Current Scholars

First Years

Morgan Brady

I am a first year student from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. I am considering computer science as a minor. I am interested in joining The Biomedical Engineering Society, Engineers Without Borders, and Society of Women Engineers. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a Clark Scholar and have the opportunity to study abroad and participate in internships.

Jocelyn Carrillo

Jocelyn Carrillo is a first-year student from Chino, California. She is pursuing a major in Mechanical Engineering with a possible minor in biomechanical engineering. She is a part of Engineers without Borders as well as GW Baja, and is interested in joining GW Society of Women Engineers. She is looking forward to exploring study abroad opportunities, learning about internships, and getting involved with community service in DC.

Shayan Saleem

Shayan Saleem is a Pakistani-American first-year student from Woodbridge, Virginia. He is pursuing a major in Civil Engineering and a considering a minor in Systems Engineering. He is interested in join the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Muslim Student Association. Shayan is excited to learn about learning engineering internship, looking into study abroad opportunities, connecting and conversing with new and more experienced engineers in his interested field of study and working with other Clarks Scholar.

Ruth Kim

Ruth Kim is a first year student from Silver Spring, Maryland. She is pursuing a major in Civil Engineering and is interested in architecture and construction management. She is involved in the American Society of Civil Engineers and Steel Bridge, and is interested in joining GW Rockets and club volleyball. Ruth is excited to study abroad next spring and pursue internships to broaden her skills and experiences.

Leo May

Leo May is a first-year student from St George, Utah. He is pursuing a major in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Environmental Engineering, and considering a sustainability minor. He is passionate about sustainable transportation and the environment. Leo is a member of GW Orchestra, GWU Engineers Without Borders, and ASCE. He is excited to take advantage of all the many opportunities in Clark and at George Washington University in the heart of DC.

Stella Iyengar

Stella Iyengar is a first year student from New Jersey. At GW, she is pursuing a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and possibly minoring in Business. Stella aspires to work towards developing sustainable technologies and infrastructure in the transportation industry. Currently, she is involved with GW Aviators, the Society of Women Engineers, and the Engineer’s Philanthropic Society. She looks forward to getting more involved in DC through volunteering and exploring the city. Outside of academics, Stella loves to play piano, read, and visit museums! She looks forward to the opportunities that will come in her time at GW as a Clark Scholar.

Arson Brown

Arson Brown is a first-year student from Orange County, Virginia. He is pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering on the pre-med track. At GW, they are interested in joining the American Medical Physiology Club, Engineers without Borders, Delta Epsilon Mu (DEM), and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). In his free time, he likes to read, drum, and adventure around D.C. Arson is also excited to learn about more research opportunities and studying abroad.

Rahman Mohammed

I am a first year student from Ghana. I am pursuing a bachelor of science in computer science and plan to minor in business. I’m passionate about using technology to design innovative and practical solutions that improve everyday life.At GW, I look forward to joining engineering focused student organizations such as GW Baja, engaging in community service, and taking advantage of the university’s research and internship opportunities in Washington, D.C.

Megan Sebesta

Megan Sebesta is a first-year student from East Northport, New York, pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering with an interest in artificial organs and prosthetics research. She plans to join the Society of Women Engineers, the Engineers’ Philanthropic Society, and GWU Circle K International, as well as volunteer at the GW Store. Megan is excited to study abroad, explore internship opportunities, and engage with the DC community.

Nigsti Asmerom

Nigsti Asmerom is a first year student from Silver Spring, Maryland, majoring in Computer Science with a potential minor in Psychology or Economics. She is passionate about exploring the intersections of technology, people, and problem solving. At GW, Nigsti is excited to get involved with Women in Computer Science, the Engineer’s Philanthropic Society, and Club Women’s Basketball, where she hopes to build community and grow as a leader. Outside of academics, she enjoys running, cooking, and playing guitar. She is eager to take advantage of study abroad opportunities during her time at GW and hopes to explore all that the metropolitan area has to offer.

Sydney Tannenbaum

Sydney Tannenbaum is a first-year student from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering with a potential minor in Engineering Management. Passionate about global impact and innovation, she is excited to get involved with Engineers Without Borders and hopes to participate in research at GW. Outside the classroom, Sydney enjoys traveling, skiing, running, and staying active. She’s eager to explore Washington, D.C. and take full advantage of the opportunities offered through the Clark Scholars Program, especially study abroad. Sydney is deeply grateful to be part of this community and looks forward to growing both personally and professionally during her time at GW.

