The Senate
The Senate drives the agenda of the legislature and ensures effective, open debate, and dialogue that advances the interests of Duke Graduate and Professional Students. The Senate is comprised of 36 members.
Senate elections are held every year either in the Fall or Spring semester, depending on the respective college.
Speaker
Matt Jenkins (he/his)
Bio: Matt Jenkins is a third-year Master of Divinity Student at Duke Divinity School. He is originally from Hershey, Pennsylvania. Matt attended Messiah University, a small Christian school in rural Pennsylvania. While there, he served with his student government for all 4 years, serving as the Student Body President his senior year. He was also a founding member of Messiah University’s Esports Team and Model United Nations Team. After graduating from Messiah University with a Bachelor of Arts with a triple major in English, Philosophy, and Biblical and Religious Studies, Matt left Pennsylvania to attend Seminary for ordination in the United Methodist Church. His primary interest lies in uniting the service of the church with affordable housing initiatives. Matt is involved with multiple affordable housing groups across Chapel Hill and Durham. Matt’s goal after becoming ordained is to pastor a church part-time and found an affordable housing non-profit that seeks to convert underutilized church spaces for affordable housing. In his free time, Matt continues to enjoy video games, reading, and spending time with his wife and their nephews and nieces. Contact: For general questions about the Senate, Senate meetings, and election timelines, send an email to gpsg.speaker@duke.edu.
Trinity College of Arts and Sciences
Natalie Schulte (she/her)
Bio: Natalie is a 5th year Chemistry Ph.D. candidate characterizing metals' interactions with proteins in the Franz lab. By understanding the interactions metals have with proteins in our intestine and saliva, we can further understand how metal chaperoning and homeostasis within the body is regulated and disrupted. She has a passion for science communication and data visualization. Outside of work, Natalie enjoys golfing, sewing, hiking in the mountains, and spending time with her cats. After completing her degree she intends to work in science policy.
Fuqua School of Business
Tanner Morgan (he/his)
Bio: Tanner is a senator from Fuqua and the current MBA Student Body Co-President at Fuqua. Originally from North Carolina and Florida, he will join Boston Consulting Group after graduating in 2025.
Hayley Barton (she/her)
Bio: Hayley Barton is a third-year MBA/MPP dual degree student. She is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and the ethical use of data and technology. Hayley is a Seattle native and first graduated from Duke in 2019, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. Prior to graduate school, Hayley worked for three years at an economic consulting firm in Washington D.C., and she has since pivoted to study data strategy and technology policy. Hayley interned at the U.S. HHS Office of the Chief Data Officer in summer 2023 and at Visa on their Consulting and Analytics team in summer 2024. In her free time, Hayley enjoys singing in the Durham Community Chorale, traveling to national parks with her family, and cheering on Duke basketball.
Joyonna (Joy) Gamble-George (she/her)
Bio: Joyonna (Joy), is a 1st-year Executive MBA (EMBA) candidate at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and serves as a Senator representing Fuqua. She is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of WeUp, a social enterprise startup that helps individuals and communities achieve their goals through events, technology, and gamification. Joy holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biology with Honors in Mathematics from Xavier University of Louisiana, a Master of Health Administration from the University of South Florida College of Public Health, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience from Vanderbilt University. A passionate neuroscientist, Joy has conducted research on neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders, and mental health, and her entrepreneurial ventures focus on leveraging technology to address community health challenges. In her free time, Joy enjoys expressing her creativity through drawing, painting, writing poetry, and playing musical instruments, including the alto saxophone and piano.
Tory Kim (she/her)
Bio: Tory Kim is a Master’s in Management student at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, where she serves as the MMS Student Body Treasurer. Before attending Duke, she graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Finance and Economics. Tory has lived in Atlanta, Miami, Raleigh, and now Durham! She is actively pursuing finance roles, building on her strong academic background and leadership experience. In her free time, Tory enjoys fly fishing, golfing, discovering new coffee spots around town, and talking about Georgia football.
