Roosevelt Fellow Bios

Headshot of Maria

Majors: Economics, International and Global Studies, and French
Affiliations: Galaxy Program, International Student, Pre-Law Student
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Maria Antonio (she/her) is an undergraduate in the class of 2026. She was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and moved to the U.S. to finish high school at the age of 17. She is majoring in Economics, International Global Studies, and French. On campus, she has been involved with the Brandeis Law Journal, Brazilian Students Association, and Language Empowering Action Project (LEAP). In addition, she works at the Brandeis Technology Help Desk and as a Community Advisor at Massell Quad. She is interested in the intersection of the world around us and its sociopolitical aspects, as well as learning languages such as Spanish and French. In the future, she hopes to help other immigrants in the U.S. by becoming an immigration attorney. She is very passionate about helping other international students adjust to Brandeis, apply to internships, and feel part of the community. As a pre-law student, she loves to talk about law school and would love to help anyone interested in this path. In her free time, she likes to read, listen to Taylor Swift and SZA, learn about other cultures, and drink coffee. Feel free to reach out to her to talk about anything you may need!

Headshot of Sam

Majors/Minors: Biology and Anthropology, Minor in Chemistry
Affiliations: LGBTQ+, Student-Athlete, Pre-Health Student
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Sam (he/him) is a senior originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is double-majoring in Biology and Anthropology with a minor in Chemistry on the pre-med track. Aside from being a Roosevelt Fellow, Sam is also on the Varsity Swimming and Diving Team, SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee), an Undergraduate Admissions Fellow, and a member of the pottery club. You can find Sam in his free time playing water polo, running along the Charles River, or throwing clay on a pottery wheel at the pottery club! Feel free to reach out to Sam to talk about transitioning to college, how to reach out to different support networks on campus, learning about pre-health at Brandeis, and the student-athlete balance.

Ellen Chiang '26
Major/Minor: Biology major, minor in Studio Art
Affiliations: Midyear, Student of Color
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Ellen (she/her) is a senior from Winchester, MA, majoring in biology and minoring in studio art. As a midyear, she spent her first semester of college studying abroad in Florence, Italy before coming to Brandeis in the spring. Aside from being a Roosevelt Fellow, Ellen is an EMT Crew Chief and the current Executive Director of the Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps (BEMCo) on campus, as well as a member of pottery club. Outside of school, she enjoys creating art, hiking, traveling, and exploring Boston. Feel free to reach out to Ellen about balancing academics, navigating a pre-health track, or adjusting to life at Brandeis!
Headshot of Grace

Major: Biology
Affiliations: Galaxy Student, Posse Scholar, Student of Color, Student with a Disability
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Myah (she/her) is a senior, born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in Biology on the pre-health track. In addition to being a Roosevelt Fellow, she is a Posse Scholar (BAP12), a member of the astronomy club, BMC, FOCA, Brandeis Encourages Women in Science and Engineering (BEWiSE), and formerly the pedagogical student partner for BIOL15b. She has gained experience in the field of biomedical sciences through Project ENGAGES in partnership with Georgia Tech and Emory University’s Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. Myah intends to pursue her Master’s degree in biomedical engineering following graduation; she is particularly interested in aiding mobility research and bionics to improve the lives of those living with muscular dystrophy, degenerative disorders, and conductive hearing loss. She has many hobbies and interests ranging from reading, embroidery, making collages, and playing the Sims4. You can often find her on a long walk, curled up with a book, or at Zumba. Feel free to reach out to her about 80s/90s music, Motown Records, or with book recommendations to add to her extensive TBR.

Massimo DiGirolamo '26

Majors: Education Studies and Psychology
Affiliations: Low-income Student, Student with a Disability, Student Pursuing Teaching Licensure
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Massimo (He/Him) is a senior from Woburn, Massachusetts. He is majoring in both Education Studies and Psychology, with the additional distinction of being a student on the Elementary Teacher Licensure Pathway. While specifically aiming to teach, he is passionate about fulfilling any potential positions that would involve aiding children in their academic/psychological development.

