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Welcome to the 2025 Incoming MD-PhD Students

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WELCOME to the NEW MD-PhD STUDENTS!

We have a bumper crop of 20 new students joining the program in a couple short weeks, with FIVE students already here on campus doing early rotations and START (*). Here are some fun facts about them:

Katharine Barrett
Undergraduate Institution:
Bowdoin College
Undergraduate Major(s):
Biochemistry; Hispanic Studies
Fun Fact:
I love to travel and have traveled to 6 countries in 2025!

Blaine Eldred
Undergraduate Institution: University of California-Los Angeles
Undergraduate Major(s):
Neuroscience
Fun Fact:
When I’m not in the lab or studying, you’ll probably find me hanging off a cliff, riding my motorcycle along the coast line, or planning my next backpacking, snowboarding, SCUBA diving, or flyfishing trip.

Katie Gross*
Undergraduate Institution: Clark University
Undergraduate Major(s):
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; History
Fun Fact:
I have an identical twin sister who is currently pursuing her PhD in materials engineering at BU. Growing up on a farm north of San Francisco, we shared everything—from doing chores together to playing the same sports with matching haircuts. We also loved playing tricks on people; in elementary school, we would sneak into the bathroom during recess to switch clothes and attend each other’s classes—most of our teachers never caught on!

Maddie Jewell
Undergraduate Institution: University of Chicago
Undergraduate Major(s):
Neuroscience
Fun Fact:
I love sailing, skiing, hiking, camping, and anything else that allows me to spend time outside! I’m excited to develop a sophisticated palate for "Apizza" as a newcomer to New Haven.

Incoming MD-PhD students

Greta Kanestrom
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington-Bothell Branch
Undergraduate Major(s):
Biology
Fun Fact:
I’m a metal head and I collect purses

Stuti Khandwala*
Undergraduate Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Undergraduate Major(s):
Biological Engineering; Computer Science and Engineering
Fun Fact:
My parents' and grandparents' marriage anniversaries and my birthday all fall on the same date as a 7.7 Richter earthquake (that shook my home state hours before I was born) and the Republic Day of India (a national holiday)!

Allie Lee*
Undergraduate Institution: Stanford University
Undergraduate Major(s):
Biology
Fun Fact:
Despite attempting and failing to play many instruments as a kid (thanks for trying Mom) I am an avid enjoyer of live music! I went to 19 concerts and 5 music festivals during my senior year of college :) Pictured is me and my friend Emma at Bottlerock in Napa, CA, in May.

Michelle Mantilla
Undergraduate Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Undergraduate Major(s):
Chemical-Biological Engineering
Fun Fact:
I love to play futsal, the cello, and knit/crochet!

Arjun Miklos
Undergraduate Institution: Dartmouth College
Undergraduate Major(s): Biology; Mathematics
Fun Fact:
I love to go hiking and explore the outdoors. So far, I’ve visited 24 National Parks and hope to see them all!

Stella Park
Undergraduate Institution: Columbia University in the City of New York
Undergraduate Major(s):
Biomedical Engineering
Fun Fact:
I went on a cross-country bike trip in Korea this July before coming to Yale! I cycled 633 km from Incheon to Busan over seven days, stopping to enjoy local food in each region of my home country. Although I’ve been a boxer and a runner for years, I’d never considered myself a cyclist—so this felt like a major personal milestone. The ride pushed my physical limits, but it also gave me a chance to reconnect with places and people I’d only known as a kid growing up in Seoul. As much as I loved my trip, I’m planning to practice swimming this fall and aim for my first triathlon next year!

Priyamvada Prathima
Undergraduate Institution: Johns Hopkins University
Undergraduate Major(s):
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Fun Fact:
I love cats!! I grew up with 4 - Kitty, Casper, Coco and Munchie.

Christian Ringler*
Undergraduate Institution: University of California-Berkeley
Undergraduate Major(s):
Molecular and Cell Biology
Fun Fact:
Growing up in Kenya with a Swiss father and Creole mother meant my childhood was a blend of cultures. Weekends often turned into lively family gatherings, where we would prepare Raclette or Creole mango fish while listening to Afropop and relatives' stories. My coastal family traditions nurtured my love for the ocean, where I spent mornings and afternoons swimming, or more accurately sitting, in the warm Indian Ocean with my family and pets. When visiting my grandparents in Switzerland, we would go skiing in the Alps or travel the canals into France, stopping to bike through the countryside, where my brother would lift me onto his shoulders to reach and collect ripe damson fruit. When not in the ocean or abroad, I enjoy hiking, engaging in sports, and painting, where one oil painting took me over a year to complete.

Anyara Rodriguez
Undergraduate Institution: University of Pennsylvania
Undergraduate Major(s):
Neuroscience; Political Science
Fun Fact:
I can hold my breath underwater for over a minute thanks to synchronized swimming!

Noam Rotenberg
Undergraduate Institution: Johns Hopkins University
Undergraduate Major(s):
Biomedical Engineering
Fun Fact:
I like cold weather and was voted "most likely to move to Antarctica" by my undergrad biomedical engineering class. I enjoy hiking, running, walking, kayaking, and other outdoor activities. I went to Iceland a year ago, and I hiked on a glacier (attached picture) and in the mountains.

Stephanie Sanjines
Undergraduate Institution: Harvard University
Undergraduate Major(s):
Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology
Fun Fact:
I lived in Barcelona, Spain for the past two years, where I had the opportunity to experience the local Catalan culture and traditions firsthand. During that time, I also traveled to 11 different countries, each journey deepening my appreciation for new cities, cultures, and cuisines. Living abroad has broadened my horizons and sparked a lasting curiosity about the world, leaving me eager to continue traveling and connecting with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Incoming MD-PhD students

Cameron Stockford
Undergraduate Institution: Pitzer College
Undergraduate Major(s):
Neuroscience
Fun Fact:
I love powerlifting! I used to have poor proprioception, but now, after weightlifting, I understand how my body moves and its needs way better than before. I powerlift with multiple of my colleagues in my current lab. Outside of the lab and gym, I enjoy activities outdoors, particularly tennis, as I was a competitive singles player for four years. I also enjoy board and video gaming, escape rooms, and puzzles.

Manu Sundaresan
Undergraduate Institution: University of Chicago
Undergraduate Major(s):
Philosophy and Medical Ethics; Biological Sciences
Fun Fact:
I can't swim.

Kesi Wilson*
Undergraduate Institution: Yale University
Undergraduate Major(s):
Neuroscience (with Distinction)
Fun Fact:
Although I desperately wanted a dog when I was little, I've pretty much had every *other* animal: I had a fish named Kilo for 3 years, I had a hedgehog named Panko (that I got off of the Yale "Free And For-Sale" Facebook page) for 7 years, and currently my family has two cats, Rumi and Milk, both products of the cat distribution system! One day I'll get my dog...

Ahmed Zied
Undergraduate Institution: Iowa State University
Undergraduate Major(s):
Kinesiology
Fun Fact:
My latest obsession is coffee! I got a very nice espresso machine for my birthday last year. I am up to 13 different flavored syrups, I name all the drinks I make, and I have a laminated menu for the drinks. I make matcha lattes as well. Recently, I have been learning latte art.

Morten Lee (M2)
Undergraduate Institution: University of Chicago
Undergraduate Major(s):
Chemistry
Fun Fact:
I love being outside, and spend my free time skiing, running, and playing Ultimate Frisbee. I also enjoy playing the cello and finding new music.

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