Students Advising on Graduate Education (SAGE) is a student advisory board and leadership opportunity for graduate students at Illinois that fosters active engagement with Graduate College programs and initiatives. SAGE board members enrich the graduate student community, build leadership and administrative skills, and strengthen Graduate College services and programs.
This board contributes to the graduate student community at Illinois by providing varied perspectives that enhance the academic, professional, and social experience of graduate students at the university. They collaborate with Graduate College staff on projects related to programs, initiatives, or the broader goals of the college.
We're excited to introduce our 2023-2024 SAGE board:
Kyra Abrams is a 2nd-year PhD student in the Informatics Department. Her research interests surround data autonomy and data privacy, specifically what data autonomy would be like through a radical perspective. Her hobbies include baking, reading, and listening to new music.
Rebecca Bishop is a 3rd year PhD student in the Department of Comparative Biosciences. She received her DVM from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, her MS in Veterinary Clinical Medicine from UIUC, and completed a residency in Equine Surgery at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Rebecca's primary research interest is improving diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disease in horses through application of high-throughput sequencing technologies to elucidate molecular mechanisms of gastrointestinal disease and identify novel diagnostic markers/therapeutic targets. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her husband and their three cats, horseback riding, gardening, and cooking.
Joe Bowie is a third-year MFA Candidate in the Dance Department with a Minor in Gender and Women’s Studies. His current creative research resides at the intersection of dance, Blackness, queerness, maleness, Black joy, and storytelling. In his dance-making, he uses autoethnography, embodied storytelling, and affective frameworks to foreground softness, tenderness, and gentleness among Black, queer moving bodies. In his free time, Joe uses his professional baking chops to bake delicious, whole-grain goodies for his hubby, colleagues, and cohort.
Elizabeth Coder is currently a fourth-year PhD student in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership, concentrating in both Higher Education and Global Studies in Education. She is concurrently pursuing a Master of Science in Journalism. Her role as a Teaching Assistant for both graduate and undergraduate courses, as well as her role as a Graduate Affiliate in the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning, well complement her research interests, which center on undergraduate teaching and learning at international branch campuses. She received her Master's in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and her Bachelor's in Psychology from Auburn University. Elizabeth is an avid traveler, having visited 86 countries on 6 continents and all 50 states. She also likes exploring the outdoors here in Illinois, both in a kayak and on foot.
Ellie Conklin is a third-year PhD student in the Neuroscience Program. Her research is focused on connectomics and, specifically, identifying underlying patterns and themes of neuronal connectivity in nematodes. She enjoys data science, reading, solving jigsaw puzzles, eating ice cream, and hanging out with her two cats.
Ibou Doumbya is an EdM student at the EPOL department in the HRD program. His main interests are instructional design, adult learning, and organizational development. A lifelong learner, Ibou comes mostly from a sports background with decades of involvement as a participant and a coach. He is passionate about sharing his experiences, learning with others, and improving his skills and competencies. Ibou's time is divided between his family and his hobbies, which are nature sightseeing, coaching track and field, and exercising.
Parsa Faghihi is a first-year PhD student in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering. His current research focuses on thermal energy storage in nano structures, and thermal conductivity measurement of thin films. He is enthusiastically committed to fostering a supportive environment within the graduate college, allowing students to pursue their goals peacefully. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, watching movies, and hanging out with friends.
Natalia Fic is a Master's of Urban Planning student residing in Champaign. She is interested in researching and developing trauma-informed planning approaches to encourage social cohesion and healthy living within urban neighborhoods. Outside of academics, she enjoys long-distance cycling, yoga, and spending most of her time in nature with her partner.
Caitlyn Georgiou is a PhD candidate in Literary Studies in the Department of English. Her research focuses on representations of self-harm, suicide, and violence in twentieth-century US literature, and she hopes to establish new methods in the field for reading and teaching literary violence with attention to its potential for real-life harm. She spends her days cuddling her dog, finding new foods to eat, and trying to figure out how to travel the world on a budget.
Selim Havan is currently a doctoral student in Quantitative Methodology, Measurement, and Evaluation (QUERIES) in the Department of Educational Psychology. His interests are related to educational measurement and statistics, including Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Item Response Theory (IRT). He enjoys hiking, cycling, trying new foods, and spending time outdoors.
Amos Jeng is a fourth-year graduate student pursuing a PhD in Educational Psychology. His research interests concern how students of diverse socio-cultural backgrounds develop connections and support one another in higher education settings. In his free time, Amos enjoys trying new recipes, going for walks, and playing the piano.
Pradeep Kumar is currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology. His research is focused on mapping and investigating the functional impact of the three-dimensional organization of DNA during development and diseases. Being a first-generation low-income college graduate, he is passionate about increasing representation in STEM fields. When not in the lab, Pradeep enjoys running and training for marathons, watching movies, and spending time with friends.
Vikram Kumar is a third-year PhD student in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. His research focuses on the reaction chemistry of alternative materials for applications in cementitious environments. In his free time, Vikram enjoys table tennis, badminton, running, and interacting with fellow graduate students.
Allison Louie is currently a third-year PhD student in the Neuroscience Program. She previously completed a Bachelor's in Neuroscience at UCLA and a Master's in Nutritional Sciences at UIUC. Her research focuses on how environmental factors such as respiratory viral infection affect myelination in the central nervous system, especially in the context of neurological disease. She likes listening to comedy podcasts and hanging out with her dog and two cats.
