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
Jacob Ellis
Bio: Jacob Ellis is a Master of Public Policy student at Sanford School of Public Policy and serves as the Speaker of the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG) Senate. He is passionate about public policy, economic development, education, transportation, and strengthening connections between universities and their surrounding communities. Before coming to Duke, Jacob graduated from the University of Richmond, where he studied Politics, Philosophy, Economics, and Law and Leadership Studies, and was a Division 1 Cross Country and Track athlete. His previous experience includes internships in the Virginia Governor's Office, Virginia Attorney General’s Office, the Virginia House of Delegates, state government consulting, and economic policy organizations. He has worked on issues ranging from workforce development and education policy to transportation and economic growth. As Speaker, Jacob hopes to foster an engaged, collaborative Senate that effectively represents graduate and professional students across Duke’s schools while strengthening GPSG’s connections with the broader Duke and Durham communities. 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
Christian Hansen
Bio: Christian Hansen is a Master of Arts in Economics student at Duke University. He is interested in the economic factors shaping business and public policy. Before Duke, Christian earned a B.S. in International Business at Copenhagen Business School, specializing in economics, finance, and cross-border commerce. His experience includes macroeconomic research at Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt, where he contributed to projects on aviation, data centers, pensions, and infrastructure, as well as economic research at Copenhagen Business School. At CBS, Christian served on the Quality Board and represented student perspectives on academic quality and university development. He is trilingual in German, Danish, and English.
Dennis Tang
Bio: Dennis is a Computer Science PhD Student from Portland, Oregon. His research is focused on interpretable machine learning which seeks to make AI more transparent to users. He completed his undergrad at Duke, and enjoys reading about social psychology outside of work.
Amelia Gay
Bio: Amelia Gay is a first-year M.A. student in Digital Art History and Computational Media at Duke University’s Trinity College of Arts and Sciences. Her academic interests lie at the intersection of visual and media studies, U.S. political and social history, and the digital humanities, with a particular interest in how digital and visual media shape our understanding of the past. Originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina, Amelia graduated from the University of South Carolina in May 2026 with dual bachelor’s degrees in History and Journalism and a certificate in Strategic Thinking and Communications. Through GPSG, she hopes to help make graduate student government more accessible and transparent while building stronger connections across Duke’s graduate and professional student community.
Suki Li
Bio: I am Suki, a first year graduate student studying MA in Digital Art History and Computational Media. My academic interest lies in the cross section of humanities and computer vision. For undergraduate degree, I studied at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, UK. I was born and raised in Beijing, China. In my spare time, I enjoy travelling, reading and playing tennis. As a GPSG senator, I hope to foster a more cohesive graduate community, and in particular advocate for international students navigating complex visa policies and cultural adjustments.
Lorraine Oloo
Bio: Lorraine Oloo is a first-year Master’s in Economics candidate and a senator in Duke University’s Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG). Before coming to Duke, Lorraine worked in economic and litigation consulting for three years. She earned her BA in Economics and Statistics from Amherst College in 2023. Outside of her academic interests, Lorraine enjoys reading and spending time outdoors.
Victor Moncada
Bio: Victor is third-year PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry. His research involves the study of protein folding stability and measuring changes in this folding behavior to deduce drug binding activity. Through this work, novel therapeutics for diseases ranging from cancers to malaria can be identified and optimized to hit the right cellular target.
Prior to enrolling at Duke, Victor earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at the University of Florida. After graduation, he joined the Venus Life Finder Mission team, the first privately-funded mission to another planet. His work here focused on elucidating the chemistry of sulfuric acid, the main component of the Venusian atmosphere that can fuse simple compounds into large, carbon-rich molecules — the building blocks of life.
Outside of research, Victor enjoys spending time with his dog named Randy, playing the piano, and watching Florida Gator athletics.
