Amrutha Alibilli (She/Her)

Academic Year: Sophomore 

Email: aalibill [at] terpmail.umd.edu

Amrutha Alibilli became a Neuroscience Ambassador to help develop unique mentorship and outreach programs to advance broader interest in the field, propelling students' academic and professional aspirations.

Amrutha is a pre-med student on the MCP Neuroscience track. Originally from Ellicott City, MD, she is involved in a myriad of student organizations, including Lean on Me, Moksha, AMSA, RAM, and SHAC. In her free time, she enjoys Indian classical dance, gardening, and spending time outdoors.

Her favorite brain region is the hippocampus due to its striking seahorse shape and its cornerstone functions involved with human memory, cognitive learning, and neural plasticity. In addition to playing an essential role in storing knowledge essential for education, it also saves remnants of sweet and bitter memories, forming one's cherished life chronicle.

Anca Bouvier (She/Her)

Academic Year: Senior 

Email: anca.bouvier [at] gmail.com

Anca chose to become a NEUR ambassador to spread her passion about neuroscience to new students and help bridge the gap between NEUR faculty members and students. She is a NEUR ambassador on the Molecular and Cellular track. In her free time, she runs a small business selling handmade clothing, rock climbs, and does gymnastics.

Anca is currently applying to pharmacy school and pursuing a second B.S. degree in Public Health Science while also interning at the US Government. She hopes to pursue a career in pharmaceutical development and biotechnology.

Anca’s favorite part of the brain is the basal ganglia, she's interested in the role it plays in dopamine secretion and movement.

Katie Groen (She/Her)

Academic Year: Senior

Email: kgroen [at] terpmail.umd.edu

Katie became a Neuroscience Student Ambassador because she wants to help cultivate a welcoming and supportive neuroscience community by building connections between students, staff, and faculty. She hopes to share the positive experience she has had in the neuroscience program with others and be a resource for current and incoming students.

Katie grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland and is a part of the Molecular, Cellular, and Physiological NEUR track. In addition to being an ambassador, she is involved with the CARing Kids mentoring program and Food Recovery Network on campus. Katie also works as a teaching assistant with the AMP (Academic Peer Mentoring) program. In her free time, she enjoys nature photography, baking, and spending time with her dogs!

Katie’s favorite part of the brain is the suprachiasmatic nucleus! She is fascinated by its role as a “master clock” that controls the body's circadian rhythms — coordinating rhythms of metabolism, sleep, hunger and more is critical to our functioning and is an impressive feat!

Meghan Hnilo (She/Her)

Academic Year: Senior

Email: mhnilo [at] terpmail.umd.edu

Meghan became a neuroscience ambassador to guide students on their journey through the neuroscience program and to grow the NEUR community!

Meghan is on the MCP track and is currently applying to grad schools for Fall 2025. She is originally from Frederick, Maryland and enjoys spending time with friends and reading in her free time. Meghan is an active member of the STEM community through her role as a scholar in Nvolve, a women in STEM program, as well as a research trainee in the Angueyra Lab studying visual system development.

Her favorite part of the brain is the basal ganglia because it facilitates motivation!

Brianna Gayle (She/Her)

Academic Year: Junior 

Email: bgayle [at] terpmail.umd.edu

Brianna became a neuroscience student ambassador because she wanted to show people why the neuroscience major at UMD is practical and worthwhile.

Brianna is on the molecular, cellular, and physiological track as well as premed. She is from Yardley, PA and likes to read, bake, and spend time with her friends and family.

Brianna's favorite part of the brain is the DLPFC because it shows activity when someone makes a moral choice over a self-serving choice.

Caleigh Moreland (She/Her)

Academic Year: Junior

Email: caleigh.moreland [at] gmail.com

Caleigh became a neuroscience ambassador to help out students who are new to the program because she knows how overwhelming planning your courses and choosing your major can be.