Jason Sedinam Azumah

Meet Jason Sedinam Azumah, an ambitious engineering student at The George Washington University. Born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, but was raised in Accra, Ghana, where his passion for resilience and discipline first took root. Driven by a passion for innovation and leadership, Jason aspires to excel as an Electrical Engineering major with the goal of becoming a System and Integration Engineer. He also plans to minor in Economics and Entrepreneurship, blending his love for innovation with business and problem-solving. He's a lifelong learner, friendly, and always open to new experiences. In his free time, Jason enjoys taking leisurely walks, Listening to music specifically Afrobeats, exploring new interests, and finding peace in reflection. With a strong foundation and a curious mindset, Jason is poised to make his mark in the world of engineering and beyond.

Evan Chukwunonye

Evan Chukwunonye is a first-year student from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is pursuing a major in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Aerospace. At GW, Evan is involved in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, GW Baja, the Black Student Union (BSU), and the African Student Association (ASA), and he is interested in joining GW Rocket to further explore his passion for flight and engineering. In his free time, Evan enjoys reading, playing games, taking walks, and learning more about astronomy. He is excited to explore study abroad programs and internship opportunities throughout his time at GW.

Sophomores

Katherine Barry
Katherine Barry is a second year student from Framingham, Massachusetts. She is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering and considering a biomechanical concentration. Katherine is a member of Engineers without Borders design and visualization team, a first-year mentor in SEASSPAN, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and GW Club Gymnastics. She is excited to be part of the Clark Scholars community and have the opportunity to explore research, internships, and study abroad in Spring 2026 in Dublin, Ireland.

Serena Arora
Serena Arora is a second-year student from Springfield, Virginia pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. She is actively involved in the GW community as a member of one of the university’s dance teams, a board member of SEAS Together and the SEASSPAN mentorship program, and a member of the technical team for George Hacks. Serena is looking forward to studying abroad in London and is excited to explore the internship and research opportunities GW has to offer.

Bo Shively wearing a blue dress shirt with a tie

Bo Shively
Bo Shively is a second year student from Dayton, Ohio. He is pursuing a degree in civil engineering and possibly a minor in sustainability and is interested in sustainable urban design and transportation systems. In his free time, he likes to take care of his plants, read, exploring the city, and travel. He has a passion for teaching and works as a tutor with the Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service Center at GW and spends a lot of time tutoring younger students and doing community service. He is grateful to be a Clark Scholar and to have the opportunity to do internships and study abroad.

Lauryn Hachiya
Lauryn Hachiya is a second year student from El Segundo, California. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a minor in Political Science and is interesting in the potential of law school in the future. She hopes to go into public policy with a focus on regulating technology and artificial intelligence. She enjoys being involved in the GWU community through organizations like Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., GeorgeHacks, SEAS Together, and the Dear Asian Youth magazine. She is looking forward to studying abroad, finding internship opportunities, and exploring the cafes of DC in the upcoming years.

Brasen Agung
Brasen Agung is a Sophomore from Clarksburg, MD. He is pursuing a major in electrical engineering with a potential minor in biomedical engineering. Brasen is an active member of Theta Tau, GW’s professional engineering fraternity, where he will serve as Treasurer. He is also a member of the Biomedical Engineering Society, IEEE, Southeast Asian Network, and plans on joining GW Rocket. This summer, Brasen will participate in research at GW and is looking forward to studying abroad, planning to study in Korea or Singapore!

Andrei Khudiakov

Andrei Khudiakov is a 2nd year mechanical engineering major from Cincinnati, OH. He is a member of the University’s Men’s Water Polo Team, and the GW Mini Baja team. Over this past summer, Andrei was an engineering intern at ERNST metal technologies in Moraine, OH. Outside of school Andrei loves to listen to music, play sports, be outside, and spend time with friends. He is excited to gain more experience as an engineer this year through different organizations on campus, research, and through engaging with the broader DC community. He is also excited about connecting with people on a wider scale through community service and study abroad opportunities.