Fuqua School of Business
Diya Patel
Bio: Diya Patel is a Master of Management Studies student at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Originally from New Jersey, she earned her B.S. in Integrative Science from Penn State in two and a half years. Guided by a longstanding commitment to serving others, Diya initially saw medicine as the clearest path to making a difference, a passion she pursued through experiences including serving with her local EMS squad. Over time, her perspective evolved as she recognized new avenues for making a difference, drawing her toward the financial and strategic decisions that shape healthcare. At Fuqua, she is exploring the intersection of healthcare, finance, and strategy while carrying forward the same purpose that first drew her to medicine. Outside of academics, Diya enjoys working out, traveling, and hiking.
Matt Kraus
Bio: Matt Kraus is an MBA candidate in the Weekend Executive program at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. He currently works at Compass International Holdings, where he focuses on program strategy, performance, and growth within the real estate industry. Matt earned his bachelor’s degree in Real Estate and Urban Sustainability from New York University, where he served as President of the Real Estate Club and was selected as the student commencement speaker. Originally from New Jersey, Matt recently moved to Durham with his wife, Daisy, and their dog, Carter. A lifelong Duke basketball fan, Matt grew up dreaming of attending Duke and is grateful to now call both Duke and Durham home.
Cienna Romahn
Bio: Cienna Romahn is a member of Duke’s Master in Business, Climate and Sustainability program, the first program jointly offered by the Fuqua School of Business and Nicholas School of the Environment. She earned her BA in Environmental Studies from UNC Chapel Hill and brings a background spanning sustainability, growth marketing, operations, and the food and consumer goods industries. Before Duke, Cienna worked with early-stage companies focused on reimagining the food system, gaining experience at the intersection of business, sustainability, and innovation. She is especially interested in how business can be a force for meaningful environmental progress and is excited to bring the perspective of MBCS’s inaugural class to the broader Duke community.
Brittany Gray
Bio: Brittany Gray is a first-year MBA student at the Fuqua School of Business, where she serves as an Admissions Representative Coordinator (ARC). She is a graduate of Spelman College, where she held several student leadership roles, including Secretary of Business & Finance for the Student Government Association and a member of the Presidential Transition Committee. Brittany is passionate about enhancing graduate and professional students’ access to resources and increasing awareness of the opportunities available across Duke’s campus. Outside of school, she enjoys exploring restaurants throughout the Durham area and crafting centerpieces for events.
Jasmine Macklin
Bio: Jasmine Macklin is a Chicago native and an MBA candidate at Fuqua, Class of 2027, who first found her footing at Hampton University. Much like her namesake flower, Jasmine is truly multifaceted, someone who moves fluidly between boardrooms and karaoke nights, between spreadsheets and a set of knitting needles. Her passion lies at the intersection of health equity and social advocacy, causes she carries into every room she enters, including the Senate floor. Outside of her studies, she crochets, paints, and throws ceramics, always making something with her hands. She is excited to serve for the second year as a Fuqua senator and to bring her full, layered self to advocating for her fellow students.
Marc Chu
Bio: Marc Chu is a Master of Quantitative Management student at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, where he is on the finance track and represents MQM in the GPSG Senate. He grew up in China, Switzerland, and the United States. Before Fuqua, he studied political science as an undergraduate and co-founded a student pop-up bar on campus.
School of Law
Rachel Lloyd
Bio: Rachel Lloyd is a Master of Laws student at Duke Law School. Before Duke, Rachel graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Russian. She then received her Bachelor of Laws from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, where she studied German, Russian law and public international law. Her academic interests include national security law, states' right of self-defense and U.S.-Russia relations. Outside of her academic work, Rachel maintains an active lifestyle and enjoys bouldering, weight-lifting and trying out new sports. She also enjoys connecting with others and learning about and from their perspectives.
Sabrina Abreu
Bio: Sabrina Abreu is a second-year JD/LL.M. student in International & Comparative Law at Duke Law School and a Law School Senator in GPSG. As a first-generation Dominican American, Sabrina’s interests in law, public service, and community engagement are informed by her background. She earned her B.A. and M.A. in Political Science from Boston University, where her academic interests centered on comparative politics, governance, and Latin America. Before law school, she completed a social impact fellowship at an early education nonprofit in New York City, working in direct service and advocacy. Her involvement at Duke Law spans student leadership, pro bono service, and legal research, including work with LALSA, First Generation Professionals, the Human Rights Pro Bono Project, and Duke Law faculty.
