Meet the SPOT Leadership Team!
Prianka Hashim serves as SPOT president. She is a PhD/MPH candidate in the Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences through Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine. She is a member of the Duncan Lab looking at the intersection of the innate immune system and the female reproductive system. The lab is focused on understanding the mechanisms of why the female reproductive system is the first to age with the intention of developing novel therapeutics for fertility preservation and extending the female reproductive lifespan. Outside of the lab, Prianka is committed to reproductive justice and equity. Prianka has worked with NGOs in Bangladesh, Uganda, and Denmark committed to protecting bodily autonomy and access to reproductive healthcare for marginalized populations around the globe. For fun, Prianka loves to explore, bake, and search for new plants.
Meagan Olsen is the Vice President of SPOT and a PhD student in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at Northwestern University. She grew up in Fayetteville, AR and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Meagan’s current research focuses on improving cell-free systems to enable low-cost, decentralized manufacturing of medical therapeutics. Meagan is passionate about science communication and ensuring that everyone, regardless of educational background, can be involved in discussions about new scientific discoveries and technologies. She hopes to help break down misconceptions surrounding who can participate in science, research, and policy decisions. Meagan is also an initiative leader for her department’s Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ARDEI) committee and a board member for the Engineering Biology Research Consortium’s Student and Postdoc Association. In her free time, Meagan enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, and exploring museums.
Rosie Huerta is a Materials Science Ph.D. student and a member of the Rivnay research group. She serves as the current Treasurer of SPOT. Growing up in Joliet IL and graduating from UW-Milwaukee in 2023, she was always involved with her community here in the Midwest. Her passions are primarily focused on STEM education for K-12 students and sustainable infrastructure. As a member of SPOT, she has written one-pagers for members of the Chicago community as well as lawmakers in Springfield, and given outreach talks to Chicago Public Schools. When she’s not in the x-ray lab or working on science policy, Rosie enjoys dancing, eating, and collecting plants.
Tracy Zhou is a third year PhD student in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She serves as the Communications Chair of SPOT. Tracy completed her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Rochester in 2014. She then went on to complete a Masters of Science in Reproductive Science and Medicine from Northwestern University in 2018. During her time in the Masters program Tracy completed her thesis research in Dr. Francesca E. Duncan’s lab and focused on characterizing O-GlcNAcylation in bovine and human oocytes. Currently, Tracy is in Dr. Elnur Babayev’s lab where she is studying the impact of global warming on reproductive longevity. Tracy is passionate about science communication and is excited to be involved with the science policy community at Northwestern
Alex Evenchik (he/him) is a materials science and engineering PhD student in the Robotic Matter Lab and serves as SPOT’s Legislative Outreach Co-Chair. Alex was born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he also attended undergrad at MIT. At Northwestern, his work focuses on developing artificial muscles for applications in soft robotics. As the Legislative Outreach Chair, Alex is excited to continue bringing together state legislators and PhD students to increase the prevalence of evidence-based policy. In his free time, Alex enjoys working out, cooking, exploring Chicago, and blowing glass.
Emma-Rose Newmeyer is a Chemistry Ph.D. candidate and serves as a SPOT’s Legislative Outreach Co-Chair. She grew up in Mesquer, France before moving to the US to pursue a BS in Chemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Emma-Rose worked at a biotech in the Bay area before starting at Northwestern. She works in the Swearer group researching plasmonic nanomaterials for photocatalytic transformations. Emma-Rose’s interests in science policy lie in science communication and addressing issues of environmental justice at the national and international scale. Some of her favorite things are snowboarding, cheese, and the great outdoors!
Zamira Harris-Ryden currently serves as the local policy chair for SPOT. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2023 with a BSA in Chemistry and a minor in History. At UT, she worked in Dr. Cassandra Callmann’s group on the synthesis of monomers for sugar-based polymers. Her current research focuses on the discovery of triplet photosensitizers. Outside of lab, Zamira enjoys windsurfing, swimming, distance running, and trying new coffee shops.
Kelly Matuszewski is a third year Materials Science and Engineering PhD student in the Dravid research group studying materials for environmental remediation. She currently serves as the Public Engagement and Outreach Chair for SPOT. Kelly is originally from New Jersey and she attended Penn State for her undergraduate degree. In her free time she enjoys exploring Chicago and playing volleyball.
Kimberly Riordan is a chemistry Ph.D. student in the Kelley group and serves as SPOT’s Diplomacy Chair. She grew up in Newark, Delaware and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2021 with a degree in chemistry. At Notre Dame, Kimberly worked with Dr. Emily Tsui on several projects involving sulfur and understanding its accelerated reduction and solubility in aqueous solutions. In the Kelley group she develops reagentless sensors to detect biomolecules such as melatonin.
Kimberly is excited to involve the Northwestern community in international science policy, drawing on the diverse backgrounds of the graduate students.
Cael Dant 
serves as a Symposium Co-Chair for SPOT
Mary Skillicorn serves as a Symposium Co-Chair for SPOT
Molly Sun is a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry and serves as a Board Member at Large for SPOT. At Northwestern, she works in the Dichtel group to recycle polyurethane plastic through green catalysis, dynamic covalent chemistry, and industrial methods. By developing methods to reprocess this currently unrecyclable plastic, progress can be made in reducing the plastic waste crisis. Molly first got involved in STEM outreach as a curriculum developer for the University of Chicago’s SMART Science program, helping middle school students connect with the process of scientific experimentation and publishing. She is excited to interact with different audiences and promote science literacy for policy and decision-making, with particular interest in developing effective science writing tactics. In her free time, Molly is a ballerina and jigsaw puzzle enthusiast.