Briana Sisler

Briana Sisler is a second-year student from Olney, Maryland. She is pursuing a degree in computer science and is interested in focusing on cybersecurity. She is part of the Engineers Philanthropic Society and plans to become more involved in philanthropy and engineering in the future as a Clark Scholar. She is also interested in becoming a member of RevTech, ACM, and the Society of Women Engineers. She is looking forward to studying abroad junior year and connecting with the larger GW community as she continues her educational journey.

Yusuf Ozaydin

Yusuf Ozaydin is a Turkish-American sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama. He is pursuing a major in Systems Engineering and is dual-minoring in Computer Science and Mathematics. He is currently completing potential new member education for the professional engineering fraternity Theta Tau. He enjoys contributing to his community through service opportunities, such as volunteering to coach youth soccer. Apart from coaching, Yusuf also enjoys playing soccer and volleyball, as well as jamming on his guitar with friends. Professionally, he interned over the summer as a research assistant in the Department of Health Informatics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His work focused on predictive AI development to aid emergency rooms. He hopes to utilize his experience and education in predictive AI and large-language model development in future internships and eventually in the workforce by expanding his expertise in computer systems and applying it to real-world problems.

Patrick Yen

Patrick Yen is a Sophomore student from Poughkeepsie, New York. He is currently studying Mechanical Engineering and is interested in pursuing a minor in Electrical Engineering. He is an active member of GW Baja, the GW Chamber Orchestra and works as a learning assistant for Intro to Python. Over the summer, Patrick was involved with research with Dr. Garris, concerning the application of ammonia technology to Gas Turbines. Furthermore, Patrick is excited to study abroad in the Spring Semester, as he will be travelling to Korea University

Ijeoma Monu

Ijeoma Monu is a sophomore pursuing a degree in Systems Engineering at the George Washington University. Born and raised in the DMV with roots in Tanzania and Nigeria, she is passionate about exploring how engineering can intersect with education and the medical field to create meaningful, human-centered solutions. Ijeoma loves pushing herself to try new things purely for the challenge and excitement they bring, and she brings that same curiosity and drive into her academic and extracurricular work.

Juniors

Fiona Mesfin
Fiona Mesfin is a third-year student from Bethesda, MD, originally from Eritrea, studying Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Bioinformatics. In Fall 2025, she studied abroad in Sydney at UNSW, where she had the opportunity to explore Australia while taking fun engineering courses. Over the summer, she completed a fellowship in Dr. Posnak’s lab at Children’s National Hospital, gaining hands-on experience in pediatric cardiology research and developing a strong interest in tissue engineering and integrating bioinformatics into her future biomedical applications. At GW, Fiona is active in the Ethiopian-Eritrean Student Association (EESA), OCCM, and engineering clubs. Outside of school, she enjoys exploring food and drink spots, reading books, and reconnecting with her culture.

Q Farlow
Q Farlow is a Junior from Fishers, IN. They are pursuing a bachelor's degree in computer science and plan to focus on cybersecurity. They are also a member and fall 2024 risk management chair of Alpha Omega Epsilon and member and volunteer for Women in Cybersecurity. They are enthusiastic about defensive programming and thoughtful computer architecture.

Elizabeth Krutchen
Elizabeth Krutchen is a third-year student from Southern Indiana. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Environmental Engineering. Last spring, she had the opportunity to study abroad at University College Dublin and explore 10 different countries. At GW, she is an alum of the Women’s Leadership Program and the Vice President of the university’s Engineers Without Borders organization. This academic year, she is continuing her summer internship as the Environmental Compliance and Sustainability Intern with CenterPoint Energy. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and exploring D.C. with friends.

Sara Saleh
Sara Saleh is a Junior computer science major at George Washington University. She has lived most of her life in Amman, Jordan until she moved to DC for college. She enjoys spending time with family, playing sports, and exploring new places and activities. She is part of GW’s SWE as E-council rep, robotics as VP, and revtech as a sophomore rep all which help her engage in hands-on experiences relevant to computer science and other engineering fields. In addition, she is on the board of the GW international student association at which she helps plan and host exciting events for international students.

Niyati Shah

Niyati Shah is a Junior from New Jersey, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a focus on cybersecurity. At GW, she is a member of the University Honors Program, Society of Women Engineers, Women in Cybersecurity, Engineers’ Council, and South Asian Society. In Summer 2025, she completed a Software Engineering internship at Merck. The previous summer (2024), she worked as a Data Analysis & Planning Intern with Calvin Klein in Bangalore, India. Niyati is excited to study abroad this spring and continue engaging with the DC community.

