DLS Student Ambassadors
- Haiya Solanki
- Graduation Year: 2028
- Major: Biological Sciences
- Hometown: South Brunswick, NJ
- Career Interest: Pre-health
- Fun Fact: I love to crochet and go on long walks either with my friends or just alone listening to music.
- What was your favorite class and why?:
So far, Intro to Gender, Race, and Sexuality. Even though it wasn't directly related to my major, I felt that it offered perspectives on life that I had not considered earlier, and Dr. Cooper made the class super insightful.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
At Rutgers, I serve as Advocacy Chair for the Rutgers One Health Club, and I am excited for the opportunity to outreach with the community. This year, I will be volunteering at RWJ University Hospital. In the meantime, I also work part-time in food service.
- Krisha Shah
- Graduation Year: 2027
- Major: Cell Biology and Neuroscience
- Minor(s): Computer Science
- Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
- Career Interest: Pediatric Neurology
- Fun Fact: I love watching NFL football with my family, especially for the Baltimore Ravens, and I also enjoy acrylic painting in my free time.
- What was your favorite class and why?:
One of my favorite classes at Rutgers has been Introduction to Chemistry Education, which I took as part of the Chemistry Teaching Intern program. The small class size created a close-knit learning environment, and I enjoyed exploring diverse pedagogical strategies while reflecting on my growth as a TI. It also gave me valuable tools to become a more inclusive and effective educator!
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
Beyond academics, I serve as Project Manager at Rutgers T.E.A.C.H. (Together Educating All Children in Hospitals), where I design STEM experiments for pediatric patients. Furthermore, I’m an Honors College Ambassador and Peer Mentor E-Board Member, as well as Vice President of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH). Outside of campus, I work as an Emergency Department Scribe at Jersey City Medical Center.
- Patricia Mayer
- Graduation Year: 2027
- Major: Genetics
- Minor(s): Psychology
- Hometown: Hamilton, NJ
- Career Interest: I have a passion for conducting research in the field of cancer immunotherapy. I am also interested in genetics and neuropsychology, which would be fun to incorporate into future projects!
- Fun Fact: I love dancing, listening and singing to Chappell Roan songs, playing Marvel Rivals (I like to play Invisible Woman!), and going to Yankees games with my dad. Also, I graduated from Mercer County Community College with 3 associate degrees!!!
- What was your favorite class and why?:
I love all the classes I have taken so far, but Neuroscience in Partnership with Dance (fall course) was truly a unique and rewarding experience. It broadened my perspective by connecting scientific and artistic viewpoints. This class taught me how dance improves cognitive skills and supports learning, growth, and overall well-being. Most importantly, it explored how dance improves mobility and strength in people with various disabilities while building emotional and social connections, which was a key reason why the program Dance for Parkinson's was created. This class inspired me and reminded me just how essential dance is in my life.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
As a public transit commuter and transfer student, I have been seeking ways to get involved and contribute to the Rutgers community. I am a part of Douglass WiSE and the Certificate in Cancer Research program, and I recently began research in Dr. Libutti's lab at the Rutgers Cancer Institute. You can find me at meetings for the Association of Undergraduate Geneticists and attending events hosted by the Center for Social Justice Education & LGBT Communities. I also hope to join a dance or choir group this upcoming year!
- Om Patil
- Graduation Year: 2027
- Major: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Additional Major(s): Religion
- Hometown: Mumbai, India
- Career Interest: I’m aiming to become a physician, possibly in Interventional Radiology. I love the idea of combining hands-on patient care with cutting-edge science.
- Fun Fact: I went to a barber academy and have been leveling up my skills with every cut—my friends are both my clients and my practice models.
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite class was the Byrne Seminar I took during my freshman year. It introduced me to research, gave me a glimpse into the life of real scientists, and inspired me to get involved in research myself.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I’ve enjoyed getting involved in the Rutgers community. I’m involved in the International Students Affinity Group, where I served as co-lead, and in Rutgers HOSA as the events chair. Outside of class, I volunteer at RWJ, ride as an EMT, and work in the McKim Lab studying chromosome segregation. .
- Kaylee Zhang
- Graduation Year: 2027
- Major: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Hometown: Mountain Lakes, NJ
- Career Interest: PhD
- Fun Fact: I love concerts! Some of my favorite ones I've been to are Gracie Abrams and All Things Go!
- What was your favorite class and why?:
I loved Intro to Research in Molecular Biology as I got to do a lot of hands-on lab work, and it really sparked my interest in pursuing research as a career!
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I conduct research in the Biomedical Engineering Department, LA for Physics 1, and am on the Asian Student Council eboard. I'm also involved with Douglass Residential College as a Red Pine Ambassador and SUPER Research Program mentor.