23 Science Terps Named 2026 Senior Marshals
The University of Maryland Senior Marshals represent graduating seniors who have demonstrated the highest levels of scholarship, service to the campus community, extracurricular involvement, and personal growth.
Twenty-three students from CMNS were named Senior Marshals in 2026.
Marsha Guenzler-Stevens, director of the Adele H. Stamp Student Union, and Robert Infantino, associate dean of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS), serve alongside student Senior Marshals each year to usher in graduating Terps at the main commencement ceremony.
Allison Faith Comising
Computer Science
Faith Comising is a senior computer science major with a minor in general business from Fulton, Maryland. She is passionate about social good, advocacy and creating welcoming communities; she served as a director for Technica, a product manager and director of events for Hack4Impact-UMD, and a freshman and justice-focused small group leader for Asian American InterVarsity. She also co-founded The Petal Project, an organization addressing relationship abuse on college campuses. Comising represents the college as a recruitment ambassador, sharing her experiences and helping prospective students see what UMD has to offer.
Anika Darbari
Neuroscience
Anika Darbari is a neuroscience major in the Life Sciences Scholars program with a Spanish minor from Silver Spring, Maryland. Driven by an interest in advocacy and service, Darbari has served as president of a sickle-cell mentorship program (STRIVE), Internal Vice President of BridgeUMD, and committee chair of the American Medical Student Association, Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honors Society, and the Student Health Advisory Committee. Additionally, she worked as a neuroscience teaching assistant and Office of Multi-ethnic Student Education (OMSE) tutor and volunteered locally at Holy Cross Hospice and Children’s National Hospital. Upon graduation, Darbari is excited to attend medical school in the fall, where she hopes to continue advocating for and serving patients.
Bilal Suleman
Computer Science
Bilal Suleman is a computer science major with minors in data science and general business from Laurel, Maryland. During his time at UMD, he served as a CMNS Peer Mentor, teaching assistant, and orientation leader, helping students navigate course planning and campus resources. He led projects in the App Development Club, including a professional skills app with Omal Inc. and a machine learning chest X-ray analysis tool for Children’s National Hospital. Suleman also served as president of the Pakistani Student Association, organizing large-scale events and fundraisers, and studied abroad in Indonesia, researching environmental policy and sustainable development, culminating in a paper on Javacentrism. After graduation, he plans to work in healthcare and technology to create impactful solutions.
Cadence Carpenter Michels
Biological Sciences
Cadence Michels is a biological sciences major and music & culture minor from Wilmington, Delaware. During her time at UMD, Michels dedicated herself to scientific mentorship and advancement—conducting research in several campus labs and working closely with over 160 students as a teaching assistant for BSCI222: Principles of Genetics and as a peer research mentor with the First-Year Innovation & Research Experience (FIRE). As the current student training manager at Shuttle-UM and vice president of the Terrapin Record Label club, Michels has built on her experiences as a bus driver, radio DJ and student musician to develop new opportunities and platforms for students across campus with similar interests.
Catherine Koo
Biological Sciences
Catherine Koo is a biological sciences major with two minors in general business and science, technology, ethics and policy from Rockville, Maryland. She is a proud recipient of the Integrated Life Sciences (ILS) Honors Citation and an alumna of the Global Fellows Program with a concentration in science diplomacy. During her time at UMD, she has been actively involved in her community as a recruitment officer with Hearts for the Homeless, a team leader with Maryland Mentor Corps' Maryland Reading Program, an ILS peer mentor, a tutor with The Every Child Project, and a fan development and event marketing intern with Maryland Athletics. After graduation, Koo plans to pursue a career in biotech or healthcare, bridging science and business to advance innovative solutions and improve health outcomes.
