ABOUT






The University of Michigan Scientista Chapter is dedicated to providing every UMichigan scientista with campus-related advice, news, articles, features and more. Browse through our website and join our mailing list to gain access to great resources and events! 

MEET THE TEAM

Who's behind the action? Meet the fabulous Scientista execs who work hard to bring Scientista to you!
Leena Shah















​Leena Shah
Campus Co-Founder & Director

Year: Sophomore :)

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Major(s): undecided

Fun Fact: I wrestled a bear and emerged unscathed. Incidentally the bear also emerged unscathed. It was a stalemate. 

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]
Lynn Daboul
Campus Co-Founder & Events Chair

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

Major: Neuroscience

Fun Fact: When I was a kid, I used to really like walnuts for some reason. I would eat an entire jar of walnuts in a day or two.

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]
Carmela Witherspoon
Campus Co-Founder & Treasurer

Year: U of M Class of 2013 alum

Hometown: Detroit, Michigan

Major/Minor: Brain, Behavior & Cognitive Science / African American Studies

Fun Fact: I shook hands with President Barack Obama when he visited  U of M in 2012

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]
Sarah Akhtar
Campus Co-Founder & Secretary 

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Canton, Michigan

Major: undecided 

Fun Fact: Aiming to be the first physician in my father's extended family. There are way too many engineers! 

Feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Tehreem Sajjad
Campus Co-Founder & Department Affairs Chair Emerita

Year: Senior

Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

Major/Minor: Brain, Behavior & Cognitive Science / Creative Writing

Fun Fact: 

Feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Gunseli Onder
Academic Support Chair

Year: Sophomore 

Hometown:

Major:

Fun Fact:

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]. 
Sapha Hassan (left)
Public Relations Chair


Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Long Island, New York

Major(s)/Minor(s): undecided, but pre-medical emphasis

Fun Fact: I have never lost a tube of Burt's Bees Lip Balm...I can't live without it!

Feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Hyeri Joo (left)
Public Relations Chair Emerita


Year: Sophomore 

Hometown: Farmington Hills, Michigan

Major: undecided

Fun Fact: I like modern art.

Feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Mariam Sheikh
Campus Editor & Publisher Emerita


Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Staten Island, New York

Major: undecided

Fun Fact: My favorite things ever are books and movies.

Feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Catherine West
Tech Chair Emerita


Year: Junior

Hometown: Dewitt, Michigan

Major(s)/Minor(s): undecided

Fun Fact: I worked at Cedar Point for the summer!

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]
Miranda Ajulufoh
Member-at-Large

Year: Junior

Hometown: Oak Park, Michigan 

Major: Neuroscience 

Fun Fact: My parents said that when I was really little my voice was deep and hoarse. I sounded like a man. I'm glad I grew out of that.

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]. 
Aida Mustafa
Outreach Chair Emerita


Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Novi, Michigan

Major: Neuroscience

Fun Fact: I love learning new languages

Feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Shaima Khandaker
Historian

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Warren, Michigan 

Major: Biopsychology, Cognition & Neuroscience 

Fun Fact: I love learning new languages!

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]. 
Cassi Kirkland
Campus Editor and Publisher
Managing Editor Emerita

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: New Lenox, Illinois 

Major: Majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology (haven't actually declared yet though!) and applying to the Organizational Studies Program this winter

Fun Fact: I I have seen every episode of Boy Meets World multiple times. 

 Feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Natalie Nagpal 
Freshman Representative, Class of 2017

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan 

Major: Biopsychology, Cognition & Neuroscience 

Fun Fact: Homecoming Queen in high school.

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]. 
Picture
















Annie McCloskey
Freshman Representative, Class of 2017

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Yarmouth, Maine

Major: Neuroscience

Fun Fact: 

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]. 
Afreen Qadeer
Freshman Representative, Class of 2018

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Novi, Michigan

Major: Leaning towards Cellular and Molecular Biology

Fun Fact: I was named after a popular song that was written in Urdu. 

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]. 



