Department Representatives Fall 2026
Nicolas Halley (Lead DR)
About Me
Hi my name is Nicolas, I'm from France and grew up between Paris and London. I'm a second year MS student in APAM. Outside of classes, I enjoy watching football (not the american one sorry) and playing chess. Feel free to reach out about anything and everything :)
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Rohan Narasimhan
About Me
Hey everyone, I'm a first year PhD student (second year masters student) in materials science and I'm excited to be a DR! Please reach out to me if you guys have any questions about life at Columbia.
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Samantha Wang
About Me
I am a third year PhD student in the Hone lab, and my research focuses on low temperature electric transport in 2D semiconductors. Outside of work, I enjoy yoga and going to concerts!
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Derek Ning (Lead DR)
About Me
I’m a Ph.D. student at Columbia University working on tissue engineering of the knee joint during osteoarthritis, currently advised by Clark Hung. I'm originally from San Diego and went to undergraduate at UC Berkeley in the bay. Some of my interests include any type of racquet sport, fishing, and travel!
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Arsh Sachdeva
About Me
Hi! I'm a second year MS/PhD student in the Yousefpour Lab. I grew up in Princeton, NJ and received my B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign before coming to Columbia. My research is focused on engineering proteins for extended release vaccines. Outside the lab, I love watching sports and checking out new parks and restaurants around NYC!
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Joanne Jung
About Me
Hi, my name is Joanne Jung, and I am pursuing an M.S. in BME with a concentration in Design, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at Columbia University. I am originally from New York and graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Biophysics & Minor in Medical Sociology.
During my undergraduate studies, my research centered around extracorporeal life support (ECLS)/mechanical circulatory support (MCS) systems, ranging from normothermic ex situ heart perfusion to artificial placentas. I am now continuing this work at CUIMC, investigating extended cardiac donor preservation prior to transplantation. I am also passionate about global health equity & surgical capacity building through policy and engineering innovations. In my free time, I love to read, engage in music and art, and try out new cafes (tea addiction).
I look forward to advocating for the needs of the graduate engineering community; please feel free to reach out at any point!
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Juni Polansky
About Me
Hi! I'm a first-year MS/PhD student in Nandan Nerurkar's Lab, looking at the development of the gut tube in the chicken embryo. In my free time, I love playing soccer, running, going to concerts, and playing guitar.
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Guadalupe Lauro
About Me
Hi! My name is Guada, and I’m a first-year M.S. student in BME doing research in the Yousefpour Lab. I’m originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and did my undergrad at UC Davis. Outside of class and research, I love exploring new places, reading, and listening to music. I’m really excited to be one of your DRs this year, so please feel free to reach out :)
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William Wei (Lead DR)
About Me
I’m a fourth-year ChemE Ph.D. candidate. My research is focused on tandem catalysis and reaction engineering. Outside of lab, I enjoy working out, live music, and board games!
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Snigdha Musugunthan
About Me
I'm a first-year M.S. ChemE student specializing in Biotechnology and Biopharmaceuticals. I’m passionate about genetics, proteins, and tissue engineering. I always enjoy networking, attending workshops, and campus socials where I can meet new people and make new friends.
Fun fact: I’m a former professional and college tennis player. Outside of school, I enjoy playing tennis, staying active, and exploring NYC! I’m excited to serve as your Department Representative, so please feel free to reach out—I’d love to hear from you and learn how I can better support your needs.
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Sachintha Ashok
About Me
Hi everyone! My name is Sachintha Ashok, and I am a first-year MS student from Atlanta, Georgia. My academic specialization is in biotech and biopharmaceuticals and my former experiences are related to cell-free protein engineering. In my free time, I love going to museums and gallery openings, playing the guitar, golfing, and going anywhere with live music!
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Atharva Powar (Lead DR)
About Me
Hi! I'm a final-year MS student in Civil Engineering, concentrating in Construction Management. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing soccer, trekking, and photography, and I'm always up for trying something new. I'm excited to serve as the CEEM Department Representative this year, and I look forward to supporting and connecting with my fellow graduate students!