Kaya Alper-Nocera
Kaya Alper-Nocera is a junior from Mamaroneck, NY. He is currently studying mechanical engineering with a minor in communications, defying the stereotype that engineers are poor communicators. Kaya is the Co-Founder and Naval Architecture Lead of Electric Yacht at GW, the first electric and first maritime student-led design team in SEAS. He leads a team of 20 other students, fabricating a high-performance electric speedboat, and racing it against other universities. Kaya is also the Fleet Captain of the GW Sailing Team and a brother in Delta Tau Delta. He plans to design sailing yachts and is seeking more experience in the field.

Lily Cushman
Lily Cushman is a Junior from North Kingstown, Rhode Island. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and is interested in research and development for medical devices. Lily is the Treasurer and Assistant Captain of the George Washington Club Women’s Ice Hockey team. This past summer she worked on research at Children’s National Hospital in the Posnack Lab involving early pediatric arrhythmia detection with machine learning. Last spring, Lily had the opportunity to continue her studies in biomedical engineering at University College Dublin in Ireland. She is joining the Zderic Lab this year to further explore her interest in research.

Aiden in a navy blazer and pattern blue shirt

Aidan Schurr
Aidan Itai Schurr is a third-year student from Leonia, New Jersey. He is a First-Generation American of Barbadian and Israeli descent. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and is on the Pre-Med track. He aims to pursue a dual MD/PhD Graduate Degree. Last Year, he cofounded The Catalyst, a STEM magazine based in Washington DC, focused on developing the next generation of interdisciplinary scientists, engineers, and doctors. His Junior Fall semester was spent in London, taking classes at Queen Mary and interning at Imperial College London. Outside of all this, he loves to play music with his friends and aims to start a bluegrass-funk-soul band in the Spring!

Sophia Tamburrino
Sophia Tamburrino is a Junior from Lansdale, PA, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Sophia serves as Secretary of Women in Computer Science (WiCS) and is the Vice Regent of GW’s professional engineering fraternity Theta Tau. She is also a member of the Women Who Lift club and the GW Fashion & Business Association (FBA). Sophia works as a Technical Support Assistant on campus for GW Information Technology and is also currently pursuing undergraduate research for a semester under the guidance of Dr. Dobolyi. Through her research, she hopes to program software that can detect banter in social media conversations using LLMs. Sophia looks to study abroad in London during the spring semester of her junior year and is excited to pursue a software engineering internship over the summer in Philadelphia or DC.

Grace Zereski
Grace Zereski is a junior from Holden, Massachusetts, pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering. She is passionate about developing innovative healthcare technologies and recently gained industry experience as an R&D Engineering Intern at a medical device company. At GW, Grace serves as a project lead for Engineers Without Borders, where she is working on building a learning center for a community in Yumbe, Uganda. She is also the fundraising chair for the Biomedical Engineering Society and a teaching assistant for the Intro to Biomedical Engineering course. Outside of academics, Grace is an active member of Alpha Omega Epsilon, a social and professional sorority, where she previously served as social media chair. In addition to her studies, she works as a server at Circa at Foggy Bottom. She recently studied abroad at University College Dublin and continues to enjoy discovering new spots around DC.

Seniors

Yasmein Asfour
Yasmein Asfour is a Senior from Chicago, Illinois pursuing a major in Computer Engineering. She currently leads the avionics team for GW ROCKET, is involved in outreach for IEEE, and serves on the Clark philanthropy committee. Yasmein gained valuable experience through a Python internship at Sitech in the summer of 2023 and further honed her skills during a data analytics and AI internship with Zain Group in the summer of 2024. Recently, Yasmein spent a semester abroad in Ireland, enriching her global perspective and commitment to making a positive impact in her field.

James Ashby
James Ashby is a senior from Fredericksburg, Virginia. He is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Robotics. At GW, he is a member of the Design-Build-Fly team, ASME, and ASCE. Over the past few years, he has researched machine learning techniques for predicting small UAV system flight trajectories. After graduation, he is looking forward to using the skills learned while at GW to develop autonomous flight systems.