2019-2020

Sarah Schaffel 
Director
Year: Sophomore 
Hometown: Deerfield, Illinois
Major: Intending to concentrate in Computer Science
Fun Fact: I've never left the country.

Sherry Li
Department Affairs Chair 

Year: Senior

Hometown: Troy, Michigan 

Major: Industrial and Operations Engineering

Fun Fact: I don't own a pair of normal socks!
Krittika Pant
Freshman Representative, Class of 2018

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Princeton Junction, New Jersey

Major: Neuroscience

Fun Fact: New York City is my favorite place in the world, especially during Christmas.

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]. 



Angie Miller
Managing Editor and Publisher
Year: Graduate student in second year of Master's of Public Health (MPH) program 
Hometown: Owosso, Michigan
Major: MPH in Global Health Management and Policy; U of M Class of 2017 alum
Fun Fact: I am training to break the world record for longest hug with my partner. 

Sydney Edwards
Public Relations Chair
​
Year: Junior

Hometown: White Lake, Michigan 

Major: Neuroscience

Fun Fact: I am a first generation college student!
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Tabassum Mohibi
Freshman Representative, Class of 2017

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Saginaw, Michigan

Major: Deciding between Cell and Molecular Biology or Residential College (RC) Arts and Ideas in the Humanities 

Fun Fact: My full name, Tabassum Mohibi, means "Smile, my friend" 

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]. 
Claire Johnson 
Freshman Representative, Class of 2018

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Holland, Michigan 


Major: Biochemistry


Fun Fact: I have a fraternal twin sister who goes to Michigan State University! 

Rhea Rajani
Events Chair
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Holland, Michigan
Major: Intending to concentrate in Biology
Fun Fact: I have been a vegetarian for a year now! 

EVENTS

JOIN

Welcome, UMich Scientistas™!  We are currently accepting applications for our 2019-2020 executive board. If you are interested in joining, please fill out the inquiry form below. Leadership opportunities, including becoming co-director, are available! Questions or inquiries? Contact us at [email protected].

Apply to join the 2019-2020 Board!

1. Executive Board Application
2. Join A Committee!

    1. Executive Board Application

    Position Descriptions:

    (Co)Director(s)
    The Co-Directors are responsible for overseeing all activity in the organization. The Director(s) will work directly with the Scientista National team to manage the chapter, oversee recruitment, event planning, publishing, and all branch activities. Director(s) will also serve as campus representatives for Scientista Presidents' Circle, an exclusive network for presidents of women in STEM from across the Boston region. 

    Treasurer
    The Treasurer is responsible for fundraising, applying to grants, and keeping track of the chapter's budget. This person plays a vital role in keeping the chapter in the green!

    Managing Editor and Publisher

    The Managing Editor will be responsible for maintaining our online presence. As Managing Editor, this person is responsible for campus-related content creation, and editing of writing by the writing team. As chapter publisher, this person will lay out and publish articles to the campus blog. This person will work closely with the other committees as well as the national team. 


    Public Relations Chair

    The Public Relations Committee will be in charge of promoting Scientista to the campus. PR is responsible for launching marketing campaigns, and managing relationships with other student organizations. PR will work closely with the other committees.

    Events Chair

    The Events Committee is responsible for spearheading social and academic events for Scientista members and working to put on events with other organizations on campus. Events include socials, study breaks, speaker panels, parties, intercollegiate events, etc.

    Department Affairs Chair

    The Department Affairs Committee will be responsible for forming and maintaining relationships with faculty and other members of academic departments. They are responsible for seeking out and posting department-related opportunities to the website.    

    Please answer the following questions in a word document and attach them to your application below:

    (word limit: 300 per question)
    1. Why do you want to join Scientista? 
    2. What qualities and/or relevant experience do you possess that make you a good candidate for the position you have indicated?
    3. What are three ideas that you would implement in your role?
    4. Please list your other time commitments for this year.
    5. In the case that you are not chosen for your position, you may select one or two "drop-down" positions that you would like to be considered for. These can be either executive positions or committee chair positions. Please list the positions, in order of preference.

    Thank you! (Don't forget to attach the document below!)
    Max file size: 20MB

    2. Committee Member

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