CONNECT Mentors
Each first year student is assigned a Gemstone CONNECT mentor to help ease the transition to the University of Maryland and the Gemstone Program. Your CONNECT mentor will be in communication with you throughout the summer and fall semester and provide valuable information regarding the Gemstone Program. Based on your academic, extracurricular, or research interests, you have the option to preference a mentor who may have similar interests to you!
If you have any questions about Gemstone CONNECT please email gemstoneconnect@gmail.com.
Meet the Spring 2016 Mentors
Meet Anu Challa! Anu is a senior computer engineering major on Team TESLA. Anu is involved in the University Senate and Club Tennis. When asked for a fun fact about herself, Anu says, “I took off last semester to intern with Facebook!"
Meet Surya Chappa! Surya is a junior neurobiology and physiology major on Team STRIDE. Surya is involved in Mayuri Board Logistics and also serves as a doctor’s shadow. When asked for a fun fact about himself, Surya says, “I like photography and watching movies!"
Meet Paige Chan! Paige is a junior bioengineering major and with a minor in statistics on Team MTB. Paige is involved in the Biomedical Engineering Society and also serves as a Community Assistant for Resident Life.
Meet Brandon Green! Brandon is a junior mechanical engineering major with a minor in computer science on Team NATURE. Brandon is involved in intramural sports, lab work on campus, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). When asked for a fun fact about himself, Brandon says, “I like to play soccer, run, and read!”
Meet Anna Harrison! Anna is a sophomore physiology and neurology major with a minor in meteorology on Team BACTERIA. Anna is involved in Primannum Honor Society, Pre-Med Society, and also serves as a HighRiser Host. When asked for a fun fact about herself, Anna says, “I shadowed a brain surgeon and witnessed brain surgery!”
Meet Irene Jones! Irene is a junior mechanical engineering major on Team VESSEL. Irene is involved in CHAARG. When asked for a fun fact about herself, Irene says, “I have a dog at school!”
Meet Moli Karsalia! Moli is a junior neurobiology and physiology major with a minor in global poverty on Team VESSEL. Moli is involved in Food Recovery Network. She also serves as a UMD Health Center Volunteer, Prince George’s Hospital Volunteer, and Innoworks Curriculum Chair. When asked for a fun fact about herself, Moli says, “I want to volunteer in South Africa with Big Cats!”
Meet Chris Kim! Chris is a junior biochemistry major on Team MTB. Chris is involved in intramural soccer. He also serves as a hospital volunteer and Sunday School teacher at St. Andrew Kim Catholic Church. When asked for a fun fact about himself, Chris says, “_____!”
Meet Eric Lai! Eric is a sophomore neurophysiology major on Team BLOOD. Eric is involved in Korean Campus Ministries and Phi Delta Epsilon Pre-Med Fraternity. He also enjoys weight lifting, tennis, and musical performance. When asked for a fun fact about himself, Eric says, “I’m a certified personal trainer, so you can also ask me about fitness advice!”
Meet Megan Le! Megan is a sophomore chemical and biomolecular engineering major on Team BACTERIA. Megan enjoys playing volleyball, playing tennis, doing yoga, reading, and crocheting. When asked for a fun fact about herself, Megan says, “I can solve a Rubik’s cube!”
Meet Faith Lee! Faith is a sophomore psychology major with a minor in communications on Team GOLD. Faith is involved in Korean Campus Ministry and Primannum Honor Society. When asked for a fun fact about herself, Faith says, “I like to cook!”
Meet Jesse Lynch! Jesse is a junior mechanical engineering major on Team MagNET. Jesse is involved in American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Gems Camp Planning Committee, and also serves as a TF for ENME350. He enjoys playing baseball and the french horn. When asked for a fun fact about himself, Jesse says, “I broke my face!”
Meet Sherin Menachery! Sherin is a junior neurobiology and physiology major with a creative writing minor on Team VESSEL. Sherin is involved in CARing Kids and UMD Noyce Tutoring. When asked for a fun fact about herself, Sherin says, “I can play the piano!”
Meet Tori Queeney! Tori is a junior environmental science and technology and English double major on Team CATTAILS. Tori is involved in Ultimate Frisbee and the UMD Soil Judging Team. She also serves as a GEMS100 SL. When asked for a fun fact about herself, Tori says, “I have a pet snake named Nagini!”
Meet Hannah Russell! Hannah is a junior chemistry and environmental science and technology double major on Team NATURE. Hannah serves as a swim instructor at Eppley and is also on the SGA Student Sustainability Committee. When asked for a fun fact about herself, Hannah says, “In my sophomore year, I studied abroad in Australia!”
Meet Jill Smith! Jill is a sophomore civil engineering major with a minor in sustainability on Team BREATHE. Jill is involved in Saturday Philharmonia, American Society of Civil Engineers, and also serves on the Women in Engineering Student Advisory Board. When asked for a fun fact about herself, Jill says, “I have been to 45 states!”
Meet Kayla Sukri! Kayla is a sophomore finance and information systems double major on Team MATRIX. Kayla is involved in the Help Center and also serves as a mentor at the Smith Leadership Institute (SLI). When asked for a fun fact about herself, Kayla says, “My fingers are double jointed!”
Meet Jaclyn Taylor! Jackie is a sophomore civil engineering/sustainability studies and international engineering double major on Team BREATHE. Jaclyn is involved in Engineers Without Borders and Girls Excelling in Math & Science (GEMS). When asked for a fun fact about herself, Jaclyn says, “I’m a test tube baby!”
Meet Radhika Tyagi! Radhika is a sophomore neurobiology and English double major on Team BACTERIA. Radhika is involved in the Jiménez-Porter Writers’ House, Primannum Honor Society, Stylus Literary Magazine, Asian American Literature Club, and also serves as an Honors Ambassador. When asked for a fun fact about herself, Radhika says, “I’m a morning person!”
Meet Joy Wang! Joy is a sophomore pre-dental civil engineering major on Team BioCHIPS. Joy is involved in Taiwanese American Student Association and Asian American Student Union. When asked for a fun fact about herself, Joy says, “I have TERRIBLE luck with textbooks!”
Meet Jessica Yau! Jessica is a sophomore bioengineering major on Team BioCHIPS. Jessica is involved in Flexus, research on campus, Pre-med society, and also serves as an Honors Ambassador. When asked for a fun fact about herself, Jessica says, “I have a pet German Sherpard!”
