Addison ChanSchatz is a senior from Manhattan NYC who grew up, with his twin brother Oliver, experiencing the role of process in creating contemporary fine art in his parent’s studio. Moving to Madison he Graduated from STEM Academy, earning his associate’s degree from Madison College. Coming to UW-Madison, as a freshman Addison was a part of the Avraamdiou Research Group, a Circular Economy Lab based in the Departments of Biological and Chemical Engineering. During his sophomore year, Addison was elected Fundraising Officer and Interim Treasurer of the UW-Madison Esports & Gaming Club coordinating sponsorships at the national and international level. During Addison’s past three years, he has been a member of UW-Madisons Concrete Canoe team, helping contribute to 3 regional wins and 3 national placements, contributing to UW’s long tradition of Concrete Canoe Excellence. This summer Addison is studying for the LSAT and is planning on taking a gap year to apply to Law School once graduated. Addison is graduating with his undergraduate degree in Economics with certificates in Art History, Political Economy Philosophy & Politics (PEPP), and Econ Analytics. Addison has participated in clubs ranging from UW-Madison Table Tennis to the UW-Madison Federal Reserve Challenge Team. Addison is a CAE (Center for Academic Excellence) Scholar and FASTrack Scholarship recipient.
Amaya Horace is a junior at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, originally from Bowie, Maryland, outside of Washington, D.C. She is majoring in International Studies on the Global Security track and in Russian. As an Undergraduate Research Scholar, she conducted research with graduate student Junda Li in the Department of Political Science, focusing on the evolution of U.S. industrial policy related to electric vehicles. Her commitment to student research began in high school, when she was selected to participate in Stanford University’s China Scholars Program, where she conducted research on various aspects of the U.S.–China relationship. She later continued her research trajectory as a Peace and Security Pipeline Fellow with the Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security (WCAPS) program, where she presented her research to the U.S. Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security on how fragile states such as Mozambique, Chad, Colombia, and Ecuador adjusted their economic and social policies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amaya is also a participant in the federally funded Russian Flagship Program at Wisconsin and has studied five critical languages, including Chinese, Arabic, French, and German. She has earned national recognition for her dedication to language learning and global engagement, receiving scholarships and media features from the U.S. State Department, the Confucius Institute, and other organizations. In the future, Amaya plans to pursue graduate studies and a career in international development, diplomacy, or national security. In terms of further research, she is particularly interested in how policy, language, and technology intersect to shape global cooperation, security, and strategic influence. Outside of academics, Amaya enjoys long walks with her three dogs and her cat, reading, baking, and discovering local cafés. She is also passionate about mentoring younger students and staying engaged with global issues through current events and language practice.
Anders Kvalsvik is a third-year student from outside Boston, Massachusetts, pursuing a BS in Neurobiology and Psychology along with a certificate in Data Science. Motivated by a deep interest in prefrontal cortex function and motivation, he joined the Harlow Center for Biological Psychology as a URS Scholar, where he investigates inhibitory control in rhesus macaques using joystick-based video game tasks. He also works in the Cognitive Developmental Neuroscience Lab, where he writes Python and R scripts to manage and analyze fMRI data for a study on neural representations of social context. As a former LASER Scholar, Badger Volunteer, and ACTS tutor, Anders enjoys inspiring others with his passion for research and is always seeking opportunities for meaningful neuroscience conversations with professors and peers. Outside the lab, Anders plays intramural soccer, enjoys cross-country skiing, watches the NFL, sitcoms, and anime, and loves discovering hidden food and study spots around campus.
Diego Izaak Miranda-Gandarilla is a senior at UW-Madison pursuing a double major in Neurobiology and Scandinavian Studies through the College of Letters & Science Honors Program. As a URS Scholar, he collaborated with Dr. John Hokanson, M.D., on research exploring optimal catheter intervention criteria for pediatric aortic coarctation at UW Health. Diego is also a Wisconsin International Scholar (WISc) and a member of the Center for Educational Opportunity (CeO) Scholars Program. As a Colorado Native, he is a die-hard Denver Nuggets fan. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies and soccer, reading, listening to music, playing the saxophone, and speaking Swedish!
Hadeel Manimaran is a junior majoring in Economics and Data Science with a certificate in Consulting. As a URS Scholar, she worked in the NeuroLAND Lab under Dr. Haley Dresang, studying ways to use language processing to measure semantic memory in aphasia patients. After URS, she continued working at the lab on various other projects involving machine learning. She is exploring careers in consulting as well as graduate school. Outside academics, Hadeel is part of Theta Tau, the engineering fraternity on campus, where she served as DEI Chair in Spring 2025. She is also the Business Head at Wisconsin Engineer Magazine and a member of the UW Women’s Rugby Team. Hadeel’s hobbies include watching a ton of sports, hitting the gym, cooking, and indulging in the occasional New York Times Game.
Janani Sampath is a fourth-year student from Green Bay, Wisconsin. She is majoring with honors in Neurobiology, Psychology, and certificates in Asian American studies and classical studies. Since her days as a URS Scholar, Janani has continued her research in the Speech Processing and Auditory Neuroscience lab, where she studies neural processing of enhanced speech. Janani is the historian of AED, a premedical club on campus, and works as a behavioral technician in her hometown on the weekends. In her free time, Janani loves hiking, listening to music, and daydreaming.
