Board and Senate Structure.
The Executive Board
PRESIDENT
Kailee Hartway
Kailee Hartway is a 2nd year PhD student in pathology and obtained a bachelor’s degree in human biology from Michigan State University (Go Green!). She is working in Dr. Nina Steele's lab in the Henry Ford Pancreatic Cancer Center studying rare T cells in pancreatic cancer liver metastasis.
In Kailee’s spare time, you can find her watching or talking about football—she is a diehard Lion’s fan. She also enjoys lifting weights, going for walks and bike rides, playing pickleball and golf.
Contact: Kailee.Hartway@med.wayne.edu
TREASURER
Istri Ndoja
Istri Ndoja is a 3rd year PhD candidate in the Cancer Biology program. Before joining WSU, he attended Oakland University where he obtained both his bachelor's degree in cellular and molecular biology in 2020 and his master's degree in biology in 2022. Istri is currently doing research in Dr. Steve Patrick's lab where his project focuses on uncovering the mechanisms of platinum resistance in DNA repair-deficient lung cancer and using combinational therapies to overcome this resistance.
In his spare time, Istri is an avid powerlifter in the gym. He also likes to spend a lot of time with his friends and loves to listen to music from a variety of different genres.
Contact: indoja@wayne.edu
VICE PRESIDENT
Michael Flynn
Michael Flynn is a second year PhD student in pharmacology. He obtained his B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Michigan State University in 2021. He currently conducts research in Dr. Karin List's Lab where his project focuses on how cell surface serine proteases are involved in corneal barrier function and wound repair. When Michael is not in the lab, he enjoys rock climbing, biking, and watching movies with his cats.
Contact: hj2581@wayne.edu
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Kyle Siegel
Kyle Siegel (he/him) is a 3rd year Ph.D. candidate in Pharmacology in Christopher Kassotis’s lab. Kyle completed a B.S. in Biology from The College of New Jersey, followed by scientific odds-and-ends around Chicago before starting at Wayne State. His research examines the role of hormones, metabolites, and environmental contaminants on heart structure and function.
Outside of lab, Kyle might be found cooking vegetarian comfort food, distance running, and/or playing an electric guitar unplugged.
Contact: kyle.siegel@wayne.edu
ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR
DEI REPRESENTATIVE
Celestina Agyemang-Dua
Celestina Agyemang-Dua is a first year PhD student in Genetics and Genomics. She has earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree in medical laboratory science from Virginia Commonwealth University. Celestina is currently doing her first-year rotations before she selects a lab at the end of her first year. In addition to her academic pursuits, she is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within the scientific and healthcare community.
In her leisure time, Celestina enjoys experimenting with new cooking recipes that she encourages her husband to try, as well as baking treats that she shares with her friends. She also enjoys trying local restaurants and business that are unique to Detroit.
Contact: hu3160@wayne.edu
SECRETARY
Jenna Thibodeau
Jenna Thibodeau is a second-year PhD student in the Cancer Biology Program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Michigan State University. Jenna conducts her research in Dr. Yubin Ge’s lab, focusing on understanding the molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance and developing targeted therapies for relapsed/refractory myeloid leukemia associated with Down syndrome.
Outside the lab, Jenna enjoys hiking, practicing aerial silks, and baking a variety of sourdough-inspired treats!
Contact: gw4062@wayne.edu
Danial Naqvi
Danial Naqvi is a third year PhD student in anatomy and cell biology and obtained his B.S. in biological sciences from Wayne State University in 2022. He is working in Dr. Avril Genene Holt’s lab, studying changes in neuronal plasticity within central vestibular pathways after vestibular trauma. In Danial’s free time, he enjoys going to concerts, going out with friends, and playing video games.
Contact: gn8431@wayne.edu
The Senate (WIP - 2025)
Anatomy and Cell Biology (ACB) Representatives
Ehimenmen Sarah Ataman
WIP
Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology (BMI) Representatives
Public Health Representatives
Translational Neuroscience Program (TNP) Representatives
John France
John is a sixth-year doctoral candidate in the Translational Neuroscience Program working with Drs. Tanja Jovanovic and Jeffrey Stanley. John is interested in investigating the influence of childhood trauma on structural and functional brain development in relation to the emergence of anxiety disorders during adolescence. His dissertation work utilizes functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy to identify trauma-related differences in cortical glutamatergic neurotransmission supporting cognitive control. John’s long-term goal is to investigate neurodevelopmental mechanisms underlying the impact of posttraumatic stress to bolster treatment options and prevention strategies for individuals who suffer from adverse outcomes following childhood trauma.
Prior to graduate school, John obtained his bachelor of science from Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University with a major in human physiology. He then worked as a clinical research assistant in the emergency department of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, where he assisted with multiple clinical research studies, including an investigation of traumatic stress in an acute care setting. Concurrently, he worked as a research assistant in the Ofen lab at Wayne State investigating cognitive and brain development in adolescents.
Alixandria Mascarin
Alixandria is a 5th year doctoral student in the Translational Neuroscience Program. Her research focuses on how associative learning during drug use can drive drug relapse. Alixandria is interested in science communication and advocating for evidence-based policy. Outside of the lab, she enjoys volunteering in dog rescue and playing soccer.