In addition to being a Roosevelt Fellow, he has many other involvements. At Brandeis, he is a member of the Brandeis Rockclimbing Club and TAPS (Teaching Assistants in Public Schools). He has also worked as a TA within the Psychology Department for classes like Introduction to Psychology and Developmental Psychology. Off-campus, he holds two part-time jobs; the first is as a counselor at a local after-school program, and the second is as a substitute teacher in his hometown school district. Finally, in his somehow still-existing free time, he loves cooking up delicious recipes, playing video games, reading new books, and spending time with close friends.

While you likely won't find him outside the bottom floor of the library, feel free to reach out! Whether it is about academic struggles, recommendations for time management, figuring out accommodations, navigating campus, recommendations for books/recipes/games, or simply wanting a chat with someone, he is eager and willing to listen and support students!

Elizabeth Ford '27

Major/Minor: Health: Science, Society and Policy (HSSP) and Women and Gender Studies majors, minor in SQS (Sexuality and Queer Studies) 
Programs: CESP (Community Engaged Scholars Program)
Affiliations: Low-income Student, LGBTQ+, Martin Luther King Jr Fellow
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Elizabeth (she/her) is a junior originally from Ellsworth, Maine, a small town in the Downeast region near Acadia National Park. She is majoring in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Health: Science, Society, and Policy with a minor in Sexuality and Queer Studies. She is also part of COMPACT's new Community Engaged Scholars Program. She is a queer and low-income student and a recipient of the MLK Jr Fellowship and Giumette Academic Award. Elizabeth is on the executive boards for MAD Band, Top Score, and Fencing Club. She is also a General Tutoring coordinator for Waltham Group. In the last year, she has been part of the Samuels Scholars Program at COMPACT, learning and engaging more with the community engagement opportunities at Brandeis and beyond. In her free time, she is often listening to or playing music, crocheting, watching TV and movies, or getting a coffee. Feel free to reach out to her if you need help balancing academics and clubs, have questions about volunteering and COMPACT, want to talk about the complexities that come with being a low-income student, or just want to chat about your interests and campus life!

Maddie Glenn '26

Majors: Health: Science, Society and Policy (HSSP) & Psychology
Affiliations: Student with a Disability
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Maddie Glenn (she/her) is a senior from Los Angeles, California, double majoring in Health: Science, Society, and Policy (HSSP) and Psychology. An aspiring clinical therapist, she is passionate about working one-on-one with individuals while also advocating for improved public health policy. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Master’s in Social Work, and enjoys helping students explore pathways that are not part of the Pre-Med or Pre-Health track. Maddie has worked in the Office of Academic Services for three years, serves as the Lead Undergraduate Departmental Representative (UDR) for the Division of Social Sciences, and is a Research Assistant at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She studied abroad in Spring 2025 through DIS Copenhagen and is an avid fan of music, movies, and thrill-seeking—she plays the drums and has ridden over 300 different roller coasters! Maddie is always happy to connect with students about academics, research, jobs, or life in general—whether in person, over email, or on Zoom.

Riya Gupta '27

Major/Minor: Film, Business, Psychology, with a minor in Anthropology
Affiliations: International Student
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Riya Gupta (she/her) is a junior from India, triple majoring in Business, Film, and Psychology with a minor in Anthropology. As an international student, she’s passionate about creating inclusive, welcoming spaces for students navigating transitions—whether it’s adjusting to college life, exploring new academic paths, or building community from scratch. Riya is the Lead UDR for the Sciences and Arts Divisions, works at the Brandeis Library, and is actively involved in South Asian Student Association (SASA) and dance on campus. She would love to talk about course planning, juggling multiple majors, study abroad options, finding balance, or even where to find the best food in Boston. She’s also always down to chat about travel, creative projects, or how to start over with confidence.

