Meet the MS in Biotechnology Program’s Executive Board
The Biotechnology Master’s Program at Georgetown welcomed many new students this fall semester, comprising diverse backgrounds and interests in the biotechnology industry. The cohort spans all of the track options, including BioBusiness, BioScience, Cell & Gene Therapy, Drug Design & Discovery, Industrial Sciences and the Individualized track.
At the start of the fall semester, students interested in serving on the executive board gave speeches to fellow classmates detailing their backgrounds and qualifications and then a program election was held for students to vote for the members of the executive board. This year’s board is composed of 13 members, all looking forward to planning events for students to have opportunities to network, connect, and have memorable experiences throughout the upcoming year.
Chidiebube Chikezie: Co-President
Chidiebube Chikezie is the current class president of the Biotechnology Master’s Program at Georgetown University and is on the individualized track. She is passionate about the intersection of science, technology, and global health. With a particular interest in program management, she aspires to contribute to the biotechnology industry, leveraging her classroom experience and internship to advance scientific research and innovation. As the class president, Chidiebube is committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment for her peers and building a sense of belonging for everyone in the program through diverse activities. She looks forward to helping her classmates explore their potential and strive for well-rounded success. She is also currently a Program Manager Intern at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research’s Pilot Bioproduction Facility, where she is gaining valuable hands-on experience in managing biotechnological projects within Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) environments. Outside of academia and work, Chidi enjoys hiking, traveling, and music.
Sophia Levit: Co-President
Sophia Levit joined the Biotechnology Program in the Fall of 2024 on the BioBusiness track. As a prospective medical doctor, she hopes to utilize her education at Georgetown to help bring new therapies to patients with a unique clinical perspective. Sophia chose this program because of the rich connections she hopes to make with her cohort. Additionally, the diversity of courses will give her knowledge in all aspects of biotechnology via the business, regulatory, and marketing core of her degree. Being in the heart of DC, Sophia plans to leverage the unique location by organizing networking events and fostering connections with industry leaders and innovators. She is dedicated to creating opportunities for her peers to expand their professional networks and gain invaluable insights into the biotechnology landscape, all while making life-long connections with each other.
Thao Nguyen: Co-Vice President
Thao Nguyen serves as one of the program’s Vice Presidents and she is on the Cell and Gene Therapy track. Thao chose to join the GU Biotech program because it offered the perfect combination of academic rigor, scientific research, and industry-focused applications, which aligns with her passion for oncology and clinical trials. She is committed to promote a sense of community and inclusion within the program, where everyone feels encouraged to share ideas and resources, ultimately to make meaningful contributions to the field of biotechnology
Martina Nuneva: Co-Vice President
Martina Nuneva joined the Biotechnology program BioBusiness track in the Fall of 2024. Passionate about the intersection of business and science, she hopes to embark on her journey as Vice President, making rich connections with her peers and mentors and learning key concepts and lessons to help her with her growth as a leader in biotechnology. Determined to make the most of her time in the program and create lasting memories for the entire class, Martina plans to leverage as many networking opportunities as possible and contribute to organizing networking and social events for the program class and alumni.
Tannaz Azimi: Alumni Co-Chair
Tannaz Azimi is currently a Master’s in Biotechnology student at Georgetown University, on the Biobusiness Track. Tannaz is from San Jose, California, where she remained local and attended Santa Clara University for her undergraduate education, studying Neuroscience with minors in Public Health and Biology. Post-graduation, she began working as a Life Science Professional in the Department of Otolaryngology at Stanford School of Medicine. In her two years at Stanford, she worked on researching a therapeutic promoting peripheral nerve regeneration. After obtaining her master’s degree, she hopes to enter the regulatory affairs sector of drug development, serving as a liaison between the scientific and regulatory pathways.
