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NHGS Peer Mentors

Headshot of Amirah Wright

Amirah Wright

Major: Biomedical Engineering
Department: Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics
Research focus: Traumatic Brain Injury/Chronic Pain
I am pursuing a PhD, currently in my 2nd year.
Prior to attending Virginia Tech for graduate school, I attended University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL earning a Bachelors/Masters.     

Why did you continue / return to graduate school?
I enjoyed learning and wanted to learn more skills before entering the work force especially ones that would make me more competitive.

How long have you been a mentor for NHGS?
This my first year mentoring within this program.

What do you wish you had known when beginning graduate school?
I wish I had known more about how to manage my schedule as well as about online task organizers that allow me to organize my research and class requirements.

What are your hobbies and interests?
I love to read and am always looking for a good book. I also love to cook and try new restaurants with my friends. I like bingeing tv shows and listening to music especially as a way to unwind and clear my mind after long work days. I'm also a big fan of football and soccer!

What is a fun fact about you?
I read over 120 books last year. I don't know how but I did it.

Headshot of Audra Barnes

Audra Barnes

Major: Biomedical Engineering
Department: Biomedical Engineering
Research focus: Preeclampsia (Placenta vascular development)
I am pursuing a Direct PhD, currently in my 2nd year.
Prior to attending Virginia Tech for graduate school, I attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL earning a B.S..     

How long have you been a mentor for NHGS?
This will be my second year as a mentor in this program.

What do you wish you had known when beginning graduate school?
Make sure you have a good support group of peers.

What are your hobbies and interests?
Hiking, cooking, and trying new restaurants.

Headshot of Axel Soto

Axel Soto

Major: Civil Engineering
Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Research focus: Ultra-Tall Wind Turbine Towers
I am pursuing a Masters, currently in my 1st year.
Prior to attending Virginia Tech for graduate school, I attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida earning a B.S. in Civil Engineering.     

Prior to returning to graduate school, I worked: I interned for a construction company as a project engineer in summer of 2021, and as a structural engineer in summer of 2021.

Why did you continue / return to graduate school? I returned to graduate school to increase job security in my career, as well as gaining additional knowledge for my discipline in civil engineering.

How long have you been a mentor for NHGS? This will be my first year as a mentor in the program.

What do you wish you had known when beginning graduate school? I wish I knew that my first semester will be my hardest. It's is a semester where I handle transitioning from undergrad, working while studying, demanding classes, and exploring research options.

What are your hobbies and interests? Anything related to exercise, food, and nature!

What is a fun fact about you? I lived in on other country for 3 years!

Headshot of Bright Katey

Bright Katey

Major: Mechanical Engineering
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Research focus: Energy Harvesting Devices
I am pursuing a PhD, currently in my 3rd year.
Prior to attending Virginia Tech for graduate school, I attended University of Toledo in Toledo, OH earning a MS Mechanical Engineering.     

Why did you continue / return to graduate school?
To upgrade my knowledge and skill in the Mechanical Engineering.

How long have you been a mentor for NHGS?
One year.

What do you wish you had known when beginning graduate school?
All the soft skills needed in my filed.

What are your hobbies and interests?
Soccer.

Headshot of Clara Gimenez

Clara Gimenez

Major: Biomedical Engineering
Department: SBES
Research focus: Soft Tissue Mechanics, Women's Reproductive Health.
I am pursuing a Direct PhD, currently in my 1st year.
Prior to attending Virginia Tech for graduate school, I attended Rutgers University in New Jersey earning a Bachelors.     

Why did you continue / return to graduate school?
I want a career in academia, which requires higher graduate degree. I also felt that I had much more to learn.

How long have you been a mentor for NHGS
This is my first year mentoring.

What do you wish you had known when beginning graduate school?
You don't need to have a PhD to get a PhD.

What are your hobbies and interests?
Outdoor activities (hiking, walking, beach), physical activity, food.

Headshot of Cory Ilo

Cory Ilo

Major: Computer Science
Department: Computer Science
Research focus: Augmented Reality, Context aware user interfaces
I am pursuing a PhD, currently in my 4th year.
Prior to attending Virginia Tech for graduate school, I attended Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY earning a BS & MS.     

Prior to returning to graduate school, I worked:
Intel, SoC Validation Engineer

Why did you continue / return to graduate school?
To become an industry researcher

How long have you been a mentor for NHGS?
2 years

What do you wish you had known when beginning graduate school?
How to properly manage my time? - avoiding burnout

What are your hobbies and interests?
Lifting weights / Fitness in general - Video games - Motorcycling

What is a fun fact about you?
I used to travel a lot. Roughly 15 different countries.

