PRESIDENT
Annant Bir Kaur
Year: 4th
Lab: Dr. Moorthy Ponnusamy
Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Hometown: New Delhi, India
Interests: Puzzles, Lawn Tennis, documentaries
Words of advice: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Contact Information: akaur@unmc.edu
VICE PRESIDENT
Laiba Anwar
Year: 4th
Lab: Dr. Wasim Nasser
Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Hometown: New Delhi, India
Interests: Cooking, pottery painting, salsa dancing and binge-watching TV shows
Words of Advice: The more I want to get it done, the less I call it work
Contact Information: lanwar@unmc.edu
SECRETARY
Neelanjana Gayen
Year: 4th
Lab: Dr. Moorthy Ponnusamy
Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Hometown: Howrah, India
Interests: Painting, Mandala art, Harry Potter
Words of advice: “If I can’t make it through one door, I’ll go through another door- or I’ll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present”. -Rabindranath Tagore
Contact Information: ngayen@unmc.edu
TREASURER
Kristine Hoagstrom
Year: 5th
Lab: Dr. Tony Hollingsworth
Department: Cancer Research Graduate Program – Eppley Institute
Hometown: Lincoln, NE
Interests: Music (I’m a member of the Nebraska Medicine Choir (2021-present)), soccer (I have played on the Eppley Intramural soccer team), and hiking.
Words of Advice: Nurture your passions and ideas; you never know where they could take you!
Contact Information: khoagstrom@unmc.edu
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CHAIR
Sneha Pandithar
Year: 5th
Lab: Dr. Gloria Borgstahl
Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Interests: When I am not laughing at cat memes and reels on Instagram (or not doing research..!😜) I enjoy ceramic Painting, Binge watching True crime documentaries and sewing.
Words of Advice: “Whatever you do, always give your 100%. Unless you are donating blood.” – Bill Murray
Contact Information: spandithar@unmc.edu
INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION CHAIR
Esther Johnson
Year: 3rd
Lab: Dr.Surinder K Batra
Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Hometown: Madurai, India
Interests: Cooking, walking, playing badminton
Words of advice: Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise – Frank Ocean
Contact: esjohnson@unmc.edu
ALUMNI CHAIR
Shamema Sheree
Year: 3rd
Lab: Dr. Surinder Batra and Dr. Apar Ganti
Department: Patient Oriented Research (MSIA)
Hometown: Bangladesh
Interests: Gardening, biking, travelling, reading
Words of Advice: ” Life isn’t about waiting for the Storm to pass…..it’s learning to Dance in the Rain. “
Contact Information: ssheree@unmc.edu
OUTREACH CHAIR
Ojeshvi Ethiraj
Year: 3rd
Lab: Dr. Karuna Rasineni
Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Hometown: Chennai, India
Interests: Traveling and gardening
Words of Advice: “Don’t be afraid of your fears. They’re not there to scare you. They’re there to let you know that something is worth it.” -Marie Curie
Contact Information: oethiraj@unmc.edu
SOCIAL CO-CHAIR
Shreya Parmar
Year: 4th
Lab: Dr. Jennifer Black
Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Hometown: Amritsar, Punjab, India
Interests: Painting, Dancing
Words of Advice: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” -Winston Churchill
Contact Information: sparmar@unmc.edu
SOCIAL CO-CHAIR
Simran Takkar
Year: 4th
Lab: Dr. Rebecca Oberley-Deegan
Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Hometown: New Delhi
Contact Information: stakkar@unmc.edu
STUDENT WELLNESS CHAIR
Ukamaka Modebelu
Year: 2nd
Lab: : Dr.Sean Avedissian Lab
Department: Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program
Hometown: Nigeria
Interests: I enjoy reading, cooking, watching movies, and dancing, and I love spending time at the gym to stay active and energized.
Contact Information: umodebelu@unmc.edu
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT CHAIR
Ridhi Bhola
Year: 3rd
Lab: Dr. Rakesh Singh
Department: Immunology, Pathology & Infectious Disease
Hometown: Haryana, India
Interests: Binge-watching, Painting & Cooking
Words of advice: Hope for the best, Prepare for the worst. Enjoy every moment!
Contact Information: rbhola@unmc.edu
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHAIR
Ravneet Singh Chawla
Year: 3rd
Lab: Dr. Javeed Iqbal
Department: Cancer Research Graduate Program
Hometown: Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Interests: Music, Travelling, Enjoy exploring new cafes
Contact Information: rchawla@unmc.edu