Coffee Chat Program

Our Coffee Chat Program offers the opportunity to expand mentoring networks. If someone's bio or key words are of interest to you, we encourage you (grad and undergraduate students) to email them for a casual chat over some coffee.

Alex Cates

Key Words: Data Science, Startup Experience, Fellowship Application Assistance

My name is Alex Cates and I am a 3rd Year Neuroscience PhD Student. I have experiences working in both academia and industry and through those roles have interacted and collaborated with researchers around the country and world. My current research focuses on where people look when they walking, wherein I combine cognitive neuroscience approaches with physical therapy and biomechanical outcomes. Outside of my research I am interested in data science and the open science movement, as well as a fan of Football and Basketball (with experience coaching both).

Email: alexandercates2023@u.northwestern.edu

Apoorva Shivaram

Key Words: academia, psychology careers, international opportunities, gap years after college

Hi! I'm Apoorva Shivaram, a PhD student in the Department of Psychology. I'm interested in questions such as what do infants know in the first few months of life and they learn so much more so quickly. As an international student, I have navigated the (understandably intimidating) academic environment and I would love to chat with you if you have questions about the transition into graduate school, life during and after the PhD, or any other questions you might have!

Email: apoorvashivaram2023@u.northwestern.edu

Brandon Alston

Key Words: FGLI, gap years after college, fellowships/scholarships

Brandon Alston is a Doctoral Student in the Department of Sociology at Northwestern University, and an interdisciplinary scholar pursuing graduate certificates in African American Studies and Gender and Sexuality Studies. Prior to Brandon’s arrival at Northwestern, he earned bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Religion from Haverford College as well as a master’s degree in Management from Wake Forest University. His research examines the intersections of surveillance, punishment, culture, race, gender, and sexuality.

Email: brandonalston2020@u.northwestern.edu

Carissa Cullum

Key Words: time management, first generation/low income, campus involvement, social justice, multicultural affairs

Carissa is a first-generation college graduate who received magna cum laude and honors distinctions upon earning her bachelor’s degree. She has extensive experience as a student organization leader, social justice advocate, and student affairs professional. Carissa is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern. Her previous studies include areas such as English Literature, Latin American Studies, and Latino/a Studies. As a mentor, Carissa strives to empower mentees by setting collaborative goals, sharing information, and encouraging self-care.

Email: carissacullum2021@u.northwestern.edu

David Arevalo

Key Words: FGLI, BIPOC, LatinX

David Arevalo is a Texas born, Mexican costume designer and maker beginning his 3rd year in Northwestern's MFA Stage Design program. He is compelled to tell stories that focus on the lives, experiences, and histories of communities that have found themselves underserved, underrepresented, and underappreciated within the American artistic canon. Everything around us has the right to be included as part of our culture’s artistic legacy - from tamale making to masonry, from adobe to oil paint. As a first generation college student from a historically underrepresented community, helping to create space for fellow colleagues of color at NU is one of his goals.

Email: davidarevalo2021@u.northwestern.edu

Ellie Degen

Key Words: ex-student athlete, STEM enthusiast, networking assistance

I studied biomedical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis and am now a PhD student in the Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences PhD program at Northwestern. I research how genes are regulated in the developing fruit fly embryo. Outside of my research, I enjoy spending time outdoors, painting, and drinking coffee.

Email: eleanordegen2025@u.northwestern.edu

Emily Fu

Key Words:

Email: emilyfu2024@u.northwestern.edu

Erin Hughes

Key Words: Grad school applications, interviewing tips, research experience

I am a 3rd year PhD student in social psychology. My research is on the interplay between one's identity and romantic relationships. Some of the things I like to do besides research is go for runs, read, and hang out with my cat, Luna!

Email: erinhughes2023@u.northwestern.edu

Jacquelyn Fitzgerald

Key Words: Identifying research opportunities, grant writing, gap years after college, field research

I am an ecology PhD student. As a field biologist, I am interested in pollination, climate change, and natural history. I am excited about science communication and data visualization.

Email: jacquelynfitzgerald2024@u.northwestern.edu

Katherine Lo

Key Words: Gap Year after college

I am a 2nd year PhD Student in the Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences (IBiS) program at Northwestern. I work in the Petersen lab where I study how the flatworm planaria regenerates missing body parts. I got my B.S. in Biology, specializing in Developmental Genetics at Stony Brook University and took a gap year after college. I am from a single parent, socio-economically disadvantaged family, first generation Asian-American and a NSF Graduate Research Fellow.

