Meet the Leadership: GSA Executive Board

Shannon (she/her) is a third year PhD student in Genetics co-mentored by Zachary Smith and Bluma Lesch. Her work focuses on the epigenetic influences of the male gamete on early embryogenesis. Prior to Yale, she graduated with a B.A. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and an M.A. in Biotechnology from Boston University, and worked at a start-up in Cambridge, MA. This is her second year as a GSA representative and first year as CTF Director. She looks forward to working alongside the GSA and GSAS to supply funds for graduate students sharing their work with the world. 

Faith (she/her) is a second year PhD student in the School of the Environment. She is a DMV (D.C, Maryland & Virginia) native with a passion for understanding how marginalized communities in the United States are impacted by environmental racism and environmental injustices. She holds a B.S in marine science-biology from the University of Tampa and an M.S in marine, estuarine and environmental sciences with a concentration in environment and society from the University of Maryland- College Park. Faith is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. In her spare time Faith enjoys trying new vegan restaurants and gardening. She is excited to serve as the DEI committee chair and hopes to use her position to advance the efforts to make Yale grad students more diverse and better serve the diverse students that are already on campus. 

Victoria (she/her) is a third year PhD student in Cellular & Molecular Physiology jointly mentored in the laboratories of Joseph E. Craft and Michael J. Caplan. She graduated with a B.S. in Biophysics and B.S. in Economics from the University of Michigan and worked in Chicago prior to coming to Yale. This is her first year in GSA and first year as the Facilities and Healthcare Chair, but brings experience from being a co-leader of the Graduate Student Disability Alliance at Yale and her involvement with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation to this position. Victoria hopes to continue to advocate for accessibility and healthcare needs of graduate students, bring existing projects to completion, and expand equity and inclusion projects in the graduate school. 

Jane (she/her) is a second year student in the Computer Science department. Her general research interests are in machine learning theory, particularly in understanding and proving why various machine learning algorithms are effective. Prior, she studied mathematics, computer science, and statistics at University of Pennsylvania. She is passionate about equal access to education and opportunity, volunteering with educational non-profits including the SMART program and TEALS for the past 3 years. She hopes find ways to help improve the graduate student experience at Yale and the New Haven community at large during her tenure this year on the GSA.

Will (he/him) is a third year PhD student in Cell Biology in the LusKing laboratory where he studies compartmentalization of the nucleus in fission yeast. This is his first year as a GSA representative and first year as chair of the Transit and Security committee. Before coming to Yale he received bachelor’s degrees in Cell and Molecular Biology and in Classics from San Francisco State University, and a master’s degree in Cell and Molecular Biology. He recognizes the importance that transportation and security have in ensuring a healthy and safe environment for graduate students and is dedicated to improving and sustaining Yale’s current systems.