Student Board

Noah Bauserman is an incoming second-year student in the college, majoring in economics and minoring in entrepreneurship and French. He is the deputy editor of the Chicago Thinker, a member of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics Student Advisory Board, the treasurer of University of Chicago College Republicans, and the founder and board member of the Massanutten Regional Governor's School Foundation. He has two years of work experience in the field of retail banking. He is from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.

I am a Chicago Booth MBA candidate with a background in biotechnology, early-stage life sciences, and public policy advocacy. Before Booth, I worked as a scientist at several start-up biotech companies, contributing to research efforts that supported important company milestones. Beyond the lab, I have been involved in advocacy and fundraising efforts that helped advance state and federal policy priorities and increase support for research funding. At Booth, I am especially interested in the intersection of science, business, and public impact, and I hope to use my experience to help bridge technical innovation with real-world outcomes for patients. I am excited to contribute to the Chicago Forum community and engage in collaborative, open dialogue around healthcare, biotech entrepreneurship, and public health policy.

I am a rising second year law student at the University. Before that, I was a Mathematics and Philosophy major at Carleton College in Minnesota, graduating 2025. Born and raised in New York.

I am a second-year student in the College majoring in Classics and Law, Letters, and Society. Having lived in Russia, the UK, and the Caribbean, I have spent a lot of time thinking about how democracy and the rule of law can be protected across different societies. I am interested in international law, constitutional government, and the norms that allow free societies to endure, particularly freedom of speech. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and playing board games.

I am originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, but moved to Mexico when I was five and have lived there ever since. Growing up between countries made travel a central part of my life: my family returned to Argentina at least twice a year to visit relatives, and Mexico City’s international connectivity gave us the opportunity to vacation in Europe sometimes. These experiences sparked my interest in international relations and in the ways people understand identity across different cultural contexts. I am now double majoring in Comparative Human Development and Romance Languages. My main interest is how identity is developed and understood. I tend to bring my own experience into this interest, in an attempt to understand the ways my own personhood is constructed and find those things which I feel represent who I am. In the future, I hope to pursue work centered on dialogue, global connections, and cultural exchange.

My name is Rishi Das, and I am pursuing a PhD at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. I am a member of the Esser-Kahn Lab, where my research focuses on immunoengineering and materials science. My current project examines how the composition of nanoparticle drug delivery systems, particularly polymer nanoparticles, affects drug delivery efficiency and immune responses. Beyond my research, I am interested in the development, use, and regulation of frontier medicines such as mRNA vaccines and gene editing technologies. I am also interested in the role of scientists as political actors and state assets, particularly in contexts of war and pandemic response.

Michelle Du is a student in the College, majoring in Law, Letters, and Society and Data Science. Michelle is passionate about civic technology, data governance, and AI policy, having conducted technology policy research for a thinktank and worked in state and local government on broadband and data-related initiatives. As co-chair of TechTeam at the Institute of Politics, Michelle founded the Tech & Society Hub, a community to foster discourse on human-centered technology development, regulation, and ethics. This past year, she spearheaded organizing the inaugural “Tech for Good” student conference. Michelle is also deeply involved in digital and AI literacy volunteering efforts around Chicago, especially in Chinatown. She was also formerly Co-President of Dear Asian Youth, organizing projects that connect students with Chicagoland nonprofits serving APIDA communities. In her free time, Michelle enjoys dancing, good conversation, interesting art, and running around exploring different neighborhoods/cities!

Ilana Emanuel grew up in Chicago. She studied Economics and Urban Studies at Brown University in 2021. Ilana spent the next four years working at CNN. She began there working on a streaming service, where she gained experience working in-studio on live coverage. She then moved to longform, working on an Emmy Award winning documentary show. Ilana also serves as a Public Affairs Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve and is currently assigned to the Pacific Theater. Ilana is part of the class of 2028 in the joint JD/MBA program at the University of Chicago.

