Current Ambassadors
The RISE Ambassadors translate ongoing and current research into resources digestible for the general public. Ambassadors can stay for their entire undergraduate experience at ASU to encourage long term development or projects.
Our Current Team
Molly Budhiraja
Molly Budhiraja is a student at ASU Barrett, majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Biological Sciences. As a former congressional intern and nonprofit founder, she is passionate about fostering inclusive environments through resear…
Aliya Hashim
Aliya Hashim is a Barrett Honors student majoring in Neuroscience and Pharmacology & Toxicology, with a minor in Philosophy. She has been part of the RISE Center since 2024 and is passionate about making STEM more inclusive and accessible,…
Scarlett Arias Hernandez
Scarlett is a first-generation, third-year student majoring in Biological Sciences. She is interested in bringing recognition to challenges taken on by underrepresented groups, such as first-generation and socioeconomically challenged students.…
Jessica Hodges
Hi! My name is Jessica Hodges and I am a first generation college student entering my sophomore year with a major in biological sciences. I am on the pre-med track and I am passionate about asking complex questions and pursuing meaningful solut…
Garv Kalra
Garv Kalra is a junior majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology. As a RISE Ambassador, he is focused on making research opportunities and labs more accessible, with a particular emphasis on addressing the academic and social barriers…
Zahraa Kamil
As a first-generation pre-med undergraduate student, Zahraa is passionate about bridging gaps in the STEM field. She is pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences with a focus in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, along with a minor in Famil…
Jusreen Kaur
Jusreen Kaur is an undergraduate student who is currently studying Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology with a certificate in Interdisciplinary Health Humanities. Given her ongoing research with molecular biomarkers aiding in vaccine developmen…
Mannatpreet Kaur
Mannat is an international student at Arizona State University, majoring in Neuroscience. Driven by a passion for advancing the field, Mannat aspires to pursue a career that seamlessly merges cutting-edge research, innovative solutions, and ded…
Hajer Maaz
Hajer is a first-year undergraduate student at ASU, pursuing Biological Sciences and Global Health with minors in Spanish and Arabic. As a School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Scholar in a myxoma virus lab at Biodesign, Hajer is looki…
Lennessa Mazo
Lennessa Mazo is an undergraduate senior majoring in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Public Health and is in the 4+1 Biology program at Arizona State University. She is a Research Assistant at the Banner Sun Health Research Institute in…
Haley Patel
Haley Patel is a sophomore at Arizona State University majoring in Medical Microbiology. Haley's academic interests include psychology, neuroscience, and immunology, with a focus on understanding how youth social interactions and environmental…
Ariana Salehi
Ariana is a Barrett senior majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Psychology. She plans to attend medical school after graduating from ASU. As a RISE Ambassador, she is excited to support ASU STEM students by connecting them with resou…
Naina Shaik
Naina Shaik is a Biological Sciences major on the pre-med track with a strong passion for the intersection of education, medicine, and science. She aims to help fellow undergraduates succeed in their academic and professional journeys, and she…
Past Ambassadors
Benny Aguilar
Benny is a fourth year undergraduate student at ASU, pursuing a degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Biological Sciences. Having contributed to research in gut microbiome health and the human protein targetome in the past, Benny is exci…
Ashlyn Germanos
Hi! My name is Ashlyn Germanos, I am a rising senior here at ASU. I am majoring in biological sciences with plans to apply to medical school following graduation. I am really looking forward to this school year, and I am particularly interested…
Randy Gutierrez
Randy Gutierrez is a first-generation, fourth-year undergraduate student at Arizona State University, majoring in Biomedical Sciences with an emphasis in pre-med.
Nedah Hiermandi
Hello everyone! My name is Nedah Hiermandi and I am a senior graduating in the Fall of 2024 majoring in biomedical sciences. I’m currently on a pre-med track, currently applying to medical school. I have an interest in the effects of academic s…
Kyle McFarlane
My name is Kyle McFarlane and I am a Senior majoring in Biomedical Sciences. I am interested in researching the unique struggles underserved student populations face in STEM education and providing resources to help them succeed.
Sriharsha Silasagaram
Sriharsha Silasagaram is a freshman at Arizona State University studying Computer Science. With a passion for promoting diversity, Sriharsha joined the RISE research center to advocate for greater inclusivity in STEM, focusing on empowering min…
Vincent Truong
[email protected]As a sophomore pursuing education in Psychology, Biochemistry, and a minor in Disability Studies, Vincent is excited to explore ways to improve accommodations and resources for the dis/abled community here at ASU. His participation in the…
Hailey Bunch
[email protected]Hailey was born and raised in Arizona. She was born in Phoenix and moved to Tonopah for middle school and high school. She is a junior currently pursuing a degree in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Religious Studies. In her free time, she e…
Analy Granados
[email protected]Analy is a first-generation fourth year student at Arizona State studying Biomedical Sciences, and minoring in Sociocultural Anthropology. Driven by her personal experience facing socioeconomic barriers in education, she is interested in e…
Jude Kolodisner
[email protected]Jude is a third-year senior majoring in biomedical sciences, and he is interested in researching inequities in STEM education that limit students' ability to succeed.
Corinne Mitra
[email protected]Corinne has lived in Arizona her whole life. She is currently pursuing majors in Biological Sciences (Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior) and Neuroscience. She hopes to go to medical school after her undergrad. Corinne is interested in rese…
Hakop Sinoryan
[email protected]Hakop was born in Pasadena, California to Armenian immigrants. He is a first generation student majoring in biology with an emphasis in pre-med. His interests include art, manga, and video games. Most importantly his research interests foc…