GSA Executive Board

Danielle Hopkins

Danielle is a Ph.D. candidate in the Miller Lab for Perennial Plant Diversity and Evolution and is SLU alumnus! Following her graduation from SLU in 2018 (B.S. in Biology; EEC), Danielle worked for Gallo Winery in California working on grape breeding and viticulture research. She returned to SLU in 2022 to pursue her doctorate, focused on improving grapevine water use efficiency through innovative breeding and precision management practices. When she's not in the vineyard, Danielle enjoys live music, eating good food, and going on long runs with her Australian Cattledog, Pepper. Danielle is honored to serve as the GSA President this year and hopes to increase awareness about GSA services, continue to bolster a graduate student community on campus, and advocate for the needs of underrepresented student members. 

Office Hours: By Appointment

Email: gsa.president@slu.edu 

Sarah Burt 

Sarah Burt is a PhD candidate in the English department focusing on medieval literature in Britain and Germany. She has a Master of Arts in English Literature and a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Currently, Sarah is an active participant in multiple medievalist groups in the Saint Louis metro area, including the medievalist reading group hosted at Washington University, and has recently served on the board for SLU's Symposium for Medieval and Rennaissance Studies (SMRS) conference of 2025. As GSA's Vice President of North Campus, Sarah is committed to advocating for the needs of North Campus graduate students to best support a safe and successful experience in SLU graduate education.  

Office Hours: By Appointment

Email: gsa.north@slu.edu/gsa.brennan@slu.edu

Katherine Walcott

Katherine (Kat) Walcott is a 2nd-year Master’s of Public Health (MPH) candidate in Health Management and Policy and a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. Prior to her starting her MPH, Kat completed a Master’s of Science (MS) in Nutrition Therapy at SLU in 2024 and became a Licensed and Registered Dietitian (LDN, RDN). Prior to her MS, Kat completed her Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition and Chemistry at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in 2022. As Vice President of South Campus, Kat hopes to be an informed member of the Executive Board who can effectively respond to the needs of students and advocate on their behalf. She also hopes to help foster a more connected graduate student culture. Outside of GSA, Kat also acts as the Vice President of Health Management and Policy Advocacy in the Student Association for Health Management and Policy, and she is completing an internship with the Incarnate Word Foundation focusing on how state and federal nutrition policies affect nonprofits in Missouri and Illinois. When not busy with school and work responsibilities, Kat enjoys cooking, baking, working out, listening to music, and learning languages.

Office Hours: By Appointment 

TBD

Email: gsa.south@slu.edu/gsa.symposium@slu.edu

Joe Cherullo

Joe Cherullo is a second-year Doctoral student studying Anatomy. In 2023 he earned a Master of Science in Anatomy from Saint Louis University and in 2021 he received a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medicine from the University of Dayton. Joe enjoys spending his time outside of school and work watching and cheering for his hometown Cleveland Guardians, Cavs and Browns. He is very excited to serve within SLU’s graduate student association this academic year. As Vice President of Finance Joe hopes to improve and find new ways that GSA funding can be used to best support graduate students' needs and initiatives. 

Office Hours: 

TBA

Email: gsa.finance@slu.edu

Merlin Jenitia Chinnadurai Muthian

Merlin Chinnadurai, originally from India, is a public health graduate student specializing in Behavioral Science and Global Health. She holds an MD from Saint Lucia. During her undergraduate studies, Merlin was an active member of the American Medical Student Association, organizing medical camps and events. She also volunteered in underserved communities in Northeast India, promoting health awareness and equity. Having resided in various countries, Merlin has a deep appreciation for diverse cultures. She envisions a future where every student feels valued and supported through the  GSA. She aims to improve administrative processes, enhance communication, and strengthen community bonds at SLU. Outside of her studies, Merlin volunteers at her local church ministry and enjoys baking, reading, and painting.

Office Hours: By Appointment

Email: gsa@slu.edu

Chelesa Holden

Chelesa S. Holden, LMSW (She/Her), is a dynamic social justice advocate, scholar, and leader currently pursuing her PhD in Higher Education Administration in the School of Education at Saint Louis University. She brings a deep interdisciplinary background in social work and criminal justice, with a professional career rooted in advancing equity and access across educational and community systems. Chelesa currently serves as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for SLU’s Graduate Student Association (GSA), where she is committed to fostering inclusive practices and amplifying historically marginalized voices within the graduate community. Outside of her academic commitments, she is the Executive Director of The Oxygen Project: Yoga for Youth, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to addressing trauma and promoting well-being among young people through yoga and mindfulness. Chelesa is also the founder and principal consultant of Innovative Change Consulting Group, LLC, a St. Louis-based firm providing strategic planning, equity-centered organizational development, and operational support to mission-driven organizations. Her work is grounded in a passion for systems-level change and a commitment to building communities where all individuals can thrive. 

Office Hours: TBA

Email: gsa.diversity@slu.edu 

 Grace Biju Thomas 

Grace Biju Thomas is a Graduate Public Health candidate at Saint Louis University, with a concentration in Behavioral Science and Health Equity (BSHE). Trained as a medical doctor in Armenia, Grace originally intended to pursue a clinical path—but witnessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was pivotal that shifted her perspective to choose public health. She realized her purpose in protecting communities and guiding health policy focusing on systemic solutions to health disparities. Grace will be serving as a Graduate Wellness Advocate from Fall 2025, where she will support initiatives that promote student mental health, well-being, and balance across graduate programs. In addition, she serves as the Student Representative for the BSHE Department and Social Co-Chair for the Student Association for Public Health (SAPH), where she actively works to build inclusive, student-centered environments and advocate for her peers. When not in school, Grace enjoys traveling, listening to music, cooking, and discovering new cuisines. Grace is very excited to take over the role of Vice President of International Affairs, a position that allows her to empower fellow international students and ensure their voices are represented at every level.

 Office Hours: Email Appointment

Email: gsa.international@slu.edu

Nghia (Jacob) Mai

Jacob Mai is an international graduate student doing his Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Originally from Vietnam, Jacob has channeled his passion for public health into an academic career that spans continents. With a strong foundation in biological sciences, underscored by a B.S. in Biology with a minor in healthcare ethics from Saint Louis University,  Jacob has consistently demonstrated his commitment to improving health outcomes through rigorous scientific research. As the Vice President of Communication and Community in the Graduate Student Association at Saint Louis University, Jacob hopes to advocate for all graduate students through events that enhance their educational and community experience. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music and cooking (especially baking), along with going to museums and concerts.

Office Hours: T 2:30-3:30pm at GSA Reading Room (Pius Rm324) or by Appointment.

Email: gsa.social@slu.edu

Carly Koppe 

Carly Koppe is a first year PhD student in the Geoinformatics and Geospatial Analysis Program. Her research focuses on braided river systems, river avulsions, and geomorphology in Nepal. Her first paper is focusing on using NASA Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) dataset to predict where along the banks of the Koshi River are most likely to avulse. Part of her research includes validation of the NASA SWOT satellite, and teaching undergraduate and graduate students in Nepal. She got her undergraduate degree in Geology and a GIS Certificate at Fort Lewis College. When she isn't researching, you can probably find her mountain biking or trail running! She is excited to step into the role of External Affairs Officer in hopes to create more collaboration and community among the graduate students. 

Office Hours: TBA

Email: gsa.external@slu.edu