Headshot of Julio Arroyo

Julio Arroyo

Major: Biomedical Engineering
Department: School of Biomedical Engineering & Science (SBES)
Research focus: Translational Cancer Research
I am pursuing a Direct PhD, currently in my 2nd year.
Prior to attending Virginia Tech for graduate school, I attended Texas A&M University in College Station, TX earning a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering.     

Prior to returning to graduate school, I worked:
I enjoyed undergrad research and wanted to find opportunities in cancer research more specifically for my Ph.D.

Why did you continue / return to graduate school?
I came straight from undergrad so I wanted to pursue my education further in research because I was unsure if I wanted to work in academia or for private/national labs afterward.

How long have you been a mentor for NHGS?
This is my first year being a mentor for this program!

What do you wish you had known when beginning graduate school?
I wish I had learned to prioritize myself and make time for myself to relax/destress because projects and deadlines can always be moved around, but knowing my limits to what I can give and for how long, can really come at a price for anything else I have going on at work or in my life.

What are your hobbies and interests?
Some hobbies/ interests are spending time with friends by doing various activities at other people's houses or around town, working out/running, binge watching TV/movies, and intramural sports (soccer, softball, kickball etc.)

What is a fun fact about you?
Fun fact about me is that I was born on my dad's birthday and he is also twin, so all three of us share one birthday.

Headshot of Lauren Lusk

Lauren Lusk

Major: Electrical engineering
Department: ECE
Research focus: Signal processing for wireless communication arrays
I am pursuing a Direct PhD, currently in my 3rd year.
Prior to attending Virginia Tech for graduate school, I attended University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma earning a B.S..     

Prior to returning to graduate school, I worked:
I was a research assistant at the University of Oklahoma from January until July 2020. I researched how machine learning is used in radar systems.

Why did you continue / return to graduate school?
August 2020

How long have you been a mentor for NHGS?
This is my first year.

What do you wish you had known when beginning graduate school?
Graduate school is a marathon, not a sprint. It's better to do things at your own pace. You're more likely to drop out if you feel burned out.

What are your hobbies and interests?
I like hiking, baking, and playing board games. One of my favorite board games is Betrayal at the House on the Hill. I also dabble in knitting, sewing, and embroidery. To wind down after a stressful week, I tend to watch TV or read books. I like watching Korean dramas, anime, documentaries on ancient cultures, superhero movies, and sitcoms. I mostly read fantasy books with a little sci-fi thrown in, but I absolutely love reading fairy tales, myths, and legends from around the world.

Headshot of Levern Currie

Levern Currie

Major: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Department: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Research focus: Multimodal Auditory Perception for Auditory Situational Awareness
I am pursuing a Direct PhD, currently in my 3rd year.
Prior to attending Virginia Tech for graduate school, I attended George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia earning a B.S..     

How long have you been a mentor for NHGS?
I've been a mentor for 1 year now.

What do you wish you had known when beginning graduate school?
I wish I was told more about how difficult grad school is outside of classes. For me I've learned that you have to figure out your why and what motivates you because that's what's going to help when the work load or life gets in the way.

What are your hobbies and interests?
I like to do Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and rock climb, I have a software startup, and I like to tinker and build stuff in my spare time, and travel/eat good food

What is a fun fact about you?
I love puzzle games/escape rooms

Headshot of Neeti Gandhi

Neeti Gandhi

Major: Chemical Engineering
Department: Chemical Engineering
Research focus: Tissue Engineering & Organoid Development
I am pursuing a PhD, currently in my 3rd year.
Prior to attending Virginia Tech for graduate school, I attended Purdue University; Georgetown University in West Lafayette, IN; Washington DC earning a BS in Chemical Engineering; MS in Biophysics.     

Prior to returning to graduate school, I worked:
I did internships at Jump Simulation and Frito-Lay PepsiCo, working in the R&D sector

Why did you continue / return to graduate school?
My career goal is to work in R&D and eventually management. Most pharmaceutical/ biotech companies will look for PhDs to lead research at the companies. I wanted to get a PhD to achieve my career goal!

How long have you been a mentor for NHGS?
This will be my third year!

What do you wish you had known when beginning graduate school?
There are so many opportunities outside of the lab and classroom that can teach you valuable lessons as well! You can balance some time to fulfill your hobbies and get involved in the numerous activities/organizations around campus!

What are your hobbies and interests?
Traveling, reading, baking.

What is a fun fact about you?
I have traveled for 26 countries!

Headshot of Raffae Ahmad

Raffae Ahmad

Major: Biomedical Engineering
Department: Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics
Research focus: Interactions between Fusobacterium and cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment, and possible treatments.
I am pursuing a Direct PhD, currently in my 3rd year.
Prior to attending Virginia Tech for graduate school, I attended University of Florida in Gainesville, FL earning a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering.     

