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 2024-2025 SAGE board:
Chelsea Alexander is a fourth-year graduate student in the Human Development and Family Studies Program. She is interested in socializing agents during emerging adulthood development, with a particular focus on Black populations.
Akash Bajaj is a third-year PhD student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He earned his master’s degree from Texas A&M University and gained industry experience before returning for his doctoral studies. His current research focuses on improving the resiliency of asphalt pavements in highways and airfields by characterizing and reducing their cracking potential. In his free time, Akash enjoys traveling, hanging out with friends, and exploring different cultures.
Quinesha Bentley is a PhD student in the Sociology department and studies the valuation of human life in tort litigation. She has served in her department as a Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC) where she was a liaison between the graduate students and the department administration.
Ingmar Bertram is a German-Swedish professional based in Stockholm, Sweden. He is an education specialist with experience in L&D, EdTech, student recruitment, and marketing for the training industry. He spent part of high school in Oregon. He's an advocate and practitioner of lifelong learning.
Sydni Brantley is a second-year master's student in Urban Planning. Her research interests include urban planning's impact on mental and physical health in underserved communities and the historical impacts of racist planning policy. She is also passionate about addressing and reducing the stigma of mental health within the Black community. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with loved ones and her dog Bean, strength training, reading, and trying new restaurants.
Elizabeth Coder is currently a fifth-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 degree in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and her bachelor's degree 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.
Will Deng is a PhD student in Cognitive Psychology at UIUC. He is interested in both how people make complex decisions and how people perceive and remember themselves and the rest of the world. As a result, he uses a combination of research methodologies such as behavioral research, computational modeling, and electrophysiology. The main goal of his research is to test and develop new cognitive theories and models that encompass a diverse population and link perception and comprehension. In his free time, Will enjoys playing the Violin, working on his car, exploring local breweries, and refining his espresso-making techniques.
Wendy Dorman is a fifth-year PhD candidate in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. She took a long hiatus from academia after completing her MS in Ecology and GIS, earning her GISP, working in remote sensing with MAXAR Technologies, and curating biodiversity data with the Map of Life at Yale. Her interdisciplinary research explores both the mechanisms limiting the distribution of migratory birds and the potential for the scale and place of biodiversity data to influence student beliefs surrounding conservation and climate change. She enjoys hiking with her dog Atreyu, science fiction, birding, bonfires, and spending time with family and friends.
Parsa Faghihi is a second-year PhD student in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering. His current research focuses on two-phase heat transfer on modified surface structures. 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.
Jenna Girman is a second-year PhD student in the Animal Sciences department studying Meat Science. Her research focuses heavily on both pork quality and consumer preferences regarding fresh pork products. She is extremely passionate about teaching the public where exactly their food comes from and helping them to understand the process. She grew up in Ormond Beach, Florida before heading to college and receiving a BS in Agriculture from Western Illinois University, and an MS in ALEC from the University of Illinois. When she's not writing or researching, you can catch her at a livestock show, riding horses, or spending time with her loved ones and dogs.
Willencia Louis-Charles is a master's student in Community Health. Her research interests include diabetes self-management and how we can educate older adults with diabetes on how they can create their own self-management routines. She plans to pursue a career in health equity, specifically educating and assisting different populations of people on how to pursue their own healthcare journeys.
Anurag Mittal: I am an iMSM student (August 2023 batch) at Gies College of Business. My major is Business Administration. I'm a Digital Government Consultant with core expertise in ESG, GRI reporting, and mentoring sustainability and circular economy projects. In view of rapidly evolving frameworks, standards, audit assurance, implementation timelines, and information in the sustainability domain in particular in the EU ( ESRS, CSRD, IFRS ISSB ) for financial and non-financial companies and small and medium enterprises, I have kept myself updated by attending webinars, completing certifications, micro-credentials from all professional Institutes like GRI Academy, CPA Ireland, ACCA UK, CPA Australia, Arizona State University, Institute of Management Accountants, ICAEW UK and Ireland, Association of Fundraising Professionals AFP and others.
Diana Morales is a first-generation, Mexican-American third-year PhD Student in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. Her research interests include neurodegenerative disease and aging, as well as developing and implementing culturally tailored behavioral interventions in Latine populations to improve brain health outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones, watching reality TV, and cooking.
Sophie Nikolov: Hi everyone! I am from Elmhurst, Illinois and I did my undergraduate degree at UIUC in psychology, concentrating in behavioral neuroscience. I also did a French minor in undergrad, and I can also speak Bulgarian. My career switch to studying information management was brought on by a variety of reasons including a desire to learn more technical skills in general, a desire to keep learning, and challenge myself. I like active hobbies a lot: weights, cycling, yoga, tennis, and more (and I'm willing to try almost anything at least once!)
Tanya Pattnaik is a third-year PhD student in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms that drive changes in feeding during pregnancy and lactation in mice. Her hobbies outside the lab include reading, trying different food items, and traveling.
Stephanie Pirie: I am an iMBA student at the Gies College of Business with a focus on Business Analytics and Strategic Innovation. My background is in healthcare and nursing and I am currently working as a Quality, Safety, and Regulatory Coordinator. I have a passion for implementing best practices to improve our patients' outcomes and experience. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two dogs, outdoor activities, and reading.
Isaiah Raynal is a fifth-year PhD candidate in Political Science. His interdisciplinary research uses mixed methods to analyze people’s attitudes and behaviors. More specifically, his dissertation focuses on identifying solutions for reducing negative feelings between Republicans and Democrats in the United States. In his free time, Isaiah enjoys walking his dog, working out, going out to eat, watching TV, and spending time with friends and family.
Joenisse M. Rosado-Rosa is a sixth-year PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry. Her research is focused on the characterization of P. aeruginosa biofilm using mass spectrometry imaging working for Prof. Jonathan Sweedler. She is committed to making the graduate experience as open and honest as possible for everyone. She is an avid movie watcher, and video game enjoyer and loves challenging puzzles, especially escape rooms.
Jonathan Ruwuya is a fourth-year PhD student pursuing his studies in the Department of Recreation, Sport, and Tourism. His primary research interest lies in Sport Management, with a focus on safeguarding the integrity of sport and the well-being of athletes through comprehensive anti-doping initiatives. His work delves into the intricate landscape of global anti-doping policies, exploring their implementation in non-Western regions, particularly in the context of Africa. Beyond his academic endeavors, Jonathan finds joy in spending quality time with his loved ones, expressing his creativity through playing the bass guitar, and satisfying his curiosity through travel.
Sarah Yepsen: I am a second-year student in the iSchool's MS in Library & Information Science Program. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a minor in Latin American Studies from Illinois State University. I would like to take the skills that I have acquired from ISU and UIUC to a library setting where I can help manage programs, resources, and services for patrons who speak Spanish.
Yukun Yu is a sixth-year PhD student in developmental psychology. Her research explores how infants and young children acquire words and grammar, with a particular focus on how recent language experiences influence children's expectations of familiar words and grammatical structures. In her free time, she enjoys reading, journaling, and capturing moments with her Polaroid camera.
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.