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Richa Duphare
About Me
Hi guys! I’m a first year M.S. student in Civil Engineering from Toronto, Canada (aka The 6ix) 😮💨 I’m interested in transportation, infrastructure, and pretty much anything involving how we get around cities.
Outside of class, you’ll probably find me shopping for vintage soccer jerseys, exploring NYC, or crocheting. Excited and honored to be your CEEM DR this year — feel free to reach out anytime!
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Aurghya Maiti (Lead DR)
About Me
Hi, I’m Aurghya Maiti, a third-year PhD student in Computer Science. When I’m not knee-deep in research, you’ll find me reading or chatting about books — or, let’s be real, anything at all. I like to spice things up by picking a new hobby each semester. After testing my hands with origami and my legs with dancing, this semester, I decided to brave the slippery world of ice skating (send help!). Oh, and here’s a fun party trick—I can write in a mirror image. Can’t wait to meet you all!
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Jue Wang
About Me
Hi everyone! My name is Jue and I am a Masters student in Computer Science. I’m passionate about technology as a tool for solving complex problems, whether that means building data-driven systems, designing intuitive applications, or optimizing processes for efficiency and impact. I have dabbled in LLM training, full stack development, scripting in robotics, and many other fields in CS.
In my free time I enjoy learning history and geography, cooking, and checking out cool, niche spots in NYC. Feel free to ask me any questions and I will try my best to help!
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Shreyas Havaldar
About Me
Heyoo, I'm Shreyas Havaldar, a first year PhD student in Computer Science. If I'm not drowning in a pile of papers, you can find me either reading books or random wikipedia pages, board gaming, doing NYT games, making myriad art, writing random musings, pulling my hair out at trivia nights, or scrolling reels (duh). I'm also an avid sportshead, and am always excited to play or talk about Soccer, Tennis, Squash, Badminton, F1, sigh, the list is too long. If you want company for a museum run or a live concert you can always rely on me to join you in bad financial decisions.
Always open to chat about the randomest things under and beyond the sun, so feel free to hit me up :)
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Joon Young Park
About Me
Hello, I'm a first year MSCS student with a current focus in AI/ML! Excited and honored to be serving as your CS DR this term. I'm from South Korea, and my passions include playing soccer, basketball, poker, gymming, and thinking about how to become a better DR 😮💨
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Litian Jia
About Me
Hey everyone! I’m Litian Jia, but you can also call me Vikey. I’m a first-year master’s student in MSCS. I did my undergraduate in Biomedical Engineering here at Columbia University (yep, same place).
In my spare time, I like playing video games and volleyball, and I love trying out new foods in New York (there are so many good ones). I also enjoy meeting new people, so let’s check out some new restaurants together!
As a department representative, I want to focus on helping students who are transitioning into a new field and on building a supportive community. Feel free to reach out with any suggestions—we’re here to help.
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Sreeram Kondapalli
About Me
Hi everyone! I'm Sreeram, a first year MS Computer Science student, and I'm honored to serve as your DR.
I did my undergrad at Arizona State University in Data Science with minors in Business and Psychology. Outside of school, I love playing basketball (huge Mavs fan) and I'm always down to explore new spots, so send your best Beli recs my way. Please don't hesitate to come to me with any ideas, questions, or concerns!
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Rajvardhan Patil
About Me
Hi! I’m a first-year MS student in the Computer Science department. When I’m not working through assignments, you’ll probably find me playing sports, catching sunsets along Riverside, or wandering around NYC with a coffee in hand. I’ve always loved numbers, which is a big part of why I’m excited about exploring the finance world.
Like many of us, I’ve felt how easy it is to feel disconnected in a big department like ours. As a Department Representative, I want to help make CS feel more approachable, inclusive, and better connected — through clearer communication, low‑pressure social spaces, and resources that actually help.
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Armand Link
About Me
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Seeley McGillis (Lead DR)
About Me
Hi! I'm a second year PhD in the Yip Lab in the earth and environmental engineering department. I originally grew up in New York City and moved back after I graduated from Northwestern University in 2025 to attend Columbia! My research is focused on addressing critical challenges in water resources, but outside of the lab I enjoy running, baking, watercolor, and exploring new coffee shops.
