Alyssa Seufert
(She/Her)
Hi! My name is Alyssa, and I’m a freshman from Houston, majoring in International Relations & Global Studies and Plan II! In my free time, I like to read, write, paint, play guitar, listen to music, and volunteer. I have a huge soft spot for animals. In high school I fostered many puppies and kittens, and I love to volunteer at animal shelters. I also love to travel, and one of my goals is to go to as many countries as I can in my lifetime. I’m looking forward to becoming more involved in the Austin community and am so excited to be a Walker Fellow!
Maryam Paykar
(She/Her)
Maryam Paykar, a freshman Biochemistry major on the pre-medical track from San Antonio, Texas, is not only a Dean’s Honors Scholar and head lead of the Public Health Committee within UT Student Government but also serves as Head Ambassador for the Forté UT Campus Chapter. Engaging in her Freshman Research Initiative stream, she utilizes her research skills to develop and utilize CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology in C. elegans to understand the underlying causes of different stressors and conditions within the human body. Passionate about equity and accessibility in healthcare, Maryam is pursuing a Pre-Health Profession certificate. As a certified pharmacy technician, she gained a deeper understanding of patient care and the essence of being a healthcare professional. Maryam’s unwavering commitment to volunteering stems from her childhood. She always has a responsibility of taking care of her siblings in the face of adversity due to the hardships she and her family endured and it was these experiences that allowed her to truly identify her “why” in wanting to become a doctor. She also spent most of her time helping new immigrants at her local refugee center giving her a sense of fulfillment being able to help others whom she had once been in their position. Despite losing family members to cancer, she finds purpose in aiding those with a chance at survival by raising over $10K for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In her free time, Maryam enjoys running marathons for St. Jude's and exploring new subjects beyond her studies. As a Walker Fellow, she aspires to deepen her understanding of social issues in Austin and contribute meaningfully to underserved communities. The Fellowship serves as a platform for Maryam to channel her dedication to education, service, and impact, fostering a sense of purpose that extends far beyond the confines of the academic realm.
Vijay Davis
(he/Him)
My name is Vijay Davis, and I’m a first year student at the University of Texas at Austin, double majoring in International Relations & Global Studies and the Plan II Honors Program. Although I’m originally from Australia, I’ve been moving around the world since I was young, and have developed a love for meeting new people and travelling to new places.
I’m dedicated to helping those around me, both through participating in service organizations like the Walker Fellowship, and in researching international development and human rights through the Innovations for Peace and Development lab here on campus. Additionally, I have been working with UT’s Clark Center for Australia and New Zealand Studies and the Australian Consulate in Houston to produce an podcast series to highlight Australian-Texan connections in culture and industry.
In my free time I’m an avid reader and music-listener, and enjoy exploring the Austin area.
Aarushi Garg
(She/Her)
I am majoring in International Relations (IRG) and Plan II. I have spent a large part of my life in India. I truly realized how privileged I was when I moved to North Carolina 2 years ago. This transition has made me passionate about contributing to my community and thinking about the welfare of others. In the past, I have tutored students in Uganda, interviewed forest inhabitants in India on circular economy practices, and worked with students attending government schools in Bangalore, India. I am a polyglot and speak 5 languages! I am hoping to use language to create meaningful change in the community of Austin through the Walker Fellowship.
Sophia Hernandez
(She/Her)
Sophia Hernandez is a first-year student from Fort Worth, Texas and double-majoring in Plan II Honors and International Relations and Global Studies. Her passion for philanthropy began through working with organizations like National Charity League, St. Jude, Rivertree Academy, Birthday Brigade, and the Trinity Valley School Community Service Club. Specifically, she loves working with kids, and is interested in learning how to make a greater social impact in order to better serve the communities in Austin and beyond. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, playing tennis, learning about art, and trying new restaurants.
