Terrapin Think Tank

Ethan Adler (Co-Director) is a Neuroscience major in the Honors in Neuroscience program. He is interested in studying clinical and community-based public health research to enhance the effectiveness of clinical care and outreach methods. Outside of Terrapin Think Tank, he is a volunteer EMT at the College Park Volunteer Fire Department, a research assistant in a Neuroscience laboratory in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, and a Broadcast and Production intern for Maryland Athletics. He will be graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, in May 2025.

Esohe Owie (Co-Director) is a Public Health Science major with a minor in French Studies, and pursuing a citation from the Gemstone Honors Program. She is also a first-year graduate student in the Accelerated BS/MPH Program working towards her Master of Public Health in Health Equity. Esohe is interested in conducting community-engaged public health research, evaluating the impact of current health policies on populations, and proposing community-based interventions. Outside of the Terrapin Think Tank, she is the President of the Eta Beta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, the Co-President of the Sister to Sister Program, and the Vice-President of Professional Development of the Gemstone Honors Program. She will be graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, with her Bachelor’s in May 2025 and her Master’s in May 2026.

Sophia Thompson (Associate Director of Communications) is a Public Health Science major who is also beginning her first year in the Accelerated BS/MPH Program working towards her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology. She is passionate about community-based public health research and interventions promoting equitable access to healthcare. Outside of the Terrapin Think Tank, Sophia is the chair of the Student Health Advisory Committee's (SHAC) Gender and Sexual Health subcommittee and a fellow for the Karabelle Pizzigati Initiative in Advocacy for Children, Youth, and Families for Children. She also assists in researching maternal and child health disparities within the Department of Family Science. She will be graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, with her Bachelor’s in May 2025 and her Master’s in December 2026

Roshni Pallavajjala (Associate Director of Community Outreach) is a Bioengineering major and Nanoscale Science minor. She is interested in developing innovative public health policies that will positively impact the community. Outside of the Terrapin Think Tank, she is an ambassador for the School of Engineering and a research assistant in a bioengineering lab. She will be graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, in May 2026.

Anushka Poddar (Associate Director of Teaching & Recruitment) is a University Honors student majoring in Bioengineering with minors in Spanish and Health, Humanities, and Medicine. She is interested in the societal implications of healthcare and seeks to improve equity in health outcomes through public policy interventions. Outside of the Terrapin Think Tank, Anushka is a project lead in Engineers Without Borders, a tutor with Maryland Mentor Corps, a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and involved in computational biology research. She will be graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, in May 2027.

Amrutha Alibilli (Associate Director of Funding) is pursuing a Neuroscience major with a double minor in Data Science and Spanish, and a citation from the Integrated Life Sciences Honors Program. She is passionate about researching striking public health disparities and advocating for effective community-driven programs and policy interventions to help mitigate prevalent concerns. Outside of the Terrapin Think Tank, she is a Neuroscience Ambassador, Lean on Me Finance Coordinator, and Peer Mentor Leadership Council member in the Integrated Life Sciences Honors College. She will be graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, in May 2027.

Sophia Chau is a Public Health Science major. She is interested in developing public health policies that uplift marginalized communities to reduce healthcare disparities. Outside of the Terrapin Think Tank, she is part of the Public Health Policy Federal Fellows Program and is involved in hosting events through the Residence Hall Council. Sophia is also a Startup Shell Fellow and is interested in getting more involved in medical research. She will be graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, in May 2027.

Anshuman Sarkar is a Public Health Science major. He is passionate about learning and contributing to partnerships between state and federal government bodies with various healthcare institutions through public health policy interventions. His career interests include fields such as healthcare consulting, hospital administration, and federal health policy. Outside of the Terrapin Think Tank, he is involved in the South Asian Student Association and is part of the Global Fellows program as both a Fellow and an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant. He will be graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, in May 2025.

Madiha Rehman is currently studying Public Policy with a focus on Health Policy and Management. She has a passion for health equity, and it fuels her in all her endeavors. Outside of the Terrapin Think Tank, Madiha has interned at the National LGBT Cancer Network, one of the nine CDC networks in the nation. On campus, Madiha is currently the President of Amnesty International and the Event Coordinator for the Asian American Policy Union, and has recently been awarded the Thurgood Marshall Research Fellowship at the Institute for Public Leadership at the School of Public Policy where she will be conducting research surrounding racial and social equity and justice. She will be graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, in May 2027.

Isha Yardi (Co-Founder and 2022-2023 Co-Director) was a Public Health Science student who graduated in May 2023 and was one of the co-founders and co-directors of Terrapin Think Tank. Isha is interested in the development, advocacy, and evaluation of community-centered health policies and programs. Outside of Terrapin Think Tank, Isha was the co-director for health and wellness in the Student Government Association, a member of the Student Health Advisory Committee through the University Health Center, and a research assistant in a social epidemiology lab in the School of Public Health.

Daniel Fong (Co-Founder and 2022-2023 Co-Director) was a double major in Neurobiology & Physiology and Health Science, Computer Science, & Public Health Policy who graduated in May 2023, and was one of the co-founders and co-directors of Terrapin Think Tank. Daniel is passionate about creating partnerships with governments, healthcare institutions, and community stakeholders as a means to create innovative community-focused public health interventions and policy. Outside of Terrapin Think Tank, Daniel was president of Public Health Beyond Borders, a co-founder of the COVID-19 vaccine health literacy campaign VaccineSafe, and a research assistant in a health policy and management group in the School of Public Health.

Jerry Yang (2022-2023 Associate Director) was a Neurobiology and Physiology major and Astronomy minor who graduated in May 2023, and an associate director of Terrapin Think Tank. Jerry was been involved in basic science and clinical research for many years and is interested in applying clinical and public health research to developing health policy. Outside of the research and TTT, Jerry was also involved as president of the American Red Cross Club, vice president of Public Health Beyond Borders, and a volunteer EMT at the College Park Volunteer Fire Department.

Yiting Lin (2023-2024 Co-Director) was a Biology major with a specialization in Physiology & Neurobiology and a minor in Public Policy. She is passionate about developing and evaluating community-centered health policies and programs. In addition to being a Spring 2023 Terrapin Think Tank Fellow, she served as a Co-Director of the think tank for the 2023-2024 school year. Outside of the Terrapin Think Tank, Yiting was the president of Engineering World Health, president of The Every Child Project, and a research assistant in a bioengineering lab. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, in December 2023.

Victoria Ohanele was a Public Health Science major with a minor in Nonprofit Leadership and Social Innovation. She has been involved in community-based research in the Washington metropolitan area that promotes equitable access for all residents, especially regarding maternal health and food security. In addition to being a Spring 2024 Terrapin Think Tank Fellow, Victoria was a fellow in the Federal Fellows program and served as a research assistant in the UM ADAPT program. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, in May 2024.

Sourabh Velaga is a Computer Science and Economics double major. He is interested in creating software that benefits local communities. Outside of Terrapin Think Tank, he is involved in quantum computing research and is the tech chair of the Maryland Undergraduate Research Journal. He transferred to Cornell University at the end of the Spring 2024 semester.

Aaron Knishkowy was a Government and Politics major with a minor in Science, Technology, Ethics, and Policy. In addition to being a Spring 2024 Terrapin Think Tank Fellow, he was in the Honors Humanities Living and Learning Program and the Maryland Fellows Program. Aside from his studies, he spent all four years at the university playing for the club ultimate team. Aaron is currently pursuing a career in the field of environmental justice policy. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, in May 2024.