Soojung Kim (she/her)
Bio: Soojung studies Quantitative Management: Business Analytics (MQM) at Fuqua School of Business and is a senator of GPSG as well as the Judicial Representative of the MQM Association. Before coming to Duke, she worked as an underwriter in mortgage and business insurance, and anticipates her next career steps based on her focus in Strategy during her program. Originally from South Korea, she has always been into musicals, novels, and human behavior. Her favorite time of the day is sunset.
Kaylyn Macaluso (she/her)
Bio: Kaylyn Macaluso is a first-year MBA student at the Fuqua School of Business. She is passionate about making a difference through civic engagement. Prior to business school, Kaylyn got her bachelor’s degree in political science from Penn State University and spent five years in federal health care consulting where she supported various clients with high priority initiatives that benefitted health of the populations they served. Following business school, Kaylyn hopes to transition from the federal health space into the commercial health space. In her free time, she enjoys staying active, making soup on Sundays, and spending time with her b-school friends.
Andy Castro-Arroyo (he/his)
Bio: Andy is currently a second-year MBA candidate at Fuqua, where he also serves as the Board of Visitors Student Representative. Prior to Duke, Andy attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and worked at a health-tech startup. Upon graduation, Andy will be working at The Chartis Group as a healthcare consultant. In his free time, Andy can be found at the Durham Arts Council’s pottery studio or on the East Campus loop.
School of Law
Ian Redmond (he/his)
Bio: Ian is a second-year law student at Duke University School of Law, where he currently serves as President of First Generation Professionals (1GP), an organization dedicated to supporting students who are the first in their families to attend graduate or professional school. Prior to law school, Ian served five years in the Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Sergeant. After his military service, he worked for over two years as a surveillance investigator, where he researched, tracked, and obtained evidence for major corporate clients involved in workers' compensation and insurance fraud disputes. In 2022, Ian graduated summa cum laude from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and a minor in Sports Management. Ian is interested in a career as a litigator, particularly in government investigations, labor and employment, and complex commercial litigation. Ian currently serves as a mentor at Service 2 School, helping veterans on their path to law school. Ian is a Chicago native and plans to return to the city upon graduation.
Taraneh Kelishadi (she/her)
Bio: Taraneh is pursuing a JD and an LLM in International and Comparative Law at Duke University School of Law. She graduated from Columbia University in 2021, where she received a degree in Neuroscience and Behavior and was involved in human rights activism. Before attending law school, she worked in international humanitarian advocacy for a variety of organizations including UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the World Health Organization, and the Gates Foundation. In her free time, she serves as an Editor on a journalistic initiative that gathers stories about refugees, reads novels, and experiments with new recipes.
Kyle Beck (he/his)
Bio: Kyle Beck is a second-year law student at Duke University School of Law, where he currently serves as a staff editor on the Duke Journal of Constitutional Law & Public Policy, a research assistant for Prof. Steven L. Schwarcz, and as VP of Membership for the Jewish Law Students Association. Prior to law school, he attended Cornell University, where he studied Industrial and Labor Relations with minors in Inequality Studies and Law & Society. During undergrad, he was named a Hunter R. Rawlings III Presidential Research Scholar, allowing him to travel to the EU to speak with diplomats regarding his thesis research on a proposed Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence. He was also a member of the Cornell University Mock Trial Association and Cornell Political Union. After graduating from law school, Kyle plans to practice Corporate Restructuring and Bankruptcy Law. In his free time, he enjoys lifting weights, listening to country music, and tasting wine at the different restaurants and bars across Durham.
Divinity School
Kate Redden (she/her)
Bio: Kate is a second-year Master of Divinity student at Duke Divinity School. She graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2022 with a B.S. in psychology and a B.A. in political science. During her undergraduate years, she focused on the application of human rights in multiple contexts, including women’s education in international contexts and working within public health and epidemiology contexts. Her focus at Duke combines these experiences as she explores the ways local churches care for, support, and nourish their congregations. As a GPSG senator, she is excited to help promote thriving across campus! When not at school, Kate can be found playing with her three-year-old Border Collie, reading, or programming her hearing aids.
