Honors Ambassador Bios
Honors Ambassador Bios
Lead Ambassadors
Siri Uppuluri - Sophomore, Biology, Accelerated Medical Program NJMS
Email: su73@njit.edu
Siri is one of the co-leaders for the Honors Ambassadors. She is a second year biology major, and she is part of the Accelerated Medical Program with the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. On campus, Siri is a senior staff writer and copy editor for The Vector, the NJIT student newspaper, a staff writer for the Honors College Newsletter, an Honors Peer Mentor, and an Honors Freshman Seminar Teaching Assistant. Her hobbies include writing and reading.
Tom Trifon - Junior, Biomedical Engineering, Applied Mathematics; Mathematical Biology Minor
Email: tt239@njit.edu
Tom is one of the lead ambassadors. He has been employed with a health startup known as Health Recovery Solutions since January 2018, and has been doing research in the Brain Connectivity Lab on campus for 2 years. After graduating he hopes to go on to an M.D./ Ph.D. program and eventually become a neurologist. His hobbies include weightlifting, volleyball, racquetball, and reading.
Kristen Abraham - Freshman, Chemical Engineering
Email: kaa62@njit.edu
Kristen is a first year chemical engineering student from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. After graduation, she plans on working toward a master’s degree in pharmaceutical engineering. On campus, she is secretary of Girl Up, as well as a member of AiChE, ACS, and ChemE Car. This semester, she is volunteering with JerseyStem, and working with Professor Molodetsky for the NCE First-Year Showcase. In her free time, Kristen enjoys traveling, watching Netflix, and spending time with family and friends.
Owais Aftab - Freshman, Biomedical Engineering
Email: oma26@njit.edu
Owais is a first-year honors ambassador. He is a biomedical engineering major in the 7-year BS/MD program with NJMS and is a founding member of the NJIT Debate Team as well as a part of the Biomedical Engineering Society. His hobbies include falling asleep in class, eating food, and playing video games.
Usmaan Al-Shehab - Freshman, Biomedical Engineering
Email: uaa8@njit.edu
Usmaan Al-Shehab is a first year Biomedical Engineering student who hopes to study to complete the Pre-Health track. He is heavily interested in Mathematics and hopes to complete an Applied Mathematics minor. He has recently began working in Dr. Fortune's Neuroethology lab. In his free time he is an active member of the Muslim Students Association, and watches The Flash.
Vishaal Anand - Freshman, Electrical Engineering
Email: va283@njit.edu
Vishaal is a freshman majoring in electrical engineering and a first year honors ambassador. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and a member of the Solar Car team at NJIT. In his free time he enjoys listening to music, playing basketball, and traveling.
John Battikha - Freshman, Biomedical Engineering
Email: jpb63@njit.edu
John is a new honors ambassador. He is on the Men's Swimming and Diving team and he is pursuing a career in biological research. In his free time he listens to music and plays video games such as super smash brothers brawl for the Nintendo Switch.
Jeremy Bedient - Sophomore, Industrial Engineering, Minor Data Analytics
Email: Jdb72@njit.edu
Jeremy is a returning Honors Ambassador. He currently serves as the President of the NJIT Student Senate, and is a brother of Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional business fraternity. He works at the Highlander Pub, and is involved as a national Key Volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America. He enjoys traveling and volunteering with his church.
Janus Caldejon - Sophomore, Electrical Engineering
Email: Jc873@njit.edu
Janus is a returning for his second year as an Honors Ambassador. He is currently majoring in Electrical Engineering and is an active member of the Boys and Girls club in Jersey City, and a part time tutor for elementary school kids. He likes to spend his free time playing basketball, volleyball and following the latest fashion trends.
Justin Chow - Sophomore, Computer Science, Minor Mathemathics
Email: jlc45@njit.edu
Justin is a returning honors ambassador who is a sophomore studying computer science. He is a member of the MMA club, and enjoys martial arts of all styles. He enjoys cyber security and hopes to one day make the computer systems of tomorrow secure. He also is attempting to work an internship relating to security over the summer.
