DLS Student Ambassadors
- 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.
- Ellie Yu
- Graduation Year: 2027
- Major: Cell Biology and Neuroscience
- Hometown: LIvingston, NJ
- Career Interest: Physician
- Fun Fact: I love tattoo art and have sketchbooks with designs in them.
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite class was Genetics. I loved exploring gene regulation and epigenetics and how they influence human development and health.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I am part of Rutgers Project Sunshine and Rutgers Legwork for Lungs. I am also a part of the Singson Lab, where we study fertility assays of mitochondrial mutants. I also worked as a Medical Assistant at an internal medicine clinic.
- Kate Yashmanov
- Graduation Year: 2026
- Major: Biological Sciences
- Minor(s): Psychology and Health & Society
- Hometown: Holmdel, NJ
- Career Interest: Child & Adolescent Psychiatry!
- Fun Fact: I've studied abroad in Thessaloniki, Greece during my first semester of college!
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite class that I’ve taken has to be Psychopathology (it used to be called Abnormal Psych). We learned about a wide variety of interesting psychiatric conditions that ranged from forms of depression to personality disorders. But, the best part was the real-world wisdom and knowledge Dr. Herman gave us as a licensed psychologist.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
Currently, I am one of the Vice-Presidents for MedicZero Rutgers and am also involved in MedicZero Inc. as a Community Relations Coordinator for their national board. I also serve as the Vice-President of Peer Support Groups at Synapse Rutgers, am involved as a Research Assistant in the Kusnecov Lab, and serve as a Resident Assistant on Cook/Douglass campus! Outside of school, I am a CCT (Clinical Care Technician) at RWJUH within the Emergency Department, I seasonally work as an Ophthalmic Technician at Del Negro and Senft Eye Associates, and I am a volunteer with the Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick.
- Rahma Rizly
- Graduation Year: 2026
- Major: Genetics
- Minor(s): Psychology
- Hometown: Piscataway, NJ
- Career Interest: Biomedical Research
- Fun Fact: My hobbies include paining, sketching, and going to the gym! I also hope to start embroidery soon.
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite class is Introduction to Biochemistry with Dr. Villegas, because it connected so many concepts from genetics, molecular biology, and chemistry. I enjoyed learning how molecular interactions translate into biological processes and how small changes at the molecular level can have profound effects on human health.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
Outside of academics, I’m a member of the Rutgers Women’s Wrestling Club and Women’s Rugby Team, and I’m actively involved in the Muslim Student Association through its Ladders (professional development) and HOPE (community service) branches. I also tutor general and organic chemistry through the peer tutoring program, and conduct research at the Verzi lab studying villus zonation and BMP signaling in the intestine!