Honors Ambassador Bios

Lead Ambassadors

Tom Trifon - Junior, Biomedical Engineering, Applied Mathematics; Mathematical Biology Minor

Tom 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.

Caroline D'Souza - Junior, Chemical Engineering

Caroline has been involved with research in Instructive Biomaterials and Additive Manufacturing Laboratory for the last two years, she is the Volunteer Coordinator for NJIT Splash, and the former Chemical Engineering representative for the NJIT Student Senate. After graduating she hopes to pursue a Master's in Chemical Engineering and work in industry. Her hobbies include working out, doing puzzles, watching Netflix, and reading.

Elizabeth Kowalchuk - Sophomore, B. Architecture

Elizabeth is a second year architecture student pursuing a five year B. Architecture degree and a second year Honors Ambassador. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the student led architecture publication, "Transect," which she and a group of Honors College architecture students founded in their first year. She also works under Dr. Louis Hamilton on historical research by producing 3D reconstructions of ancient Roman Shines. Her hobbies include drinking iced coffee, reading, and juggling.

Prem Naik - Junior, Electrical Engineering

Prem is a Senior Staff Member of the NJIT Vector 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.

Siraj Shaikh - Senior, Biomedical Engineering, minor Applied Mathematics

Siraj is a senior from Texas in the seven-year accelerated program with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He serves as the Vice President of the Muslim Student Association, is an honors peer mentor, and is on the executive board for the NAQT club. He is currently a research assistant working in a histology lab where he performs mechanical testing and image processing on tissue samples. His hobbies include trekking, high adventure camping, lifeguarding, and playing video games.

Johnathan Town - Junior, Civil Engineering

Johnathan is a sophomore civil engineering student from Lumberton, NJ and serves as secretary for University Heights Toastmasters and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Institute of Transportation Engineers. Outside of school, John likes to play guitar, read about and watch sports, or work.

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Kristen Abraham - Sophomore, Chemical Engineering, minor Data Analytics

Kristen is a second year chemical engineering student from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. On campus, she is vice president of American Chemical Society and a peer mentor for the Pass the Torch Mentor Program. She is currently working as a research assistant studying mass spectrometry techniques under Dr. Hao Chen. In her free time, Kristen enjoys traveling, watching Netflix, and spending time with family and friends.

 

Usmaan Al-Shehab - Sophomore, Biomedical Engineering

Usmaan is a second year Biomedical Engineering major on the Pre-Health track and returning ambassador. He has an interest in Mathematics and does research in Linear Wavemaker Theory. He is also the head of academia for the Muslim Students Association. His hobbies include skate boarding, attending MSA events and watching the Flash.

 

Vishaal Anand - Sophomore, Electrical Engineering

Vishaal is a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering and a returning honors ambassador. He is the Event Coordinator for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers on campus and a member of the Solar Car team at NJIT. In his free time he enjoys watching Netflix, playing sports, and biking.

 

Jeremy Bedient - Junior, Industrial Engineering, Minor Data Analytics

Jeremy is a returning Honors Ambassador. On campus, he is a brother of Alpha Kappa Psi profesional business fraternity and is a past Student Senate President. He is currently doing a full time co-op with Johnson & Johnson focusing on supply chain visibility for pharmaceuticals. Outside of school and work, he enjoys traveling and volunteering with his church.  

 

Philip Cina - Junior. Civil Engineering

Philip is a junior Civil Engineering student from Staten Island, New York and is aiming for his masters in Structural and Designing. He is certified in AutoCAD and Revit and is currently working on an internship with the City of Newark to map out their fiber optic lines. In his spare time he likes gaming, reading, and doing karate.

 

Renee Ciufia - Sophomore, Mechanical Engineering

Renee is a sophomore studying mechanical engineering here at NJIT. Besides being an ambassador, she is also a leader for Cru. After graduation Renee plans on joining the work force and helping young women become more passionate about math. She loves Jesus, punk rock, food, and the beach, to name a few.

 

Kinga Dabek - Sophomore, Biology, Dental Program

Kinga is a second year biology student in NJIT's accelerated dental program and is the president of the on-campus Pre-Dental Society. She also works as a surgical dental assistant at a private practice in Lyndhurst, NJ and as a medical scribe in Newark's University Hospital. In her free time she enjoys taking workout classes such as barre and kickboxing, heading into the city for a great cup of coffee and relaxing at the beach with a good book.

