

**Source**: https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/index.html
**Parent**: https://grad.ucsd.edu/admissions/

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UC San Diego graduate and professional students make important contributions to research and education and go on to become tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, artists, and entrepreneurs.

Click on the boxes below to read student stories from each of our academic divisions and schools. If you know a remarkable student would we should feature or if you're a current student who would like to share your story, please email [grad-div-student@ucsd.edu](mailto:grad-div-student@ucsd.edu) to find out more.

Also, please use **#ucsdgradlife** when sharing social media content featuring UC San Diego graduate and professional students so we can amplify your message and celebrate our remarkable students!

## [School of Arts & Humanities](#)

- ### [Joanmarie Bañez](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/arts-humanities/joanmarie-bañez.html "Joanmarie Bañez")

  **Ph.D in Literature**
- ### [Bianca Negrete Coba](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/arts-humanities/bianca-negrete-coba.html "Bianca Negrete Coba")

  **Ph.D. in****Literature, Cultural Studies**
- ### [Milo Cramer](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/arts-humanities/milo-cramer.html "Milo Cramer ")

  **MFA Playwriting**
- ### [Celine Khoury](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/arts-humanities/celine-khoury.html "Celine Khoury")

  **Ph.D. in Literature**
- ### [Caleb A. Mertz-Vega](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/arts-humanities/caleb-a-mertz-vega.html " Caleb A. Mertz-Vega")

  **Ph.D. in****Comparative Literature**
- ### [Karina Ortiz Villa](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/arts-humanities/karina-ortiz-villa.html " Karina Ortiz Villa")

  **Ph.D. in Philosophy**
- ### [Reem Hazboun Taşyakan](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/arts-humanities/reem-hazboun-taşyakan.html "Reem Hazboun Taşyakan")

  **Ph.D in Literature**

## [School of Biological Sciences](#)

- ### [Eray Enustun](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/biological-sciences/eray-enustun.html "Eray Enustun")

  **Ph.D. in Molecular Biology**
- ### [Asama Lekbua](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/biological-sciences/asama-lekbua.html "Asama Lekbua")

  **Ph.D. in Biological Sciences**

## [Jacobs School of Engineering](#)

- ### [Alyssa Chiang](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/jacobs-school-engineering/alyssa-chiang.html "Alyssa Chiang")

  **Ph.D. in Bioengineering**
- ### [Nicole E. Félix Vélez](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/jacobs-school-engineering/nicole-felix.html "Nicole E. Félix Vélez")

  **Ph.D. in Bioengineering**
- ### [Nishta Krishnan](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/jacobs-school-engineering/nishta-krishnan.html "Nishta Krishnan")

  **Ph.D in NanoEngineering**
- ### [Nathaniel Linden-Santangeli](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/jacobs-school-engineering/nathaniel-linden-santangeli.html "Nathaniel Linden-Santangeli")

  **Ph.D in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering**
- ### [Carlos Munoz](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/jacobs-school-engineering/carlos-munoz.html " Carlos Munoz")

  **Ph.D. in Bioengineering**
- ### [Maya Rowell](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/jacobs-school-engineering/maya-rowell.html " Maya Rowell")

  **Ph.D. in Bioengineering**
- ### [Sai Zhou](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/jacobs-school-engineering/sai-zhou1.html "Sai Zhou")

  **Ph.D in Materials Science and Engineering**

## [School of Global Policy & Strategy](#)

- ### [Mary Khachatourian](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/gps/mary-khachatourian.html "Mary Khachatourian")

  **Master in International Affairs**
- ### [Austin Newcomer](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/gps/austin-newcomer.html " Austin Newcomer")

  **Master in Public Policy**
- ### [Briana Scott](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/gps/briana-scott.html "Briana Scott")

  **Master in Public Policy**

## [Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute](#)

- ### [Yingyu Lin](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/hdsi/yingyu-lin.html "Yingyu Lin")

  **Ph.D. in Data Science**
- ### [Zhongyang Zhang](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/hdsi/zhongyang-zhang.html "Zhongyang Zhang")

  **Ph.D. in Data Science**

## [Health Sciences](#)

- ### [Danielle M. Campbell](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/health-sciences/danielle-m-campbell.html "Danielle M. Campbell")

  **Joint Doctoral Program, Public Health**
- ### [Eliza Davidson](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/health-sciences/eliza-davidson.html "Eliza Davidson")

  **Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology**

  **Health Sciences**
- ### [Petrona Gregorio-Pascual](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/health-sciences/petrona-gregorio-pascual.html "Petrona Gregorio-Pascual")

  **Ph.D. in Public Health - Health Behavior**

  **Joint Doctoral Program, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health**
- ### [Anubhav Nikunj Singh Sachan](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/health-sciences/anubhav-nikunj-singh-sachan.html "Anubhav Nikunj Singh Sachan")

  **Ph.D. in Biostatistics**

  **Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health**
- ### [Rosalyn Nguyen](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/health-sciences/rosalyn-nguyen.html "Rosalyn Nguyen")

  **Pharm.D. in****Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences**
- ### [Junghwan Park](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/health-sciences/junghwan-park.html "Junghwan Park")

  **Ph.D. in Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science**

## [Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science](#)

- ### [Hongjie (Harry) Qian](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/hhls/hongjie-harry-qian.html "Hongjie (Harry) Qian")

  **MS Candidate in Biostatistics**
- ### [Zhaner Mou](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/hhls/zhaner-mou.html "Zhaner Mou")

  **Master in Biostatistics**

## [School of Physical Sciences](#)

- ### [Lindsey Hands](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/physical-sciences/lindsey-hands.html " Lindsey Hands")

