Staff

Leadership

Arjun Sarup / President [First Contact]

Hello, Arjun here! I use he/him pronouns, and I'm a fourth-year studying Cognitive Science and Math-CS. My favorite book is The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (*something something book 3*), with The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch as a close second; and my all-time favorite television series is Avatar: The Last Airbender (the Nickelodeon one of course!). Find me hanging out during library hours or any of our events, and talk to me about anything fantasy!

Tristan Rayandayan / Vice President [Chief Wraithkeeper]

Hi there! I’m Tristan (they/them), and I’m a fourth-year majoring in Linguistics (General) and minoring in Literary Arts. My favorite novel is Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami. A few of the storytelling tropes that I particularly enjoy include Star-Crossed Lovers, Red Oni and Blue Oni, Fallen Hero, Cursed Arm/Evil Hand, and Final Girl. You might find me within Darkstar during our earliest hours, flocked to the chromatic, fleeting reading light provided by our stained glass on bright mornings.

Cat Siler / Head Librarian [Tomespeaker]

Hello hello! I'm Cat (they/them), and I'm a second year master's student studying Cellular and Molecular Biology. This is my fifth year as a Darkstar librarian, and my third as Head Librarian. My favorite book is The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley, although I'll read and recommend anything with dragons in it. I love fantasy almost as much as I love biology (although it's a near thing). Come find me if you want to learn how to make the origami dragons I leave throughout the library!

Omar Torres / Secretary [The Narrator]

Heyo! I'm Omar (He/Him) I'm a second year Computer Science major. If you ever hear whimsical music around the Muir swing benches odds are that was probably me! While I'm not the biggest reader I'm a huge fan of a lot of indie games, animated series, and the like and I love to dissect them too! I'm always willing to have conversation so don't be afraid to say hi!

Jeff / Esteban Ceja / Treasurer [Hordekeeper]

Jeff is a Master of the Social Arts. He recommends The Martian and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. He only perceives you if you perceive him. It is too late.

Joyce You / Technician [Chief Technomancer]

Hi! I’m Joyce (she/her), a second-year Math-Econ major. Most of my sci-fi and fantasy reading experience comes from random Chinese web novels, with Lord of Mysteries being an absolute favorite. Since discovering Darkstar, I’ve also been excited to play board games with friends every Friday night. And if you ever see me painting around campus, feel free to say hi!

Quinn Smith / Event Planner [Master of Revels]

Hey!! I’m Quinn (he/him)! I’m currently in my second year as an Astronomy/Astrophysics major, so I love talking about anything space related—I’m a big Star Trek and Dr. Who fan. My other big interests are fantasy (particularly Terry Pratchett) and a lot of existential/cosmic horror media! I’m always down to yap about my fixations or to learn something new, but if you ever want to get me really engaged, I function best when I’m knee deep in puzzles and mysteries. Shoot me a message or come in to chat anytime, I’m pretty sociable (by nerd standards, anyways ;)).

Alperen Ayan / Social Media Manager [Town Crier]

Hi~ I'm Alperen (he/they), a fourth-year reading about World Literature by part of the day and doing art by the rest of the day and part of the night. I've for a long time adored Sanderson's novels, such as Mistborn, but I've come to enjoy a wide range of prose now, including our Book Club picks (though my favorite series is still One Piece). Outside of that, I love cooking and eating with friends, taking walks in the early morning and late night, and playing board games. Catch me at our game nights, or plein air painting around campus! :D

More Librarians

Courtney Yu

Hi, I’m Courtney (pronouns she/her), a hardcore foodie, cellist, and lover of all things fantasy and book-related! Extracurricular interests aside, my time at UCSD has been spent majoring in general biology and minoring in music; however, no academic subject fails to excite me. If you ever meet me at Darkstar, I’d be happy to chat or provide any book recommendations!

Eren Ozkaya

Hello, my name's Eren (he/him), resident rat that they haven't figured out how to remove. I'm a physics student and vehement board game enthusiast, and my favorite series is, by far, Red Rising. I've been told by secondhand account that I go into spouts of prophecy; just try to ignore the words and don't let it bother you. I'm not always in the library, but if you have a message just speak my name and I'll hear what you have to say.

Ethan Stiefel

Hello 🌊 ! I'm Ethan, and my pronouns are He/Him. I'm a first year Cog Sci major, and interests are King Arthur, writing, and Dungeons & Dragons. My favorite book in Darkstar is Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy! If you ever want to talk about medieval literature, swords, or stories, come and chat! Cthulhu Fhtagn!

Maria Van Valkenberg

Hello! My name is Maria, and my pronouns are she/her. I’m a fourth-year undergraduate student studying sociocultural anthropology. I love Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and other fantasy games, books, and movies!