 

Yousef Gaber - Junior, Mechanical Engineering, Minor Mathematics

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.

 

Daniel Galada - Junior, Chemical Engineering, minoring in Applied Statistics

Dan is a returning ambassador and a Chemical Engineering Major with a Minor in Applied Statistics. He is the president of NJIT's National Academic Quiz Tournament Club. He is currently involved in a computational laboratory working with porous materials. Dan enjoys playing video games and socializing with friends in his free time.

 

Reesha Gandhi - Sophomore, Human-Computer Interaction, Business Information Systems

Reesha is a sophomore working towards her Human-Computer Interaction and Business Information System degrees, and is a first-year Honors Ambassador. She is currently the Vice President of Programming in the Residence Hall Association, works as a Student Associate in Strategic Events and Services, and conducts research in the Social Interaction Lab. In her free time, she enjoys binge-watching Netflix, bullet journaling, and drinking too much coffee.

 

Joshua Gaughan - Sophomore, Mechanical Engineering

Joshua is a second-year Mechanical Engineering student from Dumont, New Jersey. He is working towards a career in aerospace engineering, and hopes to work for SpaceX. Joshua is a Teaching Assistant for the Mechanical Engineering department, runs a small aerial photography business, and leads part of the SAE Aero team. He enjoys astrophotography, gaming, building and flying model aircraft, and building rocket engines as hobbies.

 

Jonpierre Grajales - Junior, Double Major Applied Physics and Computer Science

Jonpierre is a returning Honors Ambassador. He is in the double major program for Applied Physics and Computer Science. Jonpierre is the President of the Society of Physics Students, a Resident Assistant for the Honors Dorm, a tutor in the Physics Tutoring Center, and part of the Educational Opportunity Program (2017). Jonpierre has been part of multiple research groups, has received in the Provost Summer Research Fellowship, participated in the Honors Summer Research Institute, and interned at Liberty Science Center's Planetarium Department. He currently does research with the Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, focusing on the geomagnetic field.
 

Cameron Guanlao - Sophomore, Mathematical Sciences, minor in Computer Science

Cameron is a new ambassador majoring in Mathematical Sciences with a concentration in Applied Statistics and Data Analysis. A strong advocate for sustainability, he is the Vice President of Internal Relations for NJIT Green and the Sustainability Chair for the Residence Hall Association’s (RHA) Regional Business Conference Planning Committee. In addition, he is a teaching assistant for an Honors-level Freshman Seminar class and is a photographer for both the Nucleus Yearbook and the Vector. Some of his hobbies include music, traveling, sightseeing, and dancing.

 

Krystal Jo - Senior, Computer Science and Biology

Krystal has been an Honors Ambassador since her Sophomore year. She is a Computer Science and Biology major involved on campus through Alpha Phi Omega and PALS. She is currently a part of the immunology labs at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and looks forward to continuing her research interests throughout her career. On her free time, she can be found volunteering at North Brunswick First Aid, watching TV, playing guitar, and exploring the city.

 

Jagathi Kalluru - Sophomore, Biology

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

 

Mitushi Khare - Junior, Biology and Forensic Science

I am the President of Amnesty International and the Student Senate major representative for Forensic Science. I am also a Learning Communities Peer Mentor and I conduct Biochemistry research in the CIBM3 lab. I enjoy dancing and reading in my spare time.

 

Elizabeth Kowalchuk - Sophomore, B. Architecture 

Elizabeth Kowalchuk is one of the Lead Honors Ambassadors. She is a second year architecture student pursuing a five year B. Architecture degree and a second year Honors Ambassador. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the student led architecture publication, "Transect," which she and a group of Honors College architecture students founded in their first year. She also works under Dr. Louis Hamilton on historical research by producing 3D reconstructions of ancient Roman Shines. Her hobbies include drinking iced coffee, reading, and juggling.

 

Julianna Matlack - Senior, History, Biology

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 - Senior, Biomedical Engineering, Minor Mathematical Biology and Applied Mathematics

Tracey has been an Honors Ambassador since my freshman year. On campus, she is a Teaching Assistant for an Honors Freshman Seminar class and the Vice President 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 - Junior, Electrical Engineering

Prem is a returning Lead Honors Ambassador and Electrical Engineering major. He is a Senior Staff Member of the NJIT Vector 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.