Caleigh is from Bethesda, Maryland. She has Irish danced for 16 years and ran track in high school. She loves going to the beach or on vacation, and like to hang out with her friends in her free time. Her favorite part of the brain is the amygdala because it's crucial for survival instincts, something that is super important in life!

Nqaba Mamba (He/His)

Academic Year: Senior

Email: nmamba [at] terpmail.umd.edu

Nqaba became a neuroscience ambassador to contribute to creating a strong community within the major. He wants to ensure that incoming and existing students will find it easy to meet and connect with their peers in the department.

Nqaba is from Swaziland but has lived in Derwood, Maryland for the majority of his life. He is currently on the Behavior and Cognition track with aspirations to become an affective neuroscientist or neuropsychologist. He hopes to one day own his own brain clinic, similar to that of Daniel Amen's.

In his free time, Nqaba loves to watch and play soccer as he wants to become a coach one day! He also enjoys working out, listening to music, and editing videos.

His favorite part of the brain is the amygdala because he finds the power of emotions to be fascinating.

Ashu Machida (he/him)

Academic Year: Freshman

Email: amachida [at] umd.edu

Ashu became a NEUR Ambassador to help connect students with research opportunities, faculty, and campus resources so everyone feels confident and enjoys their journey in neuroscience.

Ashu is a part of the MCP track and is originally from Rochester, Minnesota. He is particularly interested in the intersection of neuroscience and computational techniques, intending to become a physician-scientist. He hopes to advance diagnostics and treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

Ashu is part of the ILS honors program and is a member of PhiDE, a co-ed medical fraternity on campus. He is also a member of the UMD Club Tennis team. Most importantly, Ashu loves to eat junk food, especially nerd gummy clusters.

Ashu’s favorite part of the brain is the cerebellum because of its role in movement coordination and balance. As a tennis player, he appreciates how the cerebellum fine-tunes motor control, allowing him to win on the court.

Rushina Patel 

Academic Year: Sophomore

Email:rpatel56 [at] terpmail.umd.edu

Rushina Patel became an ambassador to create a sense of community within the Neuroscience program at UMD. She wants to help prospective/current students by providing mentorship and developing an engaged community. Besides being an ambassador, she loves to travel and do research on campus. She is currently a pre-med Peer Research Mentor in the UMD Fertility Lab. 

Rushina's favorite part of the brain is cerebellum as it coordinate fine-movement and allows her to play tennis in her free time. 

Maha Idsassi (She/Her)

Academic Year: Junior

Email: midsassi [at] terpmail.umd.edu

As a Neuroscience Ambassador, Maha chose this role out of a passion for sharing knowledge and guiding fellow students in their academic journeys. From Laurel, Maryland, Maha is currently a junior pursuing the Molecular, Cellular, and Physiological track of Neuroscience. This choice reflects her deep interest in the intricate mechanisms that govern cellular functions and physiological processes in the human brain.

In terms of academic fascination, Maha's favorite part of the brain is the prefrontal cortex. She is particularly intrigued by its role in regulating critical cognitive processes, emotions, and social interactions. The prefrontal cortex's unique ability to integrate diverse information from various brain regions and adapt to complex situations makes it an area of special interest for Maha, especially considering its implications in problem-solving and creative decision-making.

Outside the academic realm, Maha enjoys crocheting, reading, and spending time outdoors, finding balance in leisure activities that complement her rigorous academic pursuits.

Natalie Eisen (She/Her)

Academic Year: Senior

Email: neisen1 [at] terpmail.umd.edu

Natalie became a neuroscience ambassador to help foster a collaborative community within the major. She wants to inspire new and prospective students to learn and participate in the neuroscience opportunities at UMD!

Natalie is on the Molecular, Cellular, and Physiological track and wants to pursue a PhD in neuroscience research. She ultimately wants to work in a lab doing medical science research. Natalie is a member of APO, a co-ed community service fraternity on campus. She is from Rockville, Maryland, and loves to bike, cook, and create new Spotify playlists!

