DLS Ambassador Alumni
- Yosef Kaplan
- Graduation Year: 2026
- Major: Cell Biology and Neuroscience
- Minor(s): Health Administration
- Hometown: Teaneck, NJ
- Career Interest: Pediatric Surgeon
- Fun Fact: I love to SCUBA dive!
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite class that I have taken so far has to be Human Parasitology which discussed the different types of parasites and how they interact with humans. Taking this class opened my eyes to the smaller world around us that lives at the microscopic level.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
At Rutgers, I love to play in the basketball intramural leagues and participate in all the clubs that there are to offer. I have been a volunteer EMT for the past 5 years and currently tutor students of all ages in Biology. Additionally, I love to scuba dive and play guitar.
- Fawaaz Masood
- Graduation Year: 2025
- Major: Genetics
- Hometown: North Brunswick, NJ
- Career Interest: I aspire to become a physician.
- Fun Fact: My friends and I are avid "burger runners" (a term we coined ourselves). Basically, our long-term goal is to find the restaurant with the best halal beef burger in the NJ/NY area. We have a very systematic approach: we try multiple spots in one day and then keep a running list of all of our average ratings for each spot. Also, our social media presence is a bit lacking at the moment... but we hope to one day share all of our ratings!
- What was your favorite class and why?:
Genetic Analysis I because in this class I learned a lot of foundational material that is essential for other biology classes and for my future career.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I am currently a peer instructor for an "Exploring Health & Medicine" FIGS (First-Year Interest Group Seminar), a research assistant in the Shumyatsky Lab, and the President of Rutgers Habitat for Humanity. Also, not this year, but in previous semesters I was a learning assistant for Calculus I and Preparation for Calculus, and I was on a specialty team for the Rutgers Muslim Student Association.
- Christopher Wong
- Graduation Year: 2025
- Major: Cell Biology and Neuroscience
- Minor(s): Business Administration
- Hometown: Parsippany, NJ
- Career Interest: Medicine, Hospital Administration
- Fun Fact: I am a Water Safety Instructor for NYC Parks!
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite class so far at Rutgers is the new Honors Immunology, 01:146:476, which will be offered in the Spring. I was part of the first group of students to take and experience the course with Dr. Daniels!
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I have worked within Rutgers Residence Life as a Resident Assistant for two years and have had the privilege to work in the Honors College and assist many talented and aspiring new students with both their academic and social life at Rutgers. I also am a member of GenHC, a community for supporting first-generation students within the Honors College, and assist those transitioning for the first time to the new college environment. I've spent two years at St. Peter's University Hospital as a volunteer, patient transport, and radiology shadow, and plan to continue this year as well. I love swimming, and a licensed Water Safety Instructor for NYC Parks, providing free essential swimming and water skills to a wide range of people. I also enjoy music of all kinds, and play the saxophone, drums, and piano, and have swung around some of the NB Basement Shows.
- Kaya Canikligil
- Graduation Year: 2026
- Major: Cell Biology and Neuroscience
- Minor(s): Turkish
- Hometown: Old Bridge NJ
- Career Interest: Family Medicine
- Fun Fact: I love staying active, so running and working out are big parts of my routine. I'm also a huge soccer fan and enjoy catching games whenever I can. In my downtime, I like to unwind by watching anime.
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite class is Fundamentals of Neurobiology!! I love a good 8:30 class! How it focused into higher cognitive processes and the mammalian nervous system really stole my heart. I loved how Dr. Hsu would relate all of our lessons to real life conditions and current research studies.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
Between conducting radiation research through Rutgers’ IRT program and serving as a research assistant at Dr. Roth’s lab, i serve as an ambassador and peer mentor for the school of arts of sciences honors program. I also cannot go without playing intramural sports every semester!!
- Diya Surray
- Graduation Year: 2025
- Major: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Minor(s): Psychology
- Hometown: South River, NJ
- Career Interest: I really love doing research, and I am hoping to do a PhD in molecular biosciences after I graduate. After that, I am hoping to enter academia so that I can combine my love for teaching and research!
- Fun Fact: I love reading, and while I read all genres, my favorite is reading Agatha Christie mystery novels!
- What was your favorite class and why?:
My favorite class is Biology of Aging. It was super cool to read about different theories that explain why people age, especially since it is cutting edge research that does not have a definite answer yet.
- What other Rutgers activities and extracurricular activities do you participate in?:
I conduct research in the Kim McKim lab, and I have been a Aresty Summer Science student. I have also done two SURF fellowships. I am a Aresty Center Peer Instructor. I have been the Events Lead in the Bengali Student Association for two years, and I am currently the president of the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Society.