Ilinca Hirtopanu
Ilinca Hirtopanu is a senior from Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is about to complete her degree in Computer Science with a minor in Math. She was recently hired at Dell Technologies in Austin, Texas! She previously worked with Vertex Labs as a Junior Developer and did research with the GWU Usable Security and Privacy lab. At GW, she has a radio show where she live-dj's with her roommate and started a club called RevTech for CS majors. She recently returned from the most beautiful 6 months of her life studying abroad in Australia, and decided to give back to the community by working in the Study Abroad office as the SEAS Student Community Ambassador.

Nathan Janssen
I am a mechanical engineering undergraduate student with a concentration in robotics, passionate about expanding my expertise in electronics, programming, and underwater applications. Over the past four years, I have gained hands-on experience through internships, research, and team leadership roles. As a NUWC Newport intern, I worked with technical documents and redesign projects, and as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Rau’s lab, I collaborated on a government- funded undersea device capable of generating power. I currently serve as the Structures Lead for the Design-Build-Fly (DBF) team and previously acted as “Team Lead” for a large-scale Team- of-Teams project. My skills span design, rapid prototyping, electronics, fluid mechanics, and technical communication, reinforced by coursework in IoT for Engineering, Mechanical System Design, Electronics, Engineering Drawing, and Fluids. Outside of academics, I enjoy DBF, 3D modeling, going to the gym, and exploring new foods. I am eager to continue applying my skills while deepening my technical knowledge, particularly in the intersection of robotics and ocean engineering.

Sarah Levine
Greetings, my name is Sarah Levine. I am a senior MAE/aerospace engineering major and a geological sciences minor. I have worked in Professor Keidar’s lab developing vacuum-arc thrusters since freshman year and am part of the Clark Scholars program. My other activities include volunteering for SEAS information sessions and community service outside GW. I enjoy building things, rocks, drawing and painting, and video games.

Olivia Landriscina
Olivia Landriscina is a Senior from Catonsville, MD, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Throughout her time at GW she has had the opportunity to spend a year working with Dr. Adam's Nanofabrication research team, study abroad in Dublin, and work as an undergraduate learning assistant for multiple ECE classes. Olivia is Vice President of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and a part of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Over the summer she completed her second internship at Northrop Grumman where she worked on high voltage power conversion units for various projects. After graduation she is hoping to either complete her master's degree here at GW through the 4+1 program or return to Northrop Grumman for a full-time position.

Sofia Khugaeva
Sofiia Khugaeva is a senior from Moscow, Russia, living in Philadelphia. She is pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering with a micro-minor in Health Equity. At GW, Sofiia is on the executive boards for George Hacks, the Society of Women Engineers, and SEAS Together. She is also active member of GW Boxing Club. Thought her time at GW, Sofiia has completed multiple internships and research projects. This year, she was awarded the Knapp Fellowship for Entrepreneurial Service Learning through the Nashman Center. Sofiia will spend the year putting together her own service-learning project focused on HIV prevention and care continuity.

Omar Moharram
Omar Moharram is a Senior from Springfield, VA, pursuing a biomedical engineering degree with a minor in electrical engineering. He had the opportunity to study abroad in London during the fall of 2024, where he explored the Mega city and its diverse culture. In addition, he gained key experience in the rheology lab while studying cardiovascular fluid mechanics, and learned about a multitude of biosensor technology. Omar was previously a Learning Assistant for University Physics courses and currently conducts research with Dr. Mark Reeves on the Aerosol Project, investigating ways to mitigate airborne diseases. He was glad to volunteer with The Ron and Joy Paul Kidney Center and continues to help out in Miriam's Kitchen. After graduation he hopes to work with biosensors and biomaterials to enhance prognosis and drug delivery to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare in his community and beyond.

Mustafa Farooq
Mustafa Farooq is a Senior from Herndon, VA. He is pursuing a B.S. in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. In Spring 2023, he was blessed with the opportunity to study abroad at The American University of Sharjah in the UAE and experience the rich culture that surrounds it. During the summer of 2022, he conducted two internships: working as a Technical Analyst Intern at CYDEO and a Neural Networks intern under the guidance of Professor Ahmadi. As for the Summers of 2023 and 2024, he worked at Dell Technologies as an Electrical Engineering Intern debugging a GPU performance error and designing an option module PCB for desktop systems, respectively. Currently he is completing a full time co-op as a NASA Pathways Electrical Engineering intern at Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX as a part of the Propulsion and Power Division.