Maia Guiter is a sophomore at the University of Chicago double majoring in Law, Letters & Society and Political Science. Originally from the United States, Maia spent much of her life in the Middle East and Latin America, experiences that shaped her interest in law, politics, and international affairs. She has interned with the Argentine National Senate, where she supported legislative research and policy drafting, and has also gained experience in communications, event planning, and marketing through campus organizations. At UChicago, Maia is involved with BOLD and the Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression, where she helps organize and promote programming on law, politics, and public discourse. She is particularly interested in the intersection of legal institutions, political decision-making, and public policy, and hopes to pursue a career connected to law and international affairs.

I'm Tompson, rising 3L at the Law School. I did undergrad at Berkeley and grew up in San Diego where I'll return after graduating. I love going on walks and drinking tea.

As a Neubauer Fellow, my research analyzes bridges literature in the social sciences, law, and public policy to examine how attacks on diversity initiatives, particularly in higher education institutions, impact organizations and their members. 

Outside of my studies, I have extensive experience supporting undocumented students in higher education. I have years of experience working with initiatives made to support undocumented students, such as providing scholarship support, mentorship, and academic advising.

Hello! I am Alex. I am a second-year studying Public Policy, pre-med, and Middle Eastern studies. I am from New Zealand and South Korea. At UChicago I have been involved with the Korean Student Organisation, Dear Asian Youth, the American Red Cross, Medlife, and the Mutlu Sleep Lab. I am greatly interested in the rising role of AI and technology in healthcare systems around the world and its impact on health equity and accessibility.

My name is Shalom Kato, and I am a rising third-year student in the College. I am from Sioux Falls, SD, and I am a political science major with a human rights minor. I spend most of my free time in the Sexual Assault & Awareness Prevention Committee and Undergraduate Law Magazine RSO here at UChicago. A fun fact is that I am currently self-teaching myself French because I hope to become fluent someday. I love watching French movies, so if there are any recommendations needed, please reach out! I am excited to be part of the Chicago Forum Board team and propel it further in its mission to further freedom of discussion and expression.

My name is Sami Khalil. I am a student in the CMES Middle East Studies Program with interests in history, law, religion, and political thought. My academic work explores nationalism, empire, identity, and the modern Middle East, with a particular focus on colonial history and cross-cultural intellectual traditions. I hope to bring an interdisciplinary perspective to research, writing, and community engagement.

I am a Southern California native and studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!). From there I took a job in Dallas-Fort Worth where I worked in aerospace as an engineer and earned an MS in Systems Engineering at SMU. I am here at UChicago in the Booth school pursuing an MBA looking to transition my career to Product Management in the technology industry. In my free time, I follow football, aerospace, and geopolitics and enjoy hobbies in poker, chess, and golf.

Abby Langer is a fourth-year student at the College studying Law, Letters, and Society, Global Studies, and Human Rights. Originally from Indianapolis, she is passionate about international human rights law and humanitarian law and its usage in preventing rights abuses, especially during states of exception. On campus, she conducts research with the Pozen Center Global Human Rights Lab examining human rights violations and runs Model United Nations Committees at MUNUC and ChoMUN. Beyond academics, Abby enjoys performing improv with her friends at Off-Off Campus, trying out new cafes, and attending rock concerts in her free time.

Jolin Liu is a rising fourth-year of the College studying Computer Science and Philosophy, with interests in data privacy, cybersecurity, AI governance, and the social impact of emerging technologies. Her research examines regulatory approaches to AI risk and how technical systems shape the public discourse and institutional decision-making. Over the past year, her favorite Forum events include “Free Expression and Human Rights in China,” “The Perils of ‘Free Speech Culture,’” and “Surveillance Technologies, Immigration, and Civil Liberties.” These conversations reflect the open inquiry she hopes to continue exploring with our community and beyond: why free expression matters, why this right remains vulnerable, and how to protect it while we confront new technological, political, and ethical pressures.