Divinity School
Henry
Bio: Henry is a 2nd year student in the Master of Divinity program. He comes to Duke as a postulant on track toward ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. He is passionate about living in relationship with God, new courageous action emerging from healing, justice-seeking as an expression of deep desire, and cultivating experiences of the sacred across religious and social differences. He loves social dancing, particularly salsa, playing racquet sports, and eating good food.Samuel Cimbora
Bio: Samuel Cimbora graduated from George Fox University in 2025 with a B.S. in biochemistry and a minor in philosophy. Passionate about medical ethics, he moved to Duke Divinity School to explore how modern medicine can benefit from a theological vision. Now a Second Year Fellow of the Theology, Medicine, and Culture Initiative, he aspires to become a physician who brings a healing presence to patients. In the past year, Samuel has served on the Divinity Student Council, where he was a First Year Representative for his cohort. As an incoming GPSG Senator, he hopes to advocate for his fellow graduate students and promote the flourishing of the broader Duke and Durham communities.
Nicholas School of the Environment
Ishaan Singh Sarna
Bio: Ishaan Sarna is a first-year Master of Environmental Management (MEM) student concentrating in Energy & Environment and Environmental Analytics & Modeling at the Nicholas School. Prior to Duke, he graduated with dual degrees in Applied Economics and Psychology with a minor in IT from UMass Amherst. Ishaan also brings two years of undergraduate student government experience, where he spearheaded student outreach and advocacy initiatives to strengthen student engagement and representation. Ishaan is passionate about addressing energy poverty and advancing an equitable energy transition through his work. In his free time, he loves to cook, take long walks, watch reality TV shows, and explore new cafes and restaurants around Durham.
Sanford School of Public Policy
Maxwell Nelson
Bio: Max is a dual-degree MPP/MBA student at Duke Sanford and UNC Kenan-Flagler who considers himself Floridian by birth and North Carolinian by choice. Max brings five years of social impact consulting experience from the Monitor Institute by Deloitte, where he partnered with large institutional philanthropies and small community nonprofits to leverage data, technology, and evaluation to help people escape poverty. A former Rotary Youth Exchange student in Chile and AmeriCorps volunteer in Mississippi, he graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in supply chain and business analytics, alongside minors in Spanish, French, and data science. Through his dual degree, Max is eager to combine his multilingual background and analytical training to focus on community development, affordable housing, and land-use policy across the American South. Outside of work and school, Max is a certified whitewater raft guide, a competitive trivia player, and an obsessive coffee enthusiast in search of the best cortado in both Durham and Chapel Hill.
School of Medicine, Non-Clinical
Lindsay Bolino
Bio: Lindsay Bolino is a third-year PhD student in the Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology at Duke. She is a member of the Chidley Lab, where she studies how nutrient availability in the tumor microenvironment shapes cancer growth. She has previously served as a GPSG Senator representing the School of Medicine (Non-Clinical) in 2025-2026. Outside her thesis work and GPSG, Lindsay is involved in the Biomedical Graduate Student Council and the Duke Club Figure Skating.
Jada Freeman
Bio: Jada Freeman is a first-year Masters student in the Masters of Biomedical Sciences Program. Jada graduated recently from Seton Hill University in 2026 with a B.S in Health Sciences on a Pre-Medicine Track. She is passionate about healthcare equity and working for a healthcare system that is committed to advocating for their patients and serving patients with high quality care. Outside of her academic life, Jada enjoys working out, running, and hanging out with friends. After graduation from her Master’s Program, she plans to apply for Medical School and find more research opportunities.
