Chemistry SI Leaders
Chemistry SI Leaders
CHEM 1300
Vyn Le
My name is Vyn Le, and I’m a sophomore biology major in the dual admission dental
program. This semester, I am the SI leader for General Chemistry I with Dr. Allred, and I chose
SI because I’ve always enjoyed helping my peers in the classroom. Some fun facts about me
are that I’ve played the piano for over 10 years, and I was the bassist for my high school rock
band. Nowadays, I play mostly the electric guitar.
CHEM 1300
Anthony Marzouk
Hi, my name is Anthony Marzouk and I am an SI for CHEM1300. I am a Freshman Biology major in the D.O. medical program with minors in Honors Transdisciplinary Studies, Behavioral Neuroscience, and Pre-Health. I chose to be an SI because I want to help empower students to be successful in difficult courses at NSU and share my passion for chemistry with others. In addition to being an SI, I am a First-Year Senator in USGA, I am the IOC Chair for the Education for Refugees Association (ERA), I am on the fundraising committee for Pre-SOMA, and I am a member of Delta Epsilon Mu. Lastly, a couple of things I enjoy are traveling the world and listening to music from my home country of Egypt.
CHEM 1300
Christina Herrera
My name is Christina Herrera, I’m a Bio Major, Pre-Med; with Minors in pre- health, honors transdisciplinary, pre-health, psychology for health sciences. I’m the SI Leader for CHEM 1310. I chose SI as I thoroughly enjoyed the course I took and wanted to help others understand the material and share my knowledge of the course. I also enjoy teaching and reviewing material as I have been a tutor in the past. I am part of the Junior Pediatrics Club, National Pre-Medical Association, and Women in Stem. Fun Facts: I am a medical assistant at a pediatrics office. I have a dog and guinea pig.
CHEM 1300
Avani Kulkarni
Hello! My name is Avani Kulkarni, and I am a second-year Neuroscience major with Pre-health and Health & Wellness Coaching minors in the 3+4 BS/DO program. You may recognize me as the Health and Wellness Ambassador for IOC or the Shark Pride Chair for SEABoard, but I am also an SI for General Chemistry 1! I chose SI because, when I was taking that course, I realized that helping others with a difficult concept helped me understand it better. It also taught me how to look at concepts and questions from different perspectives to try and find the approach that works best for different people. While I love chemistry, it is not everyone's strength, but that doesn't mean that they can't succeed in a chemistry course! Some fun facts about me are I have a fraternal twin sister, I love to dance, and I have found a new love for comedy and hosting ever since coming to NSU!
CHEM 1310
Alessandra Coke
Hi! I'm Alessandra Coke, and I am a SI leader for trigonometry. I am a sophomore biology major with chemistry, psychology and honors minors, and I'm in D.O/B.A program. I chose SI because I found it so helpful for my first year here at NSU that I wanted to pay it forward by becoming an SI myself :). I'm the IOC chair for SAGE, and I'm apart of GSA Sharks, HOSA and a few more :).
Fun facts: I play DnD during my spare time, and I love scary movies and video games.
CHEM 1310
Shriya Reddy
Hi! My name is Shriya Reddy and I am a current senior majoring in Biology and Neuroscience.
My goal is to become a physician and I plan on applying to medical school next summer. This is
my third semester as an SI for Organic Chemistry II. I chose to become an SI leader in order to
support students on their journeys to academic success. I know that challenging course content can be very discouraging, so I wanted to be able to create a positive atmosphere in which
students can work together to better understand the material. I was given this atmosphere by my SI leaders in the past, and I want for other students to experience it as well. A couple fun facts about me are that I was born and raised in California, I love Thai food, and something on my bucket list is to go skydiving in Hawaii!
CHEM 1300
Rehan Contractor
Hi there! My name is Rehan Contractor. For winter 2024, I am an SI leader for CHEM 1310. My
major is public health, and I am currently on a pre-med track. I chose SI because I wanted to be able to help students in a subject that I love! Through SI, I hope to help students feel more confident about the content they are learning and foster productive relationships with the students that will help them succeed in future classes. I am currently part of Down to Dance, a club focused on empowering individuals with Down's syndrome through research-based dance
movements. I am also apart of RESULTS, an advocacy club centered on improving public health
measures in the U.S. One fun fact about myself is that I love making short films and using cameras! Another fun fact about me is that I like to drive manual/stick-shift cars. Finally, I also have a pet fish!