Jilian Palmer (she/her)
Bio: Jilian is a third-year Master of Divinity student from Winston-Salem, NC. She earned her undergraduate degree from Clemson University and went on to pursue a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she also served as a class representative in the student government association. Jilian is passionate about the intersections of faith, public health, and community engagement. She has extensive experience in community organizing, engagement, and public health work. She hopes to see the church and faith-based organizations at the forefront of addressing systemic injustice and generational inequality, working across sectors to promote justice, equity, and communal restoration. In her free time, Jilian enjoys all things comedy, biking, rollerblading, and getting lost in psychological thrillers.
Nicholas School of the Environment
Aisha Shen (she/her)
Bio: Aisha Shen is a first-year Master of Environmental Management (MEM) student with Energy and Business concentrations at Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment. She is focused on advancing her expertise in energy system design, renewable development, corporate sustainability, and energy policy. Before graduate school, she studied Culture and Movements with a Sociology focus at Duke Kunshan University and Duke University, where she explored environmental and anti-capitalist movements. Aisha is passionate about integrating sociological principles with ecological goals to drive meaningful and sustainable change. She aspires to restore human-environment relationships and lead an equitable renewable energy transition in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. In her free time, she enjoys discovering new restaurants, planning her next travel adventure, and watching shows like The Mentalist, Suits, or Friends.
Shraddha Sharma (she/her)
Bio: Shraddha is a first-year Master’s student in Environmental Management at the Nicholas School of the Environment, with a concentration in Business and Energy. She is originally from Mumbai, India. Prior to Duke, she worked for three years in sustainability consulting and is dedicated towards working on innovative solutions to sustainable future. In her free time she enjoys hiking, painting, swimming and binge-watching sitcoms.
Sanford School of Public Policy
Pauline Wakudumo (she/her)
Bio: Pauline Wakudumo is a first year MPP student. She is Namibian-American, having moved to the United States when she was 8 and grew up in Maryland and North Carolina. Pauline is passionate about reproductive freedom and is excited to continue her education in health policy at Sanford. She worked at Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL) for over two years doing state policy on reproductive freedom. Prior to that, Pauline worked at AbortionFinder.org, researching and verifying abortion clinics. Pauline received her undergraduate degree in Economics from Brown University. In her free time, Pauline enjoys reading, exploring new restaurants in Durham, thrift shopping, and walks to get iced coffee, no matter the season.
Lepakshi Pragna Shekar (she/her)
Bio: Pragna is currently a Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) Fellow (2024-26) at the Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University. She hails from India, and has a background in Political Science. Over the past six years, she has worked with Uninhibited, an India-based non-profit advancing menstrual health and hygiene in some of the most rural and tribal parts of India. She has a keen interest to contribute in the humanitarian development in conflict and post-conflict settings at the intersections of gender, community building, and localization. She is a passionate storyteller and loves fostering communities and safe spaces, as she believes people and stories they carry are powerful transformative agents of change.
School of Medicine, Non-Clinical
Maurice Bukenya (he/his)
Bio: Bukenya is a 4th year PhD student in Immunology. He was born and raised in Kampala, Uganda. He graduated with a BS/MS in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University in Medford MA. He joined Duke University in 2021. At Duke, he is a member of Georgia Tomaras’ lab where he studies how different antibody types modulate immune responses. Bukenya has been actively involved in student activities ranging from working with consulting clubs to student government. He currently serves as both the senator for the Non-clinical School of Medicine and as the president of the Biomedical Graduate student Council. In both roles, he is focused on building community as well as advancing policies and programs that directly enhance the quality of lives of students within the non-clinical school of medicine and the broader graduate school. Bukenya enjoys hiking, food and hanging out with people!