Brody Johnson is a Chemistry Ph.D. student and a member of the Stupp research group. He serves as a Board Member at Large for SPOT. He grew up in Doylestown, PA and graduated from Ursinus College in 2020 with a degree in Chemistry. Brody has been a member of the SPOT executive board for three years. In that time, he has helped organize SPOT’s annual symposium, written one-pagers for members of the Evanston community as well as lawmakers in Springfield, and given outreach talks through Science with Seniors. When he’s not in the lab or working on science policy, Brody enjoys running, hiking, and traveling.
Minjung Kim is a Chemistry Ph.D. candidate and serves as a Board Member at Large for SPOT. She grew up in Houston, TX and graduated from Rice University with degrees in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Chemistry. At Northwestern, she is part of both Farha and Swearer Labs, researching photocatalytic nanomaterials for a greener future. Minjung’s interest in science policy comes from witnessing the impact of scientific literacy and community engagement in environmental justice. In her free time, she likes to play the cello, cook, and play video games.
Fiona Carter-Tod is a PhD/MPH student in the Driskill Graduate Program and serves as a SPOT Board Member at Large. Fiona grew up in Blacksburg, VA and attended the University of Richmond for her undergraduate degree. She developed a foundation rooted in biological research techniques and an understanding of leadership as it pertains to the challenges of ethical and effective engagement in society. At Northwestern, Fiona works in the Hultquist lab investigating host-pathogen interactions in the context of HIV. Concurrently she is studying the epidemiological, theoretical, qualitative, system- and policy-based aspects of infectious disease as a part of the MPH program. Fiona hopes to emphasize the importance of an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach to infectious disease as well as the policies that surround it. Outside of the lab, Fiona enjoys basketball, hiking, cooking, crafting.
Elisabeth Latawiec is a Chemistry Ph.D. candidate and serves as the Local Policy Chair of SPOT. After growing up in Scranton, PA, she attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh to earn degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics. At Northwestern, she works in the Wasielewski group studying the electron spin properties of DNA hairpins for use in quantum computing. Elisabeth’s interest in science policy is rooted in the importance of ethical, evidence-based policy making and improving science literacy. She enjoys traveling, crafting, attending concerts, and biking along the lakeshore.
SPOT Leadership Alumni
Colleen O’Brien (Environmental Engineering)
Kavitha Chintam (Chemical and Biological Engineering)
Emily Schafer (Biomedical Engineering)
Rishabh “Ray” Juneja (Chemical Engineering)
Suraj (Engineering Management) was a Board Member at Large from 2022-2023
Emilie Lozier (Chemistry) was a Board Member at Large from 2022-2023
Grace Wickerson (Materials Science and Engineering) was the Legislative Outreach Director for SPOT from 2022 – 2023
Nicolas Scrutton Alvarado (Molecular Neurobiology) was Communications Chair from 2021-2023
Jamie Neely (Earth and Planetary Science) was Treasurer of SPOT and Symposium Co-Chair from 2018-21.
Chamille Lescott (Materials Science) was President of SPOT from 2020-21.
Emma Zajdela (Applied Mathematics) was SPOT Science Diplomacy Chair from 2020-21.
Sean Koyama (Materials Science and Engineering) was SPOT Communications Chair from 2020-21.
Michael Mullowney (Chemistry) was a founding member and Co-Chair of SPOT from 2017-20.
Kavita Chandra (Materials Science) was a founding member and Co-Chair of SPOT from 2017-18.
Amanda Corcos (Chemistry) was involved with SPOT from 2017-18.
Jennifer DiStefano (Materials Science) was Community Engagement Chair of SPOT from 2019-20.
Rianna Greer was SPOT Treasurer from 2019-2020.
Suvai Gunasekaran (Radiology) was a Board Member at-large from 2018-2021.
Emily McClure (Chemistry) was Communications Chair of SPOT from 2018-20.
Michael Mattei (Chemistry) was a founding member and Treasurer of SPOT from 2017-18.
Ryan Mayers (Biotechnology) was involved with SPOT from 2018-2020 and started the Chicago SPOT chapter.
Laura Olenick (Chemistry) was a founding member and Secretary of SPOT from 2017-18.
Rohun Palekar (Nanomedicine) was a founding member and Chicago Campus Chair of SPOT from 2017-18.
Jonathan Pfluger (Materials Science) was involved with SPOT from 2017-18.
Louisa Savereide (Chemical and Biological Engineering) was a founding member and co-chair of SPOT from 2018-19. She led a number of initiatives and started the monthly discussion program during her time with SPOT.
Sarah Schlossberg (Materials Science) was involved with SPOT from 2018-19.
Kyle Siegel (Molecular Biosciences) was Webmaster of SPOT and involved in the outreach programs from 2018-19.
Stephen Wilke (Materials Science) was involved with SPOT from 2017-18.
Zack Woodruff (Mechanical Engineering) was involved with SPOT from 2019-20.