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Jackie Triana
About Me
Hi! I am originally from Miami, Florida (Cuban descent) and am a first-year Master's student in Earth and Environmental Engineering. Before moving to NYC for graduate school, I worked for four years as an Industrial Engineer at Siemens, where I gained experience across four different manufacturing plants in Texas and Boston. I have a Bachelor's degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering from the University of Florida, and I am now focused on combining both degrees to apply my skills to the global transition to renewable energy. In my free time, I love dancing salsa and bachata :)
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Peter Sayegh (Lead DR)
About Me
Hi everyone! I’m Peter, a second-year MS student in Electrical Engineering with a background in math and physics. I'm happy to serve EGSC as department representative. I plan to organize EE-oriented hands-on workshops and foster cross-departmental collaboration. Always up for hiking, climbing, or spontaneous road trips. Find me in the Maker Space, building the future!
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Aaron Cherian
About Me
Hi! I'm Aaron Cherian, a final year MS Computer Engineering student with a soft spot for books and thoughtful debates. I'm particularly interested in tech policy and the intersection of Hardware and Software. I've served on the board of a number of student-led clubs and I am looking forward to making an impact at EGSC. Feel free to connect if you have any questions, need advice or want to engage in a friendly debate.
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Aysu Mammadli
About Me
Hi everyone! I’m Aysu Mammadli, a first-year M.S. student in Electrical Engineering at Columbia University, specializing in Smart Electric Energy. I’m passionate about power systems, renewable energy, and power electronics, and I’m interested in how engineering can contribute to a more reliable and sustainable energy future.
As an EGSC Department Representative, I’m excited to connect with fellow EE students, support our community, and make sure student voices are heard. Outside of academics, I enjoy exploring NYC, meeting new people, and participating in hackathons and engineering projects. Feel free to reach out anytime, I’d love to connect!
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Nitali Arora
About Me
Hi! I'm Nitali Arora, a second-year M.S. student in Computer Engineering. Before Columbia, I spent a few years at Medtronic as a DevOps/SRE engineer improving the reliability of production software, and while there I founded Women of 'Ware, a community supporting women in software, firmware, and hardware. I came to Columbia to dig into software/hardware interfaces, RTOS, and embedded systems, and I now work in a cardiac electrophysiology lab. As a former EMT, I've seen firsthand how much good tools matter in an emergency, and I hope to design better medical devices someday.
When I need a break from studying, I enjoy trying new matcha spots and dog-watching in Riverside Park.
I'm thrilled to be a DR! I want to help students find ways to stay healthy and balanced while following their passions at school. Please reach out anytime, especially if you're new and looking for some advice, whether it's about classes or research, or just want to grab some matcha!
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Ryan Baum
About Me
Hi! My name is Ryan Baum, and I’m a second year Ph.D. student in Electrical Engineering. I design and study scalable silicon photonic systems. In my free time, I love to run, rock climb, and play soccer.
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Vatsalam Jha
About Me
Hi! I'm Vatsalam Krishna Jha, a final-semester MS student in Electrical Engineering graduating December 2026. I'm from India and have been working on LLM systems and GPU computing during my time at Columbia.
Outside of academics, I play badminton, practice classical singing, and play the harmonium. Always happy to find fellow music lovers or a badminton partner on campus!
As a DR, I want to make EGSC visible in EE and act as a real link between students and the administration, bringing concrete issues to meetings and reporting back on outcomes. Feel free to reach out anytime!
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Yuhui (Ula) Liu
About Me
I am a first year electrical engineering major student
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Harlan Chen
About Me
Hi! I’m Harlan, a first-year in IEOR. I graduated from Columbia this past May with a Bachelor in Applied Mathematics, and I’m excited to use my experience and understanding of Columbia to give back to fellow peers, strengthen student voices, and create more opportunities for the student body.
