Student Advisors

Crystal is concentrating in Molecular and Cell Biology with plans to attend medical school when she graduates. Her favorite classes at Cornell are BIOMG 1350: Cell and Developmental Biology and BIOMG 3320: Principles of Biochemistry: Molecular Biology. When she is not in class, Crystal is involved in ECaFT, Scientista, CAMP, CPS, and research in the Grimson lab. In order to relax, she does calligraphy and plays tennis and piano. This past summer, she participated in a cancer research internship at the University of Minnesota. Her advice for new students: “Be open-minded and proactive.”

Emily is concentrating in Neurobiology and Behavior with plans to attend medical school right after graduation. Her favorite class is BIOMG 1350: Introductory Biology: Cell and Developmental Biology because she learned many fundamental things that are essential to life processes. Outside of class, Emily is a part of Cornell’s Piano Society, where she teaches students to play piano and read music. For fun, she likes to watch anime, read, and binge-watch The Office (multiple times). This past summer, she shadowed doctors and researched nerve cell regeneration at Johns Hopkins. Her advice to new students: “Don’t take yourself too seriously! Have a good time, study hard, and keep yourself grounded—you’ll be fine! College is all about finding yourself and meeting the most extraordinary people you’ll ever meet.”

Vanathi is concentrating in Molecular and Cell Biology with plans to attend medical school and continue research in developmental biology. Her favorite class at Cornell is CHEM 3580: Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences and the ENG1147: FWS: Mystery in the Story. Outside of class, she is a TA for CHEM 2070/2080, an RA in Balch, and a member of research in the Liu lab. For fun, she dances, plays violin, reads, and goes to the gym. She also really loves to travel! This past summer, she took a nutrition class and volunteered. Vanathi’s advice to new students: “Don’t get deterred by a bad grade—take it as a way to better assess yourself and make a plan to do better.”

Agnes is concentrating in Animal Physiology with plans to take a gap year to do research before going to medical school to be a surgeon. A class that she absolutely loved is HIST 1930: A Global History of Love. Agnes is also the Vice President of Public Relations for Cornell Surgical Society, a member of the Cornell Storytelling Club, and is on the outreach committee for the Center for Jewish Living. In her free time, she likes to follow dogs around the arts quad, get coffee at Libe, and watch Grey’s Anatomy. This past summer, she worked as a student innovator at the Children’s National Medical Center’s Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation shadowing/doing research on facial reconstructive surgery. Her advice for new students: “Bio can be tough, but it’s important to remember that there are lots of different ways to get through the bio track and even if you’re not on the ‘typical’ path, you still belong at Cornell and are amazing! Cornell can definitely be rough, but there are a lot of resources to check out and people who care about you and can’t wait to hear about how you are doing.”

Emily is concentrating in Animal Physiology and plans to apply to veterinary school after taking a gap year to get more vet/animal experience. Her favorite class is FREN 3160: Translating French: Theory and Practice. Outside of class, she is involved in Club Gymnastics, Phi Sigma Sigma, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and is a volunteer coordinator for Encouraging Young Engineers and Scientists. She conducts research at the Hume lab at the veterinary school. For fun, Emily likes to read and hang out with friends. When the weather is nice, she also likes to hike. This past summer, she worked as a veterinary assistant at a clinic while taking organic chemistry lab at UC Berkeley. Emily is very excited to meet and get to know her advisees, and she is willing to answer questions about being a French double major. Her advice to new students: “Make sure you don’t overload your schedule so you leave time to have fun. There are many clubs and activities at Cornell—I encourage you to explore your options!”

Morgan is concentrating in General Biology and plans to take a gap year before hopefully attending medical school to work in EMS, as well as volunteering at a hospital in Michigan and Special Days Camp. Her favorite class is AMST 1575: History Goes to Hollywood. Outside of class, Morgan is a CALS ambassador, a member of the running club and PATCH, and the director of activities for Delta Gamma. For fun, she likes running. This past summer, she is worked as a sailing instructor and volunteered at Holland Hospital and the Special Days Camp. Her advice to new students: “Give yourself some time to adjust! Especially coming from the perspective of a transfer student; take time to give yourself a pep talk. Coming to a new place is really hard, and it’s important to remind yourself that you’re doing great!”

Josh is concentrating in Animal Physiology. He does research in the Buchon lab. Outside of class, he is involved with CRU, and he is an RA in Low Rise 7. For fun, Joshua likes to watch YouTube videos, work out, and play basketball. His favorite class is BIOMG 3300. This past summer, he traveled to Asia on a mission trip and volunteered at a hospital in Arizona. His advice for new students: “Find a community where you belong and where you can find support.”

Zain is concentrating Molecular and Cell Biology with a goal of pursuing a medical degree or an MD/PhD and specialize in surgery. His favorite class is Organic Chemistry. When Zain is not in class, he is involved with the Cornell Daily Sun, Global Medical and Dental Brigades, CURB, and research in the Clark lab. He also swims, plays football, and writes creative pieces for fun. Over the summer, Zain went to Honduras with Cornell GMDB and then did research in the Baby lab in Pittsburgh under the BIOSIP research grant. His advice to new students: “Don’t get caught up in the struggles of acclimating to Cornell because you will definitely learn to fit in and excel once you are more familiarized with the university.”

Jasmine is concentrating in Neurobiology and Behavior with plans to attend medical school and become a doctor someday. Her favorite class is BIONB 2220: Introduction to Neuroscience. Outside of class, Jasmine dances with Impact Dance Troupe and Shadows Dance Troupe while being a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. For fun, she binges Netflix, travels, and hangs out with friends. Over the summer, she shadowed at a hospital in Brooklyn through Cornell’s Practicing Medicine Program. She would like to tell new students: “Welcome to Cornell! We’re happy to have you and are so glad you’re here! We all want to make your experience here as positive as possible, so please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions/concerns at any time.”

Kimaya is concentrating in Neurobiology and Behavior with plans to go to medical school and pursue an MD. She is also minoring in Inequality Studies. Her favorite class is currently BSOC 3111: Sociology of Medicine. She is the president of the Hindu Student Council and does research in Dr. Smith’s psychology lab on campus. For fun, Kimaya likes to read, watch Netflix, and hang out with friends. Over the summer, she worked in a research lab at Indiana University’s Medical School. Her advice to new students: “College is a completely new environment, so allow yourself to enjoy it.”

Brendan is concentrating in Human Nutrition and plans to attend medical school to become a doctor after graduation. His favorite class is STSCI 2150: Introductory Statistics for Biology. Brendan is also involved in Sport Taekwondo, research, and Greek life. He is also in the process of completing the Dyson Business Minor for Life Sciences Majors. For relaxation, he enjoys naps and more naps. During the summer, he did electrophysiology research in the Li Niu Lab at the University of Albany. His advice to new students: “College is a time to grow as a person and gain new experiences, so work hard, but don’t forget to have fun.”

Emily is concentrating in Neurobiology and Behavior with plans to attend medical school after one gap year. She is also minoring in English. Her favorite class is BIONB 2220: Introduction to Neuroscience. Outside of class, Emily is active in the Cornell Daily Sun, Cornell Book Review, tutoring at GIAC, and works in Libe Café. For fun, she likes to go jogging and get bubble tea. Over the summer, she participated in the Undergraduate Research Program. Her advice to new students: “You can do it!”