Dinah Megibow-Taylor is a third-year at The University of Chicago majoring in Fundamentals and specializing in philosophy of language. Her interest in language’s effect on culture led her to examine speech acts, political speech, and first amendment law, bringing her to intern at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and to serve as the Forum’s Free Expression in Media and Journalism Committee chair last year. An avid writer, she is an editor for the campus magazine The Chicago Phoenix. She most enjoys writing about American political culture and its relation to the contemporary college student. Interested in the history of liberalism, democracy, and pluralism, Dinah is thrilled to transition to chair the History and Religion committee.

My name is Sophia Messinger, and I am a 4th year in the College. I am majoring in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Cancer Biology, and minoring in Chinese. Outside of school, I lead runs with Run Club and enjoy painting.

Valerie is a third year law student at the University of Chicago Law School with interests in transactional, corporate, tax, and property law. A Kentuckian, she graduated from the University of Kentucky Lewis Honors College with dual degrees in Philosophy and Political Science in 2024, with a thesis on regional economics. Throughout her career, Valerie has worked with the Barack Obama Foundation, The Council of State Governments, GQR Research, and in various legal services roles. Most recently, Valerie was a 2026 Summer Associate at Latham & Watkins' Chicago office. In their spare time, Valerie is an artist, avid reader, and lover of long walks.

Tenzin Palmo is a Tibetan refugee born and raised in India who is deeply committed to advocating for marginalized and displaced communities. She currently interns at the Marjorie Kovler Center as a clinical social work intern, where she supports survivors through trauma-informed and client-centered care. Passionate about social justice, Tenzin hopes to integrate the fields of social work and law to better serve refugee and marginalized populations globally. 

An activist at heart, Tenzin is dedicated to advancing evidence-based and trauma-informed practices while ensuring that clients’ voices and lived experiences remain at the center of the work. As a polyglot, she values cross-cultural connection and communication, and she enjoys hosting events and sharing Tibetan culture, music, and stories with others. An active member of the University of Chicago community, Tenzin frequently organizes and participates in cultural, advocacy, and community-centered events that reflect her passions and commitment to equity, inclusion, and human rights.

Originally from Richmond, VA, Kyle graduated from the United States Naval Academy and then served for eight years in the US Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer. His deployments took him as far as Japan and all-over Southeast Asia to the deserts of Saudi Arabia. Primarily serving on warships as the navigator and a missile systems expert, he enjoyed leading teams and working alongside some of the world's most talented minds. He is now pursuing an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In his time outside of school, Kyle is an avid sailor and likes attending Chicago sporting events. He is thrilled to be a part of the Chicago Forum Student Board and looks forward to supporting free expression in all its forms.

Andrea is a fourth-year BA/MA in Law, Letters, & Society and International Relations, minoring in English and Creative Writing. She is originally from Miami, Florida. Andrea is interested in the intersection of the law and the development of countries, particularly in the Global South as well as the national security implications of emerging technologies. At UChicago, she is involved in Student Government, KaPi, Mock Trial, and the LLSO Review. In her free time, Andrea enjoys reading, running, and baking.

Braeden Prunier is a second-year student at the University of Chicago majoring in Law, Letters, and Society and Philosophy. A QuestBridge Scholar from Albuquerque, New Mexico, he serves as President of the University of Chicago College Republicans. This past summer, he worked for the House Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C., where his portfolio included engagement with China policy, and was one of three UChicago students accepted to Stanford's Hoover Institution summer policy bootcamp. He serves as Executive Chair for both University of Chicago's high school and collegiate Model UN conferences, has chaired Model UN in Shanghai, China, and has served as a panelist at the UChicago Institute of Politics. Braeden brings a strong commitment to rigorous argument and open discourse to the Forum board, and plans to pursue a career on Capitol Hill and eventually run for Congress in New Mexico.

