Anvitha Jalagam, a third-year Political Science major at George Washington University, is pursuing minors in Business and Law & Society. With aspirations of attending law school and specializing in Corporate Law, Anvitha brings a unique perspective to her role as a peer ambassador for the CUFR.

An avid traveler, Anvitha has explored every continent except Antarctica, broadening her global perspective. Her enthusiasm for the role is evident in her eagerness to contribute her skills and knowledge to enhance this valuable university resource. Her goal is to increase awareness of CUFR's services and inspire more students to engage in research and pursue prestigious awards. 

Abby Ladau is a senior in CCAS, studying Chemistry with an emphasis on Forensic Chemistry. She was accepted into the 5 year BS/MFS in Forensic Chemistry program at GW and plans to attend medical school after graduation. Her career goals include working in Toxicology and Forensic Pathology. Her internship experience includes working as an autopsy assistant at the EL Paso County Coroner’s Office and in the Crime Scene division at the DC Department of Forensic Sciences. Additionally, Abby has been conducting research with Dr. Vlad Sadtchenko, Associate Professor of Chemistry, for two years. Her research focuses on the structural and molecular dynamics of ultrathin glassy films using Fast Scanning Calorimetry instrumentation. She was awarded the Madeleine Reines Jacobs Scholarship to conduct summer research in 2023 and is the second author of an article published in the Journal of Chemical Physics. As a CUFR Peer Ambassador, Abby welcomes any questions about research and fellowship experience, with the hope that many students in the GW community can participate in these opportunities. A fun fact about Abby is that in high school, she played clarinet with an orchestra in nine European countries.

Josh Lipman is a first-year student at George Washington, originally from New Jersey, studying Political Science with a Public Policy focus, and pursuing minors in International Affairs and Sustainability. As a high schooler, Josh conducted research into Generation Z’s impact on politics in New Jersey, which he presented at CCAS’s research showcase. In addition, he participated in the research competition National History Day, where he qualified for the state and national competitions. His 2022 entry about the 1977 Section 504 Sit-In was displayed in a collection at the Smithsonian American History Museum. Josh has also participated in multiple research internships, from public policy to bankruptcy law. At GW, Josh is an Associate Editor and Production Team member for The Globe, GW’s undergraduate international affairs research journal. As a peer ambassador, Josh looks forward to helping students get involved in research and fellowships, especially ones from disciplines that are underrepresented in research.
 

Meghan Malone is a senior currently studying Biology and Marketing and will be working as the Marketing and Communications Peer Ambassador at CUFR. As a junior, she worked in the Gedan lab on campus, where they study how climate change affects the coastal marine ecology of dynamic tidal wetlands. This past summer, she worked at a pharmaceutical company called Sanofi, where she did research and development as an Assay Development Intern. Here, she studied flu automation as well as worked in the lab and maintained cell cultures to support clinical testing. As someone who has gone through the process of getting research experience at GW, she understands how jarring it can be. As the marketing and communications peer ambassador, she hopes to make CUFR resources known and available to all undergraduate students looking for opportunities. She hopes to make the process easier for those who have not had previous research experience. A fun fact about her is that she has her scuba diving license.

Ilana Stern is a senior from Seattle, WA, majoring in physics with a minor in sustainability. She first became involved in academic research during her sophomore year, studying the applications and modeling of quantum mechanics. In 2023, she began researching machine learning and data privacy for biomedical applications, which she plans to pursue as her senior capstone project. This summer, she interned at the University of Washington's Applied Physics Laboratory as a Hydrodynamic Modeling Intern, creating a Python program tracking the location of underwater drones. Outside of work and school, she loves to hang out with friends, ski, travel, and read. This will be her second semester as a CUFR peer ambassador, and she is excited to help students explore how to get involved in research and fellowships!