DLS Student Ambassadors
- Alicia Morales
- Graduation Year: 2027
- Major: Biological Sciences
- Hometown: Denville, NJ
- Career Interest: Pharmacology
- Fun Fact: I love to paint, and I have a chalk wall in my room filled with my own drawings. My favorite animal is the shark. In my free time I enjoy reading and spending time with my friends/family.
- What was your favorite class and why?:
Organic Chemistry II was my favorite class because I enjoyed studying the mechanisms and reaction pathways, which felt like solving puzzles. I loved the way the course combined creativity and logic.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I serve as a Learning Assistant for Extended General Chemistry I and II, as well as Organic Chemistry I during the summer. I volunteer with Interfaith Pantry to help combat food insecurity in my community, and I also volunteer with Vitalant Blood Donation Services. Additionally, I am a research assistant in Dr. Simon’s Plant Biology Lab.
- Mikayla Kim
- Graduation Year: 2027
- Major: Genetics
- Minor(s): Comparative and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies and Spanish
- Hometown: Glen Rock, NJ
- Career Interest: Physician, currently interested in going into either pediatric oncology or pediatric emergency medicine.
- Fun Fact: I like to snowboard in the winter - I’ve been doing it since I was 8! I also enjoy listening to music, going to concerts, and exploring new cafes, and I recently started getting into rock climbing.
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite class that I’ve taken is Introduction to Research in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, which I took in the fall semester of my freshman year. Combining both lectures and hands-on labs, this class gave me valuable insight into the fields of molecular biology and biochemistry, and helped me to develop foundational research skills. It was really interesting to not only learn about common research techniques and the principles behind these techniques, but also apply them to my own project. This course solidified my interest in research and provided me the tools to succeed in various research settings.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
At Rutgers, I’m currently a research assistant for Dr. Tina Liu’s lab and the co-president of NORU, Rutgers’ kpop club. I am also an Honors College Ambassador, the Honors College Asian Affinity Group lead, and an Honors College Peer Mentor. Outside of Rutgers, I am the mentorship chair for Project Meducate, a NJ-based nonprofit that aims to tackle healthcare disparities, and a volunteer EMT with my hometown’s EMS squad.
- Shrivatsa Karanam
- Graduation Year: 2028
- Major: Exercise Science
- Minor(s): Philosophy
- Hometown: South Brunswick, NJ
- Career Interest: Orthopedic Surgeon
- Fun Fact: My hobbies include going to the gym, rock climbing, and cooking. I also practice taekwondo and love to spend time in nature.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I am involved in a club called IDIA, the Institute for International and Domestic Affairs, as well as part of Phi Delta Epsilon. I also work as a lab assistant at AMP Labs.
- Sharon Joseph Pulikottil
- Graduation Year: 2028
- Major: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Minor(s): Computer Science
- Hometown: Plainsboro, NJ
- Career Interest: Physician/Scientist
- Fun Fact: I enjoy reading and listening to contemporary poetry, with favorites including “Maga Hat in the Chemo Room” by Andrea Gibson and “Miles from Any Shoreline” by Sarah Kay. I’m also an avid reader whenever I can find the time. Recently, I’ve loved Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay and Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green, while my all-time favorites remain the classics Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
- What was your favorite class and why?:
One of my favorite classes has been Computational Genetics, a course specifically designed for students without prior experience in coding or computer science. The first half of the semester focused on introducing Python, while the second half centered on applying tools such as Biopython, MAFFT, FastTree, and ToyTree. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in exploring the applications of computer science in the life sciences.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I volunteer as a Crisis Counselor with the 988 Crisis Text Line and work with memory care residents at my local senior living center. At Rutgers, I was a member of RU Natya, a competitive Indian classical dance team, where I had the opportunity to travel across the U.S. for competitions and create lasting memories with an incredible group of teammates. I am also an undergraduate researcher in the Grant Lab, studying C. elegans and focusing on an extracellular vesicle called an exopher, which is involved in clearing “trash” from neurons. Most recently, I participated in the Aresty Summer Science Program.
- Nivedita Ilangovan
- Graduation Year: 2028
- Major: Genetics
- Minor(s): Public Health
- Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ
- Career Interest: Physician working in the public health sector.
- Fun Fact: Some of my favorite hobbies include baking, reading, playing pickleball, and watching movies!
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite class so far was a course I took for my minor called Global Health Perspectives. It was very discussion-based and definitely informed the impact I want to make in my future career. I learned a lot from my professor about how health is shaped by social determinants such as income, education, and the built environment-- not just the biological factors that we typically focus on. It was also interesting to learn about different types of health systems and how cultural beliefs influence the way people view and access care around the world.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
At Rutgers, I'm an Honors College Peer Mentor and a Learning Assistant for Calculus 135. I am also conducting psychiatry and adolescent-focused research under Dr. Rabinowitz through RWJMS. Outsider of that, I volunteer as an EMT for my local first aid squad!