Grad Affiliates – Branford College

	Chris Cook Department: Law Expected Graduation: 2011 christopher.cook@yale.edu	Hi all… My name is Chris Cook. I was Branford ‘07, and a History major, and as an undergrad, I was really into Branford intramurals and the Yale ACLU. Now I’m part of the class of 2011 at Yale Law School. I missed Branford in my year off of school (a was a paralegal), so I was excited to be back and part of the community again. I just hope I can be a link for students to the law school… maybe demystify the grad student population (and law school in particular for those interested). I’m in the dining hall a few times a week, so feel free to come by and sit down. And hopefully I’ll see you all at a study break or two…
	Andy Heisel Department: English Expected Graduation: 2011 andrew.heisel@yale.edu	Andy Heisel is a fifth-year graduate student in the Department of English. He is currently writing a dissertation focusing on 17th- and 18th-century literature. He grew up in Great Falls, MT and was an undergrad at the University of Missouri.
	Yoona Kang Departmnet: Psychology Expected Graduation: 2013 yoona.kang@yale.edu	I am a 3rd year PhD student in the cognitive psychology program. I study metacognition of emotion, that is, how we think about what we feel. I am particularly interested in individual differences in attitudes and beliefs towards different types of emotions, and how they affect our emotion regulation strategies and ultimately psychophysical wellbeing. I also use fMRI to investigate such processes at a neural level. I may strike you as a standard graduate student, but my secret real identity is a potter. I am in charge of managing the Branford pottery studio and running weekly wheel-throwing classes. Anyone is welcome- no experience is needed. I look forward to meeting you guys through clay and fire!
	Kathayoon Khalil Department: FES Expected Graduation: 2010 kathayoon.khalil@yale.edu	I am a second year Masters student at the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies studying zoo management and environmental education. My Masters thesis is an evaluation of the effectiveness of zoo-based conservation education programs in terms of attitude and knowledge gains. My undergraduate degree was a dual in organismal biology and literature so I am looking forward to helping students who are studying any of these subjects. If you need help with coursework, career advice, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
	Brad Lipton Department: Law Expected Graduation: 2010 bradley.lipton@yale.edu	I was Branford ‘05 (BFA!) and am now a third year student at the law school, where my studies have focused on legal issues related to government and policy. Before law school, I did Teach For America in rural Arkansas and worked at a non-profit in New York City. My other interests include food, running, and exploring New Haven. I’m happy to talk to undergraduates about either law school or Teach For America.
	Shawnakim Lowey-Ball Department: History Expected Graduation: 2013 shawnakim.lowey-ball@yale.edu	ShawnaKim Lowey-Ball is a third-year in the History Department, where she studies the late Medieval sea-trade between the Middle East and China. Before coming to Yale, ShawnaKim worked in finance; in addition to giving advice about graduate school, she would be happy to answer questions about applying to jobs in the private sector. She also loves sports, traveling, good food, and interesting conversation, and would be eager to enjoy any of these things with students at Branford.
	Boris Lukanov Department: Mechanical Engineering Expected Graduation: 2011 boris.lukanov@yale.edu
	Barry Muchnick Department: FES Expected Graduation: 2010 barry.muchnick@aya.yale.edu	I’m currently finishing up my dissertation on social reform and nature conservation in turn-of-the-century North America. With a masters degree in conservation ecology preceding my graduate work in history, I am in the rare position of having both graduate and professional school under my belt as well as training in both the natural sciences and the humanities, a combination quite useful for fielding questions about environmental studies based careers, course loads, and opportunities all over the map. In my limited spare time I refurbish Victorian houses and furniture, restore British sports cars, and romp around with my border collie. Feel free to contact me at barry.muchnick@aya.yale.edu and let me know how I can help make your time in Branford College a better, more meaningful experience.
	Liz Roberto Department: Sociology Expected Graduation: 2014 elizabeth.roberto@yale.edu	Elizabeth Roberto is a second-year PhD student in the Department of Sociology and a Junior Fellow at the Center for Research on Inequalities and the Life Course (CIQLE). Before coming to Yale, Liz received a BA and MPA from George Washington University, and worked as a Presidential Management Fellow and Research Analyst at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Government Accountability Office, and Brookings Institution. This is her second year as a graduate affiliate at Branford, and she’s happy to talk with students about careers within the public and non-profit sectors, summer internships in Washington, DC, and decisions about graduate school.
	Jesse Schotter Department: English Expected Graduation: 2011 jesse.schotter@yale.edu	I’m currently a 5th year Ph.D. student in the English Department, writing a dissertation on Modern British literature.
	Vic Tolentino Department: Nursing Expected Graduation: 2010 victorio.tolentinojr@yale.edu	This is my 2nd year as a graduate affiliate at Branford. After getting degrees in law and public health at Rutgers, and taking the NY bar exam, I held a variety of jobs in management consulting, philanthropy and health professions regulation. Recently I decided to return to school (again) for a clinical degree to be able to take part in international medicine efforts. I am now in my third year at the Yale School of Nursing, training as a family nurse practitioner. Travel is my passion, having been born in the Philippines and raised in Nigeria until the age of 15. My travels have taken me to all continents except for Antarctica, with many more places on my wish list. I’m happy to be a resource on career decisions relating to law or health. I can also help you plan your spring break itinerary!