CHEM 1310
Emily Guirguis
My name is Emily Guirguis and I am an SI Leader for CHEM 1310! I am majoring in Biology with minors in Public Health and Psychology for Health Sciences and I am on the pre-med track. Some of my hobbies include shopping, traveling with my family, playing volleyball, and watching the sunset. I chose to become an SI Leader because attending SI sessions for my own classes had such a positive impact on me, so I wanted to be able to create that same impact for others and their learning!
CHEM 1310
Camilla Vertsman
My name is Camilla Vertsman and I’m a senior supplemental instructor as well as a tutor at the TTC. I’m a biology major and hope to one day be a dentist! A fun fact about me is that I love to dance and workout.
CHEM 1310
Emmanuel Guerrero
I’m in the Biology Pre-Dental Track. I’m the SI Leader for General Chemistry (CHEM 1300).
SI helped me break out of my shell of relying only on myself to learn. The sessions allowed me to collaborate and become a great teammate of those who are struggling with the course as I was in the same situation of feeling stuck on being able to pass chemistry. For this reason, I joined SI to become a leader and to be the helping hand of those who think they have given up. Wanting the best out of each other and going the extra mile together.
Fun Facts: - I love to listen to Taylor Swift and Country Music, and I love to play Pokémon
CHEM 2400
Andrew Brandea
Hey! I'm Andrew Brandea, and I'm an SI Leader for Organic Chemistry I. I'm pursuing a double major in Biology and Chemistry on the Pre-Med track. I chose SI because I believe you can never do too much organic chemistry! On campus, I serve as the treasurer for HOSA: Future Health Professionals. One fun fact about myself is that I love to compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where I am currently a purple belt.
CHEM 2400
Jay Vakil
My name is Jay Vakil, and I am a Supplemental Instructor for Organic Chemistry 1. I am a biology major with a chemistry and business minor in the pre-dental track. I chose to become an SI as I love to teach my fellow peers especially in the course where I love the most. While I was taking the course, I saw several people struggle with the topics of organic chemistry, however, I would love it when they would ask me questions. I was part of the NSU Maasti Bollywood Fusion Dance Team for 2 years. Some fun facts about me are that I love to dance and play pickleball.
CHEM 2400
Keerthi Polam
My name is Keerthi Polam. I am an SI Leader for Organic Chemistry 1. I am a biology major, with a business minor. I am in the Dual DO program on the pre-med track. I chose to be an SI leader because I love being a mentor to my students in and out of the classroom. I hope to help my students gain confidence in themselves while learning challenging concepts. I am currently the President of Pre-SOMA and the Secretary for Pre-Medical Society. A couple fun facts about me is that my favorite TV show is One Tree Hill and I have a dog named Prince!
CHEM 2400
Nhi Van
Hi! My name is Nhi and I am an SI Leader for CHEM 2410 this semester. I am currently majoring in biology on the pre-dental track. I chose SI because it's an amazing opportunity to serve as a mentor to students and create a comfortable environment that promotes collaboration. On campus, I am a member of NSU Scientific Literature Society. A couple fun facts about me is that I enjoy playing soccer, spending time with family, and building LEGOs when I get the chance!
CHEM 2400
Saaketh Palli
Hello, my name is Saaketh Palli and I am a CHEM2400 SI leader for Professor Wang. I'm a senior majoring in Biology with a minor in Psychology on the pre-med track. I chose to be a SI leader because I want to help students in challenging courses that contain complex information. Moreover, I want to help guide students by providing study tips and strategies that could apply throughout their entire undergraduate career. Currently, I am the internal vice president of RESULTS NSU and a part of Down to Dance. One fun fact about myself is that I love football!
CHEM 2410
Arianna Calderon
Hi, my name is Arianna Calderon and I am an SI for CHEM 2410. Currently I major in public health with interest of going down the pre-med track and I minor in both pre-health and art. I chose to become an SI because during my freshmen year, I always admired my past SI leaders for breaking down material for better understanding and being that source of help for students. As a student, I would often would end up explaining material to others as my own study benefit but as I continued doing it I started to enjoy helping others grasp material which then lead to my growing interest in becoming an SI myself. In addition, I hope being an SI would also help me improve in my skill of public speaking and explanation. I am involved in a club “OH! Fashion” as an IOC chair which our club aim is to encourage exploration in different fashion trends, show how fashion can be expressed and enjoyed by all, and overall to boost your confidence. A fun fact about myself is that I am an artist and I love learning how to use different art mediums such as painting and traditional drawing. The art medium that I enjoy most is digital animation but I’m still learning more about it as I plan to pursue it as an ongoing hobby of mine.
