Graduate School Peer Advocates

Molecular Biophysics

My name is Matthew Amato, and I am a PhD candidate in the Molecular Biophysics program. I grew up in New Mexico and I love being outside, from backpacking and kayaking to everything else in between. Graduate school has taught me we do our best work when we are feeling our best. Just as cars need regular oil changes and maintenance to properly run, we need to schedule time to check in with ourselves. Graduate school can be overwhelming at times, so it is important to create a strong support system. I am always here to talk about navigating graduate school or just being a person in graduate school. I am hoping to chat with you!

Postdoc

Hi there! This is Chen Chang. I am from China and received my doctoral degree from the University of Macau in 2023, the same year I joined UTSW as a postdoc. In my free time, I enjoy reading, traveling, and hiking, especially exploring national parks. As a recent PhD graduate and a foreigner getting familiar with a new country step by step, I know how high pressure these periods can be, and I understand the challenges faced by peers in similar situations. I believe that effectively dealing with stress and potential negative emotions is crucial for maintaining mental health and fostering creativity in scientific work. We all face challenges along our paths, and the main reason I joined the peer advocate program is to dedicate my efforts to helping my peers. I am highly enthusiastic about learning how to overcome these challenges for personal growth and am passionate about dedicating my efforts to helping those I can. If you want to talk about mental health or anything else, such as travel, please let me know. I am always here to support you!

Postdoc

Hi, my name is Stephan and I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Fiolka lab. Before coming to Dallas in September 2018, I did my PhD at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Germany. Here at UT Southwestern, I work on building programming and applying new microscopes to study cancer cell dynamics with high resolution in situ. In my free time, I enjoy singing, dancing and watching movies. From my own experience, I know that life can sometimes be very stressful and challenging. In these moments, it is good to have someone to talk to. As peer advocate, I would be glad to meet with you and listen to you.

Cancer Biology

Hi! My name is Shilpa and I’m from Chicago, IL. I went to Valparaiso University and majored in Chemistry and Biology. In my spare time, I enjoy yoga, reading, and exploring different restaurants and coffee shops in Dallas. I want to be a resource to others through peer mentorship as other students have been a great resource to me in adjusting to graduate school. I want to be able to provide support and encouragement to anyone who needs it. Whether it is academic struggles, career planning, or general life stressors, we can talk!

Postdoc

Hi, I’m Ritika Dhruve. I’m currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Cardiology, where I’m dedicated to finding new ways to enhance cardiovascular health. I’ve recently wrapped up medical school and earned a Master’s in Public Health, which has significantly influenced my approach to addressing both individual and community health challenges. Outside the lab, you’ll likely find me on the badminton court or cycling around town. Cooking is another passion of mine; it’s a great way for me to unwind and connect with others. As someone new to Dallas without family or friends here, I truly appreciate the value of having a supportive buddy to share daily experiences with. I’m also deeply committed to mental health awareness and am excited about the opportunity to get involved as a peer volunteer. May it be a walk, a cup of coffee or maybe exploring new places while discussing life, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Postdoc

Hello! My name is Tomer, and I recently graduated from medical school at Tec de Monterrey. I moved to Dallas from Mexico for a postdoctoral position before applying for a residency in Pathology. Outside of work, you can find me exercising, cooking, and thrifting. During my time in medical school, I served as a tutor for the USMLEs, where I discovered a passion for teaching. I understand the challenges of moving to a new country and know it takes a lot of courage to leave your loved ones behind. Since moving to Dallas, I have received immense support from the UTSW community, and I am eager to give back as much as I can. If you need a friend to talk to, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Microbiology

Hi everyone! My name is Courtney, and I am currently a third-year graduate student in the Molecular Microbiology Department. I am from North Carolina and I received my undergraduate degree in Clinical Laboratory Science at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before moving to Texas to pursue my PhD, I worked in a clinical microbiology lab before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. My experience as a healthcare worker and grad student has taught me the importance of prioritizing my mental health and cultivating a solid support system. When life gets too chaotic, some of the ways I like to unwind include spending time with friends and family, practicing yoga, taking care of my plant babies, and exploring new restaurants. If the stress of school or life gets too overwhelming, please reach out. I’m here to support you!

Genetics, Development & Disease

My name is Weronika, I am a 5th-year GDD student, and I volunteer to serve as a peer advocate. I am from Poland, and I came to the US 4 years ago. I was struggling with many different aspects of being an international person in a country thousands of kilometers (miles) from my friends and family. I had difficulties with all the new paperwork regarding visas, taxes, SSNs, etc. I am here as a resource to HELP you. Being a graduate student is a huge challenge and we don’t need to face more difficulties. Grad life can also be very isolating especially when you are in a new country. But remember, you are not alone! I aim to bring the student community together to identify each other’s problems and make the way through them. Let me be your advocate for any issue you might have. Let me help you feel more at home, here in UTSW.

Postdoc

Hello, my name is Shayna and I joined UTSW in 2021 as a postdoc in the Molecular Biology Dept. In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, baking, reading, watching shows, and I’m currently restoring my 100-yr-old home!I have two children, born during my undergraduate and graduate studies, which has enhanced my skills of how to maintain a healthy work/life balance and time management. As a mentor in the lab, both here at UTSW and during my PhD work, I know the “ins” and “outs” of lab dynamics, relationships, and how to keep a project moving forward, or have that difficult talk with your PI. I’d love to use everything I’ve learned to help grad students and fellow postdocs inside and outside the lab. Please reach out to discuss any topic; academic, lab, child-related, life craziness, funding (I have an F32!) or just want to talk.

Postdoc

Hi, my name is Reshma, and I am a postdoctoral researcher at Sabari lab. Before joining UTSW in January 2020, I did my PhD from National centre for biological sciences in India. For my research, I am a computational biologist, and we study how biomolecular condensates organize gene regulation. In my spare time, I enjoy writing, sketching, and exploring places and different restaurants. I always love to have conversations and meet new people. During my graduation years, I realized that having someone whom you can reach out and talk to is a privilege and this is the reason why I wanted to join the Peer Advocate program. I would love to be that someone whom you can talk to.

Neuroscience

Hi everyone! My name is Mahak, and I am a fourth-year graduate student in the Neuroscience program. I was born in India and immigrated to the States when I was 3 years old. I grew up in Houston and eventually Los Angeles. I went to undergrad at Mount Saint Mary’s University in LA, which was a private, all-women Liberal arts college. There, I studied mathematics and biology. Being a peer advocate means a lot to me because, during my undergraduate year, I experienced loss, financial difficulties, and family/relationship struggles. I pulled through because of my friend's support and weekly therapy sessions. I hope to provide you all with a listening ear, a compassionate heart, and an unbreakable spirit! In my free time, I really enjoy hiking, sitting by the ocean, reading fiction works, and trying new music. In Dallas, I am always on the search for cool hiking spots, trying new places to eat, and spending time with my cats!

Genetics, Development & Disease

Hi! My name is Jane and I’m from central New Jersey. I graduated from the University of Notre Dame and majored in biology and Spanish. I moved to Dallas in 2020 to start my PhD. In my spare time, I enjoy going to yoga and spin classes, reading, and finding the best cup of coffee in Dallas. Being a PhD student can be both rewarding and challenging. Connecting with and supporting your peers is critical to managing stress. I hope I can provide my peers with encouragement in their academic, personal, and professional lives. Please feel free to reach out!