Fall Class of 2022
Dimitri Bayramov
Graduation: Spring 2025
Dimitri Bayramov is a first-year student at the Judy Genshaft Honors College at USF. He is a Biomedical Sciences major and plans to continue his studies as part of the 7 Year BS/MD Program with the goal of attending the Morsani College of Medicine as an MD/PhD student. He graduated simultaneously from East Lake High School and St. Petersburg College in three years and chose to attend The University of South Florida because he believes the school is the perfect environment to achieve his academic and career goals. He is involved in the Judy Genshaft Honors College Student Council Volunteer Committee and volunteers for a research lab in the Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology department at USF Health under the direction of Dr. Lianchun Wang.
Caitlyn Coleman
Graduation: Spring 2023
Caitlyn is a fourth-year student studying Microbiology with a minor in Infection Control. She is a Peer Mentor Lead in the Judy Genshaft Honors College and a 2022 Goldwater Scholar. She serves as a student ambassador for the Office of National Scholars and the Vice President of Recruitment for the Dean’s Student Leadership Society under the College of Arts and Sciences. Caitlyn has conducted research through Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) at Cornell University and the University of Georgia, in addition to performing research on-campus at USF. She has traveled to multiple conferences to present her work and has been invited to showcase her research at the Florida Board of Governors 2022 Trustee Summit. A musician at heart, she is a member of the University Singers ensemble through the School of Music. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in Microbiology with the ultimate goal of teaching and mentoring students as a professor.
Tucker Griner
Graduation: Spring 2024
Tucker Griner is a junior studying political science and philosophy. His passion lies in civil rights law and advocacy. He believes that the problems we face today will only be solved by those who are able to lead with empathy first and foremost. To that end, he created a new group at USF called Stonecatchers, an organization dedicated to fostering empathetic leadership by putting members in close proximity to those they serve. He is also the vice president of the USF Mock Trial Team, a Peer Mentor, and a Student Advisor with the Student Government Agency Bulls Student Advisors. His present goal is to get people to become more engaged and proximate with people and groups they don’t normally interact with to foster a more cohesive and empathetic community. After graduation, Tucker intends to potentially pursue nonprofit work with Stonecatchers, and ultimately intends to go to law school and become a civil rights attorney.
Aiden Jaskolka-Brown
Graduation: Fall 2024
Aiden is a second-year Biomedical Sciences major, National Merit Scholar, and Genshaft Global Presidential Scholar on the 7-year BS/MD track. He is the Vice President of the Honors Health Humanities Circle and is working on starting an international non-profit focused on water filtration through the Judy Genshaft Honors College. He is also the President of USF’s Table Tennis Club. In May 2022, Aiden traveled with the Honors College to help establish pop-up clinics for disadvantaged populations in the Dominican Republic. Additionally, he presented research about the marginalization of Haitians in the Dominican Republic at USF’s Undergraduate Humanities Conference, where it received an “Outstanding Research” award. He went on to present and publish his research at Johns Hopkins University’s National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium. Aiden also researches in the Department of Molecular Medicine at Morsani College of Medicine, where he crystallizes novel Covid protein mutants to be analyzed for drug discovery. He has volunteered at Planned Parenthood and donated nearly six gallons of platelets. Ultimately, he aspires to be a traveling surgeon and researcher to provide a lifeline for patients around the world.
Rachel Bryan
Graduation: Spring 2024
Rachel Bryan is a third-year student pursuing her Bachelors in Communication, minoring in Religious Studies. She is currently involved in several other student organizations, such as USF Ambassadors, Student Alumni Association, Student Philanthropy, and is also a 2023 Orientation Leader. Outside of college, she is a middle school youth advisor for her church. Through the Order, Rachel plans on sharing her passion for her school and aims for everyone to experience the life-changing effect USF has to offer. Rachel thoroughly believes that college is what you make it, and she encourages other students to be as involved as possible! Upon graduation, Rachel would love to work with elementary to middle-school-aged children in any capacity.
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Amy Doan
Amy Doan is a first-generation, pre-medical student at the University of South Florida. While attending USF, Amy recognizes the importance of leadership in community development and teamwork. In doing so, she is the cofounder and Co-President of Bulls Medical Pursuit, a mentorship organization that offers the opportunity for pre-medical students to be paired with a Morsani College of Medicine medical student. Amy understands the importance of diversity at USF and has held the role of Vice President for the LGBTQ+ Health Alliance Organization on campus. In Tampa Bay, Amy is part of the planning committee for the International Women In Surgery Carrer Symposium and was a member of the Pre-Health Scholars Program at USF Morsani. Additionally, Amy recognizes the importance of philanthropy and organized a successful donation drive for refugees of the Russo-Ukrainian War through her membership in the Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity. Once graduated from the University of South Florida, Amy Doan hopes to become a physician in the future and specialize in surgery.