Aaron Lin '26

Majors: History and International & Global Studies
Affiliations: First-generation college student, Low-income Student, LGBTQ+, Martin Luther King Jr Fellow, Student of Color
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Aaron (he/him) is a senior from Flushing, New York, majoring in History and International & Global Studies, with a minor in Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. Aaron is a first-generation student and Martin Luther King Jr. Fellow. On campus, you'll find him giving tours as an Admissions Fellow and offering office hours at the Student Sexuality Information Service. Aaron is an avid dorm chef and foodie in his free time who loves exploring Boston's restaurants on the weekend. Feel free to talk to Aaron about navigating Brandeis' various majors, the Core, and getting involved on campus!

Headshot of Allison

Major/Minor: Biology major, minors in HSSP and Classical Studies
Affiliations: First Generation College Student, Pre-health Student, Midyear
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Allie (she/her) is a Senior from Meshoppen, PA. She is majoring in Biology and Classical Studies. She started working as an EMT during her Fall Semester off-campus as a Midyear, and is currently a member of the Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps (BEMCo). She is on the Pre-Health track and planning a career in medicine after graduating Brandeis as a First Generation college student. Allie lives on a farm, she loves animals, and has been a vegetarian for 10+ years. She’s an Eagles fan (Go Birds!) and her favorite color is green. She loves talking with students about navigating Brandeis—whether it be academics, extracurriculars, or anything else under the sun. Please reach out with any questions you may have, or just to introduce yourself and chat! Either way, Allie looks forward to speaking with you :)

Rebecca Rappaport '27

Majors: Health: Science, Society, and Policy (HSSP) and Environmental Studies
Affiliations: Pre-Health Student
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Rebecca (she/her) is a junior from New Rochelle, NY, majoring in Health: Science, Society and Policy and Environmental Studies. She is the Treasurer for Students for Environmental Action, on Chabad Club Board, and a member of the Brandeis Orthodox Organization. Outside of class, she teaches at a local Hebrew School on the weekends, is a TA for BIOL15, and enjoys long dinner conversations in Sherman. After Brandeis, she intends to pursue a Masters of Public Health, and visit Boston regularly. Reach out to Rebecca to talk about balancing religious life with academics, anything science related, or how to get involved in student life at Brandeis!

Headshot of Greg

Major/Minor: Physics and Theater Arts majors, minors in Creative Writing, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies
Affiliations: First Generation College Student, Galaxy Program, Posse Scholar, LGBTQ+, Non Binary Student
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Greg (any pronouns) is a senior from Brooklyn, NY majoring in Physics and Theater arts with a concentration in Acoustics and minors in Creative Writing, Mathematics and Environmental Studies. He is a first-generation student, Posse Scholar, Hollings Scholar, and Physics UDR with experience in the Engineering department. They are the President of BSRCC (Brandeis Science Research Connections Club), Events Coordinator of the Brandeis Physics Club, and Head Writing Coordinator of Boris' Kitchen Sketch Comedy group. You can also find him working with Brandeis Social Media, at the Library front desk, or on a Theater Department production. Outside of academics, Greg enjoys dancing, writing poetry, sketch comedy, making music, and exploring new places. Feel free to reach out to them with any questions about adjusting to college life, time management, work-life balance, their favorite quiet places on campus, and anything STEM or arts!

Majors: Psychology and Neuroscience
Affiliations:  Galaxy Program, Student with a Disability
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Amelia White (she/her) is a junior from Sarasota, Florida, double majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology. In addition to being a Roosevelt Fellow, Amelia is Neuroscience UDR. She is also an undergraduate research assistant in the Katz Neuroscience Lab, and is passionate about making science accessible and engaging.

Additionally on campus, Amelia is a tutor through the Waltham Group’s General Tutoring Program and an E-board member of the Neuroscience Club. She’s especially interested in supporting students navigating college with learning disabilities and loves talking about study strategies, time management, and research opportunities. When she’s not in the lab or library, you can find her enjoying the arts, listening to music, exploring the outdoors, or planning her next travel adventure.