Spring 2026 Applications Are Now Open
If you’re interested in joining us as a student consultant, please apply here: DACC Pro-Bono Consultant Application
I submitted an application. Why haven’t I heard back yet?
Please wait until a week after the application deadline. If you still haven’t heard back, reach out to the Pro Bono Leadership team to inquire about the status of your application.
Our Team
Pro Bono Director: Gracie Kreissler
2nd-year MEMS Candidate
Gracie is a second-year master’s student in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, earning a certificate in aerospace research. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she investigated microcavitation as a potential mechanism behind traumatic brain injury. She now works part-time with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and her advisor, Dr. Chris Douglas, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to study how carbon-free fuels like hydrogen mix with natural gas in gas turbines. In her free time, Gracie enjoys calisthenics, running, reading, and long, thoughtful walks with friends.
2025 Pro Bono Senior Engagement Managers (SEMs):
Roza Ogurlu
5th-year PhD Candidate in BME
Roza is a PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering at Duke University, where she develops RNA-based tools to make gene therapies safer and more effective. Before beginning her doctoral studies, she worked in both academia and industry in the Greater Boston area, focusing on treatments for inherited cardiac diseases and developing gene delivery vectors with enhanced properties. These experiences sparked her passion for translating innovative science into therapies that can improve lives, blending technical expertise with creativity in problem-solving. Outside the lab, she enjoys weightlifting, hiking through North Carolina’s state parks, and cooking.
Kevin Zhu
2nd-year BME PhD Candidate
Kevin is a biomedical engineering PhD student investigating how to apply cutting-edge machine learning models to healthcare applications. He is currently working on using multi-agent reinforcement learning to dose drugs in the ICU, and on using time series causal inference to improve the lives of patients with cystic fibrosis. Outside of research, Kevin has also worked at Intel, and enjoys bouldering, sewing, and playing board games with his friends.
Sahil Rohira
MEM Candidate
Sahil is a calm yet curious mind working towards the transition from consulting to crafting strategy-infused, human-centered products. By day, he dives deep into frameworks and innovation, transforming ideas into solutions that make an impact that matters. By night, he creates reflective tools, journal thoughts, and excavate how to live more intentionally. Sahil is flowing, not just floating. This space documents that journey of learning, building, and becoming.
Our Impact
The Duke Advanced Degree Consulting Club (DACC) brings together 100+ graduate students, post-docs, and medical students from over 24 programs at Duke to create interdisciplinary teams to solve real-world business problems for industry clients! Our members bring diverse skills ranging from biomedical engineering, statistical sciences, and computer science to business management and public policy, allowing us to craft unique and holistic solutions for any problem.
Our students go on to work at top-tier consulting firms such as The Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, L.E.K., IQVIA, ClearView, and Triangle Insights Group.
Our Services
What To Expect For Potential Clients?
1. Initial Contact
A member of our executive team reaches out to discuss your service request and helps draw a project outline according to your needs.
2. Form an Engagement Team
Consultants are chosen through a thorough application process and matched to projects based on expertise, skills, and interest. Teams typically consist of 3-5 consultants led by an engagement manager.
3. Create Deliverables
Team are provided a defined Statement of Work (SOW) outlining project aims. Consultants work over a period of 9-12 weeks to execute the requested services. Clients are updated at regular intervals regarding project progress.
4. Project Completion
Clients receive a consolidated final presentation synthesizing the work completed over the course of the engagement along with any supplementary materials created by the team.
Interested?
For Companies:
If your company would like to work with us, please apply here or contact our Pro Bono Director – Gracie Kreissler (gracie.kreissler@duke.edu) with a brief description of your company.
Projects typically start at the beginning of each semester. We’re always looking forward to establishing collaborations and contributing to boosting the business of startups nationally!
For Students:
The Pro Bono Consulting Program is open to all Duke University graduate students and postdocs other than MBA students. MBA students are served by Fuqua Consulting clubs.
The program runs twice a year:
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Fall Program: Recruitment happens from late July to mid-September. Projects run from mid-September to late November.
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Spring Program: Recruitment occurs from late November to mid-January. Projects run from mid-January to early April.
Time Commitment:
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Consultants typically spend around 5–10 hours per week working on the project, including client meetings, team check-ins, research, and analysis.
Team Structure:
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Each project team typically consists of 3–4 consultants and one Engagement Manager (EM), who oversees the team’s progress and handles client communication along with working on project objectives.
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Teams are also supported by Senior Engagement Managers (SEMs) who check in periodically and provide guidance throughout the project.
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Project teams are staffed based on a combination of applicants’ industry preferences, skill sets, and project needs. We aim to match consultants with projects that align with their interests and expertise.
