Fellows

Zobia Minhas is a third-year PhD candidate in Biomedical Sciences at Old Dominion University, with a focus on cancer research. Her work explores the synergistic effects of nanopulse stimulation and cold plasma treatments on pancreatic cancer, emphasizing novel therapeutic mechanisms and cellular stress responses. She has experience as a Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, and presenter at scientific conferences. She holds a Molecular Diagnostics Certificate and has skills in molecular diagnostics, flow cytometry, and microscopy. Passionate about bridging science and societal impact, Zobia is eager to contribute to advancing Virginia’s scientific and engineering initiatives through the COVES Fellowship.

Diksha Aggarwal is a PhD Student in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech, under the supervision of Dr. Kevin Kochersberger. Diksha previously received a B.Tech. degree in Civil Engineering from Delhi Technological University in 2016, and an M.Tech. degree in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 2018. She has been working in the field of aerial robotics for almost a decade. In her master’s, she, along with seven graduate students secured third place in the VFS 34th international design competition for the 24-hour hover challenge under the supervision of Dr. Abhishek. During her PhD, her research is focused on autonomous aerial navigation using vision-based techniques. This work has the potential to be used in drone delivery in remote areas and urban aerial mobility. She is a recipient of the Bob Arden Scholarship for her contributions to the field of vertical flight. In her career, Diksha aspires to contribute to the advancement of VTOL technology. She envisions developing innovative solutions that will enhance the reliability and efficiency of aerial robotics systems. Beyond her academic pursuits, Diksha is an Operations Manager at an MIT-born STEM/Aerospace leadership platform “WeLEAP Aerospace -Global” where she helps organize events to bring together passionate women leaders and allies from the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering streams. Motivated by the innate desire to experience the thrill of flying, she is also pursuing her Glider Pilot License.

Julia Davis is a PhD candidate at the University of Virginia, where she is studying environmental engineering with a focus on policy- and decision-making under climate uncertainty. Her current research explores the impacts of climate-related events and infrastructure on human populations, specifically through analyzing demographic makeup near carbon dioxide pipelines and investigating decision-making thresholds for relocation due to climate stressors like flooding. Julia has previously earned her B.S. in civil and environmental engineering and her master’s degree in public policy at UVA, allowing her to bring an interdisciplinary approach to studying human-environment systems. Through systems-based research, Julia aims to inform sustainable policies that address the complex challenges of climate change.

Danielle Recco is a first-year graduate student at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science located at William & Mary. Her thesis is modeling the impact of derelict crab traps on the blue crab food web using Ecopath with Ecosim. She will be simulating the impacts of different management strategies on the food web to suggest potential future avenues for policymakers to consider. She is also working on projects related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Geography with a minor in Biology at Vassar College in New York, which is where she is originally from.

Sai Sindhu Tirumalasetty is pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Science at Virginia State University. With experience in data analysis, software testing, and AI engineering, she has developed strong skills in programming languages like Python, R, and SQL and has expertise in various data visualization and AI tools. As a Graduate Assistant, she focuses on financial planning and budget management, while her previous positions include working as an AI Engineer Intern and a Data Analyst. She is passionate about leveraging technology to solve complex problems and actively participates in hackathons to continuously expand my expertise in data-driven solutions.

Navya Annapareddy is a Ph.D Candidate in the School of Data Science at the University of Virginia, where she previously earned her B.Sc in Systems and Information Engineering. Her interests in data science and health disparities led her to the Visual Intelligence Laboratory, where her dissertation research focuses on novel applications of computer vision algorithms in healthcare, workplace design, and sports. Her interests also span the ethical implications of artificial intelligence systems, including biased applications, fairness, and data governance. Since beginning graduate school, Navya has been awarded a Distinguished Teaching Fellowship at the School of Data Science where she serves as the first student instructor of record in the school’s history. She looks forward to pursuing a career that combines her passion for data literacy and education with her technical background.

Kenn Dela Cruz is a Ph.D. candidate in Psychology at UVA and a U.S. Department of Education–Institute of Education Science fellow. His experience with policy research first began with his prior role as research coordinator at the Northwestern University Institute for Policy Research and continued onto science policy through participating in the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s (AAAS) Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) workshop. Kenn is interested in the interplay of emotion and cognition in early childhood and applying that knowledge to inform interventions and policies that impact children, families, and communities at large.

Belal Shanab is a Mechanical Engineering PhD candidate specializing in renewable energy solutions, focusing on wind, tidal, and hydropower systems. His work involves optimizing wind turbines and advancing water-based renewable energy technologies to support the Blue Economy and promote clean, sustainable energy solutions. Inspired by a vision of a cleaner, more sustainable world, he is dedicated to reducing environmental impact and developing practical, scalable renewable energy solutions. He aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world applications, contributing to a sustainable future for communities worldwide. He is also passionate about partnering with industry professionals and policymakers to address significant challenges where science, engineering, and policy converge.

Annie Hinson received a Biology degree at Coker University in South Carolina in 2019 and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Microbiology and Immunology Department at Virginia Commonwealth University. She works in Dr. Daniel Miller’s lab where they study oral microbiology focused on polymicrobial interactions as well as bacterial-host interactions involved in periodontal disease initiation and progression. Her current research focuses on investigating signal transduction systems within Treponema denticola, a periodontal pathobiont, in an effort to advance our understanding of microbial molecular signaling mechanisms utilized during disease. Outside of lab, she serves as the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Young Ambassador to the State of Virginia. Most notably in this position, she spearheaded an initiative to grow interest in science throughout the Richmond community by creating a science fair program tailored to expose students to the scientific method. She also worked with the Science Museum of Virginia to host the science fair, giving the students an opportunity to present and showcase their weeks of hard work in an actual science museum and then explore the rest of it after their presentations were complete. These experiences, among many others, sparked her desire to advocate for policy change that addresses health disparities, improves healthcare access, and ensures equitable educational opportunities for individuals. She sees great value in utilizing science in policy-informed decisions, as scientific evidence provides the foundation for creating solutions that are both effective and sustainable. Annie believes that state-level policy is uniquely positioned to address these disparities and create lasting, positive change, and she is eager to contribute to this work in Virginia.

Nichole Leach is a Master’s student in Biology at Old Dominion University, researching how environmental differences shape coral genetic diversity and population structure, with a focus on identifying genetic markers linked to thermal tolerance. Deeply committed to advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion, she supports women+ in STEM through mentoring and leadership roles at ODU. Experiences as an EMT with the local fire department and as a mother have shaped her approach to challenges, fostering a passion for building a sustainable future. Certified as a scientific diver, she combines hands-on fieldwork with lab-based research to tackle pressing environmental challenges and she is eager to explore how research can inform actionable policies that address different environmental concerns, including coastal resilience.