PRISM Mentors 2021-2022
Bhargavi Thakar (she/her)
Hey I’m Bhargavi and I am a senior studying astronomy and physics. I am co-directing the PRISM program starting Spring 2021. Currently, I am working on the automation of BU’s Perkins telescope in Arizona and have previously worked in Space Physics. When I’m not studying or working, I love to read, paint, cook, and make lame jokes and be the only one laughing at them.
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Preethi (she/her)
Hi! I’m Preethi and I’m a senior majoring in Physics doing research in condensed matter theory and biophysics and I plan on going to grad school for theoretical physics. I am co-directing the PRISM program starting Spring 2021. When I’m not doing physics, you can catch me stargazing, playing the guitar, playing chess, cooking or obsessing over the marvel cinematic universe. I am also the President of Photon (BU’s physics club)!
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Alexa Mcquade (they/them)
Hi! I’m Alexa and I am a senior physics and economics double major from just north of Seattle, WA. I’ve been an LA for 3 semesters and I spent last summer doing physics education research remotely. I love music, sitcoms, and going to concerts with my friends.
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Daniel Caballero (he/him)
Hi! I am Daniel, I’m from Barranquilla, Colombia and I’m a senior in Physics and Maths majors. I plan on going to graduate school to study Cosmology. In my free time I like reading, listening to music (mostly rock and latin) and watching sports (especially baseball and tennis).
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Nik Gjonbalaj (he/him)
Hi, I’m Nik, a senior physics major at BU. When I’m not working on physics homework or research, I love to explore Boston on a bike, go hiking, listen to hip hop, play piano, or just watch YouTube. I’m interested in condensed matter theory, and my current thesis focuses on using field theory to understand phase transitions in matter.
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Jackson Wallace (he/him)
Hi! I’m Jackson, a senior majoring in physics and mathematics from Sudbury, Massachusetts. In my free time (when I have that), I enjoying listening to music/singing, reading, running, and playing video games. In terms of physics, I was a Learning Assistant in the physics department for a couple semesters and I also do research in high energy physics looking for evidence of supersymmetry.
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David Gracia (he/him)
My name is David Gracia and I am part of the BU class of 2022! I am majoring in Astronomy and Physics with a minor in Computer Science. I am from Mansfield, MA. I love Boston sports, Rick and Morty, Star Wars, Interstellar and Rocket League!
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Kevin Reiss (he/him)
Hey! I’m Kevin, and I’m a senior studying physics. I switched into the department after a year studying Engineering, so I can help you if you’re interested in that department or talking to someone who has switched majors. I’m in the marching and pep bands at BU, and this semester I’m completing an internship with Wolfram Research while still living on campus.
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Richard Xiao (he/him)
I’m a senior Astronomy and Physics major who’s also attempting to pick up something in Math or Computer Science. I like dwelling in the Undergraduate Physics Room, usually participating in the spontaneous events or attempting to add something to the meme wall. I don’t think I’m the sharpest tool in the shed, but I can occasionally concoct something worthy of laughter. Most of my free time, not counting the time spent on browsing YouTube, is spent on sports and games; I’m a member of the frisbee team and enjoy watching football, but I also like to solve chess puzzles, build things in Minecraft, and play poker.
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Hannah Willy (she/her)
Hey! I’m Hannah, I am a junior studying astronomy and physics. I do research for the VLBA in the astronomy department (tracking the movement of the jets of blazars over time). In my free time I love to mini golf, read, go to the beach…pretty much do anything outdoors. I am also SUCH a movie person and love all sports!
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Emmy Blumenthal (they/them)
Hi, I’m a Junior, and I plan to graduate in 2023 after which I plan to attend graduate school. My home town is Salt Lake City, UT where I grew up reading physics books on camping trips in the Rocky Mountains. Some of my favorite concepts in physics and math include category theory, geometric algebra, information geometry, and emergent phenomena. I also love to discuss metaphysics, philosophies of science, and critical theory. For fun, I enjoy running, climbing, and having picnics with my friends at the Fenway gardens.
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Sabrina Barbaro (she/her)
Hey, I’m Sabrina! I’m a physics and astronomy junior from New York. This summer I did
research in gravitational wave physics, and I’m working on particle physics at BU this year.
Aside from physics (and astronomy), ask me about botany, cosplaying, and exploring the city!
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Paula Fudolig (she/her)
Hi, I’m Paula and I’m a junior astronomy & physics major from Maryland! My research involves observing blazars. I also founded a chapter of the Society of Women in Space Exploration at BU and am currently social chair for the sorority Tri Delta! In my rarely-achieved free time, I love to watch movies (definitely a film major in another life), explore new places (excited to get back to this in Boston), and generally try new hobbies (recently picked up gardening!). Very excited to meet you all!
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Vera Degatiareva 
Hi! My name is Vera, I am a senior majoring in physics. I was born in Moscow, Russia and came to the US for college. I am doing research in Physics Education and I have been a Learning Assistant for 3 semesters. When I am not studying I love to go hiking and do embroidery! I have been on the premed track until recently so I can talk to you about balancing pre-health track with physics.
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Nika Vachani
Hi! I’m Nika and I’m a junior Physics major and CS minor. I’ve spent the last two summers doing machine learning and biophysics research, respectively. I also co-run a small business and work on web dev for that. I spend my spare time cooking, perfecting my brownie recipe, playing Dota 2, and going on long walks around Boston!
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Jade Chismar (she/her)
Hi everyone! My name is Jade, and I’m a junior physics major from Honolulu, Hawaii. I have been a physics LA for the past 3 semesters. Besides physics, I am also a part of the BU women’s water polo team and in my free time I love to read, explore the city, and knit.
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Maya Steen (she/her)
Hi! I’m Maya and I’m a junior studying astronomy and physics. I’m from Minneapolis, MN. When I’m not studying I love listening to music, reading, going to the gym, cooking, and traveling!
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Yulu Peng 
Hello, I’m Yulu Peng, class of 2023 majoring in astronomy & physics and minoring in mechanical engineering. I’ve been doing astronomy research about Earth’s magnetosphere for one year and participated in BU Rocket Propulsion Group (later quitted). I love watching all kinds of films and playing basketball.
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