Graduation: Spring 2024
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Alexander Hernandez
Graduation: Spring 2025
Alexander Hernandez is an undergraduate sophomore, majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology and minoring in Aging Sciences and Infection control at the University of South Florida. Prior to beginning at USF, he was able to achieve a full-ride scholarship through the Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholars Award. He was able to acquire this scholarship through the completion of the Cambridge AICE Diploma. Within his first semester at USF, he participated in a research program (SEA-PHAGES) and discovered his very own virus. This virus can be used in phage therapy to help eradicate any bacterial infections in humans. This same semester, Alexander was granted membership to Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity. The following semester, he was offered a research traineeship within the USF College of Behavioral and Community Sciences. Now, Alexander is conducting research to understand the mental health and behavioral patterns of juveniles within Florida detention centers that misuse substances and develop addiction. His ultimate goal is to become a physician and pay forward all the clinical help he received as a child.
Aytana Cardona
Graduation: Fall 2024
Aytana Cardona is a second year Cell and Molecular Biology and Psychology major and she plans to become a pediatric physician. In her time at USF, she has become involved both on campus and off. Her largest dedication on campus has been to Phi Delta Epsilon, the medical fraternity, since she rushed Fall 2021. She also had the opportunity to work as a writing consultant with USF’s Writing Studio. Off-campus, she volunteers with Tampa General Hospital’s Child Life department to support patients who are preparing for procedures or who have to stay for an elongated period of time. She is a house volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House and supports families who are supporting their patient and need a place to stay. Aytana is a psychology research assistant at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg for studies involving hematology and oncology patients.
Kelly Drago
Graduation: Spring 2023
Kelly Drago is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of South Florida majoring in Biomedical Sciences and Psychology. Some of Kelly’s involvement on campus includes being a Resident Assistant for Poplar Hall, a Research Assistant for the Wang Lab at the Morsani College of Medicine, a volunteer at Moffitt Cancer Center, and being a Peer Mentor for the Judy Genshaft Honors College. Her career goal is to go to medical school to earn her M.D. to become a psychiatrist. Ultimately, she wants to help people feel like they have a right to be included and that there is no such thing as being too different for society. She says everyone deserves an opportunity to be heard and listened to, despite the differences we may have with each other.
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Aastha Jakasania
Graduation: Spring 2025
Aastha Jakasania is a second-year student majoring in Information Technology with a minor in astronomy. She currently serves as a Peer Mentor for the Judy Genshaft Honors College, the Secretary of the Girls Who Code College Loop, the Management chair of the Data Science Club, Committee and Event Volunteer for the Campus Activities Board, and the Quality Assurance Director for the Engineering Expo 2023. She is a Millennium Fellow, and her project focuses on implementing sustainable practices through an interactive online platform. Aastha is a recipient of the Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Endowed scholarship at USF. She is also a member of Bulls LEAD, a leadership program led by the Dean of the College of Engineering. Upon graduation, Aastha hopes to delve deeper into Machine Vision and ADC.
Bethany Jowers
Graduation: Spring 2024
Bethany is a National Merit Scholar and Judy Genshaft Honors College student pursuing a Bachelor of Sciences in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Spanish. She is passionate about clinical research, serving medically underserved populations, female empowerment, sexual health, and improving her Spanish communication skills and cultural competence. She currently serves as an Instructor for the Honors Peer Sexual Education Program, an Emergency Department volunteer in the James A. Haley Veteran's Hospital, as well as an HIV testing counselor for the USF BRIDGE Clinic. She is the President of the Undergraduate American Medical Women's Association, which brings a community of empowerment to pre-health women at USF. Bethany is contributing to clinical research with the Transplant Institute at Tampa General Hospital and the USF Health Ybor Youth Clinic, where she works to improve healthcare for residents of the diverse Tampa Bay communities. She is excited to be a part of the Spring 2023 Honors Dominican Republic service trip, where she hopes to connect with the residents and serve them by providing medical care and sustainability implements with the Kerolle Initiative
Preston Kifer
Graduation: Spring 2025
Preston Kifer is a second-year honors student majoring in Political Science and Theatre with a minor in legal studies. Preston has served as a Resident Assistant, Peer Mentor, and Orientation Leader in his short time at USF. In addition to his service to the university, he has become heavily involved throughout campus. He has competed on the top USF Mock Trial team as well as served as an executive board member, become a member of the pre-law fraternity, Phi Alpha
Delta, and has founded and cofounded two unique clubs, The Judy Genshaft Honors Choir and Stonecatchers. Following graduation, Preston hopes to live abroad in Germany for a year through the Fulbright program and will then attend law school to obtain his JD. Preston has plans of becoming an attorney in the world of entertainment law.
Katherine Metheny
Graduation: Spring 2023
Katherine is an undergraduate student pursuing concurrent degrees in Political Science and Economics, with minors in Legal Studies and Philosophy. In her time at USF, she has served as the Chief Justice of the Student Government Supreme Court, President of USF's Mock Trial Club, Ambassador to the Pre-Law Committee, and a Peer Mentor and Peer Mentor Lead for the Judy Genshaft Honors College. Katherine has also worked as an intern with the 13th Circuit Public Defender's Office, Disability Rights Florida, as well as Fl. Rep. Susan Valdes and Michael Beltran. Katherine will graduate Spring 2023 with the intention of continuing her education into law school.