Ciana Miracle Gomes
Computer Science
Ciana Gomes is a Trinidadian-American first-generation student and computer science major with a minor in data science from Columbia, Maryland. She is a member of the Tri-Alpha First-Generation Honor Society and has held several leadership roles, including community outreach coordinator for the Caribbean Student Association, general manager and vice president of activity planning for College Mentors for Kids, and social events director for the Association for Women in Computing. Ciana also served as a CMNS recruitment ambassador and has gained professional experience as a software developer intern. She is grateful for her time at UMD and hopes to continue mentoring young people, uplifting underrepresented communities in STEM and pursuing a career in software development.
Dhruvak Mirani
Computer Science & International Relations Double-Degree
Dhruvak Mirani served as UMD’s Student Body President and a member of the university system's Board of Regents, appointed by Governor Wes Moore. A 2025 Truman Scholar and 2026 Marshall Scholar, he is graduating with dual degrees in computer science and international relations. Mirani previously served as Student Liaison to the College Park City Council, where he helped create a housing assistance program for student residents. He also worked as both a teaching assistant and a research assistant, was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, and wrote columns for The Diamondback.
Dylan Patel
Computer Science
Dylan Patel is a computer science major with a minor in computational finance from Kolkata, West Bengal, India. At UMD, he has served as a student manager at the Student Organization Resource Center, an undergraduate teaching assistant in the Department of Computer Science, and a researcher at the UMD Embodied Dynamics Lab. He is also a leader in Product Space @ UMD and has represented students through the University Senate, the Senate Student Affairs Committee, and the CMNS Dean’s Student Advisory Council. After graduation, Dylan will continue at UMD to complete his master’s degree in finance.
Gabriella Chiasera
Biological Sciences & Spanish Language, Literatures, and Culture Double-Degree
Gabriella Chiasera is a biological sciences and Spanish language, literature, and culture dual-degree student from Baltimore, Maryland. At UMD, she participated in the Language House program and served as a team lead and mentor with Maryland Mentor Corps, a research assistant in the Family Involvement Laboratory, studied abroad in several Spanish-speaking countries, and founded the University of Maryland Club Polo Team, serving as both president and coach. Through her advocacy efforts, she worked to expand access to educational and health resources for Spanish-speaking communities by developing translation materials and supporting outreach initiatives in underserved areas. After graduation, she plans to work as a medical assistant and apply to medical school, aspiring to become a physician dedicated to advancing health equity and caring for underserved populations.
Ishaan Sameer Antani
Biological Sciences
Ishaan Sameer Antani is a biological sciences major with a minor in general business from Montgomery Village, Maryland. During his time as a Banneker/Key scholar at UMD, Antani demonstrated a commitment to the biomedical sciences through his roles as research assistant in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics Assistant Professor Brantley Hall’s laboratory, research intern in Dr. Christian Mayer’s laboratory at the National Cancer Institute’s Experimental Immunology Branch, and teaching assistant for the Integrated Life Sciences Honors program. As a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honors society, Antani is also dedicated to leadership and service. He has served as the drumline section leader for the Mighty Sound of Maryland, volunteered with Terps for Change, and worked as a recovery leader with the Food Recovery Network. Antani is currently a medical assistant at a primary care practice and aspires to attend medical school after graduation.
Maria Joy Johnsonbaugh
Neuroscience & Spanish Language, Cultures, and Professional Contexts Double-Degree
Maria Johnsonbaugh is graduating with two degrees in neuroscience and Spanish Language, Literature, and Professional Contexts in Gemstone Honors College from Ellicott City, Maryland. She conducted independent genetic research on Caenorhabditis elegans and contributed to public health and environmental policy initiatives as an intern at the Maryland General Assembly. On campus, Johnsonbaugh was a resident assistant, teaching assistant, finance director of UMD's Help Center, treasurer of SCALE Operations, Guided Study Sessions leader, and a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honors society. She also previously served in the Residence Hall Association and the Student Government Association. Johnsonbaugh will be applying all that she learned at UMD as a dental student next fall and hopes to focus on sustainable health care options for underserved communities.