School of Medicine, Clinical
Aubrey Enriquez (she/her)
Bio: Aubrey Enriquez is a third-year occupational therapy doctorate student at the Duke University School of Medicine. As a future occupational therapy practitioner, she is passionate about enhancing individuals' health and well-being by helping them engage more meaningfully in their day-to-day activities. She completed her bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of California, San Diego, and holds an Associate of Occupational Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant from Stanbridge University. Throughout her academic career, she has actively participated in various student leadership roles and is an active member of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity. In her free time, She enjoys traveling with her partner, discovering new restaurants and cafes, and spending time with friends and family.
Cierra Berry (she/her)
Bio: Cierra Berry is a second year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student in the School of Medicine from Knoxville, Tennessee. She graduated from Spelman College (Atlanta, GA) in 2022 and took a gap year prior to matriculation. Outside of the classroom, Cierra is passionate about providing mentorship to individuals of the African Diaspora with an interest in pursuing physical therapy and improving the visibility of diverse faces in the profession. In addition, Cierra has enjoyed exploring outdoor spaces, restaurants, volunteering throughout the Triangle, and networking with students attending other graduate/professional programs.
Joshua Kim (he/his)
Bio: Joshua is a dedicated third-year MD student at the Duke University School of Medicine. He is originally from California and earned his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine, in 2022. Currently, Joshua is a member of the Strategic Engagement Committee and serves on the Davison Council, where he oversees the management of library and academic resources. He is passionate about patient advocacy in medicine and the delivery of compassionate care. His commitment to fostering academic growth and resource accessibility highlights his passion for medicine and student advocacy.
Sunag Udupa (he/his)
Bio: Sunag is a 4th year MD/PhD student doing his PhD in Biochemistry. He is a Minnesota native and graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2021 with a double major in Chemical Engineering and Molecular Biology. In addition to his role as a senator representing the Non-Clinical School of Medicine, Sunag also serves as the vice-president of the Biomedical Graduate Student Council and as one of the co-presidents of the South Asian Medical Students Association (SAMoSA). Last academic year, Sunag served on the GPSG Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. In his free time, Sunag enjoys playing pickleball, art, reading, and is a huge Food Network fan.
Ammara Aqeel (she/her)
Bio: Ammara is a 5th year Ph.D. Candidate in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology from Pubjab, Pakistan. She graduated with a B.S. in Biology and a Certificate in Science and Society from Duke University and worked as a Research Associate for one year before coming back for her Ph.D. As a member of the David Lab, Ammara studies the interactions between nutrition, health, and the gut microbiome. Her research focuses on novel genomic methods of dietary assessment to elucidate dietary patterns of health and malnutrition in resource-limited contexts. Ammara also serves as Co-President of the Duke Advanced Degree Consulting Club, has completed a two-year fellowship at the Duke Office for Translation and Commercialization and has obtained a Certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship from Fuqua. She is passionate about supporting her peers towards success and creating an enriching, and inclusive environment for students at Duke. Outside the lab, she enjoys all things nature and art, particularly long, autumn walks and drawing henna. She also loves chatting with friends and family over strong Pakistani tea!
Grace Pulliam (she/her)
Bio: Grace Pulliam is a first-year in Duke’s Physician Assistant (PA) program and serves as the Graduate and Professional Student Government representative for the PA program’s Eugene A. Stead Society. Grace graduated from the University of Virginia with a double major in Global Public Health and Biology. After undergrad, Grace spent a year working in Washington D.C. with the Washington AIDS Partnership, an AmeriCorps program focused on preventative and maintenance care for those affected by HIV/AIDS. She is passionate about social determinants of health and working with underserved populations and plans to work in primary care after graduation from PA school.
