Our Team
Raquelle Yu
President
Zihan (Raquelle) Yu is a fourth-year PhD student in Dr Paul Cohen’s lab studying the role of immune cell in maintaining adipose tissue homeostasis. Born and raised in Shanghai, China, she went to Singapore for undergrad before coming to the Rockefeller University for grad school. She experiences and understands the struggles navigating life, study, and work as an international scholar in different countries. At the same time, she believes that diversity in science accelerates scientific progress; she also deeply enjoys scientific discourse with friends and colleagues from diverse backgrounds. She hopes to promote diversity in science and provide guidance for anyone navigating scientific careers or simply life in the country.
Ana-Maria Tanasecu
Staff representative
Ana-Maria Tanasescu is the Lab Manager in the Chen Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Biophysics and she also specializes in cell culture. She joined Rockefeller University in 2016. She is originally from Eastern Europe but grew up in NYC, attending Hunter College for both her Undergraduate and Masters studies. Her degrees in Medical Lab Science and Biology with specialization in Biotechnology has also brought her to the Fischetti Lab of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Immunology as a college student. Ana-Maria is eager to help international scholars adapt to their new surroundings and find a sense of community.
Simin Liu
Website designer
Simin Liu is a sixth-year PhD student in Shai Shaham’s lab, where he focuses on the study of fate determination and early development of glial cells. He was born and raised in China and received his bachelor’s degree at Peking University School of Life Sciences before pursuing his PhD in the United States. Having received invaluable assistance from different people during his transition as an international scholar, Simin believes in the value of a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community. He hopes to bring people, information, and resources together to facilitate communication and collaboration among scholars.
Maj Brodmann
Postdoc representative
Maj Brodmann is a Swiss postdoc in the Marraffini laboratory of bacteriology studying the regulation of bacterial immune systems. She received her PhD in Microbiology from the Biozentrum, University of Basel, in Switzerland. As an international postdoc, she knows first-hand how challenging it can be for dual-career couples to follow one’s passion for science abroad while also navigating your partner’s career. Maj believes that advocating for international scholars will foster a supporting international community where the joys and struggles of living abroad can be experienced together.
Vitoria Murakami Olyntho
Board Member
Vitoria is a second-year graduate student in Dr. Daniel Mucida’s lab, where she studies intestinal epithelial and immune cell responses to food allergy .
Rohit Gokhale
Treasurer
Rohit is a second-year graduate student in Dr. Daniel Mucida’s lab, where he studies intestinal immune system development. He grew up in New Delhi, India, and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Delhi. He then went on to pursue a master’s degree at Radboud University in the Netherlands before joining The Rockefeller University as a graduate student. Living in three different countries and traveling widely has shaped his deep appreciation for the spirit of community. Through RIGS, Rohit hopes to bring people together and help foster a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for all.
Michelle Yaochai
Board Member
Michelle is a first-year PhD student in the Birsoy lab studying metabolic regulation. She grew up in Singapore, and majored in Life Sciences at National University of Singapore before moving to Rockefeller for graduate school. Michelle is keen to help foster a thriving and inclusive community for all at Rockefeller.
Apply to be on the board.
We are looking for people who are passionate about supporting the international scholars on campus. If this sounds like you, please apply to be on the board!