Alison Marie Yelsma (she/her) is a doctoral student in Health Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research centers around the social and political determinants of health. She is an active member in the student-led Advocacy In Medicine workgroup at the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM). She enjoys supporting students with mixed-methodology research and interdisciplinary literature reviews in the following fields: health education and promotion, psychology, public health ethics, medical humanities, nutrition, women’s and LGBT+ health. She is able to code and analyze data with SPSS, Stata, R, Python, and SAS. Outside of academia, Ali frequents vegan restaurants, independent bookstores, art galleries, and the Lincoln Center (with love for the New York Philharmonic)!
Brenda Payan Medina (she/her) is a MA student in Higher and Postsecondary Education with TC’s Department of Organization and Leadership. Brenda’s interest in education and student support stems from her experiences as an undergraduate at the University of Utah, where she graduated in Materials Science and Engineering. At the University of Utah, Brenda involved herself in multiple internships, jobs, and volunteer positions in order to expand her understanding of the student experience, which is something she hopes to continue learning about during her time at TC and in her career. In her free time, Brenda enjoys walks, cooking, and painting.
Primary Areas of Focus:
- Academic Readiness
- First-Gen Programming
- New Student Orientation
Xujun (Daisy) Wang (she/her) is a master’s student in Applied Statistics at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Economic Statistics from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, where she built a solid foundation in statistical theory, econometrics, and data analysis. Her academic interests focus on machine learning, artificial intelligence, and business analytics, with a particular enthusiasm for applying data-driven methods to real-world decision-making.
As a Statistics Fellow, Daisy supports students by helping them navigate statistical concepts, data analysis workflows, and tools such as R and Python, with an emphasis on clear communication and practical understanding. Outside of academics, she is passionate about street dance and has been dancing for over eight years, with street jazz as her favorite style. Daisy enjoys combining creativity with analytical thinking and is excited about making statistics more accessible and engaging for others.
Ido is a first-year Masters student in Clinical Psychology at Teachers College and recently completed his undergraduate studies in Psychology at Columbia University. His academic and research interests focus on clinical psychology, computational psychiatry, and the study of psychosis. During his time at Columbia, Ido worked as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Psychology and contributed to research projects across the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia Psychiatry, and other academic research settings. His work has involved cognition, mental health, and the application of emerging technologies to psychological research. As both an international and first-generation student, Ido understands the challenges of navigating graduate education, adapting to a new environment, and balancing academic, professional, and personal responsibilities. Outside of school, Ido enjoys exploring New York City, learning about new technologies, and developing projects at the intersection of psychology and innovation.
Miranda (she/her) is a second year PhD student in English Education. She was guided to Teachers College by four years teaching high school English in Washington state, and is passionate about supporting student autonomy and identity development in ELA classrooms. Her teaching experience also nourished a love for student support, and she is excited to help support her fellow PhD students as they embark on the journey towards dissertation together! Outside of class and work, Miranda loves to bake, watch movies, craft, take long walks, and explore New York City.
Neha (she/her) is a doctoral student in Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University. She works as a research assistant for the Bilingual & Bicultural Education program and for the D9 Bronx Project with University of Michigan. Her professional experience includes drafting Institutional Review Board (IRB) proposals, conducting and editing literature reviews, and interviewing participants for research. Neha also developed skills in coding and analyzing qualitative data, which has enhanced her research capabilities. Teaching has been another significant part of her career; she taught over ten courses at both the master’s and undergraduate levels, contributing to curriculum development, facilitating classroom discussions, and guiding students through both traditional in-person settings and innovative remote and hybrid formats. With a passion for bilingual education and inclusive education, Neha is dedicated to working with students with disabilities and utilizing inclusive practices that ensure all learners receive the support needed to thrive. She is committed to advocating for accessible and equitable education for all students. In her free time, Neha likes to paint, try new recipes, and watch movies in different languages (with subtitles, of course!).
Sarah (she/her) is a PhD student in English Education and a passionate educator dedicated to fostering a love of writing, communication, and lifelong learning. Before joining Teachers College, she taught middle and high school English in Connecticut and Massachusetts and later served as an adjunct English instructor at the University of Bridgeport and Western New England University.
Her current research interest is grounded in a belief that stories matter. She studies life writing, memoir, and trauma-conscious approaches to literacy education, exploring how writing can help individuals make sense of their experiences, reclaim their voices, and build connections with others. Sarah is a strong believer that to write is to feel, and to have your work read is to be seen. In her free time, Sarah loves to sit in Sakura Park with a good book and iced coffee.