I currently work in macro trading and have three years of experience leading student finance organizations at Columbia, as well as running my own finance podcast. I was also an undergraduate research scholar and worked on mathematical optimization and neural networks, with two research papers published in these areas. If you’re interested in careers in finance or research, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to share my experience and exchange ideas：）
Outside of academics and finance, I’m a big fan of tennis and snowboarding, and I’m happiest when I’m outdoors and connected with nature. I’m currently learning ballroom dance and reading some continental philosophy. Whether it’s careers, research, sports, or you just want to stop by for a chat, I’d love to connect and get to know you, while doing my best to make sure your voice is heard！
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Keerthan Kumarappan
About Me
Hi! My name is Keerthan Kumarappan, and I am a a second-year student in the MSFE program. I grew up in New York City and completed my undergraduate studies at NYU with B.A. in Economics and Mathematics. As a DR, I am eager to be the bridge between my peers and the school, ensuring your ideas have a voice and that your Columbia experience is meaningful. I aim to apply my skills to enhance student welfare and create stronger engagement within the EGS community. In my free time, I love playing sports and traveling, with scuba diving as my most recent passion.
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Marco Morales
About Me
Hi all, My name is Marco and I’m a a first year MSOR student. I’m originally from San Francisco but have been living in New York City for 7 years now. I also did my undergraduate at Columbia with a degree in civil engineering, worked three years as a civil engineer and am excited to be back in school. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, running and playing card games.
I’m excited to be representing MSOR as DR and can’t wait to plan some great events for the engineering grad school this year. My inbox is always open to everyone’s ideas and suggestions - please reach out!
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Mathilda Kools
About Me
Hi! I'm Mathilda, a first year MSBA student at Columbia Engineering (IEOR), here on a double degree with ESCP Business School. I studied Economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam and have worked in finance teams across several industries. Having grown up across five countries, I love how international our department is and I'm always curious to learn about other cultures and hear people's stories. I'm social, enjoy meeting new people, and am always happy to help, so feel free to reach out anytime!
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Mia Matar
About Me
Hi! I'm Mia Matar, a Lebanese first-year MS/PhD student in Operations Research.
Objective function: Make an impact.
What matters most to me is the opportunity to support others and build a community where everyone feels included, heard, and empowered. I’m an athlete at heart, so you’ll find me cycling, hiking, or training for a competition. I also play the piano. Fun fact: I can’t even read my own handwriting. See you around, or maybe at the finish line!
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Mina Mijailovic
About Me
I am a first-year student from Serbia in the MS in Business Analytics program. Before coming to Columbia Enginering, I completed my undegrad at Columbia College in maths and computer science. I am excited to give back to the community by bringing students’ concerns to EGSC and making sure they are acted upon!
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Sissi Wu
About Me
Hi all! My name is Xiaoxi Wu, and I go by Sissi. I’m a first-year MS in Business Analytics student, originally from Shanghai. I spent the past eight years in Texas and graduated from UT Austin before making my way to New York. Outside of class, I love tarot reading, K-pop dance, and exploring coffee shops and speakeasies. I’m easily convinced to grab a coffee, especially when “a quick coffee” turns into a two-hour conversation. Send me your favorite spots or let’s try one together! :) As your IEOR Department Representative, I’m excited to get to know you and help make our department feel a little more like home. Feel free to reach out with ideas, questions, or anything you think could make student life better!
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Swaran Karthikeyan
About Me
Hey! I’m Swaran, a master’s student in Financial Engineering. I grew up between California and India, where I completed my undergraduate studies in Computer Science and Engineering. I love playing basketball and video games. You'll always catch me on the court or in between a game!
I love bringing people together, whether it’s through casual hangouts or department events, and I’m always approachable, so feel free to reach out anytime!
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Yifei (Emily) Wu
About Me
This is Yifei/Emily Wu, a first year student of MSOR program. I was born and raised in China, moved to Canada with my family four years ago and finished my bachelor degree of Mathematics and Economics in Queen’s University.
I love eating so I also love cooking and baking. I have a very adorable cat named Charlie. Love animals!
I am super extroverted and I love socializing with people! I will be very happy if you come to me and talk with me for any questions.
