Meet the Team
Hi! My name is Joshua Arany and I am a rising sophomore aspiring to major in Business on the premed track. I am happy to have been given this opportunity to promote health and wellness at Brandeis as I hope to one day be a doctor. I am passionate about fitness and stress management and have recently become certified as a personal trainer. Outside of BTW, I am a co-founder of Brandeis MMA club, and member of TAMID business club. I also enjoy weightlifting, soccer, MMA, and music.
Hi! My name is Samantha Atlas. As a BTW Peer Educator, I’m excited to raise awareness about mental health and help my peers prioritize their well-being. On campus, I am also a Co-President of the Brandeis Pilates Club and a mentor for Big Siblings and SPECTRUM. Apart from my work at Brandeis, I am a Research Assistant at the Valera Lab at MGH and a Patient Care Associate at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. In my free time, I enjoy running and spending time with my friends and family!
Hi! My name is Abby Awol, and I’m a first-year student majoring in Biology and Health: Science, Society, and Policy. I’m excited to be part of Bridge to Wellness, where I can help students make healthier choices and prioritize their well-being. I’m originally from Georgia, and outside of BTW, I enjoy working on creative projects at the MakerLab, being a member of the Brandeis African Student Organization, and spending my free time tending to my plants. I’m looking forward to contributing to the well-being of our campus community this year!
Hi! My name is Marina Dixon and I am a senior majoring in Biology and Health: Science, Society, and Policy. I am excited to promote overall health and wellness in the Brandeis community. I am most passionate about sleep, fitness, stress management, and substance use. Outside of BTW, I am in the Southeast Asian Club (SEAC) and I am a member of BEMCo. For fun, I enjoy casual strength training, kayaking, spending time in nature, journaling, and traveling.
Hi! My name is Abby Froyshteter, and I am from Chicago! I am a junior double majoring in Neuroscience and Biology with a minor in HSSP. As a BTW Peer Educator, I am dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where students feel empowered to prioritize their mental health and overall well-being. On campus, I am involved in the a cappella group Up The Octave, the hip-hop dance group KAOS, and the Neuroscience Club. I am also a research assistant in the Jadhav and CARD labs. In my free time, I love playing golf and pickleball, and spending time with my friends and family. I’m excited to serve as a resource for my peers this year!
Hello, I’m Karen and I also go by Kayn. In my role as Peer Educator, my ultimate goal is to promote healthy habits and decision making. Outside of BTW, I lead the Brandeis Science Research Connection Club and play the keyboard for the Joke Band. I practice wellness by solving escape rooms, making music, barre fitness, and reading on a beach!
Hi! My name is Leah Goldstein, and I am a senior majoring in Psychology, Film, Television, and Interactive Media (FTIM), and Health: Science, Society, and Policy (HSSP). I am from New York City and this is my third year working as a peer educator. My role on BTW has been my most fulfilling role to date, and I love seeing the impact of hosting events that empower the student body in prioritizing their health and wellness. I have been working to empower those around me my entire life, ranging from volunteering at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, hosting my own health and wellness podcast "We're All Growing Together," and working at the Child Mind Institute as a Behavioral Counselor. I thrive in being able to collaborate with my fellow peer educators and create events and workshops for the Brandeis community's well-being.
Hello! My name is Emily Hou, and I'm an aspiring biology major and psychology + HSSP minor. I'm so excited to be part of BTW and contribute to the mission of expanding health and wellness access and awareness on campus and amongst students! I plan to tackle our complex identities' impact on our physical, mental, emotional and general health during my time as a BTW Peer Educator and expand the university's health program to be more accessible and attainable. I'm obsessed with learning about anything medicine and health-related, so feel free to talk to me about that or email me in general. Outside of BTW, I'm part of TSA (Taiwanese Student Association) and I love to play golf, draw, game and gaze at bunnies in my free time!
Hi! My name is Vanessa Langer, and I am a sophomore from Boulder, Colorado majoring in Psychology and Hispanic Studies with a minor in Legal Studies. I’ve always been passionate about helping others and contributing to my community through outreach, and I can’t wait to support my peers at Brandeis in my first year with BTW. Outside of BTW, I am in Brandeis' Mock Trial club and I volunteer with the Waltham Group. In my free time, I enjoy reading, nature walks, and spending time with my friends, family, and pets!
Hi, I'm Yuxuan Li, an international student majoring in Applied Math with a minor in Economics. As a member of the BTW team, I'm excited to support and engage with my peers. And I'm passionate about introducing on-campus resources and promoting wellness in areas such as stress management, drug use, and fitness. In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball and soccer, and I'm also an avid movie enthusiast. If you have any questions or need support, feel free to contact me via email. Let's work together to create a healthy and inclusive wellness community at Brandeis.
Hi! My name is Victoria Mei, and I am a junior majoring in HSSP and minoring in Business. I am passionate about increasing availability and access to health services for everyone, and I aim to provide the best resources I can as a Peer Educator with BTW. Outside of BTW, I am also part of Club Cantonese at Brandeis (C2B) and the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE). In my free time, I enjoy drawing and reading. I am excited to help improve the health of our campus community!
Mina Rowland, 25' is a senior doing an Independent major in MultiMedia Storytelling. Mina is excited to join Bridge to Wellness as a peer educator and encourages students to reach out if they have any questions about art opportunities and classes. As an artist and advocate, she is interested in journalism, film and creative writing. Outside of class and work, she is the associate editor for The Justice and working on cultivating a community for creatives of color.
Hi! My name is Kenny, and I am from New Jersey! I am a rising sophomore double majoring in HSSP and Hispanic Studies. As a BTW peer educator, I am eager to spread health awareness and wellness throughout Brandeis’s diverse community. On campus, I am also active in Southeast Asia Club and Waltham Group. In my free time, I love learning languages and traveling. I look forward to the opportunity of serving as a resource for my peers throughout this upcoming academic year!