PRESIDENT:
Kristin Wipfler
About: I am working with Dr. Babu Guda in the Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy department.
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
Interests: gaming, politics, activism, naps
Words of advice: To paraphrase the great Neil deGrasse Tyson: know more today about the world than you knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others.
Contact information: kristin.wipfler@unmc.edu
VICE PRESIDENT:
Rajvi Wani
About: I am working with Dr. Chen in the Health Services Research and Administration department.
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Interests: Watching Broadways, comedy shows and concerts; trying new restaurants and traveling.
Words of advice: Imagination is its own form of courage; use courage to meet your goals.
Contact information: rajvi.wani@unmc.edu
SECRETARY:
Lee Sleightholm
About: I am working with Dr. David Oupicky in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Department.
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Interests: Rock climbing, canoeing, camping, restaurant hunting, traveling the world
Words of advice: No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.
Contact information: richard.sleightholm@unmc.edu
TREASURER:
Shashank Shrishrimal
About: I am working in Dr. Green’s lab in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology department.
Hometown: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Interests: Genomic research, Astronomy, Philosophy, Economics and Horse riding
Words of advice: Life is short, make the most of it.
Contact information: shashank.shrishrimal@unmc.edu
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CHAIR:
Saswati Karmakar
About: I am working with Dr. Surinder Batra in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology department.
Hometown: New Delhi, India
Interests: Painting, singing, interacting with people from diverse cultures
Words of advice: Never lose faith in the strength of sincerity and determination.
Contact information: saswati.karmakar@unmc.edu
INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION CHAIR:
William Payne
About: I am working in Dr. Aaron Mohs’ lab in the Pharmaceutical Sciences department.
Hometown: Pendleton, Indiana
Interests: Hiking, hunting & fishing, electronics, computer programming
Words of advice: Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even experts have more to learn
Contact information: : william.payne@unmc.edu
ALUMNI CHAIR:
Songita Choudhury
About: I am working in Dr. Thomas Porter’s lab in the Cellular & Integrative Physiology/Internal Medicine department.
Hometown: Clovis, California
Interests: Playing music, trying new restaurants, photography
Words of advice: “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” –Henry Ford
Contact information: : songita.choudhury@unmc.edu
OUTREACH CHAIR:
Eyerusalem Lemma
About: I am working with Dr. Robert Lewis in Eppley.
Hometown: Woodbury, Minnesota
Interests: Reading, painting, photography
Words of advice: Always take a moment to take care of yourself
Contact information: eyerusalem.lemma@unmc.edu
SOCIAL CO-CHAIR:
Tayla Heavican
About: I am working in Dr. Javeed Iqbal’s lab in the Pathology and Microbiology department.
Hometown: Columbus, Nebraska
Interests: Traveling, attending concerts, photography, and enjoying the outdoors
Words of advice: The harder you work for something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it
Contact information: tayla.heavican@unmc.edu
SOCIAL CO-CHAIR:
Cheng Wang
About: I am working in Dr. Kai Fu’s lab in the Pathology and Microbiology department.
Hometown: Weifang, Shandong Province, China
Interests: Dancing, swimming
Words of advice: Be fully present
Contact information: cheng.wang@unmc.edu
STUDENT WELLNESS CHAIR:
Aneesha Dasgupta
About: I am working with Dr. Pankaj Singh in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology department.
Hometown: New Delhi, India
Interests: swimming, reading, watching movies and plays
Words of advice: Everything is worth at least one try. Even if it seems beyond your reach. Remember the universe is filled with surprises.
Contact information: aneesha.dasgupta@unmc.edu
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT CHAIR:
Joel Frandsen
About: I am working in Dr. Praba Narayanasamy’s lab in the Pathology and Microbiology department.
Hometown: Grand Island, Nebraska
Interests: I’ve been training mixed martial arts for almost 10 years, and have had over 30 MMA fights. I moved to Omaha to train full time and made my professional debut in 2010. I also do jiu jitsu, and competed in the world championships several times.
Contact information: joel.frandsen@unmc.edu