Natalie's favorite part of the brain is the habenula (in the limbic system) because although it is so small, it plays a large role in reward-related behaviors and even has the ability to change behavior.

Aditi Kulkarni (she/her) 

Academic Year: Sophomore

Email: akulka08 [at] terpmail.umd.edu

Aditi became a Neuroscience Ambassador to help make the neuroscience community more welcoming to all students who are new to the program!

Along with being an ambassador, Aditi is an undergraduate research assistant at UMD’s Neurobiology lab and spends time outside of class and lab at UMD’s badminton club with her friends. Aditi has lived in Ellicott City, Maryland for most of her life.

Aditi’s favorite part of the brain is Wernicke’s area as it helps understand written language, and she is a big reader!

Benjamin Osuala

Academic Year: Freshman 

Email: bosuala [at] terpmail.umd.edu

Ben became a Neuroscience Ambassador because he wanted to help guide prospective and current neuroscience majors to success and privy them to different opportunities that may aid them in their current and future endeavors.

Ben is from Nigeria but has lived in P.G. County, Maryland for the last 5 years. He is currently on the Molecular and Cellular track. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, listening to music, and playing his Euphonium. In the future, he plans to go on to medical school and become a surgeon.

His favorite region of the brain is the orbitofrontal cortex because he is fascinated with the critical role it plays in decision making! 

Shayla Staten (she/her)

Academic Year: Sophomore 

Email: sstaten [at] terpmail.umd.edu

From the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Shayla is on the Molecular, Cellular, and Physiological track and minors in Global Terrorism Studies. She is involved in the Lakeland Stars tutoring program, has served as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant.

In her free time, she enjoys reading murder mysteries and thrillers, spending time with family, and sharing book content on TikTok.

Shayla’s favorite part of the brain is the corpus callosum, as she finds its role in connecting the brain’s hemispheres fascinating. While it facilitates communication between the two sides of the brain, she is also interested in how individuals without a corpus callosum adapt and develop alternative neural pathways.

Marvi Shukla (She/Her)

Academic Year: Sophomore 

Email: marvi29 [at] terpmail.umd.edu

Marvi became a neuroscience ambassador because of her passion for the field and to help others navigate their academic journey in neuroscience here at UMD.

Marvi is from Ellicott City, Maryland and is a premed student on the molecular, cellular, and physiological track. She is also a research assistant at the Aphasia Lab and involved in premed clubs on campus. In her free time, Marvi loves playing badminton, watching movies, volunteering at the local dog shelter, and cooking. She is a HUGE foodie!

Marvi's favorite part of the brain is the prefrontal cortex because it's the place where all the warm, fuzzy feelings come from when she sees something adorable, like a cute puppy!

Bo Verboom (He/Him)

Academic Year: Senior

Email: bverboom [at] terpmail.umd.edu

Bo is a neuroscience ambassador in the branch of professional development because he wants an active role in helping others reach their goals in the neuroscience field. He is on the MCP track whilst being pre-med. Alexandria, Virginia is his hometown. Apart from being an ambassador, he is a research assistant at The Hearing Brain Lab at UMD, works for Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Emergency Department under the American Red Cross, and serves at Jill’s House. He likes to skateboard in his free time. His professional aspiration is neurosurgery.

Bo’s favorite part of the brain is the Broca’s area because it’s the area responsible for speech production. He wants everyone’s voices to be heard.

Michelle Yu (she/her)

Academic Year: Junior

Email: myu13 [at] terpmail.umd.edu

Michelle became a Neuroscience Ambassador because she wants to foster a supportive community where students of all backgrounds are welcomed and able to form meaningful connections with other students, staff, and faculty. Michelle is a pre-med on the Molecular, Cellular, and Physiological track. Originally from Rockville MD, she is involved with many student organizations like UMD Help Center, Lean On Me, and Active Minds.

In her free time, she loves going on long walks, drinking La Croix and coffee, and trying new foods!
Her favorite part of the brain is the hippocampus because she loves making long lasting memories with her friends and the people around her.