Student Leader Profiles

Hi all! My name is Kaitlyn Laibe, I use she/her pronouns, and I am a fourth-year College Honors student double majoring in Law, Societies, and Justice and Political Science. During my four years at UW, I have been fortunate enough to be elected Student Body Vice President, serve as the Gender Equity Commission Direct, take part in the Juvenile Parole Project, sit on a host of leadership committees, study abroad with UW Honors, work for the Law, Societies, and Justice Department, Captain the UW Mock Trial A Team, and be a part of so many incredible RSOs! In addition to being in the Honors College, I am a Departmental Honors student in Law, Societies, and Justice. I have spent the majority of time at UW working with incarcerated populations, which has been the highlight of my undergraduate career and culminated in authoring qualitative research. My experience at UW would not have been the same without UW honors - it has continually inspired, pushed, and motivated me. I would love to talk to any current or prospective students! Please reach out via phone, email, or social media! GO DAWGS!

Hi! I'm a computer science and Japanese student in my second year here at the University of Washington. I'm in the Honors Program, where I seek to find out how the engineering philosophy can result in impactful problem solving when informed by a broad range of disciplines. When I'm not in class you can find me doing research, development, and event support for the Extended Reality Association here at the UW, or practicing with UW's traditional Japanese drumming ensemble, Taiko Kai. Once I'm done with my schoolwork for the day, I work on independent research. My recent research has been on hardware-accelerated raytracing techniques for virtual reality, and computer-verifiable proof systems. When (if) I catch myself with free time, I find myself playing video games, watching anime, practicing one of my instruments (piano, guitar, kit drums, and fue), or trying my hand at drawing or animation (emphasis on trying). I can't always balance all my interests as well as I'd like, but that's part of the fun!

Hello! I am a second year Interdisciplinary Honors student from California. I am interested in the Public Health Global Health major, so I have taken a few public health classes and just started participating in undergraduate research. Outside of school, I really love reading, playing the piano and I've recently been into baking anything and everything I can find a recipe for! Getting used to Seattle coming from California was a bit of an adjustment, so if you are in the same position, feel free to contact me if you want to talk about anything!

Hi there, it's great to meet you! My name's Gargi and I'm a freshman majoring in Computer Science. UW's CS program is awesome, but it can be difficult to take STEM classes all day every day. That's why I love being a part of the Honors program. It lets me explore the Humanities in different ways, through classes and discussions, and brings balance to my class schedule every quarter. More than classes, though, the best part of the Honors program is the community. They empower you to achieve your goals, and have fun while you do it! I'm so glad you're interested in joining the Honors program, and I would be more than happy to get in touch and answer your questions through email or Zoom. Have a great day!

Hi all! I'm Claire, and I'm an Economics and History dual degree minoring in Data Science and pursuing Interdisciplinary Honors here at the UW. I play the clarinet as part of the Husky Marching Band, so you might see me out in the stands during football games, and I'm also part of UW's non-auditioned Concert Band. I'm studying abroad this summer with Honors in both the Netherlands and in Sweden, looking at how modern-day museums record history and how social justice issues are handled in literature.

My name is Michaela Isaacs and I'm planning on double majoring in Business Administration and Economics with a minor in Entrepreneurship. I'm a member of the UW Interdisciplinary Honors Community and I absolutely have loved my experience in the program. My particular interests lie in social entrepreneurship and startups. I'm from Snoqualmie, WA and am a graduate from Mercer Island High School. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about UW or the Honors Program!

Hey, I'm Julia! I'm a double major in English Language and Literature and Journalism and Public Interest Communication, and minoring in Korean. I also participated in the Humanities First program as a freshman. You can find me on campus writing articles for The Daily and helping build community at SPJ UW and Reformed University Fellowship (RUF)! In my free time I love reading coming-of-age novels and 19th century women's lit, practicing Korean, and singing. I'd love to chat with you about anything Honors-related or about UW in general, especially studying the humanities, studying abroad, finding community, and balancing Honors with a double major. Please don't hesitate to reach out!

Hi! My name is Abby and I'm a College (Interdisciplinary + Departmental) Honors student. Outside of classes, I research vaccine development at Institute for Protein Design in the Biochemistry Department on campus and enjoy running around Seattle as President of the Husky Running Club. I can answer questions you have about Honors, STEM at UW, research, extracurriculars, and life in the Pacific Northwest (especially hiking recs).