 

Aashka Patel - Sophomore, Computer Science

Aashka is a second-year Honors Ambassador. She is currently conducting research in Dr. Wohn’s lab at NJIT. She is a member of Theta Tau, Society of Women Engineers, and Global Brigades. She enjoys watching Netflix and traveling in her free time.

 

Chandni Patel - Junior, Biology

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.

 

Kamiya Patel - Freshman, Biomedical Engineering

Kamiya is a first-year Honors Ambassador pursuing a Biomedical Engineering major on the Biomaterials track. I have recently began working in KumarLab, and am also an Ambassador for the BME Department and a layout editor for the ADHC Newsletter. In my free time, I enjoy writing, watching "The Office", and spending time with friends and family.

 

Xavier I Reyes - Sophomore, Biology, Environmental Science and Policy/Mathematical Biology

Xavier is a second year Biology major with a focused interest in ecology and a second year Honors Ambassador. He is currently conducting research in BardenLabs on the ecological distribution of ants and birds on Caribbean Islands. He is also involved with Dr. Louis Hamilton's work on several aspects of religious shrines in Rome. In his free time, Xavier enjoys creative writing which led him to his current position as the Publishing Manager for NJIT's Creative Writing Club, The Minerva.

 

Noah Roselli - Sophomore, Applied Physics and Mathematics, Electronic Creative Writing 

Noah Roselli is a sophomore at NJIT studying Applies Physics and Mathematics. He wants to enter the research field and ultimately become a professor one day. In his free time, Noah writes poetry and fiction, and is the co-founder of a creative writing club on campus, The Minerva. He plays piano and loves Taylor Swift, and is excited to see what is to be in the years that come. . 

 

Mona Shaban - Sophomore, Biomedical Engineering

Mona is a second year Biomedical Engineering student and it is her first year as an Honors Ambassador. She hopes to pursue a career in the medical field as her track is Pre-health Biomaterials. In addition, she is a member of the Muslim Student Association, Global Brigades, and Engineers Without Borders. In her spare time she volunteers at United Rescue in Jersey City and enjoys traveling.

 

Siraj Shaikh - Junior, Biomedical Engineering, Minor Applied Mathematics, Accelerated Medical Program NJMS​

Siraj is one of the lead honors ambassadors. He is a senior from Texas in the seven-year accelerated program with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He serves as the Vice President of the Muslim Student Association, is an honors peer mentor, and is on the executive board for the NAQT club. He is currently a research assistant working in a histology lab where he performs mechanical testing and image processing on tissue samples. His hobbies include trekking, high adventure camping, lifeguarding, and playing video games.
 

Shafia Talat - Sophomore, Biology

Shafia is a sophomore from Virginia majoring in Biology on the pre health track. I am currently involved in research that deals with Traumatic Brain Injuries at the Center for Injury Biomechanics, Materials, and Medicine. In my free time, I like to spend time with my loved ones, draw, and explore new places.

 

Neha Thati - Junior, Biology, Computer Science

Neha is pursuing a major in Biology and a minor in Computer Science with an interest in going to medical school after college. This is her third year as an Honors Ambassador. She is currently the president of NJIT's North American Disease Intervention and is a brother of Alpha Phi Omega, the national service fraternity. In her free time, she likes to go out for walks, try new foods, or draw.

 

Johnathan Town - Junior, Civil Engineering

Johnathan is a sophomore civil engineering student from Lumberton, NJ and one of the lead Albert Dorman Honors College Ambassadors. He also serves as secretary for University Heights Toastmasters and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Institute of Transportation Engineers. Outside of school, John likes to play guitar, read about and watch sports, or work.

 

Matthew Varghese - Sophomore, Architecture

Matthew is an Architecture student from Haledon, New Jersey. After graduating college, he wants to get a Master of Business Administration degree and become a Project Manager. He is on the E-board for InterVarsity, involved in AIAS, NOMAS, and more. He also runs his own tutoring business. On his free time he enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing sports, and volunteering.

 

Haider Zaki - Sophomore, Biomedical Engineering

Haider is an incoming sophomore, majoring in Biology. He is from South Brunswick NJ, and looks forward to the 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 secretary for the Red Cross League on campus, and got EMT certification this summer. He is excited to continue representing the NJIT ADHC at events!