Undergraduate Staff Listing 2022-2023

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About the student
Addy Messerly

Addy Messerly
She/her/hers
Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology
amesserl@purdue.edu

Addy is a senior from Dayton, OH majoring in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology with a minor in Chemistry and Environmental Policy. This is her fourth year in the Undergraduate Women in Science Programs and her first year serving as a leadership team member. In addition to her involvement in WISP, Addy is an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Ximena Bernal’s Behavioral and Sensory Ecology Lab in the Biological Sciences Department and is involved in Purdue Big Brothers Big Sisters. In her spare time, Addy enjoys hiking, collecting plants, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family. After graduating from Purdue, Addy plans to pursue a Master of Science in Ecology.

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Carolina Popoca
She/her/hers
Biology
cpopoca@purdue.edu

Carolina is a senior from Valparaiso, IN, majoring in General Biology and minoring in Psychology. This is her fourth year in WISP and her second year on the WISP leadership team. In addition to WISP, Carolina is an Undergraduate Teaching Intern for BIOL 232, is a College of Science Student Ambassador, and is also involved in Purdue Big Brothers Big Sisters. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, painting, and spending time with friends and family. After graduating, Carolina plans on continuing her education at medical school to help improve the lives and health of other people.

Katie Wilson

Katie Wilson
She/her/hers
Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS)
wils1156@purdue.edu

Katie is a junior from St. Louis, MO studying Applied Mathematics with a minor in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS). This is her third year in the WISP and her first year on the WISP leadership team. Aside from WISP, Katie is also a member of the Boiler Book Club at Purdue. She enjoys crocheting, listening to music, reading, and playing card games in her free time. After graduation, she plans to gain experience in the industry combining her love of math and atmospheric science.

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Kavya Rachapalli
She/her/hers
Computer Science and Data Science
krachapa@purdue.edu

Kavya is senior from Naperville, Illinois, double majoring in Computer Science and Data Science with a minor in Psychology and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. This is her fourth year in WISP, and second year serving as a Leadership Team member. In addition to her involvement in WISP, she is involved in Purdue Club Tennis, Computer Science Women’s Network (CSWN) and has served as a Boiler Gold Rush Team Leader. In her free time, Kavya loves spending time with family and friends, playing tennis, working out, reading, and traveling. After graduation, Kavya plans to either work in the industry or attend graduate school.

Maria Thomas

Maria Thomas
She/her/hers
Computer Science and Data Science
thoma950@purdue.edu

Maria is a junior from Fremont, CA who is majoring in Data Science and Minoring in Computer Science and Business Economics. This is her third year in WISP and first year as a leadership team member, having served as a mentor last year. In addition to WISP, Maria is on the competitive Garba Raas team - Purdue Raas. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. After graduation, Maria hopes to attain a job in the industry.

Salaam Batarseh

Salaam Batarseh
She/her/hers
Biology
sbatars@purdue.edu

Salaam is a senior from Fishers, Indiana studying Biology and Spanish. She has been involved in WISP for four years, serving two years as a mentor and now as a Leadership Team member for the first time. In addition to WISP, she conducts research in Dr. Tim Gavin's laboratory in the Health and Kinesiology department, a teaching intern for Biol 232/242, a Group Leader for Brain Exercise Initiative, and Member Services Manager at the RecWell Center. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, painting, and traveling. Following her time at Purdue, Salaam plans to attend medical school to pursue her dream of being a pediatrician. 

Sofia Lalani

Sofia Lalani
She/her/hers
Actuarial Sciences and Applied Statistics
slalani@purdue.edu

Sofia is a senior from Dallas, Texas majoring in Actuarial Science and Applied Statistics with a minor in Business Management. This is her 4th year in WISP and her first time being a Leadership Team Member. Outside of WISP, Sofia is a Resident Assistant in Meredith South Hall, is on the Executive Board for the Purdue Actuarial Club and is a TA for MA/STAT 170 (Introduction to Actuarial Science). In her spare time, she loves to read, listen to music, find new coffee shops, and spend time with her friends and family. After graduation, she hopes to go directly into the Actuarial Industry. 

Sydney Shaw

Sydney Shaw
She/her/hers
Genetics
snshaw@purdue.edu

Sydney is a junior majoring in Genetics and minoring in Philosophy. This is my 3rd year in WISP and first year on the Leadership Team. I am conducting research on non-small cell lung cancer in the Kasinski Lab. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends, family, and my pets in Grand Rapids, MI and hiking and spending time outside.  After graduation, I hope to earn a PhD and continue cancer research.