Why did you continue / return to graduate school?
I had a great undergraduate research experience which motivated me to go directly to graduate school.

How long have you been a mentor for NHGS?
This will be my first year as a mentor in the program.

What do you wish you had known when beginning graduate school?
Setting small achievable goals during your meetings with your advisor can help define what is expected of you and direct your progress.

What are your hobbies and interests?
I love cooking and baking. I have a ton of houseplants, please ask if you'd like a propagation. I'm also into film photography and disc golf.

Headshot of Tolu Odimayomi

Tolu Odimayomi

Major: Civil and Environmental Engineering - Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Research focus: Control of Pathogens in Drinking Water
I am pursuing a PhD, currently in my 3rd year.
Prior to attending Virginia Tech for graduate school, I attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana earning a M.S. in Environmental and Ecological Engineering and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering.     

How long have you been a mentor for NHGS?
This is my second year as an NHGS peer mentor.

What do you wish you had known when beginning graduate school?
If I could go back and give myself one piece of advice before starting graduate school, I would tell myself to anticipate that challenges would come up along the way that will seem overwhelming. I had to learn that my research will not always go as planned, but that does not mean that I have to forfeit my goals. It is important to learn how to reach out for help and remember that graduate school is not a solo sport.

What are your hobbies and interests?
In addition, some of my interests include theater, sewing, hiking, puzzles, and serving at my church. I think it is beneficial for graduate students to have activities outside of research and coursework to look forward to and destress with.

What is a fun fact about you?
I enjoy longboarding.

Headshot of Victor Lopez

Victor Lopez

Major: Biomedical Engineering
Department: School of Biomedical Engineering
Research focus: Translational cancer research/ medical devices/focused ultrasound
I am pursuing a PhD, currently in my 2nd year.
Prior to attending Virginia Tech for graduate school, I attended University of Florida in Gainesville, FL earning a Bachelor of Science.     

Prior to returning to graduate school, I worked:
Exactech - medical devices with a focus in orthopedic implants

Why did you continue / return to graduate school?
More research experience, better career opportunities

How long have you been a mentor for NHGS?
1 year

What do you wish you had known when beginning graduate school?
Don't compare yourself to others in your lab or cohort. Everyone's project is different and unique. Don't forget to schedule time for lunch!

What are your hobbies and interests?
Anything outdoorsy (hiking, kayaking, trail running, camping). Intramural sports, disc golf. Gardening, cooking new recipes, puzzles.

What is a fun fact about you?
My favorite ice cream flavor is coffee.

Headshot of Wendell Grinton

Wendell Grinton

Major: Civil Engineering
Department: Civil Engineering
Research focus: Leveraging a multi-disciplinary approach to combat the inequities and inefficiencies of US civil infrastructure systems (I.e., energy messaging systems, emergency alerting systems)
I am pursuing a PhD, currently in my 3rd year.
Prior to attending Virginia Tech for graduate school, I attended North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina earning a BS.     

Prior to returning to graduate school, I worked:
I've only had internship opportunities in construction

Why did you continue / return to graduate school?
To expand my network as well as to gain more technical knowledge in my niche research field

How long have you been a mentor for NHGS
since 2019

What do you wish you had known when beginning graduate school?
The criticalness of work-life balance and how to handle burnout

What are your hobbies and interests?
weightlifting (Planet Fitness), pick-up basketball, intramural sports (basketball, flag football, kickball, ultimate frisbee), drawing, faith (I believe in God), cooking, anything outdoors, sports, binge watching shows

What is a fun fact about you?
I used to own about 80 pairs of shoes, including Jordans, Nikes, among others

Headshot of Zach Benmamoun

Zach Benmamoun

Major: Chemical Engineering
Department: Chemical Engineering
Research focus: Antimicrobial mechanisms, cell surface interactions, microfluidics
I am pursuing a PhD, currently in my 3rd year.
Prior to attending Virginia Tech for graduate school, I attended University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Champaign-Urbana earning a Bachelors of science.     

Prior to returning to graduate school, I worked:
Undergraduate research at UIUC, briefly worked in a bioprocessing pilot plant

Why did you continue / return to graduate school?
Research seemed fun

How long have you been a mentor for NHGS?
2 years

What do you wish you had known when beginning graduate school?
How many fellowships are available early on in grad school. Apply for those. Also, advisor selection is important, and its important to pick an advisor that you get along with, not necessarily just to pick an advisor that does research that you enjoy

What are your hobbies and interests?
Hiking/running/gym, music, cooking