Kate Mader
(sHe/Her)
Kate Mader is a freshman majoring in Chemistry and Plan II, and is in the Polymathic Scholars Honors Program. She grew up in Dallas, TX, where she discovered a deep love for the environment and the sciences. She is passionate about using the sciences to combat the climate crisis, and spreading awareness about waste pollution and sustainability. In her free time she loves watching movies, reading, making jewelry, painting, listening to music, and training with Texas Taekwondo. Her favorite movies are directed by Christopher Nolan (especially Interstellar), and she loves music by Hans Zimmer, AURORA, and Stray Kids. As a Walker Fellow, Kate would love to learn how to effectively address environmental concerns in the community, and learn more about the city!
Abriell Rodriguez
(He/Him)
My name is Abriell Rodriguez, a first-year student from San Juan, Texas, located in the RGV, a region steeped in rich Mexican culture. I am currently majoring in psychology, with intentions to pursue a career in medicine. My interest in the medical field, specifically psychiatry, stems from my experience with the lack of education and stigma surrounding the mental health field in my own culture. In the future, I aspire to develop programs that offer free education to Latino youth on these issues and equip them with the resources to shift perceptions and misconceptions surrounding these topics. Some of my favorite things consist of going on nature walks, dissecting books and shows with my friends, and spending time with my family. As a Walker Fellow, I intend to expand my understanding of a wide range of pressing topics, collaborate toward shared objectives with my cohort, and create meaningful friendships!
Ananya Bharadwaj
(She/her)
Hi! My name is Ananya Bharadwaj and I am a third-year student double majoring in Biochemistry and Health and Society. My interest in bridging the existing gap between research and action implementation led me to work as a research assistant with the Department of Population Health at Dell Medical on a project aiming to provide accessible cancer screenings around Austin. I am also working with Project Advance Austin to support the Disability Cultural Center through its recent development at UT. These projects have encouraged me to continue pursuing health policy and advocacy work. Along with these projects, I enjoy wet lab research, leading me to join the Seidlit's Lab working on creating microfluidic devices for restoring neurological functions. I also love fashion and am currently taking a sewing class while crocheting on the side (attempting to), and love reading/writing poetry! As a Walker Fellow, I look forward to exploring civic engagement and implementing it in Austin and to continue pursuing medicine and healthcare policy reform.
Joycie Brass
(She/her)
Joycie Brass is a first-year student from Houston, TX. She is currently dual-majoring in Biology and Plan II, and is pursuing a certificate in Core Texts and Ideas through the Jefferson Scholars Program. Joycie is passionate about mental health advocacy and accessibility, and was regularly involved in the promotion of these issues in high school. She pursued independent scientific research surrounding the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of high school students. Joycie is also a lover of music, and greatly enjoyed playing the keyboard in her student-organized rock band Electric Lunch. In her free time she enjoys cooking for her friends, reading (currently in a Sally Rooney phase), and trying new Austin restaurants. She hopes that her time in the Walker Fellowship will help her learn the skills to bring ideas into practice so that she can become a better asset to her community.
Riley Chesney
(she/her)
Riley is a second-year student from Austin, Texas double majoring in Plan II Honors and Human Dimensions of Organization. Being from Austin, Riley has been able to deepen her relationships with the city’s charitable organizations, and has been introduced to new ones through the Walker Fellowship. On campus, Riley is a member of the KIPP Partnership program, where she mentors middle-school students at KIPP charter schools around Austin. This program has given her an interest in education equity and policy, and reiterated her commitment to working with children. Riley hopes to show others the fun in service work, and encourages those with all levels of volunteer experience to give back in a way that feels rewarding to them. In her free time, Riley loves to visit her family (for the dog) and watch movies with her friends. She likes to watch other people’s favorite movies, so if you see her, give her a recommendation.
Lucas Williams
(he/him)
Lucas is a third year student from Houston, TX. He is a Honors Biochemistry major with a Computational Science and Engineering certificate in Dean's Scholars. Lucas is from Houston, Texas, where he first got exposed to research in a genetics lab at the Baylor College of Medicine. He is passionate about innovation, whether it be in the lab or through social entrepreneurship. He currently is a researcher in a protein engineering lab creating tunable enzymes for alternative energy and novel chemical syntheses. Additionally, he is also an intern for an startup at the intersection of epigenetics and AI. Through the Walker fellowship, Lucas aspires to hone his entrepreneurial spirit by creating comprehensive solutions for the local Austin community.