Fiona Dunn - Junior, Biomedical Engineering
Email: fkd3@njit.edu
Fiona has been an Honors Ambassador since her freshman year. She is one of the original members of the NJIT First Aid program and also volunteers as an EMT-B in her hometown. She is currently working on research in 3D modeling in Dr. Zhou's lab at NJIT. In her free time, Fiona likes to read, watch Netflix, and hang out with friends.
Yousef Gaber - Sophomore, Mechanical Engineering, Minor Mathematics
Email - yhg2@njit.edu
Yousef is a Mechanical Engineering major seeking a minor in Mathematics as well. He is currently a sophomore at NJIT and a returning honors ambassador for the Albert Dorman Honors College. He is part of the Muslim Student Association and the Society of Physics Students. In his free time he likes playing video games and watching football and basketball.
Yasmine Ghattas - Junior, Double Major Biology and Chemistry
Email: ysg5@njit.edu
Yasmine is continuing as an Honors Ambassador from her sophomore year. She has been heavily involved in neurobiological research spending her last two summers working in the lab. She is also currently leading a research team as a NJ Governor’s STEM scholar. This summer she also served in Namibia teaching HealthEd for three weeks to the villages in Wulvis Bay and Windhoek. She is looking forward to finishing her education at NJIT and continuing in her pathway to becoming a medical physician. In her free time she likes to play guitar, volunteer at HoboekenEMS, and explore the city.
Zean Go - Freshman, Biomedical Engineering
Email: zlg4@njit.edu
Zean is a freshman biomedical engineering major and is also pursuing a minor in computer science. She is a member of the Resident Hall Association, NJIT's EMT squad, and the Filipino club, FINEST. In addition, she enjoys taking pictures for the school's yearbook and reading books.
Jonpierre Grajales - Sophomore, Double Major Applied Physics and Computer Science
Email: jg586@njit.edu
Jonpierre is a returning Honors Ambassador. He is in the double major program for Applied Physics and Computer Science. Jonpierre has been involved in many clubs and organizations on campus and is now the President of the Society of Physics Students, Secretary for the HAM Radio Club, and Public Relations Officer for RHA. He is also a Resident Assistant for the Honors Dorm and part of the Educational Opportunity Program (2017). Jonpierre has been part of multiple research groups and has received in the Provost Summer Research Fellowship. He interned at Liberty Science Center in the Planetarium Department.
Lauren Hutnik - Junior, Biology, Accelerated Medical Program NJMS
Email: lah9@njit.edu
Lauren has been an Ambassador since her freshman year. She is in the accelerated NJIT/NJMS medical program. On campus, she spends her free time doing research, working as a Physics T.A., swimming as a member of the Women's Swim Team, and serving as President of the jewish organization on campus, Hillel. In her spare time she loves drawing, reading and exploring.
Jagathi Kalluru - Sophomore, Biology
Email: jk459@njit.edu
Jagathi has been an Honors ambassador since she was a freshman. She is very active on campus, serving as the President of the Red Cross Organization, the Outreach Chair of Beta Psi Omega, the Catering and Corporate Sponsorship Chair of HighlanderThon, and the Public Relations Representative of HOSA. In her free time, Jagathi likes to write articles for the Vector, post on New Jersey's American Red Cross blog, watch movies, and sleep
Elizabeth Kowalchuk - Freshman, B. Architecture
Email: ek252@njit.edu
Elizabeth is a freshman Honors Ambassador, working toward her Bachelors of Architecture degree with a double minor in History and Environmental Studies and Sustainability. She is currently working on history research with Dr. Hamilton and she is also working with other architecture honors students toward creating the NJIT College of Architecture publication, Transect. She is excited to become more involved on campus in her coming years at NJIT, and in her free time, she loves reading, binge watching shows, creating art, and drinking coffee.
Nelly Laevsky - Junior, Information Technology, Minor Computer Science
Email: Nl232@njit.edu
Nelly is a continuing ambassador and is a third year information technology major. On campus, she is a founding member of the professional engineering fraternity, Theta Tau, a member of NJIT Dance Team and the IT major representative for Student Senate. Her hobbies include dancing and watching Netflix.
