Meet Our Current Fellows
Samantha Shortall, Post-Graduate Fellow 2023-24
Samantha is a 2023 graduate from Brandeis University with a B.A. in Politics and Health: Science, Society and Policy. Originally from Norwell, Massachusetts, she proudly served as a 2022 Undergraduate Fellow in Disability Policy at the Lurie Institute and as a Summer 2022 intern in Washington, D.C. at the House of Representatives. Her motivation to become a postgraduate, full-year research fellow stems from her desire to continue conducting research about discrimination. She enjoys writing for the weekly “From the Command Center” newsletter and using Brandwatch to analyze trends on social media.
Oona Wood, Post-Graduate Fellow 2023-24
Oona is a 2023 Brandeis graduate with a B.A. in Politics and a minor in Near Eastern Judaic Studies. Originally from Venice, California, Oona spent her time at Brandeis as a student leader in Hillel, Brandeis Reform Chavurah, and Model United Nations. Oona’s motivation to become a postgraduate, full-year research fellow stemmed from her desire to meaningfully address the increase in antisemitic incidents in the US. As a fellow, she works with the Foundation’s development team to analyze the factors that contribute to antisemitism, developing a more nuanced understanding of the current socio-political climate of the US today.
Previous Fellows
Gui Azeredo Santos, Fall 2023 Fellow
Gui is a member of the class of 2026 majoring in Anthropology and International & Global Studies and minoring in Psychology. Originally from Natal, Brazil, Gui has a deep interest in understanding how violence and hatred starts and spreads, and how communities can act to promote understanding. This peace-driven thinking is what led him to become an FCAS Fellow. Gui believes that words and ideas can change the world, so working with the research team at the Foundation means contributing meaningful work that can make a positive impact.
Koby Gottlieb, Fall 2023 Fellow
Koby is a member of the class of 2026 majoring in Business and Politics. He is an active member of the Jewish community both in his hometown of Toronto, Canada and on the Brandeis campus. His work with Hillel and the Brandeis Orthodox Organization represents a significant part of his co-curricular experience at Brandeis. Koby’s passion for combating antisemitism, and involvement as an advocate for his community led him to become an FCAS fellow. Working with the development and outreach teams at the Foundation, Koby has embraced the opportunity to develop professional skills as an agent for change.
Fatoumata Jaiteh, Fall 2023 Fellow
Fatoumata is a Sustainable International Development (SID) graduate student at the Heller School of Social Policy and Management. Coming from the Gambia, she is engaged in activism, education, community development and advancement programs that promote gender equity, preventive health, economic growth, and unity in communities. Fatoumata’s passion to eradicate hate and injustice on a global scale led her to become an FCAS Fellow. She spends much of her time at the Foundation developing social media materials that bring together people from diverse backgrounds around the themes of acceptance, unity, and representation. Her educational background includes a B.A. in Development Studies from the University of the Gambia.
Kalkidan Antonios, Summer 2023 Fellow
Kalkidan is a Sustainable International Development (SID) graduate student at the Heller School of Social Policy and Management. Passionate about education, faith and compassion, and social impact, Kalkidan was compelled to become an FCAS fellow. She was drawn to the program for an opportunity to acquire professional skills in social justice initiatives so she could influence change in her community. Working with the Foundation’s research team, Kalkidan was able to expand her knowledge on the root causes of contemporary patterns of attacks on religious and racial minorities.
Robert King, Summer 2023 Fellow
Robert is a member of the class of 2026 majoring in Business. An active member of the Brandeis community, Rob is on the Track and Field Team, and continues to be an ambassador for combating antisemitism. It was important to Rob that he became an FCAS fellow to have a larger impact in combating antisemitism and all forms of discrimination. As a fellow, Rob felt inspired by the passion everyone at the Foundation brings to work on a daily basis. Working with the social media and outreach teams left with him eye-opening experiences, and lasting connections.
Benedict Owusu, Spring and Summer 2023 Fellow
Benedict is a Sustainable International Development (SID) graduate student at the Heller School of Social Policy and Management. Coming from Ghana, his motivation for becoming an FCAS fellow came from a long-term passion of joining a movement of change in behavior toward any minority in society. Benedict enjoyed being part of the #StandUptoJewishHate campaign where he tracked campaign posts of the Foundation’s partners and worked on the weekly newsletter. Trained in journalism and public relations, Benedict has been working as a sports journalist for over 10 years and is passionate about helping the general development of society.
Bonnie Chen, Spring 2023 Fellow
Bonnie graduated from Brandeis in 2023 with a B.A. in Media, Culture, and Communication & Sociology. She looked forward to this opportunity to tackle antisemitism through education, research, outreach, and beyond. Bonnie appreciated the ability to connect her academic pursuits to the work and advocacy of the Foundation’s endeavors and projects. Taking the advocacy toolkit built at FCAS, Bonnie applied it to addressing forms of hate in her own community.
Charishma Puli, Spring 2023 Fellow
Charishma graduated from Brandeis in 2023 with an M.S. in Business Analytics. She is deeply passionate about combating hate and bigotry. Charishma was motivated to become a fellow to develop skills and gain experience in a professional advocacy field. She enjoyed working with the marketing and social media teams by learning how to engage the social media monitoring platform used by the Foundation to track and address online hate.