Mateo V. Rodriguez
Immersive Media Design
Mateo Rodriguez is an immersive media design major from Maryland. During his time at UMD, Mateo has explored the intersections of technology and art through the creation of immersive projects and involvement with campus communities. He worked for the Design Cultures and Creativity Honors program as a manager of the Sound Studio, and he participated in the IMD New Works Incubator program, where he created an art installation called Fidgets that was showcased at NextNow Fest and the launch event for Forward: The University of Maryland Campaign for the Fearless.
Matthew Ethan Adjodha
Biological Sciences & Public Health Science Double Major
Matthew Adjodha is a senior biological sciences and public health science double major from Rockville, Maryland. He hopes to earn an M.D.-Ph.D. to become a physician-scientist translating genetic epidemiology research into preventative medicine, policy and advocacy to support marginalized communities with chronic diseases. Adjodha serves as co–president of the Asian American Student Union (AASU), vice president of the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honors society, co–founder of Students for Public Research (SPR), and program coordinator of College Success Scholars (CSS). He volunteers with Maryland Athletics Sports Nutrition Program and UMSOM’s CHAMP Lab and is funded as an NIH Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Scholar. He also completed the School of Public Policy's Rawlings Undergraduate Leadership Fellows program. As an incoming Children’s National Hospital intern and former FDA, Johns Hopkins University, and Mayo Clinic intern, Adjodha is passionate about applying public health advocacy to research medicine and health policy.
Obariagora Nwogu
Biological Sciences & Public Health Science Double-Degree
Obariagora Nwogu is a biological sciences and public health science double-degree student from Prince George’s County, Maryland. During his time at UMD, Nwogu served as the president of the Black Pre-Med Association, program coordinator, team leader and executive board member for the College Success Scholars program, OMSE tutor, team lead resident assistant for Oakland Hall, vice president of communications for the Pyon Chen Resident Hall Association, research assistant in the Farcuh Laboratory, a Fostering Terps Success Scholar, and a member of Phi Delta Epsilon. Nwogu is dedicated to mentorship and creating empowering spaces that uplift diversity and community. After graduation, he plans to apply to medical school to pursue his goal of becoming a physician.
Olivia Madeleine Lewis
Biological Sciences
Olivia Lewis is a biological sciences major with a classical mythology minor from Ellicott City, Maryland. Lewis is an alum of the Life Sciences (LS) Scholars program, where she served as a peer mentor, the LS representative on the Scholars Student Advisory Board (SAB) and the Scholars representative on the Undergraduate Studies Dean's Student Advisory Board. Lewis has been a teaching assistant for biological sciences courses for four consecutive semesters, and she also participated in the Federal Fellows program in the Science Diplomacy seminar, culminating in an internship with the Department of Energy. After graduation, Lewis hopes to pursue a master’s degree in genetic counseling, combining her love of biology and service.
Oriel Ockerman
Neuroscience
Originally from Columbia, Maryland, Oriel Ockerman is a pre-med student graduating with a degree in neuroscience. During her time at UMD, she's been an executive board member for Pre-Health Global Brigades, Nu Rho Psi Honor Society, SHARE (Supplying Hospitals Abroad with Resources and Equipment) and the University Honors Student Life Council. Ockerman was awarded the Student Fellow Grant for her mental health mural with University Honors. She is currently working as a medical assistant and scribe at a neurology office, where she learns new skills every day. After graduating, she hopes to spend two gap years serving underresourced communities and traveling before applying to medical school.
Rachel Lei
Chemistry and Mathematics Double-Degree
Rachel Lei is a graduating senior from Ellicott City, Maryland, with a double degree in chemistry and mathematics and a minor in computer science. During her time at UMD, she has been a research assistant in Chemistry Professor Amy Mullin's Lab, a teaching assistant for General Chemistry I lab, a recruitment ambassador for CMNS and Honors, an academic peer mentor, and a University Senator. After graduation, Lei will be pursuing her Ph.D. in physical chemistry.