Trinity College
Kasturi Chatterjee (she/they)
Bio: Kasturi Chatterjee is a graduate student and teaching fellow at the Carolina-Duke graduate program in German Studies. At the program, their focus is on Black German Studies, Gender and Sexuality studies, Art history and colonial histories of Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. As such, in their work on media and cultural studies, Kasturi strives to keep in sharp focus a critique of academic coloniality that persists today in and due to entanglements with philosophical conundrums as they present themselves in so-called aporias of the Euroamerican post-enlightenment modernity. They are a Bengali South Asian from India and enjoy biking, painting and cooking in their free time.
School of Nursing
Marissa Magnetti (she/her)
Bio: Marissa Magnetti, M.P.A. Marissa is a second semester A.B.S.N. student at the Duke School of Nursing (DUSON), where she is also Vice President of the Student Council. Prior to joining DUSON in Fall 2024, Marissa had a successful career in patient advocacy, public affairs and healthcare communications. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Richmond, Richmond, VA and earned her Master of Public Administration from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. She lives in Burlington, NC, with her husband and fur babies. While in school, she is a part-time independent consultant and passionate Alamance County Guardian ad Litem volunteer.
Jessica Loring (she/her)
Bio: Jessica is currently in her final semester as a Doctor of Nursing Practice student in Informatics at Duke University, where she also earned her Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on informatics. With 16 years of nursing experience, Jessica has built a strong foundation in healthcare, specializing in public health and infection prevention. Her work reflects a deep commitment to improving patient outcomes and utilizing technology to enhance healthcare delivery. Outside of nursing, Jessica is passionate about sharing her love of movement as a dance teacher. She enjoys spending time with her dog and cat in her home in Virginia Beach, where she also indulges in her love of karaoke.
Pratt School of Engineering
Ilana Segal (she/her)
Bio: Ilana Segal is a Masters of Mechanical Engineering student in the Pratt School of Engineering! As a member of Duke's 4+1 program, she graduated with her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering this past May and will graduate again this upcoming May 2025 with her Master's degree. In her free time, Ilana sings in Lady Blue, one of Duke's all-female acapella groups, and works in the costume shop designing costumes for the play. After graduation she will return to her job at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory where she does modeling and simulation of military weapon systems.
Suyash Sanjay Khemnar (he/his)
Bio: Suyash is a Master of Engineering Management student at Pratt School of Engineering, with a bachelor’s in civil engineering from India. With experience managing large construction projects and a commitment to sustainable practices, he is dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and contributing to GPSG. As a trustee of a school he co-founded in India, Suyash is passionate about expanding educational opportunities and resources for students. Outside of academics, he enjoys maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular workouts and hiking. He loves to travel, meet new people, and hear their life stories. He strongly believes that “Everything happens for a reason and is ultimately for your greater good.”
Haiwei Du (he/his)
Bio: I’m Haiwei Du. I’m honored to serve as a senator for GPSG representing the Pratt School of Engineering. I previously served as a combat medic in the Singapore Armed Forces and earned my bachelor’s degree in computer science in Beijing, China. Witnessing the rapid advancements in AI and technological innovation, I chose to pursue a master’s in machine learning at Duke University. In my free time, I enjoy playing badminton, pickleball, and golf. I am also a gamer 🙂 and have a high-performance PC for training my own large language models and AI-generated art. I look forward to bringing unique value to GPSG.
Cameron Reid (she/her)
Bio: Cameron Reid is a first-year M.S. student in Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science (MEMS) in the Pratt School of Engineering, where she focuses in autonomous intelligent systems and medical robotics. Cameron graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2023 with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, where she participated in several leadership positions that led to her interest in engineering education and robotic systems. Her most relevant professional experiences include roles at Tanner Medical Center, where she worked in maintenance and clinical optimization, and at Johnson & Johnson, where she focused on international project management and process improvement. Currently, she is involved with research in Duke’s SEAL Lab, where she works on developing machine learning and computer vision algorithms to enhance surgical skill assessment. Outside of her professional and academic interests, Cameron enjoys outdoor recreation, video games, and reading novels. After graduation from her Masters program, she plans to matriculate into a PhD program focusing in robotic surgery.
