Graduate Society of Women Engineers (Grad SWE)

Hannah Spero
President

Hannah is a Ph.D. student in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, advised by Andrew Kennedy and Joannes Westerink. Her research focuses on large-scale fluid flows as they relate to geohazards. Her dissertation encapsulates projects both on landslide-generated tsunamis and storm-driven boulder transport (global and in Ireland). She couples the tools of field work, remote sensing, and numerical modeling. Hannah received her B.S. degree in Geoscience from Boise State University. In her free time, she enjoys climbing mountains, hiking, running, and road biking.

Fatemeh Jafarabadi
Vice-President

Fatemeh is a Ph.D. student in Bioengineering in the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department under the supervision of Maria Holland. Her research focuses on developing innovative multiphase models to study the interplay of cell behaviors and tissue-level mechanics during inflammatory swelling. She received her bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Amirkabir University of Technology. Fatemeh enjoys playing volleyball, reading books, listening to podcasts, and painting in her free time.

Bernice Webber
Secretary

Bernice is a Ph.D. student in the Bioengineering in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, advised by Matthew Webber (no familial relation). Her research focuses on the synthesis and modifications of extended-release insulin molecules and polymeric nanoparticle hydrogels. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from San José State University, California. In her free time, Bernice enjoys arts, hiking, traveling, and spending time on Southern California beaches.

Brenda Cruz Gonzalez
Communications and Marketing Chair

Brenda is a Graduate Student in Bioengineering advised by Donny Hanjaya Putra. Her research interests are focused on Liposome Nanoparticles able to guide stem cells to the kidney to promote regeneration in AKI. She received her bachelor’s degree in Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering from the UDLAP in Puebla, Mexico. In her free time, Brenda enjoys watercolor, basketball matches and making espressos.

Rachel Hamburger
Professional Development Co-Chair

Rachel is a Ph.D. student in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences. Her research aims to build community resilience against natural hazards through quantifying the impact of such extreme events on infrastructure, with a special focus in residential homes. She received her bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University. In her free time, Rachel enjoys painting, spending time with friends, and doing puzzles.

Jeein Kim
Professional Development Co-Chair

Jeein is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, advised by Kyle Doudrick. Her research focuses on the treatment of contaminant, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. She received her M.S. degree in Energy Systems Engineering from Seoul National University in South Korea and her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York. Jeein enjoys journaling, watching movies, traveling, and photography.

Kayla Hollister
Social Co-Chair

Kayla is a Ph.D. student in Earth Sciences, advised by Melissa Berke. Her research focuses on reconstructing the climate history of southeastern Africa throughout the past 2 million years using organic compounds preserved in ocean sediments. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Geological Sciences from the University at Buffalo. When she’s not in the lab, Kayla enjoys hiking through the woods, running, and finding cool venues to watch her favorite bands play.

Ruyuan Wan
Social Co-Chair

Ruyuan Wan is a Ph.D. student in Computer Science and Engineering. She works at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction and Natural Language Processing with a social computing orientation. Her research focuses on how to promote online safety for marginalized populations. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and traveling.