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Emily Mitchell
Graduation: Spring 2023
Emily is studying Professional and Technical Communications with a minor in Legal Studies. She is a proud member of the USF Ambassadors. For the 2021-2022 school year, She served as the Communications and Marketing Chair, as well as the Media Chair. This year, She is serving as the President of the Tampa Campus Ambassadors. In this capacity, She is also a member of the USF Alumni Association Board of Directors and a member of the Green & Gold Gala planning committee, as well as the President’s Inauguration planning committee. Emily will graduate in the spring of 2023 and she will be heading to law school in the fall. She hopes to focus on Intellectual Property Law with a specification in Copyright and Trademark.
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Tia Moriarty
Graduation: Spring 2023
Tia is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of South Florida majoring in History and World Languages and Cultures with concentrations in Mandarin and Spanish. Some of Tia’s involvement on campus includes being a Resident Assistant for the Judy Genshaft Honors College Living Learning Community in Juniper Hall, a Student Assistant for USF Athletics Tutoring, President of the Club de Español, and a Peer Mentor Lead with the Judy Genshaft Honors College. Tia was also recognized as a Millennium Fellow this year. Her career goal is to be a professor that designs and leads study abroad programs. Tia wants to support students’ academic and personal growth through real life experiences outside of their comfort zones. She hopes to create greater access to education and inspire others to chase their interests.
Abdul Muqeet Khawaja
Graduation: Spring 2024
Abdul is an International undergraduate student from Pakistan at USF St. Petersburg Campus double majoring in Accounting and Business Analytics with a concentration in Cybersecurity. He plans on graduating in the Spring of 2024 with the intention of pursuing graduate studies in Management Information Systems in the UK. Abdul is currently serving his second consecutive year as the Deputy Financial Officer for USF St. Petersburg Student Government and as the Chair of the Campus Allocation Funding Committee (CAFC). He is the Co-Chair of the Events Committee at the Judy Genshaft Honors College, a distinguished member of the Business Honors Program, and the Treasurer for the USF St. Petersburg soccer club. He says he has had remarkable experiences in representing and serving the student body at USF, something he wants to continue to achieve during his time at USF.
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Philip Okonkwo
Graduation: Spring 2023
Philip is a senior at USF majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Public Health. At USF, he currently serves as the Vice President of the USF Ambassadors and is the former Vice President of Minority Pre-Professional Science Society (MPSS). Philip has been engaged in research with the USF College of Public Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and the Promise Neighborhoods of Lehigh Valley. He also volunteers at Moffitt Cancer Center and is a member of the Judy Genshaft Honors College. After graduation, Philip plans to pursue a dual MD and master’s in public health, where he hopes to treat patients and create community interventions designed to address health inequities in minority communities.
Ryan Shargo
Graduation: Spring 2023
Ryan Shargo is a senior in the Judy Genshaft Honors College studying Biomedical Sciences. During his time at USF, he travelled to the Dominican Republic, serving as a mobile medical intern with the Kerolle Initiative for Community Health. As part of a 2-month internship, Ryan collected and analyzed community health data that he would eventually use in his honors thesis. Throughout the creation of 18 illness prevention graphics targeted at community needs, he was awarded the Honors College 2022 Outstanding Research Award. In addition to this, Ryan has served as the Philanthropy Chair for Delta Tau Delta, leading a project to restore the Honors Community Garden fence, and raising over $2500 for juvenile diabetes research. Looking forward, Ryan is currently coauthoring a book regarding health and culture in the Dominic Republic and plans to continue his education at the USF Morsani College of Medicine in 2023.
Johnette Williams
Graduation: Spring 2023
Johnette Williams is a senior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Leadership. She is currently a member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Council, a student in the Judy Genshaft Honors College, and an Ambassador at the USF St. Petersburg campus. She previously served as the Chair of Morale and Events as well as Vice President and President for Ambassadors. Johnette has worked as a Peer Coach and Peer Coach Leader with Compass at the St. Petersburg campus. Throughout her time at USF, she has had the opportunity to be mentored by St. Petersburg City Councilmember Gina Driscoll, to intern with former Representative Jennifer Webb, and to intern for Caprice Edmond on her campaign for Pinellas County School Board. In the spring semester she will be interning in Washington D.C. for the entirety of the semester through The Washington Center. Her goal is to blend her love of the arts with government to help further the funding of the arts and arts education within our country.
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Jillian Wilson
Graduation: Spring 2023
Jillian Wilson is a fourth-year student at the University of South Florida Tampa campus majoring in Biomedical Sciences with minors in English and Psychology in the Judy Genshaft Honors College. During her time at USF, she served as the Student Body Vice President and sat on the Alumni Board of Directors. As the Vice President, she served as the Chair of the Activity & Service Fee Recommendation Committee and allocated over $27 million dollars for student departments and student organizations across all three USF campuses. Jillian was on the 2021 Homecoming Court, and she collaborated closely with student organizations while she worked in the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement her first two years at USF. She is also a member of the USF Conduct Board, volunteers at Moffitt Cancer Center, and serves as a GloBull Ambassador. She aims to pursue her PhD once she graduates and aspires to become a Clinical Psychologist someday.