Riya Jayakumar Raikar
Biological Sciences
Riya Raikar is a biological sciences major with minors in humanities, health and medicine and Asian American studies from Ellicott City, Maryland. During her time at UMD, Raikar served as a research associate in Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health Assistant Professor Rachel Goldstein’s Water Quality, Outreach and Wellness (WOW) Laboratory, where she studies microbial water quality and analyzes its effect on community health. She has also served as the DEI subcommittee chair for the Student Health Advisory Committee, president of the Oxfam Club, and marketing chair for Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity MD Beta Chapter. Beyond research and leadership, Raikar is actively involved in community service through The Every Child Project and the Food Recovery Network.
Samiya Farhin
Biological Sciences
Samiya Farhin is a biological sciences major from Gaithersburg, Maryland, with a minor in technology entrepreneurship and corporate innovation. She came to the United States about four years ago from Bangladesh and began her studies at a local community college. After facing enormous challenges, she has now completed her degree while raising her three-and-a-half-year-old daughter.
Shreyes Varde
Computer Science
Shreyes Varde is a computer science major with a minor in business analytics from Edison, New Jersey. During his time at UMD, Varde served as a teaching assistant for a student-initiated course, the sexual assault prevention, DEI, and grades chair of the Sigma Phi Delta fraternity, and a CMNS recruitment ambassador. He also chaired high school conferences as part of the Model UN club and was a member of the QUEST Honors Program and Omicron Delta Kappa. After graduation, Varde will work as a software engineer.
Tal T. Bresler
Neuroscience
Tal Bresler is from Silver Spring, Maryland, and will graduate with a degree in neuroscience and a minor in health, humanities, and medicine. During her time at UMD, she participated in the Federal Fellows Program and University Honors while serving as a teaching assistant, Honors Ambassador, Neuroscience Ambassador, Guided Study Sessions Leader, founder and president of the Maryland Beit Midrash, research assistant in the Language and Music Cognition Lab, member of the UMD Women’s Crew Team, and member of Omicron Delta Kappa. Beyond campus, Bresler worked as a volunteer medical assistant at the Pregnancy Aid Center, served as president of Yavneh’s National Hillel Torah Bowl, tutored an underserved student in math, worked with YATOM: The Jewish Foster and Adoption Network, and interned at the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General. After graduation, Bresler will attend medical school and hopes to pursue a career integrating primary care and public health policy.
Walter E. Brown Jr.
Biological Sciences
Walter Brown is a biological sciences major from Baltimore, Maryland, grounded in faith, service and leadership. At UMD, he actively engaged in the CIVICUS program (now CESG), the FIRE program, and the Gemstone Honors program, while contributing to multiple undergraduate research labs and serving as a teaching assistant for BSCI160. He held leadership and service roles as the vice president of the Black Alliance Network and a member of United Against Inequities in Disease, the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) and the Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD) Honors Society. Brown has also served as a resident assistant, peer career influencer, certified medical assistant and clinical engineering equipment technician at the University of Maryland Medical Center. In his free time, Brown enjoys discovering new music, gardening, journaling, engaging in community service and spending time with his five younger siblings. He plans to attend medical school to become a cardiothoracic surgeon while advancing public health advocacy to address health disparities in underserved communities.
Ziyan Ahmed
International Relations & Biochemistry Double-Degree
Ziyan Ahmed is a Banneker/Key Scholar from Clarksburg, Maryland, pursuing a double degree in international relations and biochemistry. He earned his honors citation through the Global Challenges and Solutions living-learning program, where he served as president of its student association and represented the Honors College as an ambassador, receiving the Portz Outstanding Student Award. Throughout his time as an undergraduate, Ahmed dedicated himself to mentorship, service and healthcare on and off campus. He worked six semesters as an organic chemistry teaching assistant, served as a peer coach with the Social Interaction Group Network for All to support neurodivergent students, contributed as a medical assistant with the American Diversity Group’s free clinic and Olney Medical Group, co-founded Haynes Kitchen to prepare and serve meals to local homeless shelters in Washington, D.C., and conducted performance psychology research as an intern at the Consortium for Health and Military Performance. Next year, he looks forward to attending medical school to become a physician committed to bridging gaps in healthcare and practicing in underserved communities.
