Peer Concentration Advisors (PCA) Program
PCAs serve as peer advisors for pre-concentrators (and current concentrators), providing a valuable perspective and helping students to discover additional resources and opportunities.
If you would like to be matched to a PCA, you can do one of the following:
- Reach out by email to a PCA with similar academic, career, or extracurricular interests by exploring their bios below.
- Get paired with a PCA by filling out the Find my PCA Google Form. While we recognize some students might know exactly what they are looking for, we are happy to help pair you.
Afza Ahsan (Electrical Engineering)
Email: afza_ahsan@college.harvard.edu
Hey everyone! My name is Afza and I am a junior from Pakistan living in Dunster House studying Electrical Engineering (S.B.). My interests primarily lie in power electronics, microfabrication and computer hardware. This past summer I have been working on power electronics research at Cornell developing a wireless charging system for a humanoid robot. On campus, I have been involved in engineering related projects at the Harvard Center of Astrophysics because I have a strong interest in astronomy which also explains my involvement with STAHR (the club that runs the telescope on top of the science center). I would love to chat about different fields within electrical engineering for anyone who is starting out or is less familiar with them. I would also be happy to chat about the best way to plan your semester so that you are not running from one lab to the other and talk about all the classes I have enjoyed because trust me when I say I have spent HOURS on my harvard reading every course description.
Rachel Akinla (Mechanical Engineering)
Email: rachelakinla@college.harvard.edu
Hi! My name is Rachel Akinla, and I'm a Mechanical Engineering S.B. concentrator from Westchester, New York. I actually started out as an Environmental Engineering concentrator, so I've taken a bit of an unconventional path through the curriculum (and learned a lot about course sequencing the hard way). Outside of class, I love long distance running, am a campus tour guide, and leader with the Outing Club, and I genuinely love how full and busy Harvard's campus life can be. On the research and industry side, I've done an NSF REU, research abroad at the Swiss Cat+ Lab in Switzerland, and undergrad research in Harvard's Microbotics Lab, and this summer I'm interning at IBM doing hardware engineering. If you're feeling lost about what classes to take, switching concentrations, finding research, or just figuring out where you fit as an engineer (especially as a woman in the field), I'd love to talk!
Allen Garcia (Electrical Engineering)
Email: allengarcia@college.harvard.edu
Hello everyone! I'm Allen, a junior in Lowell House studying Electrical Engineering (S.B.) with a secondary in Computer Science. My academic focus is on signal processing and its intersection with data science—specifically how the same mathematical tools can extract underlying patterns from completely different systems, whether that's modeling trends in financial trading or processing medical imaging data. I also enjoy circuit design and working on hardware projects. This summer, I am a data science intern in the specialty insurance sector, working with external data sourcing. Previously, I spent a summer studying abroad in Mexico City. As an FGLI student from an under-resourced high school, I am passionate about STEM education and support, which drives my involvement with pre-college programs like MITES, or programs like LEDA, and CPI. On campus, I am a Case Team Lead for the Harvard Data Analytics Group (HDAG), a member of the Conflux Art-Tech collective, and I love spending my free time working on personal projects at the REEF.
Feel free to reach out anytime (I am always compulsively checking my email!) to chat about choosing an engineering concentration, exploring non-engineering career paths, or navigating and adapting to life at Harvard. I'd also be happy to grab lunch or coffee—I look forward to meeting you! ;)
Noor Haideri (Bioengineering)
Email: noorhaideri@college.harvard.edu
Hello! I'm Noor Haideri, a junior in Cabot studying bioengineering on the chemical and materials subtrack. I'm from Kansas, and I developed a passion for research at Dr. Sushanta K. Banerjee's lab at the KCVA Cancer Research Unit. I have been working in Dr. Rakesh Jain's lab at MGH since September 2025 on a project for CAR-T cell therapy for glioblastoma. I am continuing in the lab in the summer of 2026 through the Herchel Smith Undergraduate Science Research Program. I spent the summer of 2025 in Dr. Dennis Slamon's lab at UCLA working on antibody-drug conjugate therapies for cancer. Outside of research, I am a Co-Director of the Lab Team for the Harvard Undergraduate OpenBio Laboratory and Co-Director of Events for the Global Alliance for Medical Innovation. On the advocacy side, I am the Executive Chair of the Students Against Destructive Decisions Emerging Leaders Council, an Intellectual Vitality Ambassador, the Corporate Sponsorship Chair for the 54th Annual An Evening with Champions, Chief People Officer of the Global Research and Consulting Group's Global Management Team, and a Senior Associate with the group on campus. One of my favorite activities is teaching piano through PBHA's Harmony. I am also interested in science communication: I won the 2022 Breakthrough Junior Challenge and am collaborating with Khan Academy through OpenBio to create videos on creativity in biology. Other passions/previous activities include photography, speech and debate, and Girl Scouts.I plan on applying to MD/PhD programs to combine my research and clinical interests. Beyond school and extracurriculars, I love horses, movies, flowers, and desserts. I also like making lists (favorites include horse names, movies, activities, and odd words)–please let me know if you have suggestions! I'd love to talk to you about your interests (even if completely unrelated to mine!), so please reach out, and I'm happy to connect over a meal or coffee!