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Vlad Pyltsov (Lead DR)
Hi all! My name is Vlad, and I am a fourth-year PhD student in the MECE department. I primarily work on different aspects of energy systems. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, running, and reading.
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Angelica Baburova
About Me
Hi All! I am a second-year MS/PhD student in the MBL studying cartilage biomechanics. Outside of research, I love being outdoors and spend my time skiing, hiking, and climbing, as well as painting, playing piano, and going to concerts!
I am excited to serve as one of your department representatives! Please feel free to reach out anytime—I’m always happy to chat or help in any way I can :)
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Victoria Tsui
About Me
Hi! My name is Victoria Tsui and I am a first-year M.S. student studying Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Energy Systems. I recently completed my Bachelor of Architecture at Pratt Institute, with minors in Social Justice and Sustainability Studies. I hope to use my creative background in architecture and technical training in mechanical engineering to help develop innovative and sustainable solutions to energy challenges and climate resiliency.
I am super excited to represent the MECE department and collaborate with you all to make our time here at Columbia an even better experience! Please feel free to reach out anytime, I’d love to connect and help however I can!
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Nilam Patel
About Me
Hi! I'm Nilam Patel, an MBAxMS dual-degree candidate at Columbia Business School and Columbia Engineering, concentrating in Medical Devices & AI/ML and Entrepreneurship. Before Columbia, I spent over eight years in Strategy and Consulting at Accenture, focused on Life Sciences and digital health. My work there covered AI-enabled clinical operations, M&A integration, and women's health innovation. Before that, I studied Chemistry at Barnard College and did research in Columbia Engineering's Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics (APAM) department.
At Columbia, I'm active in the startup community through groups like CEO and Tech Club, and I'm building an early-stage venture in hormonal health. Outside the classroom, I build community through running and wellness as a certified running coach with NYRR and Midnight Runners.
I want to connect students across programs, amplify student voices, and create opportunities for professional growth and social connection across the engineering community!
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Blaise Bucey
About Me
Hi y’all! I’m Blaise Bucey, currently pursuing the MBAxMS. Before Columbia, I worked at Bain and Strategy&, where I focused on evaluating technology businesses, including their product and growth strategies. I’m especially interested in entrepreneurship, AI, and healthcare, and I’m excited to meet engineers on campus and build alongside them.
I’m originally from Texas but have lived in New York City for the past six years, so I’m always happy to share any recommendations. Outside of school, I enjoy running, photography, and exploring the city’s food scene. I'm also trying to take full advantage of the Makerspace while I’m here.
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Vishal Menon (Lead DR)
About Me
I’m an MS in Data Science student who’s mostly curious about NLP and LLMs, especially how machines can understand language, stories, and human chaos just a little better. I also happen to be the President of the Student Council, which means I spend a fair amount of time organizing things, talking to people, and pretending I have my life together.
Outside the academic bubble, I’m an artist at heart. I love painting, getting lost in music, reading whatever catches my mood, and having long, random conversations that start somewhere sensible and end absolutely nowhere. I enjoy mixing creativity with tech, overthinking small ideas, and finding joy in unexpected tangents. If there’s good music, interesting people, or a chaotic but fun discussion, I’m probably in.
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Rishika Mamidibathula
About Me
I’m Rishika, an MS in Data Science student interested in healthcare, social impact, and using data to solve real-world problems. I love meeting people across Columbia, trying new things, and following whatever sparks my curiosity.
Outside academics, I’m usually exploring museums, going on long walks, trying new food spots, traveling, or planning my next little adventure.
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Kiara Cueva
About Me
Hi everyone! I’m a first-year graduate student in the Master’s in Data Science program. I’m particularly interested in the intersection of data science with finance and biology, but I love exploring the field in all its breadth and variety! I completed my undergraduate degree at UCLA, where I studied Data Theory.
Outside of academics, I enjoy walking and exploring nature, oil and gouache painting, and other creative fields! I also love connecting with my community and meeting new people, so please feel free to reach out anytime. I’d love to connect!