Saya Zeleznik
Bio: Saya Zeleznik is a first-year Master of Biostatistics student in the School of Medicine. Before coming to Duke, she studied mathematical biology and ecology while building communities through student organizations, research, and the arts. She is particularly interested in the ways data, collaboration, and community can be used to make institutions more representative of the people they serve. Through GPSG, Saya hopes to help make graduate and professional student life feel more connected, accessible, and collaborative across Duke. Outside of school, she can usually be found playing violin, making art, or looking for an excuse to be outdoors.
Leah Wood
Bio: Leah Wood is a Master of Biostatistics student in the Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Department in the Duke University School of Medicine. She holds a passion for applying statistics and data analysis for the creation of actionable insights in the realm of human health. Her applied interests include women’s health, clinical trials, and health disparities seen in prominent, modern health issues. Before coming to Duke, Leah studied at the University of South Carolina where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Health Promotion, Education and Behavior. Outside of work, she enjoys backpacking, rock climbing, and baking.
School of Medicine, Clinical
Genna Bickford
Bio: Genna is a second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student in the Duke School of Medicine. She is originally from Richmond, Virginia and graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2025 with a Bachelors in Exercise Science. In addition to her role as a senator, Genna serves on the Executive Board for Medicine in Motion and on the APTA NC Inclusive Excellence Committee. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys staying active, exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, doing puzzles, and traveling.
Zoe Lusk
Bio: Zoe Lusk is a third-year medical student at Duke University School of Medicine. She graduated from Duke University, where she was a member of the varsity Swimming & Diving team, and spent two years working in research prior to matriculating at Duke Medical School. Outside of the classroom, Zoe is passionate about medical education, mentorship, and building community among graduate and professional students. She is actively involved in Davison Council and medical education at Duke, including serving as an anatomy and clinical skills instructor. In her free time, Zoe enjoys swimming, running, reading, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with friends throughout the Triangle.
McKenzie Pile
Bio: McKenzie Pile is a 4th year medical student at Duke, and her professional interests include primary care, community health and advocacy, and medical education. Now in her second year as a GPSG senator, she’s excited to keep amplifying student voices and collaborating with fellow students to advance initiatives that benefit the graduate community.
Emily Stuart
Bio: Emily Stuart is a third-year student in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program and will be graduating in 2027. Within the world of occupational therapy, her interests include dementia care and neurorehabilitation. She is passionate about creating inclusive spaces for people of all abilities and finding ways to make GPSG more accessible to students. This is Emily’s second year serving as a senator. During her first year, she was part of the Community Pantry committee and worked on resolutions to support efforts of the pantry. Outside of school, she is interested in hiking, baking, and dog training.
Harshith Rajasekaran
Bio: I’m Harsh, and I’m honored to serve as a senator for GPSG to represent Duke’s Physician Assistant Program! The role of the physician assistant originated here at Duke, and I am excited to bring my experiences to further the legacy of DPAP. I’m a California native born and raised in the Bay Area, but have worked in various clinical settings which has brought me a vast understanding of the diverse populations of America that are in need of quality healthcare. I love to stay athletic to play the many sports I love, and I stay connected with others through my ever-changing set of hobbies. I look forward to being a voice in the GPSG senate and to bring students a better experience!
Brenna Turner
Bio: Hi, my name is Brenna! I’m a second-year Pathologists’ Assistant student in the Duke School of Medicine. I graduated from the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health with a B.S. in Health Promotion in 2024. I chose pathology as a field out of a love for anatomy, disease processes, visual analysis, and hands-on work. In my free time you can find me weightlifting, junk journaling, and consuming any kind of zombie media.
School of Nursing
Kethia Pierre
Bio: Kethia Pierre is a Master of Nursing student at Duke University School of Nursing and currently serves as the cohort representative for her nursing cohort. With a professional background in social work, mental health, and community advocacy, she is passionate about promoting student engagement, equity, and access to supportive resources. Kethia brings experience working with diverse populations and values collaboration, inclusion, and meaningful community building. Her professional interests include mental health, healthcare advocacy, and improving outcomes for underserved communities. She is committed to using her leadership, clinical experience, and advocacy skills to support her peers and contribute positively to the Duke community.
