President
Deniz Acil
Deniz is a 3rd year PhD candidate in Prof. Maiken Mikkelsen’s lab, working on developing next-generation nanophotonics devices for quantum optics and fluorescent immunoassays. He is passionate about elevating the community experience of graduate students. He also serves as the treasurer for ECE Advocacy for Student Engagement (EASE), an executive committee member for Pratt PhD Plus program, and president of Duke Optical Student Chapter (DOSC).
Vice President
Reza Fathi
Reza is a 2nd year PhD student, working on developing the next generation of pyroelectric-based photodetectors. He loves working with other people on creating a fun and supportive environment for graduate students. He also serves as the treasurer for the Graduate Student Association of Iranians at Duke (GSAID).
Communications Chair
Aniketh Shenoy Kota
Aniketh Shenoy (Ani) Kota stands out as a forward-thinking engineering professional with a passion for keeping the customer at the heart of innovation. Early in his career, he witnessed how many companies, caught in the drive for profitability, often lose sight of what truly matters – the customer experience. This realization fueled his journey, first through roles that emphasized understanding customer needs and product lifecycles, and now as he gears up for a transition into product management. With a solid foundation in Engineering Management and Computer Science, Ani has cultivated a unique blend of technical know-how and strategic insight. His experiences have taught him that the true measure of success lies in crafting products that not only perform flawlessly but also make a positive impact on people’s lives.
DEI Chair
Paris Brown
Treasurer
Han Zhang
Han is a third-year PhD student in the department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science – AI for Materials program. His research involves teaching AI physics concepts and using AI to design metamaterials. Han likes to play strategy/board games in his spare time and run PsyOps to inject fitness and nutrition into Duke event programming.
ECE Representative (PhD)
Kashish Malhotra
CEE Representative (PhD)
Trailokaya Bajgain
Trailokaya Raj Bajgain (Raj) is a first-year Ph.D. student in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering, focusing on air quality and low-cost sensor networks. An alumnus of the dual-degree program between Duke University and Duke Kunshan University (DKU), he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Data Science. He currently serves as a Program Assistant for the East Campus community in Bassett and Pegram Houses, a graduate representative on the Board of Trustees Global Strategy Committee, and a Graduate Advisor for the Nepali Student Association (NSA). In his free time, he enjoys reading poetry and cooking.
BME Representative (PhD)
Meg Taylor
Meg Taylor is a first year PhD student at Duke BME, where she is in the Romero lab, studying the intersection of AI and enzyme engineering. She holds a master’s in Biophysics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a BS in Chemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Statistics from Baylor University. In her spare time, she enjoys ballet, music, and playing with her cat, Ron Weasley.
Master of Science (M.S.) Representative
Cameron Reid
Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) Representative
Sunidhi
Master of Engineering Management (M.E.M.) Representative
Walter Pariona Sanchez
