Graduate Studies in the Arts and Sciences

Name: Peanut

Human Companion: Neha Arora, PhD student in Molecular and Cell Biology

Then and Now: “Peanut is an eight-year-old floofball. When he was a kitten, he was a homebody, but now he loves to garden and is tanned year round.”

Name: Asha

Human Companion: Dillon Belmont, PhD student in Social Policy

Then and Now: “When I found her, the vet gave Asha two years to live, but, uh... these last eight years have been a VERY long two years.”

Name: Quesadilla

Human Companion: Quieraney Belvin, master’s student in Public Policy

Then and Now: “Quesadilla, Queso for short, suddenly passed away in January 2025. He was a chunky ginger kitty who loved cuddles. Despite his size, he was the best at finding intricate, narrow hiding places that made for an entertaining game when I got home from classes or work. He loved stuffed animals and staying indoors with a relaxing movie – really he loved watching TV!”

Name: Stan

Human Companion: Hao Chen, PhD student in Chemistry

Then and Now: “Stan is a one-year-old boy, and he came into my life only two months ago. He adapted very well when he first arrived at his new home, and is still exploring new places that he is interested in. Now he loves sitting on my lap and purring after he finishes playing.”

Name: Winston

Human Companion: Ella Coffin, master’s student in Business Administration

Then and Now: “Winston is a one-year-old Ragdoll. I got him the first day of my MBA program at Brandeis, and he's been my study buddy ever since. Fun fact: he loves playing fetch!”

Name: Cali

Human Companion: Yamir Crespo, master’s student in Anthropology

Then and Now: “Cali is a petite seventeen-year-old Calico. She was a stray in a neighborhood in Florida we moved into four years ago, and she manipulated her way from sleeping in the bushes to sleeping on a heated bed. She has an angry face but a loving heart.”

Name: Charlie

Human Companion: Kaleigh Ferguson, master’s student in Public Policy

Then and Now: “I got my cat, Charlie, which is short for ‘Charles McFluff Ferguson, Esquire, Knight of the Realm,’ at six weeks old in February 2024, and he'll turn two this December. He's still just as rambunctious, playful, persnickety, and adorable as he was when he was a kitten, and we wouldn't have him any other way.”

Name: Oliver

Human Companion: Lianne Gallant, PhD student in History

Then and Now: “My fiancé and I adopted Oliver (also known as Ollie) when he was only two. When we first brought him home, he was afraid to leave the safety of the bathtub. Now, at age four, he is a benevolent overlord who rules the roost – as well as our hearts.”

Name: Sasha

Human Companion: Joseph Getto, master’s student in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence

Then and Now: “Sasha moved in when my fiancé (Nigel) moved in. She was less than enthused at my presence after we moved into our first house together in Lawrence, Kansas in January 2022. But now, here in Waltham, she vegs out on the couch with me.”

Name: Augustus Bertram

Human Companion: Julia Hassell, PhD student in Social Policy

Then and Now: “I got Augustus Bertram (Augie) two years ago. He came to me from a shelter and had a storied life as a street cat before that. Now he lives like a king.”

Name: Snug

Human Companion: Grace Hyun, master’s student in Business Administration for Physicians

Then and Now: “Snug was rescued from the ASPCA when she was six weeks old. She is now seven years old and has a lot of ‘tortitude.’ She is the prototype for the phrases ‘scaredy cat’ and ‘curiosity killed the cat,’ as opposed to ‘cool cat.’ She loves to climb, play, and eat Churus.”

Name: Bami

Human Companion: KG Jaramillo, master’s student in Business Administration

Then and Now: “My precious cherub, Bami, first came into our lives at approximately one year old. Bami, like his mom, loves to sleep and lounge around. His favorite thing to do is look out the window for any birds that may be around and, of course, he loves his treats.”

Name: Lilith

Human Companion: Mimi Kay, PhD student in Molecular and Cell Biology

Then and Now: “Lilith is four years old. When I first brought her home, she used to come sit on my bed for cuddles. Now, she sits on my bed with a watchful eye, plotting my demise.”

Name: Gulliver

Human Companion: Liam McMahon, PhD student in Psychology

Then and Now: “We brought Gulliver (Gully) home from the shelter in November 2024, when he was around two years old. One year later, he has become the soul of the house and remains as playful and silly as the day we met him.”

Name: Hiccup

Human Companion: Aster McMillion, master’s student in Ancient Mediterranean Studies

Then and Now: “I have had Hiccup since she was a little kitten, and she is now seven years old. She has grown up to be the most spoiled and sassy cat ever and is always seeking attention."

Name: Tofu

Human Companion: Emily Metcalf, PhD student in Molecular and Cell Biology

Then and Now: “Tofu is one (and a half!) years old. When she was a kitten, she loved to play with the toys hanging from her cat tree. Now, she prefers to take long naps in it.”

Names: Jane (top left) and Hedwig (bottom left)

Human Companion: Jordan Berg Powers, PhD student in Social Policy

Then and Now: “We got a bonded brother and sister pair, Jane and Hedwig, in 2020. They are now five years old and share space with Archie, our dog.”

Name: Phillis

Human Companion: Jillian Spiegelman, master’s student in Anthropology

Then and Now: “As a baby, Phillis was extremely cuddly, and as she’s gotten older her hair has gotten longer and darker in typical Balinese fashion. Now, in her tween years, Phil is very curious, loves to sing the blues, and still participates in the occasional cuddle. I love her so much! She’s brought so much light into my life!”

Name: Dymka

Human Companion: Misha Teixido, master’s student in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence

Then and Now: “Dymka was very little when we got her at five months old, and now, almost two and grown up, is just 2.7 kilograms. Intrigued by anything and everything, Dymka loves to explore new areas – her current favorite spot is behind the books of our bookshelf. At the end of every busy day spent investigating the house, she’s ready to snuggle up with me for a good night’s rest.”

Name: Sylvie

Human Companion: Sasha Toole, PhD student in Physics

Then and Now: “Sylvie is two and a half years old. She loved to explore my closet when I first adopted her. Now, her curiosity and fluffy fur have reached new heights.”

Names: Billie Eyeless (left) and Oliver (right)

Human Companion: Joseph Weisberg, PhD student in History

Then and Now: “Billie Eyeless is three years old. He only weighed a pound when we first met him, but he's a fierce nine-pound troll now! Oliver is a five-year-old cat from the streets of Philadelphia. At first, he thought he wanted to be a sunflower, but he has since settled into feline life.”

Name: Chashao

Human Companion: Xiaoya Yang, master’s student in Anthropology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Then and Now: “My cat Chashao was named Sneezy before being adopted because he always sneezed in the shelter. The first day he was adopted, he sneezed under my bed. We found out that it was because he has asthma. After receiving medical support, he is now a healthy kitty enjoying the fresh air on my bed.”

Name: Pudding

Human Companion: Yuanpeng Yang, master’s student in Business Analytics

Then and Now: “When Pudding first came to my home at just four months old, he was a tiny, round-faced baby who loved being held close and observing everything with big curious eyes. Now, at two years old, he has grown into a long, elegant cat who loves stretching out on the floor and showing off how confident and comfortable he is in his home.”

Name: Little Eight

Human Companion: Xi Yu, master’s student in Business Analytics

Then and Now: “I found Little Eight one stormy night – a tiny stray kitten, soaked to the bone and covered in fleas. After a long bath and a much-needed haircut, she slowly turned into the most beautiful little cat. She used to wait for me by the door every day when I came home. Having her around made every day brighter. When I left for school abroad, my parents took her in. Now she’s the one keeping them company, bringing warmth and laughter to my family just like she once did for me.”