Kristin Mills
Bio: Kristin Mills is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student at Duke University School of Nursing pursuing the Nurse Innovator and Entrepreneur specialty. She earned her MSN at Duke and is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a background in pediatric cardiac nursing. Kristin is passionate about improving healthcare access for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and exploring creative approaches to inclusive care. Through GPSG, she looks forward to representing nursing students, strengthening connections across Duke’s graduate and professional programs, and advocating for student well-being. Outside of nursing, she enjoys staying active and spending time with family and friends.
Brenda Kozak
Bio: Brenda Kozak is a Doctor of Nursing Practice–prepared registered nurse, Certified Nurse Educator, and clinical faculty member at Duke University School of Nursing. With more than 25 years of healthcare experience, she has worked across nursing practice, clinical education, curriculum development, and healthcare workforce development. She currently supports master’s students through clinical instruction, coaching, and competency evaluation. Brenda is also completing Duke’s Post-Master’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program. As a senator on the Graduate and Professional Student Government Council, she is committed to advocating for graduate students, strengthening communication, and fostering an inclusive, supportive academic community at Duke.
Pratt School of Engineering
Han Zhang
Bio: Han Zhang is a Pratt MEMS Ph.D. candidate with a research focus in artificial intelligence for nanotechnology. Before Duke, he held senior R&D roles at Neuralink, Celldom, and Atomic Machines and conducted research in private and public institutions in Canada, Germany, and Singapore. These experiences guide his policy support for aligning GPSG resources with graduate education and career outcomes. At Duke, Han has served three years on EGSC and the Pratt PhD+ Board, founded Duke RACCOONS to reduce food waste, and leads Liberata, Duke’s largest Bass Connections project, demonstrating pragmatic and effective approaches to problem solving and coalition building.
Ali Alqatari
Bio: Ali Alqatari is a second-year M.S. student in Electrical and Computer Engineering under the semiconductor technology track at Duke. Within Pratt, he contributes to wireless and tethered neural interfaces research as a CMOS ASIC designer and serves as a teaching assistant for CMOS VLSI design. As a GSPG senator, his priorities include bridging communication between Pratt and the broader graduate body, expanding career pipelines to high-tech industries, and improving campus-wide resources for professional growth. In his free time, Ali enjoys calisthenics, cooking new recipes, and exploring the outdoors.
Hayden Pozzi
Bio: Hi, I’m Hayden. I serve and represent the Duke’s Pratt Engineering graduate students. My background as a student in the Cybersecurity Engineering Master’s program informs my approach to serving: cybersecurity professionals work behind the scenes to ensure we can use the internet without worrying about cyberattacks. Likewise, as a representative, it is my responsibility to enable students to thrive at Duke by supporting their needs, amplifying their concerns, and working to make sure they have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Much of my work may be behind the scenes, but I’m always happy to listen if you have any questions or concerns!
Esha Pattan
Bio: My name is Esha and I’m a first-year Biomedical Engineering MEng student at Duke University in the Pratt School of Engineering. I’m interested in the medical device industry and have worked with cardiac rhythm management devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators during the past two summers. As AI and machine learning continue to advance within the medical device space, I decided to pursue a concentration in Biomedical Data Science as part of my degree. Outside of academics, I love playing tennis; I played all throughout middle and high school. I also love art. I’ve been drawing for most of my life and recently started painting as well.
Abhilash Ankola
Bio: Abhilash Ankola is a Master of Engineering Management (MEM) student at Duke University and a Senator in the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG). Originally from India, Abhilash has always enjoyed meeting people from different backgrounds and bringing people together. Before coming to Duke, he worked at Goldman Sachs, where he learned the value of collaboration, listening, and turning ideas into action. At Duke, he hopes to use those experiences to make the graduate community more connected and inclusive. As a Senator, Abhilash wants to be someone students can approach, share ideas with, and count on to represent their voices.
