Our Team
Amanda Shilton
President
Amanda Shilton is a sixth-year PhD student in Luciano Marraffini’s lab studying the ways that bacteria defend themselves against their pathogens. She was born and raised in Zimbabwe, and came to the USA in 2014 as an undergraduate student at Brandeis University. After being here for nearly a decade, she has experienced a variety of challenges unique to international scholars. As founder of RIGS, Amanda hopes to provide resources to overcome these challenges, no matter what career stage people are at. She also hopes to bring people together to create a welcoming, supportive, and safe community space.
Yukina Chiba
Graduate student representative
Yukina Chiba is a second-year graduate student at Rockefeller University with a keen interest in behavioral dynamics and variations. As one of the very few Japanese students, she is motivated to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds to celebrate their scientific journeys. Her unique upbringing in Japan and Singapore has given her a distinct perspective on the importance of inclusivity in scientific communities.
Naama Aviram
Postdoc representative
Naama Aviram is a postdoc in the Marraffini Laboratory of Bacteriology, studying how bacteria acquire immunological memories. She is a native Israeli, and received her PhD in Molecular Genetics from the Weizmann Institute of Science. Being a great believer in how scientific work can benefit from diverse perspectives, Naama hopes to promote discussion on what international researchers bring to the table as well as help them navigate the local job market in academia and industry.
Ana-Maria Tanasecu
Staff representative
Ana-Maria Tanasescu is the Lab Manager in the Chen Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Biophysics and she also specializes in cell culture. She joined Rockefeller University in 2016. She is originally from Eastern Europe but grew up in NYC, attending Hunter College for both her Undergraduate and Masters studies. Her degrees in Medical Lab Science and Biology with specialization in Biotechnology has also brought her to the Fischetti Lab of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Immunology as a college student. Ana-Maria is eager to help international scholars adapt to their new surroundings and find a sense of community.
Raquelle Yu
Social event co-ordinator
Zihan (Raquelle) Yu is a fourth-year PhD student in Dr Paul Cohen’s lab studying the role of immune cell in maintaining adipose tissue homeostasis. Born and raised in Shanghai, China, she went to Singapore for undergrad before coming to the Rockefeller University for grad school. She experiences and understands the struggles navigating life, study, and work as an international scholar in different countries. At the same time, she believes that diversity in science accelerates scientific progress; she also deeply enjoys scientific discourse with friends and colleagues from diverse backgrounds. She hopes to promote diversity in science and provide guidance for anyone navigating scientific careers or simply life in the country.
Simin Liu
Website designer
Simin Liu is a sixth-year PhD student in Shai Shaham’s lab, where he focuses on the study of fate determination and early development of glial cells. He was born and raised in China and received his bachelor’s degree at Peking University School of Life Sciences before pursuing his PhD in the United States. Having received invaluable assistance from different people during his transition as an international scholar, Simin believes in the value of a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community. He hopes to bring people, information, and resources together to facilitate communication and collaboration among scholars.
Maj Brodmann
Postdoc representative
Maj Brodmann is a Swiss postdoc in the Marraffini laboratory of bacteriology studying the regulation of bacterial immune systems. She received her PhD in Microbiology from the Biozentrum, University of Basel, in Switzerland. As an international postdoc, she knows first-hand how challenging it can be for dual-career couples to follow one’s passion for science abroad while also navigating your partner’s career. Maj believes that advocating for international scholars will foster a supporting international community where the joys and struggles of living abroad can be experienced together.
Dhyey Gandhi
Social event co-ordinator
Dhyey Gandhi is a second-year graduate student in the Maimon Lab studying navigation and memory in fruit flies. Originally hailing from India, he first came to the US for his undergraduate studies at MIT, following which he relocated to New York for graduate studies at the Rockefeller University. Throughout his personal journey, he has had the support of many amazing friends, mentors, and teachers who helped his navigate through the culture shock and other challenges of pursuing his education and career thousands of miles away from home. He feels truly grateful to all of them for helping him thrive in this new environment, and wants to pay it forward to the international community at Rockefeller by helping everyone find community, resources, and support as they craft their own journeys towards their goals.
Previous board members
Laura Berneking, Board member
Elif Magemizoğlu, Board member
Apply to be on the board.
We are looking for people who are passionate about supporting the international scholars on campus. If this sounds like you, please apply to be on the board!