Women and Gender Minorities in Graduate Science (WIGS+)

Hailey is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Chemistry Department studying the total synthesis of natural products in the Organic Chemistry division and received her Bachelor’s in Chemistry from The Ohio State University. She is incredibly excited to foster both the personal and professional development of women and gender minorities within her UChicago PSD community as the co-president of WIGS+.

In her spare time, Hailey loves to read, explore new places with friends, cuddle with her two cats, and eat great food!

Haibei is a second-year Ph.D. candidate in the Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences. She studies bacterial locomotion at the Jasmine Nirody Lab and Ed Munro Lab. She started to serve as Co-president in December 2023 because she hopes to help build a stronger community for women in STEM at UChicago. She is very excited to bring all together through various social and career-related events that WIGS+ will host/co-host.

In her spare time, she enjoys doing all sorts of outdoor activities and choir.

Iva is a first-year Ph.D. student in Chemistry studying chemical biology. Prior to UChicago, Iva spent the year enveloped in research at the University of Cambridge. She received her MSc in Molecular biology from the University of Belgrade. Being a part of the scientific community, Iva excels in diverse environments and is dedicated to cultivating and strengthening these communities.

Outside of the lab, she is an avid reader and loves to explore the city.

Jiayu is an MS in Financial Mathematics student at the University of Chicago. She is going to serve as a quantitative analysis intern at BNP Paribas, specializing in exotic options. She is passionate about advancing the role of women in the field of quantitative finance.

Apart from career development, Jiayu also enjoys playing sports. She was the captain of the volleyball team in her undergraduate school, and she also got a black belt in Taekwondo.

Eleanor is a first-year Ph.D. student in the chemistry department studying organic chemistry and received her BA in chemistry from Boston University.

In her spare time, she enjoys running on the Lakefront trail, cooking, and exploring Chicago.

Darshana is a MS in Computer Science student at the University of Chicago. Prior to UChicago, she received her Bachelor's in instrumentation engineering from NIT Trichy, India. Apart from her academic pursuit in computer science and mathematics, she has actively volunteered in various non-profit sectors previously and is passionate about advancing the role of women in tech and science.

In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, running, and swimming.

Aleks is the PSD Director of Diversity and Inclusion. She joined UChicago in November 2021. She previously worked extensively in student-facing diversity and inclusion roles with student organizations, student leadership teams, and peer mentorship teams at Kennesaw State University in GA. Aleks is passionate about student success, diversity and inclusion, and intercultural competence.

Originally from Bulgaria, Aleks considers GA her US "home base." She enjoys cooking and eating, exploring new places, and spending time with her spouse and their two dogs, Bruno and Julez.