Samantha Lomuscio - Junior, Applied Physics, Applied Mathematics
Email: sel8@njit.edu
Samantha (Sam) is a returning honors ambassador. She currently does research at the NJIT Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research in the Solar Radio Group where she studies the mechanism behind solar flares. Sam is also the Events Chair for the Astronomy Club and works at the Math Tutoring Center. This past summer, Sam interned at NASA and she aspires to become an astrophysicist.
Jake Martin - Freshman, Mechanical Engineering
Email: jam277@njit.edu
Jake is a first year Honors Ambassador. He is a freshman Mechanical Engineering Major, involved as the freshman resident representative in student senate, and is rushing for Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity this semester. He is currently the Vice President of NJIT’s volleyball club and enjoys playing beach volleyball tournaments throughout the summer.
Julianna Matlack - Junior, History, Biology
Email: jcm87@njit.edu
Julianna is a history student hoping to attend graduate school at NJIT after completing her degree. She volunteers at her local nursing home in Vineland, NJ and her previous high school as a tutor and assistant lab instructor for allied health students. In her free time, Julianna enjoys reading and painting.
Tracey Mraw - Junior, Biomedical Engineering, Minor Mathematical Biology and Applied Mathematics
Email: tm325@njit.edu
Tracey has been an Honors Ambassador since my freshman year. On campus, she is a TA for an Honors Freshman Seminar class and the Community Service chair for NJIT's colony of Theta Tau, the co-ed professional engineering fraternity. Off campus, she volunteers weekly at the Newark LGBTQ+ Community Center. Her hobbies include playing and watching sports (especially soccer) and art.
Prem Naik - Sophomore, Electrical Engineering
Email: pn224@njit.edu
Prem is a returning Honors Ambassador and Electrical Engineering major. He is a Senior Staff Member of the NJIT Vector, Secretary for the Green Team, and member of the Wind Ensemble. He believes it is in everyone's best interest to be as well rounded a student as possible. In his free time he likes playing music, reading and watching old movies.
James Nanchanatt - Sophomore, Biomedical Engineering
Email: jjn9@njit.edu
James is a returning Honors Ambassador. He is currently performing research in Dr. Arinzeh's lab at NJIT. He is involved with the school's startup EMT program and is currently an administrator for NJIT Splash in the spring. In his free time he enjoys eating at new places and binge watching shows.
Aashka Patel - Freshman, Computer Science
Email: asp263@njit.edu
Aashka is a first-year Honors Ambassador. She is currently conducting research in Dr. Wohn’s lab at NJIT. She also is a member of Global Brigades and will be traveling to Honduras during spring break to help build a water system for a local community. She serves as the Campus Liaison for JerseySTEM, a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading STEM education in underserved communities. She enjoys watching Netflix and traveling in her free time.
Chandni Patel - Sophomore, Biology
Email: crp34@njit.edu
Chandni joined the Honors Ambassador program her freshman year. She enjoys being a part of the community on campus through organizations such as Beta Psi Omega, HOSA, Honors Student Council and many others. Off campus, Chandni volunteers at her local hospital and explores new locations. During her downtime she likes reading and listening to music.
Xavier I Reyes - Freshman, Biology, Environmental Science and Policy/Mathematical Biology
Email: xr29@njit.edu
Xavier is a first year student pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Biology with a double minor in Environmental Science and Policy, and Mathematical Biology. He is currently working on historical research with Dr. Hamilton, and he is working in Dr. Kumar's lab. He is the publishing manager of The Minerva, NJIT’s creative writing club, and his hobbies include writing and playing video games.
Noah Roselli - Freshman, Applied Physics and Mathematics, Electronic Creative Writing
Email: ndr23@njit.edu
Noah is a first time Honors Ambassador and is seeking a liberal arts experience here at NJIT. Although he is studying Applied Physics and Math, he is minoring in Electronic Creative Writing and is the Vice President and co-founder of The Minerva, a creative writing club. He hopes to find an internship in the near future and also acquire a minor in Computer Science.
Mitali Shah - Junior, Biology
Email: ms2297@njit.edu
Mitali has been an honors ambassador since her freshman year. On campus, she is a peer mentor for the honors college and on executive boards for Amnesty International, the biology fraternity Beta Psi Omega, and Ehsaas Dance Team. For the past two years, she spent her spring break volunteering with Global Brigades to host medical clinics in Nicaragua and Ghana. In her free time, Mitali likes to read, dance, and watch movies.
