DLS Ambassador Alumni
- Smithika Karru
- Graduation Year: 2026
- Major: Cell Biology and Neuroscience
- Minor(s): Psychology
- Hometown: Plainsboro, NJ
- Career Interest: Emergency Medicine Physician
- Fun Fact: I love sports, especially Formula 1 (watched all races this past year)! I’ve played every position in field hockey, and I attended the Men’s Big Ten Soccer Championship Final two hours before a big midterm during my first semester (we won!).
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite classes have to be General Physics and History of Medical Ethics! Dr. Brahmia—one of the best professors I’ve ever had—made physics feel intuitive by fostering a passion for understanding rather than memorization, and brought concepts to life through engaging demonstrations in class! History of Medical Ethics opened my eyes to the injustices of past medical research and the tension between morality and utilitarianism, reinforcing my commitment to medicine that not only treats patients, but does so with humanity and justice!
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
At Rutgers, I am the President and Chapter Director of MedicZero Rutgers and a Nu Rho Psi Research Mentor. I am also a Research Assistant in the Xiao ReproHealth Lab, where I am currently doing an independent research project. I am also involved with MedicZero Inc. as a Community Training Coordinator, focusing on implementing chapter-level changes and leading the Event Leader Program. Outside of school, I am an EMT and Membership Trustee with Metuchen EMS, volunteer in the RWJUH NICU department, and a seasonal medical assistant and scribe at a pediatrician’s office. I love painting after midnight, event planning (especially the decor side of it), trying new coffee spots with my best friends, and reading!
- Hailey Thomas
- Graduation Year: 2026
- Major: Biological Sciences
- Hometown: Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
- Career Interest: Physician
- Fun Fact: I can move my ears
- What was your favorite class and why?:
Either Piracy or Death & Afterlife because 1) I learned about Blackbeard and 2) American society needs to discuss and become more comfortable with the concept of death.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
At Rutgers I'm a Resident Assistant, a Learning Assistant, Research Assistant at the Oldenburg Lab, and I'm a member of Phi Delta Epsilon. Outside of school, I love hanging out with friends, family, and my dogs, Hansel and Gretel. I also love eating good food, drinking coffee, reading, exercising, playing intramural sports (soccer, volleyball), and watching a good show/movie. Also, I'm an EMT in my hometown and a medical scribe in the ED at RWJUH!
- 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!
- Madison Oh
- Graduation Year: 2026
- Major: Biological Sciences
- Minor(s): Psychology and Criminology
- Hometown: Fort Lee, NJ
- Career Interest: MD, forensic pathology
- Fun Fact: I like to draw and watch anime in my free time. Completely unrelated but I also have scoliosis.
- What was your favorite class and why?:
Systems physiology (146:356) and human anatomy lab (377:224) because the information was easy to apply to daily life, unlike previous classes that focus on the cellular/molecular level. I remember learning about different muscle movements and then putting the knowledge to use at the gym, which benefited me both physically and academically. Working with the cadavers was also really fascinating!
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I'm one of the PR chairs for the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), as well as the Vice President for Healthy Kids of New Brunswick (HKNB), which is a volunteer based organization that focuses on educating kids about making healthy lifestyle choices. I am an undergraduate researcher in the Lyu Lab, a Clinical Care Tech at RWJ, and a regular volunteer plus ambassador at the Rutgers Basic Needs Center.