Spencer Willeford: Alumni Co-Chair
Spencer Willeford joined the program in Fall 2024 on the Individualized Track and is on the Program’s co Alumni Chairs. He will be attending law school next year with the goal of pursuing career in patent law. His goal is to engage with alumni of the Biotechnology program and foster the relationship between alumni and current students, and ensure that current students have access with a wealth of information regarding careers and further educational pursuits within the biotechnology industry. He chose this program because of its’ emphasis on professional and academic engagement, and the number of opportunities available to students. He is excited to work with so many talented individuals in the program and to engage with alumni of the program.
Priyanka Bhakhri: Community Outreach Co-Chair
Priyanka Bhakhri is one of the Community Outreach Chairs for the 2024-2025 class; she is on the Biobusiness track. Her goal is to help foster strong connections within her peers through acts of selflessness which give back to the Washington community at large. She believes that it is important to contribute positively to your environment and work towards leaving a beneficial impact when possible. She chose GU Biotechnology to be part of an intellectual network that is multifaceted and interdisciplinary in the heart of a diverse city.
Sophia Duarte: International Student Representative
Sophia Duarte is a first-semester student in Biotechnology Program, concentrating in BioBusiness. As the International Representative, Sophia’s main goal is to embrace diversity and help students adapt to a new culture without erasing their own. What attracted her the most to this program is the unique capstone internship and GU’s esteemed alumni and network community. Additionally, she thinks that this program allows her to bridge her knowledge in biochemistry with business to improve healthcare for patients.
Ricardo Murphy: Program Representative
Ricardo Murphy is a Senator representing the MS Biotechnology program in the Graduate Student Government (GradGov) and is on the Cell and Gene Therapy track. He aims to create a bridge with other graduate programs and student organizations to enhance networking opportunities beyond the biotech environment. His goal is to give the biotech program a voice in decisions that empower the Georgetown University graduate community. He chose the Biotech program for its blend of science and business, which is essential for making an impact today, as well as its networking opportunities and inclusive community.
Kendall Platt: Program Representative
Kendall Platt is one of the Program Representatives and is on the BioBusiness track. As a program representative, she is committed to serving as a liaison by educating fellow students about external opportunities, welcoming different perspectives within the organization, and ensuring the needs of the program are met. She chose Georgetown’s biotechnology program to further explore the landscape of the business in biotechnology and connect with students and alumni that share similar passions. She is looking forward to expanding her knowledge outside of her academic science background and work experience in biotech marketing and medical education. The program is well suited for her career development goals and she hopes to make a lasting impact for the Biotechnology program.
Brittany Williams: Service Chair
Brittany Williams, a member of the Cell and Gene Therapy track since Fall 2024, serves as a service chair focused on supporting underprivileged communities. She actively addresses issues like homelessness, addiction, and domestic violence through advocacy and hands-on work with shelters. As a former board member of Parts of Peace, she helped combat homelessness in Baltimore, and as a Reading Partners tutor, she empowered children to improve their literacy. Her passion for youth empowerment and vulnerable populations drives her commitment to creating lasting change, echoing her belief: “You can’t expect change overnight, but you can’t sit and wait for it either.”
Joheily Rodriguez: Social Media and Design Co-Chair
Joheily Rodriguez is one of the social media and design chairs for this year’s class and she is currently on the drug and discovery track. In this role she looks forward to capturing the journey of the masters program in hopes to create unforgettable memories that the class can cherish long after this experience has come to an end. Joheily came into this role with experience in Marketing and science based education. She chosed the biotechnology program to get more familiar with the biotechnology industry and the coursework that encompasses the drug and discovery track. She believes this will give her a better perspective to understand the industry and learn from esteemed experts.
Adesh Suchit: Social Media and Design Co-Chair
Adesh Suchit is one of the Social Media and Design Chairs for this year’s class and he is on the BioBusiness track. He has a background in marketing and advertising work at the club level in high school and undergrad, with experience in podcasts, newsletters, and audiovisual media. He is looking forward to building on the program’s existing social media outlets and sharing a diverse group of perspectives from the current cohort. Adesh came to the Biotechnology program at GU based on its industry reputation and to better explore the intersections between science, business, and law. He is excited to be a part of making and capturing memories with this year’s academic class.