Meet the Leadership: GSA Executive Board

Officers, 2025-2026

Nathan Suri, Chair

Nathan Suri is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Department of Physics working on machine learning applications in high-energy physics and AI alignment for scientific discovery. He received a B.S. in physics from the California Institute of Technology. This is Nathan’s third year on the GSA. In previous years, he served as chair of the GSA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He is excited to continue advocating for a supportive and inclusive academic community for graduate students here at Yale in collaboration with university administrators and the new members of the GSA. Outside of work, Nathan enjoys creative writing, visiting art museums, and playing badminton in his free time.

Anushka Potdar, Vice Chair

Anushka is a third year Ph.D. student in Computer Science. Her research aims to create an AI diagnostic assistant to help astronauts solve unexpected problems in space. Prior to this Vice Chair role, Anushka loved serving as a representative of GSAS’s Physical Sciences Division in the GSA’s Steering Committee. Anushka is excited to continue collaborating with the GSA leadership team, GSA representatives, GSAS deans, Graduate School Alumni Association Board, Alumni Fund, and other campus partners to tangibly improve graduate students’ Yale experience. Outside of GSA and her Ph.D. research, Anushka writes plays, serves as a Graduate Affiliate of Yale’s Trumbull College, and as a Fellow of Yale’s Graduate Writing Lab.

Deniz Seven, Secretary

Deniz is a second-year PhD student in the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology department, studying primary cilium. Born and raised in Istanbul, she earned her BSc degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Bogazici University. Her passion for cellular biology and travel led her to pursue a master’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Heidelberg University in Germany where she also acted as a student representative for her master’s program. It is her first year in GSA, she is excited to utilize her leadership skills that she developed in her previous experience to maintain effective communication between students, admins and faculty in a friendly environment.
 

Chin Yuan Ong, Treasurer

Chin Yuan is a third-year PhD student in Physics. He works on formulating theory in biophysics, specifically how microorganisms navigate different environments given its behavior and the optimality of their biological design. He received his B.S in Engineering Physics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University but grew up in Malaysia. This is his second year on the GSA and was a member of the Steering Committee representing the Physical Science division, where he has been very passionate in advocating for international students benefits and diversity on campus. He loves music and has played in an orchestra for ten years. He also enjoys cooking, playing video games and photographing in his free time.

Jake Fontaine, Parliamentarian

Jake is a third-year PhD student in Immunobiology. He was born in Minnesota before attending Emory University, receiving a BS in Biology and a BA in Chemistry. His research interests are in B cell intrinsic mechanisms of proliferation which guide development and control autoimmunity. Jake is excited for his second year in GSA, and he served on the Committee on Regulations and Discipline in the 2023-24 year. He is passionate about student advocacy, and is excited to serve the student body and work with Yale admin this year!

Committee Chairs, 2025-2026

Leanna Gharbaoui, Academics and Professional Development Committee Chair

Leanna is a fourth-year PhD student in Chemistry. Her research focuses on synthesizing natural products with anti-cancer and anti-neurodegenerative properties. She grew up in Southern California before obtaining her B.S. in Biochemistry from Florida State University. This is Leanna’s second year as a GSA representative and first year as the APD chair. She is passionate about maximizing the academic and professional development opportunities for GSAS students by working together with the GSAAB and OCS. She loves live music, going to the movies, and traveling. 

Colton Klein, Conference Travel Fund Director/Committee Chair

Colton Klein is a second-year PhD student in the History of Art and a Whitney Humanities Center Fellow in the Environmental Humanities. His research focuses on the visual culture of the United States, with particular interest in material and environmental histories. This is his second year serving on the CTF Committee in the GSA, and he is eager to continue supporting fellow PhD students in presenting their research at professional conferences and academic meetings.

Linnea Hartz, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Chair

Linnea is as second year PhD student in the department of Cell Biology, studying the molecular mechanisms of insulin processing, maturation, and secretion.  Before coming to Yale, Linnea earned dual degrees at Michigan State University in Genomics & Molecular Genetics, and Human Biology. While at MSU, she served as Panhellenic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair to improve access and opportunity, and is eager to advocate for and support the graduate student body at Yale. In her first year serving as DEI Chair, Linnea looks forward to collaborating with other GSA committees and Yale Administration to promote an inclusive academic community at Yale.

Aislinn Whalen, Facilities and Healthcare Committee Chair

Aislinn is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chemical Engineering, developing functional nanomaterials for applications in catalysis and quantum engineering. She graduated from Davidson College in North Carolina with a B.S. in Chemistry. Outside of school and work, she enjoys playing sports and getting involved in community building events. It is her first year serving as a GSA representative, and she is excited to represent students’ ideas and concerns as the Chair for the Facilities and Healthcare Committee. She is particularly excited to work with Student Accessibility Services and Yale Facilities to help update guidelines for Accessibility at Yale. 

Gautham Gopinath, Service Committee Chair

Gautham is a fourth year PhD student in physics. He studies how cell shape affects motion, and how this relates to problems in embryo development and cancer metastasis. Before coming to Yale, he studied Engineering Physics at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He is originally from Botswana. In his free time, he likes to play badminton, read books, and play the guitar. As the Service Chair, he is interested in addressing issues of food security in the graduate student body. In addition, he is interested in organizing a new workshop on financial literacy for graduate students.

Zheyun Xu, Transit and Security Committee Chair

Zheyun is a third-year PhD student in the Department of Cell Biology,
studying the molecular mechanisms of a lipid modifying protein in
ferroptotic cell death. She graduated with a B.A. in Molecular Cell
Biology and Psychology from UC Berkeley and an ScM in Biotechnology
from Brown University. Prior to coming to Yale, she researched at UCSF
on neuropathic cancer pain. This is Zheyun’s first year as a GSA rep
and as the Transit and Security Committee Chair. She is excited to help improve the Yale Shuttle system and to work on projects that expand transportation options for the Yale community.

Muji Chughtai, Public Relations Committee Chair

Muji is a third-year PhD student in the Department of Psychology. He graduated with a BS in Psychology and a BS in Statistics from The Ohio State University. His research broadly focuses on variability in emotions across social relationships and cultures. This is his first year as the chair of the Public Relations Committee, and he is excited to use GSA communication to foster community within the graduate school and increase transparency of the GSA’s advocacy.

Fanmei Xia, International Students Committee Chair

Fanmei is a third-year PhD student in the Sociology department. Her current research focuses on gender and reproduction. Fanmei studied Psychology and Philosophy at Boston College and received her M.P.P. from the University of Chicago. She subsequently worked at the Center for the Economics of Human Development before joining Yale. This is Fanmei’s second year on the GSA, and she has served on the Steering Committee. As the international students committee chair, she is looking forward to advocating and building a community for international students at Yale.