I'm Chad, a rising 3L in the JD/MBA program here. A native Hoosier, I'm back in the Midwest after spending roughly a decade out on the East Coast: high school in New Hampshire, undergrad at MIT, and economic consulting in DC. On campus, I'm involved with the Impact Initiative and law student government at the Law School, the Adam Smith Society and Gov & Policy Club at Booth, and the IOP.

My name is Olivia. I’m Chinese I went to Mexico for high school all four years, and college in Atlanta. This has definitely set me to work in fast paced environments and with a diverse group of people. 

I'm currently an MBA student at Chicago Booth. Prior to that I worked at a YC tech startup as a product manager, and I'm going back to product management for the summer as well, but this time with General Motors (software division). 

One of my favorite book is The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Heidt, that talked about how good people could be divided by politics. That really inspired my wish to learn more about how people were driven to different perspectives and subsequently led to my involvement at the Forum. I hope to meet everyone and learn something new through the lens of each and one of you!

Yaseen Qureshi is a fourth year joint BA/MA student in Economics and International Relations, with additional coursework in Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic. Born in London and primarily raised in Chicago, he has also studied abroad at the American University in Cairo. His academic interests include contemporary Middle Eastern history, Islamic finance, South Asian economic development, and international trade. 

His professional experience includes roles in Equity Research at Citi, Ariel Investments, and Advocate Health’s Endowment Fund. He has also worked as a Special Units intern at ABC News and an administrative intern at Simmons Center for Global Chicago. Outside of the Forum, Yaseen serves as House Manager at the Institute of Politics, President for the Muslim Students Association, member of the Maroon Key Society, and cellist for the University Symphony Orchestra. In his free time, Yaseen enjoys watching soccer, collecting vinyls, and playing tennis.

Emma is a junior at the University of Chicago studying Law, Letters, and Society and Political Science, with a minor in Russian and Eastern European Studies. Originally from New Mexico, she became interested in issues concerning free speech and expression after spending her final two years of high school in Hong Kong. She currently serves as a co-chair of the Expression Abroad Committee on the Forum’s Student Board. Outside of the Forum, Emma is involved with the Society for International Relations, the McKeon Fellows Program, and works as a campus tour guide. A proud Latvian American, she hopes to build a career in Baltic Studies researching the intersection between law, gender, and national security.

Carol is a third-year student, double majoring in Economics/Business and Law, Letters and Society, and minoring in Gender and Sexuality Studies. She was born and raised in Estonia, but came to the U.S. to study and get new experiences. Outside of her studies, she partakes in UChicago Moot Court, spends her time going new stores, restaurants and theatre.

Eduardo is a second-year student majoring in Economics and Political Science. Born and raised in Brazil, he came to the University of Chicago looking to debate ideas, think critically, and pursue the American Dream. Eduardo is interested in pursuing a career in finance and enjoys talking about philosophy, cinema and history.

I am a current MD/PhD student in the UChicago Pritzker School of Medicine and Department of Public Health Sciences. I am from the Boston area, and did my undergraduate studies in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in  Massachusetts. I then studied and lived in New York City while pursuing my masters education, before moving to Chicago. I am a powerlifter and former volleyball player and my hobbies include pottery and film! Over the past year, I have been fortunate enough to attend several events at the UChicago Forum and am excited to help the student body develop spaces and opportunities to engage in discourse and dialogue, to learn with and from each other.

I’m a second-year student studying Economics and Philosophy. I grew up in Richmond, Virginia, where I developed an appreciation for the role arts and culture play in building community. On campus, I’m involved in several arts and culture-oriented RSOs, and outside of academics, I play piano and violin.

Hershey Suri is a Gursikh director, producer, and law student whose work explores the intersection of storytelling, advocacy, and systems change. Born in New York City and raised in San Diego, she graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Pomona College with degrees in Politics and Theatre before working as a civil rights paralegal at Loevy & Loevy, one of the nation’s leading civil rights law firms. There, she contributed to wrongful conviction and impact litigation cases.

