Bargaining Committee
Clara Abbott
Department: Literacy Studies
School: Graduate School of Education
Hi everyone, I’m Clara (she/her). I’m a Ph.D. student in Literacy Studies at the Graduate School of Education. I study the ways we can make educational research methods more accessible to young people. Outside of union organizing and grad school, you can find me running along the Schuylkill River, making and reading zines, and attempting to learn needlepoint!
Emily Aunins
Department: Cell and Molecular Biology: Microbiology, Virology, and Parasitology
School: Biomedical Graduate Studies
I’m Emily (she/her) a graduate student in the Cell and Molecular Biology: Microbiology, Virology and Parasitology program. My research focuses on developing ways to improve the immune response to mRNA vaccination. In my free time I volunteer at the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), go to as many concerts as I can, rock climb, and run!
Peter Bailer
Department: Biophysics, Biochemistry, and Chemical Biology
School: Biomedical Graduate Studies
Hi! I’m Peter Bailer (he/him), a graduate student worker in the Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Chemical Biology graduate group at Penn. My research is focused on understanding and improving the delivery of CRISPR-Cas gene editing technology into cells. In my free time, I enjoy writing or listening to music, playing rec-league softball, biking around Philly, and playing Dungeons & Dragons with my friends.
Oishi Bardhan
Department: Immunology
School: Biomedical Graduate Studies
Hi! My name is Oishi Bardhan (she/they) and I’m a second-year in the Immunology Graduate Group (IGG). I’m still deciding on my thesis lab right now, but I’m interested in developing novel, effective and accessible therapies for fighting cancer. In my free time, I love exploring Philly’s food scene, playing ultimate frisbee, and going to concerts.
Jancarlos Montoya
Department: Educational Linguistics
School: Graduate School of Education
My name is Jancarlos (he/him) and I am a PhD candidate in educational linguistics at the graduate school of education. My research interests include the development of bilingual and biliteracy skills in Latinx communities without access to bilingual schools. In my free time I like to run, paint, sing karaoke, and cook for my friends.
Katelyn Friedline
Department: History and Sociology of Science
School: School of Arts and Sciences
Hi! I’m Katelyn (Any Pronouns), a joint PhD student in the History and Sociology of Science and the Annenberg School of Communication. My research traces the histories and present realities of Electronic Medical Record Systems. I look at how the rise of third party insurance and billing systems shaped the infrastructure of EMRs into the platforms they have become, as well as scrutinize their current public/private utility function and what that means for patients’ autonomy and privacy. In my free time, I enjoy sewing, cuddling with my cat Millie, spending time with friends, and poking around Philly’s wonderful museums!
Josh Ofili
Department: Law
School: Penn Carey Law School
I’m Josh (he/him), a J.D. candidate at Penn Carey Law. After graduation, I hope to work on cross-border transactions that sit at the intersection of regulatory and transactional practice. Outside of school, I enjoy exploring philosophical papers and staying active through sports.
Sam Herrmann
Graduate Group: Religious Studies
School: School of Arts and Sciences
Hey! I’m Sam Herrmann (he/him), and I’m a PhD student in the Religious Studies department here at Penn. My research focuses on the history of evangelical Christianity, politics, and the family in postwar America. Alongside researching and fighting for a better workplace, I love to ride my bike along the Schuylkill, listen to shoegaze music, and bake bread.
Sam Layding
Department: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
School: School of Engineering and Applied Science
Hey! I’m Sam (they/them) and I’m a graduate worker in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. I use molecular simulation to study the thermodynamics and transport of small molecules in polymer membranes. I have been involved in GETUP-UAW since 2021 and am focused on winning a contract that ensures graduate workers at Penn will never be limited in their academic journeys by financial strife, fear of retaliation, or a lack of access to medical care. When I’m not working or organizing, I love to spend my free time running outdoors, listening to podcasts, cooking, and taking care of my plants.
Caitlin Frazee
Department: Bioengineering
School: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Clancy Murray
Graduate Group: Political Science
School: School of Arts and Sciences
Hello! My name is Clancy Murray (they/them) and I’m a fifth-year Ph.D. student in the Political Science department focusing on political theory. I have worked as a Teaching Assistant for five semesters during my time at Penn. I study Marx, twentieth century Marxisms, and theories of organization and political leadership. My dissertation explores the concept of class interests and the production of subjectivity by and against capital. When I’m not organizing and researching you can find me in the weight room at Pottruck Gymnasium, out dancing with my friends, and dabbling in various art forms.
Jimmy Kelliher
Department: Biostatistics
School: Biomedical Graduate Studies
Izzy Navarro
Department: Bioengineering
School: School of Engineering and Applied Science
Hi! My name is Izzy Navarro (she/her) and I’m a grad student in the Bioengineering department. I’m currently working on improvements to bead-based digital droplet ELISA assays for disease diagnostics. In GETUP, I’ve been most active finding issues within SEAS. I’ve also been working on articles with the disability working group. Outside of Penn, I’m working on elite home cooking (for my weak guts), some sewing/quilting/embroidery, turning my yard into a native plant garden, and engaging in local politics—I’m one of two Democratic committee people for my precinct!
Guru Shabadi
Department: Computer and Information Science
School: School of Engineering and Applied Science
Hullo! I am Guru (he/him), an international graduate worker from India and I work in the Computer and Information Science (CIS) department. My research involves building trustworthy and interpretable AI systems through a combination of symbolic and neural learning methods. Outside of research, I can be found climbing walls, cooking biriyani, investing in sound systems, and learning about caste dynamics in modern India.
Caleb Scott-Joseph
Department: Physics and Astronomy
School: School of Arts and Sciences
Hello, I am Caleb Scott-Joseph (He/Him), a second year PhD Student in the Physics and Astronomy department. I study the social behavior of birds using statistical mechanics with the ultimate aim to quantify social context as a variable. While I am not researching, or working for the bargaining committee, I like to cook, bike around Philadelphia, and tend to my vegetable garden.
George Porter
Department: Law
School: Carey School of Law
I’m George (he/him), a J.D. student at Penn Carey Law. I hope to become a union-side labor lawyer after graduation and most recently worked for SMART (Sheet Metal Workers) Local 19 in Philadelphia. In my free time, I like learning about architectural history, playing softball, and taking care of my dog, Irma.
Anne-Marie Zaccarin
Department: Electrical and Systems Engineering
School: School of Engineering and Applied Science
Hi! I’m Anne-Marie, a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical Engineering. My research focuses on leveraging microacoustic resonators to enable passive long range sensing of biodegradable agricultural sensors. When not in the lab, I love going on runs or rock climbing with friends to burn some steam, but am equally happy to stay in and sew clothes.