  **Ph.D in Astronomy and Astrophysics**
- ### [Lisa (Qishan) Liang](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/physical-sciences/lisa-liang.html "Lisa (Qishan) Liang")

  **Ph.D. in Chemistry & Biochemistry**
- ### [Lillian McPherson](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/physical-sciences/lillian-mcpherson.html "Lillian McPherson")

  **Ph.D in Mathematics**
- ### [Desirae Alexandria Mellor](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/physical-sciences/desirae-mellor.html "Desirae Alexandria Mellor")

  **Ph.D. in Chemistry & Biochemistry**
- ### [Sawyer Robertson](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/physical-sciences/sawyer-robertson.html "Sawyer Robertson")

  **Ph.D in Mathematics**
- ### [Erik Szwed](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/physical-sciences/erik-szwed.html " Erik Szwed")

  **Ph.D. in Physics**

## [Rady School of Management](#)

- ### [Ping-Chieh Huang](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/rady/ping-chieh-huang.html "Ping-Chieh Huang")

  **Ph.D. in Management (ITO)**
- ### [Monica Stratakos](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/rady/monica-stratakos.html "Monica Stratakos")

  **Master of Professional Accountancy**

## [School of Social Sciences](#)

- ### [Lilly Amirjavadi](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/social-sciences/lilly-amirjavadi.html "Lilly Amirjavadi")

  **Master's in Computational Social Science**
- ### [Lourdes Carmona](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/social-sciences/lourdes-carmona.html " Lourdes Carmona")

  **MA in Latin American Studies**
- ### [Morgen Chalmiers](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/social-sciences/morgen-chalmiers.html "Morgen Chalmiers")

  **Ph.D. in Anthropology**
- ### [Bianca Freeman](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/social-sciences/bianca-freeman.html "Bianca Freeman")

  **Ph.D. in Political Science**
- ### [Ramsey Ismail](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/social-sciences/ramsey-ismail.html "Ramsey Ismail")

  **Ph.D. in Anthropology**
- ### [Ruby Johnston](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/social-sciences/ruby-johnston.html "Ruby Johnston")

  **MA in Latin American Studies**
- ### [Benjamin C. Kennedy (he/him)](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/social-sciences/benjamin-c.-kennedy-.html "Benjamin C. Kennedy (he/him)")

  **Ph.D Candidate in Education Studies**
- ### [Ana Lopez Ricoy](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/social-sciences/ana-lopez-ricoy.html " Ana Lopez Ricoy")

  **Ph.D Candidate in Sociology**
- ### [Shanelle Watkins](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/social-sciences/shanelle-watkins.html " Shanelle Watkins")

  **Ed.D Candidate in Education Leadership**

## [Alumni](#)

- ### [Philipp Arndt](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/alumni/philipp-arndt.html "Philipp Arndt")

  **Ph.D. in Earth Science**
- ### [Eleanor Castracane](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/alumni/eleanor-castracane.html "Eleanor Castracane ")

  Chemistry & Biochemistry, Ph.D.
- ### [Mir Muhtadi Faiaz](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/alumni/mir-muhtadi-faiaz.html "Mir Muhtadi Faiaz")

  **Master in Public Policy**
- ### [Orion McCarthy](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/alumni/orion-mccarthy.html " Orion McCarthy")

  **Ph.D. in** **Marine Biology**
- ### [Kelli Mullane](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/alumni/kelli-mullane.html " Kelli Mullane")

  **Ph.D. in** **Marine Biology**
- ### [Katherine Nesbit](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/alumni/katherine-nesbit.html " Katherine Nesbit")

  **Ph.D. in Marine Biology**
- ### [Penelope Nwaukwa](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/alumni/penelope-nwaukwa.html "Penelope Nwaukwa")

  **Pharm.D. in Skaggs School of of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences**
- ### [Andrew Parlier](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/alumni/andrew-parlier.html "Andrew Parlier")

  **Ph.D. in** **Applied Ocean Sciences**
- ### [Amelia Patton](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/alumni/amelia-patton.html " Amelia Patton")

  **Master of Finance**
- ### [Max Rintoul](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/alumni/max-rintoul.html "Max Rintoul")

  **Ph.D. in** **Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry**
- ### [Kevin Rychel](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/alumni/kevin-rychel.html "Kevin Rychel")

  **Ph.D. in Bioengineering**
- ### [Megha Sanjay](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/alumni/megha-sanjay.html "Megha Sanjay")

  **Master in International Affairs**
- ### [Katie Yang](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/alumni/katie-yang.html "Katie Yang")

  Master of Professional Accountancy

**Non Discrimination Statement**: In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories. More information about [Proposition 209 can be found here](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CONS&sectionNum=SEC.%2031.&article=I). More information about the [University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here.](https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination)

## [Student Life](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/index.html)

- [Events](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/events/index.html)
- [Health & Wellbeing](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/health-wellbeing/index.html)
- [Professional Development](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/professional-development/index.html)
- Student Spotlights
  - [Arts & Humanities](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/arts-humanities/index.html)
  - [Biological Sciences](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/biological-sciences/index.html)
  - [Jacobs School of Engineering](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/jacobs-school-engineering/index.html)
  - [Global Policy & Strategy](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/gps/index.html)
  - [Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/hdsi/index.html)
  - [Health Sciences](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/health-sciences/index.html)
  - [Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/hhls/index.html)
  - [Physical Sciences](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/physical-sciences/index.html)
  - [Rady School of Management](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/rady/index.html)
  - [Scripps Institution of Oceanography](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/sio/index.html)
  - [Social Sciences](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/social-sciences/index.html)
  - [Alumni](https://grad.ucsd.edu/student-life/student-spotlights/alumni/index.html)