Hey! My name is Anna Tomz, and I am a Junior at the University of Washington. I'm currently on a pre-PA school track, and I am majoring in Medical Anthropology and Global Health. I attended my first year at UW during the COVID-19 pandemic, so I definitely had an interesting start to my time here :) I moved up to Washington from the Bay Area, CA, and some of my interests include hiking/backpacking, road biking, rock climbing, playing with my dog, and cooking. I've absolutely loved living in Seattle -- the city is amazing and there are so many beautiful natural areas to explore!! I'm always happy to talk to anyone about cool spots to check out or get recommendations for new things to try and places to visit. I was a Peer Educator for the 2021-22 school year, and I had a great time meeting new students and acting as both a mentor and friend to them. In addition to the Honors Program, I am involved with the Peaks and Professors Club, UW Climbing Club, and the Husky Triathlon Club. I also volunteer at the Burke Museum on campus and work at UW Medical Center. Please feel free to reach out if you want to talk about any shared interests or just meet another student at UW! I promise I don't bite :)

Hi everyone! My name is Izzy Colindres Burgos and I will be a Junior this Fall 2022 majoring in Public Health - Global Health with a minor in Data Science. I am also an Honors Community Ambassador! I am originally from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, but moved to Washington State when I was 10 years old. To this day, I credit my life in Honduras as the foundation of values and aspirations that drive my passions for leadership and public health to advocate on behalf of underrepresented communities. My favorite thing in this entire world is watching the seasons go by, I love and cherish them all equally. I love traveling and driving with no destination in mind, just letting my subconscious take me to new adventures and places to discover! More than anything, I love meeting people that make me giggle, trying new foods, and spending time with my loved ones. Those closest to me would often describe me as driven and ambitious but also kind-hearted and a little silly! As this will be my third year at the UW, I have a very diverse perspective on what the Honors Interdisciplinary Program is like. I also have varied experience getting connected to opportunities on campus, as I have been part of the ASUW Ambassador Program, the Latinx Student Union's Advocacy Committee, and now the the pre-health fraternity Delta Epsilon Mu. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about my experience at the UW or if you just want to connect, I would love to chat!

Hey everyone, my name is Brandon! I'm a rising sophomore majoring in public health with minors in data science/bioethics and hopes set for medical school. I'm also a trumpet in the Husky Marching Band and love spending my spare academic time writing neuroscience articles for Grey Matters Journal and promoting health equity in Globemed! Although I was born in Chicago, I've lived close to Seattle for nearly all my life and have come to love it - rain included. Outside of class, I'm no stranger to the occasional TV/movie binge whether it be working my way through Schitt's Creek or just about anything Marvel related. I also enjoy going on hikes, learning to cook new things, listening to Andy Grammer, and exploring the city! Like many others, my first year was definitely affected by COVID, but joining the honors program has still been one of my best decisions. The honors classes that I have taken so far have been integral to finding the issues I care about by integrating two fields I love: neuroscience and public health. I hope that you all find your own unique passion within the honors program as well! Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions related to honors, UW in general, any of the clubs I am in, or anything else on your mind!

Hey everyone! I'm Annie and I am a freshman (class of 2024) studying Biochemistry on the Pre-Med track while also planning to minor in Spanish. Throughout my undergraduate experience, I am hoping to have the opportunity to study abroad and potentially focus on accessibility to healthcare during my pursuit of a career in medicine. I have the privilege of being an Honors Community Ambassador this year as well! As an Ambassador, I participate and help in running Article Club, which was started to help foster discussions about current events. Additionally, I am involved with Quiz Bowl and compete with a team at tournaments (currently online because of the pandemic!). Throughout my life, I have had amazing experiences from everywhere I called home - from Toronto to Oregon to California and now Washington. I love all things science, but I also love the arts (and play a few instruments myself!). When I'm not in class, I figure skate competitively and also enjoy running, reading, baking/cooking, watching sports (like Formula 1 and hockey), and just hanging out with friends. I hope to get to know you all better, and please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or just to strike up a conversation!

Hi everyone! I'm Ayla, a second year at UW studying Political Science and Communications. I'm a photographer for The Daily, a member of the ASUW student food coop, an intern on an anthropology research project, and a member of Greek life. I spent this last summer interning with a local non profit that advocated for food sovereignty, and I hope to go to law school after I graduate. In my free time, I love to do yoga, use the sewing machines at the mill, or grab a coffee with my friends on the ave (I have some great recommendations). Being in the interdisciplinary honors programs has really allowed me to delve into a wide array of my interests, and I greatly value the learning environment it fosters. Reach out to me if you have any questions, I'd love to talk!