Alongside her legal work, Hershey founded Pop Up! Productions, a theatre company dedicated to advancing equity through performance. She directed the South Asian adaptation of Next to Normal, which received recognition from The Chicago Reader, Brown Girl Magazine, and BroadwayWorld. A Jeff Impact Fellow and TPOC Producing 101 fellow, Hershey is pursuing her J.D. at the University of Chicago Law School while continuing to build a career across law and theatre.

Andrew is a law student from Menlo Park, California. He graduated from Stanford University with a BA in English and worked for two years at the Harvard University Museum for Comparative Zoology. He is interested in the Constitution and the civil rights it enshrines, as well as the social practice of those rights.

Subhra grew up in Mumbai, India, and is just wrapping up her first year at Chicago Booth before heading back into the consulting world post-MBA. Her background is a bit of a mix of law and corporate strategy — she earned her undergraduate degree in law and worked as an associate at a firm, spent time as a consultant at BCG, and most recently served as Chief of Staff to the CEO for Liberty Mutual’s India arm. She keeps in touch with her legal roots by managing an online blog that publishes articles on contemporary corporate and commercial law issues in India. Outside of work and school, you can usually find her reading, watching movies at the theatre or planning long road trips with her partner of seven years.

Clara Tripp is a second-year student in the College who is curious about the intersections of truth and freedom of expression in digital media and journalism. She enjoys reading, exploring museums, and live music. At home in the Hudson Valley, NY, she can be found trail running, skiing, or polar plunging.

Madison is a current senior at the college majoring in Molecular Engineering on the Chemical Track. Her interests include pharmaducials, medicine, health equality, and computer science. Outside of the Forum board, she is a research assistant in the Amoyoli Research Lab, a residential assistant in Max Palevsky Residential Commons, president of the National Society of Black Engineers, and co-founder and president of Generations, a group committed to uniting student registered organizations with seniors across the Hyde Park community.

Marcos Werning is a third-year at the University of Chicago studying Economics, Public Policy, and Philosophy. Raised between Connecticut and Buenos Aires, he witnessed Argentina's recurring economic crises firsthand and came of age during the Milei reform period, experiences that shaped his thinking about how institutions fail and how markets respond to shock.

This summer, Marcos served as a Research Fellow in the inaugural RAND/DARPA Geoeconomics Summer Study in DC, developing mechanisms to align private capital with national security objectives, and as a Research Intern for Refracted Capital, a New York-based search fund. He has previously conducted financial research on the LatAm banking sector at Capital Markets Argentina and worked as a capital markets paralegal at Marval O'Farrell Mairal in Buenos Aires.

Previously at the Forum, Marcos has hosted Dean Hale, and former Law School Dean Geoffrey Stone, among others. He is a baritone, absurdist, and avid traveler.

My name is Owen, and I am from Marietta, Georgia. I am a second-year in the College majoring in Political Science and Human Rights, and I am interested in humanitarian causes and sustainable development. I am so excited to be a Vice Chair for the Social Justice committee this year! Outside of the Chicago Forum, I am involved with UChicago Model United Nations, both competing on the travel team and helping run conferences that UChicago hosts each year. I also volunteer with various organizations in Chicago. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the city, spending time with friends, and being creative. I am looking forward to a great year with the Chicago Forum!

Gavin Wynn is a second-year in the College. The New York native is a former member of the Forum’s intern team and an inaugural co-chair of the Markets and Society Committee.

Beyond the Forum, Gavin chairs the Student Government Finance Committee and competes on the university’s track and cross country team. In his role on the Student Government, he has focused on fair budgeting, institutional decision-making, and student engagement. He is interested in economics, data science, and government, with an emphasis on how analytical tools can inform public policy and institutional design.

Gavin is completing his undergraduate course of study in economics, public policy, and East Asian languages, and looks forward to exploring these social and economic questions at the Forum.