Portia Shaheed - Freshman, Biology, Applied Mathematics
Email: pts5@njit.edu
Portia is a first year Honors ambassador. She is a Biology major and is working for an Applied Mathematics minor. Portia loves to get involved in her community and is part of various clubs including Pre-Health Society, RHA, and Gigabeats. She is also an intern at University Hospital, a Big Sister as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentorship program, and the National Communications Coordinator in Training (NCCiT) for RHA. In her free time, Portia loves spending time with her friends and playing guitar.
Siraj Shaikh - Sophomore, Biomedical Engineering, Minor Applied Mathemathics, Accelerated Medical Program NJMS
Email: szs3@njit.edu
Siraj is a returning honors ambassador. He is a junior from Texas in the seven-year accelerated program with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He serves as a student-at-large on the Senate’s constitution committee, is an honors peer mentor, and is on the eboard for the MSA. His hobbies include playing sports, camping, competing in trivia, lifeguarding, and video gaming. He plans on becoming an EMT.
Pratik Sinhia - Sophomore, Biology, Accelerated Medical Program St. George's University
Email: pks57@njit.edu
Pratik is a second year Biology Major in the 7 year BA/MD program with NJIT. He is an active member of Biology Society and Pre-Health Society and is the secretary of Art Club. Moreover, he is currently doing research in the Biological Sciences Department at NJIT. In his free time, he likes to draw and do calligraphy.
Aarati Srikumar - Sophomore, Computer Science
Email: as3243@njit.edu
Aarati, from Edison NJ, is currently the Computer Science Rep on Student Senate, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity on campus. She enjoyed interning this past summer at the NYC Dept of IT, and enjoys meeting new people.
Vinaya Thadhani - Junior, Biomedical Engineering, Minor Mathematics
Email: Vt235@njit.edu
Vinaya Thadhani has been an Honors Ambassador since her second year at NJIT. She is on a bioinstumentation track for biomedical engineering and working towards obtaining a minor in applied mathematics.She has continued researching since her first semester at NJIT. She has also spent two summers working as a research intern for NJIT's Undergraduate Research Institute, completing two online publications and gaining valuable experience. In addition, she is a founding brother of Alpha Kappa Psi, Inc., Professional Business Fraternity, as well as the Vice President of Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc. She also volunteered as a JerseySTEM coach for robotics.
Neha Thati - Sophomore, Biology, Computer Science
Email: nrt9@njit.edu
Neha is pursuing a major in Biology and a minor in Computer Science with an interest in going to medical school in the future. This is her second year as an Honors Ambassador. She is currently an executive board member for NJIT's North American Disease Intervention and Health Occupations Students of America. In her free time, she likes to go out for walks, listen to music, draw, or nap.
Johnathan Town - Sophomore, Civil Engineering
Email: jtt24@njit.edu
Johnathan is a sophomore civil engineering student at NJIT hoping to pursue graduate school at NJIT upon completion of his degree. He also serves as president for University Heights Toastmasters and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. In his downtime, John likes to play guitar or write about the Phillies.
Geetasravya Vegunta - Sophomore, Biology, Accelerated Medical Program NJMS
Email: gv82@njit.edu
Sravya is a biology major in the 7-year BA/MD program with NJMS. She has been involved in the Honors Ambassadors program since freshman year. She is involved with neurological research at the Center for Injury Biomechanics, Materials, and Medicine, where she works on characterizing the dynamic and morphological changes in microglia after blast injuries. In her free time, she likes to watch shows, listen to music, and spend time with friends.
Haider Zaki - Freshman, Biomedical Engineering
Email: hz429@njit.edu
Haider is an incoming freshman, majoring in Biomedical Engineering. He is from South Brunswick NJ, and looks forward to the challenging curriculum in front of him here at NJIT. He is an avid basketball and soccer player, and enjoys photography and music. Haider acts as the liaison for the Red Cross League on campus, and hopes to get more involved in campus activities as well as research in the future.