CHEM 2410
Emily Andersen
My name is Emily Andersen. I am an Organic Chemistry 2 SI! I am a biology major, and I am on the Pre-physician assistant track. I am on the E-Board for the Pre-Physician Assistant Society here at NSU. I chose to be an SI because I remember struggling in Organic Chemistry and after hard work and being involved with SI I was able to succeed and I’m hoping to help students have the same success story! A fun fact about me is I have 4 dogs!
CHEM 2410
Philo Ibrahim
Hello, my name is Philopatier Ibrahim. I am a Neuroscience Major on the Pre-Med track and am an SI for Chem 2400. I chose to be an SI because I genuinely want every student to reach their full potential in the class. Throughout my time as an SI last semester, I truly have become really passionate about my job and see it as a learning experience for me and the kids I help. I truly want to be a reason that the kids get an A in the class and someone they know they can talk to if they have questions or concerns. I am a leader in is Science Alive and I am the IOC chair of MENA and a member of OCCM. An interesting fact about me is that I love working out!
CHEM 2410
Rajvi Patel
My name is Rajvi Patel. I will be an SI leader Organic Chemistry II. I am a biology major in the Dual DO Program, on the pre-med track. I chose to be an SI Leader because SI sessions have helped me so much and I want to reciprocate that to future students. It is an extremely beneficial way to review concepts more in-depth and master the material in an active and engaging way. I also decided to be an SI leader because I absolutely love organic chemistry, and I hope to share that passion with other students. As an SI Leader, while helping students with organic chemistry, I hope to mentor students through other aspects of their academic and personal goals. Some organizations I am a part of are NSU Club Tennis and Mission Brain NSU. A couple of fun facts about me are that I love to bake new items, I love traveling, and the biggest thing on my bucket list is to go skydiving!
CHEM 2410
Vishal Ahuja
Hello! My name is Vishal Ahuja, I am a junior majoring in Human Nutrition, and I am also in the 8-year Dual D.O. program. I am a SI leader for CHEM 2410 or Organic Chemistry II. The reason I decided I wanted to be a part of the SI team is because I remember all the struggles and difficulties I faced while trying to succeed in many of my classes, I want to give back to my peers and do what I can to help them with what I’ve picked up in a class that I know I struggled in. In addition to being a SI leader I am a mentor in the mentorship program and I’m also apart of club tennis. Some fun facts about me are that I love thrifting/vintage fashion and I also love to bake!
CHEM 3650
Rishad Alam
My name is Rishad Raiyan Alam and I am currently pursuing a biology major while also double minoring in public health and psychology. It is truly my honor and pleasure to be an SI leader for biochemistry (CHEM3650) this fall semester! I chose SI because I am extremely passionate and excited to help students find a growing love for biological sciences and to play a part in their journey in grasping biochemistry, which is such a pivotal subject that serves as the foundation for understanding all biological processes that occur within humans. Currently, I am an active member of the Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology as well as a member of the Tri Beta Biological Honor Society alongside holding the position of being a religious activities chair on the MSA (Muslim Student Association) E-board. Some fun facts about myself are that I was born on New Year’s Day, and I love to play basketball and soccer! I am also a really huge sports fan and support various teams such as the Miami Heat, Inter Miami, Chelsea, and many more!
CHEM 3650
Marqus Colon
Greetings, my name is Marqus Colon and I lead SI for Biochemistry! I am a senior Biology major pursuing minors in both Pre-Health and Honors Transdisciplinary Studies. SI has been an invaluable resource to me during my time at NSU, helping me to excel in some of the more challenging courses in my curriculum. Being able to now use my knowledge to assist my fellow Sharks in their studies as an SI Leader has been an extremely gratifying experience. It is wonderful to give back to this community by being of service to others! Outside of the lecture room, you can find me with my eyes glued to fantasy books or listening to music. I especially love George R.R. Martin and House of the Dragon. I hope to see you in session!
CHEM 3650
Ellie Wind
My name is Eleanor Wind and I am an SI leader for Biochemistry. I am majoring in biology and neuroscience on the pre-med track. I chose SI because I enjoyed the challenge of biochemistry and I want to help empower others to learn the subject effectively while strengthening my own understanding. I am also a student success mentor, an active member of NSU club swimming and I work in a neuroscience lab on campus studying the neurobiology of substance abuse. A fun fact about me is that I can play the drum set.