Kayden Keeney is a third-year student from Rush City, Minnesota majoring in neurobiology. Kayden is planning to apply to medical school upon graduation from UW-Madison to pursue her dream of becoming the first doctor in her family. She is currently working as a research assistant at the Speech Processing and Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory. Her project involves studying the efficacy of frequency lowering in hearing aids using EEG techniques. In her free time, she enjoys being in nature, playing with her cats Rockefeller and Gatsby, and going on adventures with her husband Brent.
Lilah Grubb is a third-year student from Minneapolis, Minnesota who is majoring in journalism and education policy with certificates in data science and digital media analytics. She is a proud scholar and peer mentor in the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) and spent her time in URS as a research assistant for the Cognitive Development and Media Lab under Professor Heather Kirkorian. She now does research through the UW School of Journalism looking at media violence. In her free time, Lilah enjoys collaging, swimming and baking!
Lulia Tekeste is a fourth-year student and proud Posse Scholar from Chicago, Illinois. She is double majoring in Neurobiology and Psychology, and works to understand the bridge between biology and behavior. As a URS Scholar, she was a student researcher at the Harlow Center for Biological Psychology, where she explored the relationship between the two hemispheres of non-human primate brains. Two years later, she is at the same lab and now her research focuses primarily on the impact of environmental enrichment on biomarkers and overall health. Outside of URS and academics, she is the Vice President of the Black Psychology Student Association, a member of the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board, and Badger SPILL (mental health support organization). In her free time, she loves to read, write, and watch her favorite shows.
Nolan Hegge is a fourth-year student from Madison, Wisconsin. He is triple majoring in Data Science, Environmental Studies, and Cartography and Geographic Information Systems with certificates in Computer Science and Geospatial Data Science. During his time as a URS scholar, Nolan worked in the Kaufman lab on campus researching local food systems and developing new tools for farmers market managers and farmers. After finishing his time as a URS scholar, Nolan has continued to work for the Kaufman lab as a member of the software development and research teams. Outside of his studies, Nolan is involved in the UW-Madison Jiu-Jitsu Club and enjoys playing cello, cooking, staying active, and seeing live music.
Sadie Brenneman is a fourth-year student from Chicago, Illinois, majoring in Botany with certificates in Environmental Studies and the Integrative Design of Built and Natural Landscapes. As a URS Scholar, Sadie studied the correlation between the architectural growth models and anatomy on certain gymnosperm families in the USDA Forest Products Laboratory. Currently, she is working on her senior thesis in the Damschen Research Lab, focusing on assisted migration of prairie species along a climatic gradient. In her free time, Sadie enjoys social dancing, spending time with her friends and family, and taking walks in the UW Arboretum and the Lakeshore Trail.
Sanjana Srinivas is a third-year honors student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying Economics, History, and Development Economics. As an Undergraduate Research Scholar last year, she worked with Dr.Bierbrauer of the Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture to analyze the development of water management systems in Denver, Colorado. By researching key milestones in water infrastructure development from the 19th to the 21st century, Sanjana gained a deeper understanding of the evolution of hydro-social territories and their implications for the future of water access. Sanjana’s interest in research began in high school when she conducted an independent study on the relationship between the passing of Act 10 and the current teacher shortage in Wisconsin. She hopes to continue researching issues in urban development and the economies of post-colonial nations through graduate studies. Outside of academics, Sanjana is the logistics chair for the University’s Mock Trial program and competes across the country with her team. In her free time, Sanjana enjoys long walks, reviewing films, and travelling.
Simantini Thorat is a fourth-year student from Maharashtra, India. She is majoring in Genetics and Genomics, with a certificate in Life Sciences communication. During her time as a URS Scholar, she worked on developing a fast and efficient gene-editing tool using CRISPR-Cas9 technology in the PFLEGER Lab, under the guidance of Dr. Shivangi Mishra. She also got the opportunity to work in the Martin Lab, where she helped in the regulation of hormone and neurotransmitter secretion research. Outside of the URS program, Simantini enjoys reading, writing, and hanging out with friends.
Sydney Tannen is a current fourth-year student from Minneapolis, MN. She is majoring in Biology with certificates in Health and the Humanities and Health Policy. During her time as a URS scholar, Sydney did research with Dr. LB Klein on developing a bystander intervention education program for LGBTQ+ college students. In addition to this, Sydney also works as an EMT and volunteers as an online crisis counselor. In the future Sydney is hoping to pursue a career in healthcare and obtain a masters in Public Health degree. Other than her academic and professional pursuits, Sydney enjoys reading, writing, making jewelry, sewing, and spending time with her friends.
Walid Lakdari is a third-year King-Morgridge Scholar from Morocco, majoring in Biology with certificates in Data Science and Biocore. He is passionate about leveraging biological research to address interdisciplinary issues with tangible benefits for local communities. His research spans bioacoustics, conservation, ophthalmology, and evolutionary biology. As a URS scholar, he was mentored by scientists at the McLellan Lab. Currently, he is conducting independent research at the Baum Lab, where he studies how environmental cycling influences prebiotic amino acid condensation. On campus, Walid serves as a Content Editor for the Journal of Undergraduate Science and Technology and sits on the student advisory committee for the King-Morgridge Scholars Program. Beyond the lab and classroom, he’s passionate about sharing his cultural heritage and exploring new academic fields.