Willencia Louis-Charles: I am currently a Master's student in Community Health working in the Human Factors and Aging Lab with Dr. Wendy Rogers. My research interests include investigating the emotional and social implications of artificial intelligence and other progressing technologies. I hope to become a professor in the future where I can teach how to make sure that the design process is as inclusive as possible so that oppressed groups and their needs are considered at this stage of manufacturing.
Shelby Martell is a third-year PhD student in the Neuroscience Program. She received her B.S. in Neuroscience from Eastern Illinois University. Her research focuses on how nutrients affect visual and cognitive health in persons with Multiple Sclerosis. In her free time, Shelby enjoys coaching and playing softball, cooking, and embroidery.
Wesam Mohamed is a PhD student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Wesam's passionate advocacy for students shines through his various leadership positions over the years. His fervor lies in addressing issues impacting international and graduate students. He is thrilled to serve as a member of the SAGE board and make a lasting impact on the vibrant community at UIUC.
Diana Morales: I am a first-generation, Mexican-American second-year PhD Student in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health. My research interests include neurodegenerative disease and aging, as well as developing and implementing culturally adapted behavioral interventions in Latine populations to improve brain health outcomes. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, watching reality TV, and cooking.
Apoorva Nag (pronouns: she/her) is a first-year PhD student in the School of Social Work. Her research focuses on examining intersectional factors that shape formal system responses to gender-based violence, with a particular emphasis on understanding the needs and help-seeking experiences of ethnic minority womxn. Passionate about enhancing campus life and safety, Apoorva is excited to contribute to the Graduate College's efforts in creating more inclusive and welcoming spaces that foster a sense of community and well-being among students. In her leisure time, she enjoys taking long walks, cooking, and mastering the classical Indian dance form, Kathak.
Uyen Nguyen is a second-year international student in the MS Library & Information Science program, where she focuses on Data and Information Management. As a Graduate Assistant for the Main Library, she is interested in exploring how librarianship can provide equitable access to information through information and data literacy. Outside her time in libraries, she enjoys playing and (recently) building video games.
G. S. Rakib is a 3rd Year PhD student from the Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering department. His primary research focus is to study the liquid structure and dynamics of molten salt and see the effect of additives. His research contributes to the study of molten salt nuclear power reactors. Rakib enjoys swimming, musical instruments, and reading.
Isaiah Raynal is a fourth-year PhD student in Political Science. His interdisciplinary research uses mixed methods to explore topics related to political behavior, psychology, and communications. More specifically, his dissertation focuses on whether encouraging people to think about how they are similar rather than different can reduce negative feelings between people of opposing political parties. In his free time, Isaiah enjoys walking his dog, working out, going out to eat, watching TV, and spending time with friends and family.
Allison Rzepka is a fourth-year PhD student in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering. Her research explores the non-destructive evaluation of 3D metal printed parts and the response of designed periodic materials for blast mitigation. She is excited to help the Graduate College create a welcoming space where everyone has the support to build well-being and success. In her free time, Allison enjoys playing sports (boxing, soccer, and volleyball), art, and exploring new foods.
Selena Salazar: I am a student in the online Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations program. My undergraduate degree is in Human Resource Management. I am drawn to Human Resources because it allows me to help people and make a difference in organizations. I decided to join SAGE to help myself not only become more engaged in my classes but to help build a sense of belonging for online students. In my free time, you will find me traveling with my son or managing my LLC, Bonita Conchitas.
Linyuan (Carol) Shi is a second-year PhD student in the Neuropsychopharmacology lab of the Psychology Department at UIUC. She earned her BS in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University and her MS in Psychological Sciences from UIUC. Her research focuses on the effects of drug use during adolescence on brain development using rats. She is passionate about public education as an effort to diminish the stigma surrounding psychological illnesses such as addiction. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, rock climbing, and hanging out with friends.
Rahnuma Siddika is a second-year PhD student in the Department of Political Science, specializing in comparative politics with a minor in political methodology. Her research interests center around authoritarian politics and politics in the developing world, with a regional focus on South Asia. Currently, she is examining potential biases in survey reports of repressive regimes stemming from respondents' sensitivities around political topics. Outside of her academic pursuits, Rahnuma enjoys cooking, reading with her 6-year-old son, nurturing her houseplants, traveling to new places, and spending time with family and friends.
Azlan Smith is a writer, art research facilitator, and career educator. Their research interests center on storytelling's participation in culture, genre fiction as modern mythology, and Public Humanities projects which use narrative for community building and activism. They like to think about writing as a place where we can meet. They're currently a PhD candidate in Writing Studies.
Prashanthi Srinivasan: I am currently a graduate student pursuing a Master's in Financial Mathematics at Gies School of Business. As a Chartered Accountant (equivalent to CPA in the US), I have professional experience in the fields of audit and accountancy. However, my true passion lies in finance, and I am eager to explore various aspects involving business valuations, building financial models, and crafting investment strategies. In my free time, I enjoy exploring different food joints, traveling, hiking, and playing tennis.
Ali Zaidi is a fourth-year PhD candidate in Computer Science. He is interested in algorithmic-assisted decision-making, specifically how algorithms can help people make better and more informed decisions in various contexts, including high-stakes contexts like medicine. He is passionate about using AI and Machine Learning ethically and in ways that help people. In his spare time, he enjoys baking, sports, movies, and hanging out with friends.