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John Won
About Me
Hi! I'm John and I'm a second year MS Data Science student. It's an honor to serve as your DR and I hope you won't hesitate to come to me with any ideas/questions/concerns!
I did my undergrad at UNC-Chapel Hill in Biostats and CS. I enjoy playing tennis, soccer, and basketball (any sport really) but also love to eat and sleep. My specialty is getting distracted in the DSI lounge while working on class assignments.
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Jake Grossman
About Me
Hi! I am Jake Grossman, a first-year MS Data Science student. I am excited to be a part of the department relations team. I recently graduated from Villanova University with a BS in Physics and Statistics. I am interested in learning how diverse the world of Data Science can be, talking with peers and Columbia students about their interests, and thinking about how DS can be applied.
Outside of academics, I enjoy watching sports and reading. I also try my best at all the NYT games. Please feel free to reach out if you all have any questions or just want to chat.
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Ishita Jain
About Me
Hi! I’m Ishita Jain, a first-year M.S. Data Science student at Columbia. I’m interested in AI and machine learning, particularly how data and technology can be used to solve business challenges and problems in sustainability. Before Columbia, I worked at Bain & Company, where I built and scaled data solutions and machine learning systems across large-scale datasets.
Outside of academics and work, I enjoy travelling, reading interesting articles, meeting new people, and hitting the dance floor whenever I get the chance. I also love getting involved in community and leadership initiatives, and have previously worked on initiatives around social impact, entrepreneurship, and education. As your DR, I’m excited to connect with the Data Science community and make sure your ideas, questions, and concerns are heard. Please feel free to reach out anytime!
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Alice Li
About Me
Hi! I’m Alice Li, a first-year M.S. student in Artificial Intelligence at Columbia Engineering, with a background in economic statistics and a strong interest in the intersection of AI, data, and finance. I’m naturally curious and love asking questions, learning from people with different backgrounds, and exploring how technology can be applied to real-world problems. In my free time, I enjoy getting lost in music and exploring New York City.
As the MSAI Department Representative, I hope to help build a more connected and supportive community, make student voices heard, and share useful resources and opportunities with my peers. I’m always happy to meet new people, exchange ideas, or simply chat—so please feel free to reach out!
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Andy He
About Me
Hey y’all! I'm Andy, hailing from Vancouver, Canada, and I’m honoured to be serving as your MSAI cohort’s DR!
One of my biggest goals is to help everyone feel like New York City can become a second home. Adjusting to a new environment isn’t always easy, especially when you’re away from family, friends, and everything familiar, so I would love to help make our cohort feel welcoming, connected, and fun.
Feel free to reach out to me anytime with questions, ideas, or if you just want someone to explore the city with. Outside of class, you can probably find me at a comedy show, bar, or trying whatever trendy food spot just opened downtown. I’m also a big fan of poker, chess, and I love learning new languages and getting to know different cultures.
I’m especially interested in startups and entrepreneurship, so if you’re building something, thinking about building something, or just enjoy talking about ideas, definitely come say hi.
Looking forward to getting to know everyone and making the most of our time together at Columbia and in NYC!
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Joseph Zou
About Me
Hi, I’m Joseph and I’m a first year MSAI student in the Advanced Computing concentration. Super stoked to be serving as one of the DRs for this inaugural cohort! I’m from San Jose, California, and my hobbies include water polo, working out, running, cooking, eating, saying yes to pretty much anything at least once. Looking forward to meeting everyone and hearing how we all somehow ended up here.
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Siddhartha Reddy
About Me
Hey! I’m Sidd, originally from Hyderabad, India, and a first-year M.S. in Artificial Intelligence student with a biomedical concentration. I’m really into anything at the intersection of AI, healthcare, and building cool things!! especially when it starts as a random idea and somehow turns into a project.
Outside of that, I love traveling, trying new food, cooking, meeting new people, and saying yes to plans before figuring out the logistics 😭. I’m pretty much always down for a spontaneous food run, event, trip, or random NYC adventure
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Always happy to chat, build something together, or just hang out — feel free to reach out! :)