Email:katherinelo2025@u.northwestern.edu

Kelsey Wright

Key Words: post baccalaureate research, LGBTQ+, animal to human research

My name is Kelsey, and I love nerdy stuff, anime, and board games. I have a B.S. in biochemistry, spent two years working at the National Institute of Drug Abuse before starting Human Motor Research at Northwestern. Chat with me about your STEM concerns or your latest dungeons & dragons campaign!

Email: kelseywright2025@u.northwestern.edu

Lukas Lazarek

Key Words: Computer science, undergraduate internship, time management, organization, reading research papers

I'm a third year Computer Science PhD student. I grew up and did my undergrad in the US, also in CS. I went straight from undergrad to PhD.

Email: lukaslazarek2018@u.northwestern.edu

Miranda Munoz

Key Words:

Email: mirandamunoz2022@u.northwestern.edu

Madison Spratt

Key Words: graduate school applications, resume/CV writing, internships, biology

Hi I'm Madison, a second year graduate student in the Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences (IBiS). I study the dynamics of Salmonella virulence in the Lane Lab. Prior to joining the program, I completed a combined BS/MS degree in Cell and Molecular Biology, during which I worked in both industry and academic research. I'm happy to chat with anyone about graduate school, research, or professional development!

Email: madisonspratt2025@u.northwestern.edu

Natalia Khalatyan

Key Words:

Email: nataliakhalatyan2024@u.northwestern.edu

Olivia Barber

Key Words: industry experience, break after college, engineering, application assistance

Olivia currently studies how disinfection and widespread use of antibiotics impacts antibiotic resistance in the Hartmann lab. She studied civil engineering with a structural focus in undergrad and has since pivoted to environmental engineering. Olivia worked for a year as an engineering consultant mostly on citywide, water distribution projects. She is happy to speak anytime to anyone about these fields or general topics about university and how to prepare for post-college life.

Email: oliviabarber2023@u.northwestern.edu

Rachel Wallner

Key Words: first-gen, self-care, living abroad

Rachel is a Ph.D. candidate in the history department studying modern China. After growing up in a small rural town, she sought numerous adventures abroad and became enamored with language learning. Outside of NU, she has studied and worked at the University of Oregon, Yonsei University in South Korea, the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, and in rural Thailand.

Email: rachelwallner2020@u.northwestern.edu

Ren Yarbrough

Key Words: gap years after college, self care, time management, essay writing, LGBTQ, microagressions, systemic oppression, POC

Ren is a second year Master's student in the Department of Counseling, a career changer who returned to school after a six year gap, and a recovering theatre tech. As a Black, queer therapist in training, she plans to center her professional focus around the needs of QPOC and emerging adults. She combines evidence-based and psychodynamic training with a commitment to humor, humility and consent-based relationships, and her training and specialization interests include treatment of racial, sexual and spiritual trauma.

Email: laurenyarbrough2022@u.northwestern.edu

Ruby Daily

Key Words: applying to grad school, first-generation, fellowships/scholarships, archives

My name is Ruby Daily, I'm an advanced PhD student in the History department, born and raised in the midwest, a first-generation college student and someone who loves poking my nose into the intricacies of how the academy works--from how to select a program and how to apply to said programs, to the mechanics of committee work, career advancement and what makes a department, or an advisor-advisee relationship, tick. My research is on gender, sexualuity and culture in Modern Britain, and I have spent a lot of my grad career working to secure both financial support and the time to trawl archives in the USA and UK. I'd be happy to be a resource for anyone who feels my particular jumble of identities, interests and experiences might be useful to them.

Email: rubydaily2014@u.northwestern.edu

Runcong Kuang

Key Words: applying for phd. tech geek. life goal maker.

I have experience in asking for or negotiating on a project or research to do with many advisors; I am applying for phd; I am interested in computer architecture and news on it. I really love the explore new topics and discuss their fancy and implementability.

Email: runcongkuang2020@u.northwestern.edu

Zoe Senecal

Key Words: Public humanities, gap years, alt-academic jobs

I am a fourth year graduate student in the history department, studying Parisian nuns in the middle ages! A particular goal of mine is to make medieval courses less Eurocentric and more global in scope. Outside of academia, I have a seasonal side hustle as a backcountry canoe guide for the Boy Scouts of America, which I have returned to every summer for the past ten years.

Email: zoesenecal2023@u.northwestern.edu

Zohra Sattar

Key Words: chemistry, biology, Biotechnology Training Program

I'm a third year chemistry graduate student in the O'Halloran lab, a native Chicagoan, and a history enthusiast. My research focuses on understanding the role of iron in heart disease. I'm also a member of the Biotechnology Training Program through the NIH.

Email: zohrasattar2023@u.northwestern.edu

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