Hi everyone! My name is Emily and I'm from Vancouver, BC (yay Canada). I'm a junior majoring in Public Health (originally intended Biology) on a pre-med track! I have absolutely loved my time here in the Honors Program, and I'm hoping to graduate with College Honors. I was an Honors Peer Educator last year and taught Honors100. I've met incredible people and had so much fun! I work in skin cancer research at the Nghiem Lab, and intern at the BIPOC Health Careers Ecosystem. I'm involved in various volunteering positions and in the RSO Project Sunshine. I love playing volleyball, watching Netflix, and baking in my free time. Please feel free to ask me any questions about the pre-med track, deciding a major, study advice, etc... -- I've been through it all recently and I'm happy to share my experiences and advice with you! Don't hesitate to reach out to me with any other questions you might have, or if you just want to chat. I'm looking forward to meeting you all! :)

Hi all, I'm Ella and I'm currently a sophomore, class of 2025. I'm from Cookeville, Tennessee and I'm majoring in Education, Communities, and Organizations. I've been in Interdisciplinary Honors since the beginning of my time here, and through it I've found some of my favorite classes and peers. Within the classroom, most of my work centers around educational equity, curriculum design, and educational policy. On campus, I work with ASUW A+E, MESH, the Odegaard Writing Center, and as an Honors Peer Educator! Outside of school, I do a lot of work with various community arts organizations. I've worked with Northwest Film Forum, The Village Theatre, and The Vera Project, focusing on community engagement, assistant teaching, supporting workshops, and concert photography. I've also worked with local filmmakers and a UW alumni-founded business as a videographer! Feel free to reach out to me with any questions about Honors courses, finding internships, service work, or even filmmaking/photography!

Hi! my name is Srushti and I'm a student at the University of Washington majoring in computer science and am part of the Interdisciplinary Honors Program! At UW, I am involved with the CS Computing Community (aka COM²), Society of Women Engineers and the Husky Satellite Lab. Some of my hobbies/interests include astronomy, photography, and Bharatanatyam (Indian Classical dance).

Hi everyone! My name is Gloria and I am a current second-year at UW pursuing a major in neuroscience. What drew me to UW, neuroscience, and the honors program is their interdisciplinary nature; I'm so excited to explore all aspects of this school by connecting each of my interests to one another. I am premed, and I love talking about the different experiences I've had while deciding on which path to take. My experience in the Interdisciplinary Honors program has been extremely positive and I've met so many friends through it, but I also recognize that it's not right for everyone so I'd love to help you decide! I'm currently working as a CNA Med-Tech at a nursing home, participating in undergrad research at a neuroscience lab, and I'm the founder of a traditional Chinese dance RSO on campus! Feel free to reach out about anything regarding the honors program, premed journey, or just to get to know me!

Hello! My name is Ava and I am a pre-medical student studying biology and physiology. I am interested in going to medical school, getting involved in research and I work as a phlebotomist and medical scribe. In my free time I do yoga, play tennis, bake, and hang out with my friends. I am excited to be here in Seattle and can't wait to explore the city. I am excited to learn more about the Honors community and meet potential and current members. Please feel free to reach out!

Hello! My name is Sneha, and I'm a first-year in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program. I'm currently studying Biochemistry and I live in the Honors LLC in Terry Hall. I was born in India, but I've moved around quite a bit in the United States-- going from the South to the Midwest and finally to here in the Pacific-Northwest! In my first quarter here at UW, I'm taking Honors General Chemistry (CHEM 145), Women in Greek and Roman Antiquity (HONORS 394A), and Russia's Big Books (HONORS 240A). Outside of schoolwork, I'm a member of the Terry Hall Council, Music for Charity, and Honors Community Ambassadors. I especially love literature, so as a STEM major I truly appreciate the opportunity the Honors program gives me to explore both of my interests in an interdisciplinary manner. You'll find me at one of the (beautiful!!) libraries on campus or at a cafe enjoying a matcha latte. If you have any questions about Honors coursework, living in the LLC, or just the UW experience in general, please feel free to reach out!

Hello! My name is Riley and I am from Las Vegas, Nevada! Seattle is definitely a safe haven from that persistent Vegas heat! I am currently a freshman intending to major in Statistics, and minor in Data Science and Quantitative Methods. While this is only my second quarter here at UW, and in the Honors Program, I have enjoyed every minute of my time and had many wonderful experiences. I am currently involved with the Statistics and Probability Association, but I have also joined several other mathematics related RSOs. When I'm not busy in the classroom or with RSOs you can find me reading, playing tennis, or playing way too much Sudoku. I'm happy to help with any questions you may have regarding the Honors Program, finding RSOs, balancing coursework, and anything else you may have inquiries about as a current or prospective Honors student! Don't be afraid to reach out! :)

Hey everyone! My name is Noor and I'm a first-year student at UW. My intended major is Human Centered Design and Engineering. I was born in India, moved to Michigan almost 8 years ago, and have been in Washington for the past 2 years! I enjoy exploring, crocheting, painting, playing badminton, and spending time with my loved ones. I am a part of the Sikh Student Association at UW and hope to get involved in more activities this year. What drew me to the Honors program are the various opportunities to explore different fields and understand my strengths in order to choose the right path for my future. I'm so excited to be a part of the Honors Interdisciplinary Program and I'm here to answer any questions you might have!