Pelumi Oladipo
WIP
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Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Representatives
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Cancer Biology (CB) Representatives
Sanjeev Ganesh
Sanjeev Ganesh is a first year PhD student in Cancer Biology. He finished his B.Tech Biotechnology at SRM Institute of Science and Technology in India before getting his M.S Cancer Biology degree from Wayne State University. Currently, Sanjeev is doing his first-year lab rotations and will choose a lab by the end of the first year.
Outside the lab, Sanjeev loves to cook different vegetarian Indian dishes and drink coffee. He is also a big soccer fan and loves playing pickleball.
Susie Darwish
Susie Darwish (she/her) is a first-year Genetic Counseling Master’s student at Wayne State University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Biology and Psychology Education from the University of Michigan (Go Blue). Her research interests include the role of genetic heterozygosity and variants of unknown significance in cancer onset and outcomes within a Detroit-based cohort.
Outside of academia, she enjoys seeking adventure (especially hiking and backpacking), creating art (with skills rivaling those of an elementary school student), and drinking coffee (a lot of coffee).
Sai Prakash Reddy Pathepuram
WIP
Genetics Counseling Representatives
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Genetics and Genomics (CMMG) Representatives
Oladejo Ahmodu
Oladejo Ahmodu is a second year PhD student in Molecular Genetics and Genomics program. He earned his bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Lagos State University. Oladejo conducts his research in Dr. Adi Tarca's lab, focusing on evaluation and development of statistical and machine learning methods for biological data analysis. When he is not occupied with data, he loves to write poems or watch movies.
contact: hp1933@wayne.edu
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Kristen Tran
Kristen Tran is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Genomics (CMMG). She earned her bachelor’s degree in Genomics and Molecular Genetics at Michigan State University. Kristen is currently doing lab rotations before selecting her mentor at the end of her first year. Her primary research interests include disease therapies and bioinformatics. Outside of the lab, Kristen will likely be at The Red Hook in Midtown or binging trashy TV shows.
Pathology Representatives
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WIP
Pharmacology Representatives
Rasa Borhan
WIP
Matthew Prifti
Physiology Representatives
Shaheen Bhat
Shaheen Y. Bhat is a third-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Physiology, working in Dr. Pamela Harding's lab at Wayne State University. Prior to joining Wayne State, he obtained a master’s degree in medical physiology from AIIMS in New Delhi, India. His main research focus is on investigating the impact of prostaglandins on calcium-handling proteins in relation to heart function and heart failure. Outside of his academic pursuits, Shaheen finds pleasure in cooking, playing table tennis, and engaging in cricket games.
Megi Kola is a second-year master's student in the Department of Physiology. Megi completed her B.S. from Wayne State University majoring in Public Health with a minor in Biology. She has done research at WSUSOM since undergrad studying the visual brain pathway and the effect of photoreceptors on the pupillary light reflex. Outside of classes and the lab, she is a tutor and a blog writer for the Red Cross. She also enjoys skiing, volleyball, and playing violin.
Megi Kola
Sarah Eringaard
Sarah Eringaard (she/her/hers) is a third-year master's student in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences and a candidate for the public health practice concentration. She is a Wayne State Lighthouse Scholar and the student assistant for the master's in public health (MPH) program. Her previous experiences in emergency medical services (EMS) helped develop her interests in infectious and preventable diseases and brought her to public health at Wayne State. In GSS, she wants to empower student ideas and engage with the community. She loves building new relationships and helping foster connections between others.
Many, many hobbies and passions! Sarah has been to 23 countries, and wants to travel more. She enjoys everything under the sun, especially swimming, tennis, and hiking. She loves cooking and trying new foods. She loves all types of games from sports to videogames. Her passion is music, and she teaches piano both privately and at Kawai Piano Gallery.
Malak Azab
WIP
Tyiesha Head
Tyiesha Head (she/her/hers) is a third-year Master's candidate in Public Health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Neuroscience concentration and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Leadership from the University of Detroit Mercy. Her academic achievements are a testament to her dedication and intellect. At the University of Detroit Mercy, she became a member of the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Additionally, while at the University of Detroit Mercy, Tyiesha participated in undergraduate research through the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) ReBUILDetroit program and the NIH's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential (STEP-UP). Her undergraduate research experiences lead her to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH).
Since the Fall of 2023, Tyiesha has actively been pursuing an MPH at Wayne State University's School of Medicine. Juggling full-time studies and work at a local hospital, she still finds time for volunteering and school activities. She has become a Lighthouse Scholarship recipient and Michigan Area Health Education Center (MI-AHEC) scholar. She also serves as the secretary on the Public Health Student Organization board. Tyiesha's career goal is to become a clinician-scientist focusing on maternal health disparities of African American women. She enjoys cooking, spending time with her children and loved ones, and binge-watching good television shows in her spare time. She has recently begun a journey to become healthier by walking more often and going to the gym when she has time. She is excited about the opportunity to serve on the Graduate Student Senate as the Public Health Representative!
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