Malaika Hamid (Bioengineering)
Email: mhamid@college.harvard.edu
Hi everyone! My name is Malaika and I am a junior in Currier House studying Bioengineering with a secondary in Economics. Specifically, I am following the mechanical subtrack of bioengineering. I am interested in medical innovation and humanitarian engineering. This past summer, I got to work with the Harvard Chapter of Engineers Without Borders and prepare for upcoming phases of water engineering projects in rural communities in Kenya and Guatemala! On campus, I have been part of the Harvard Undergraduate Biotechnology Club and enjoy helping students as a course assistant in different classes. In my free time, I enjoy going on walks along the Charles or trying a new matcha place in Boston! Feel free to reach out about classes, research on campus, choosing concentrations, or anything else!!
Ashley Kim (Biomedical Engineering)
Email: ahkim@college.harvard.edu
Hi! I'm Ashley, a senior in Quincy pursuing a joint concentration in Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience with a secondary in English. I'm interested in neural engineering and computational neuroscience, and right now, I am leading an olfactory neuroscience project at MGH investigating how the brain processes odors through neural oscillations and electrophysiological responses. I've conducted research across neuroscience, machine learning, and bioengineering in both Boston and Los Angeles, including at Mass General Hospital, Mass Eye and Ear, UCLA, and Caltech. I've also pursued international neuro/bioengineering research/study abroad experiences at the University of Tokyo, Peking University, and Seoul National University, where I explored topics from neural development to bioimplantable devices. Outside research, you can find me CAing the Physics 12 series…so if you ever need help with that…. I also enjoy reading, traveling, and finding random hobbies (I’ve worked as a barista and a bartender in Boston!) I'm always happy to chat about joint concentrations, research opportunities, study abroad/summer opportunities, MD-PhD interests, pre-med, navigating an interdisciplinary path through Harvard/SEAs…or anything at all haha!
Brayden Lee (Electrical Engineering)
Email: braydenlee@college.harvard.edu
Hellooo! My name is Brayden Lee, and I am a rising junior living in Leverett House (obviously the best house) studying Electrical Engineering and Mathematics. Over the summer, I am working on semiconductors... at Samsung Austin Semiconductors and doing research at the Nanodesign Group at SEAS. In my free time, I love exploring Boston, trying new boba shops, hanging out with friends, and playing cards. If you have any questions about research, internships, vlasses, double concentrations, comping, or even my boba rankings, feel free to reach out!
Ishika Nag (Bioengineering)
Email: ishikanag@college.harvard.edu
Hi! My name is Ishika, and I'm a senior in Lowell studying Bioengineering (S.B.) under the Electrical Engineering subtrack. I'm particularly interested in medical devices and technology. I am currently involved with the Harvard Ability Lab on a research project centered around creating a rapidly adjustable personalized crutch. This summer, I’ll be an intern for J&J’s medical technology division. Previously, I researched muscle velocity measurement using ultrasound in the Harvard Biodesign Lab (HCRP), and explored organ-on-a-chip systems to simulate the blood-brain barrier at the Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology (REU). Some engineering electives I’ve taken include ES 227 (Medical Device Design), BE 124 (The Biomechanics of Movement), BE 128 (Biomedical Imaging and Systems), ES 155 (Systems and Control), ES 91r (Research Credit), GENED 1080 (How Music Works: Engineering the Acoustical World), etc. I would be happy to discuss my experiences in each! I'm very passionate about building community among engineers at Harvard. When I’m not in lab or at office hours, you might spot me in line at SEC Flyby, “studying” in Lowell Dhall, or speedwalking to a morning class. I love reading, eating meals with friends, and riding public transportation. I'm always happy to chat - feel free to reach out!
Edgar Ocelotl Tecuanhuey (Bioengineering)
Email: edgarocelotltecuanhuey@college.harvard.edu
Hello everyone, my name is Edgar Ocelotl Tecuanhuey, and I am a senior concentrating in the S.B. Bioengineering route on the pre-med track. I am from Indianapolis, Indiana, and am excited to serve as a PCA this year. I look forward to helping students explore their interests, navigating SEAS, and feeling supported throughout their ventures into different fields and their career/academic goals. Feel free to reach out for any questions, guidance, etc!
Ian Park (Biomedical Engineering)
Email: ispark@college.harvard.edu
Hi everyone! My name is Ian, and I am a junior in Adams House studying Bioengineering (S.B.) on the chemical and materials subtrack, with a secondary in Classics. My research interests lie in the intersection of immunology and protein engineering, and I currently work on characterizing the immune response to various emerging infectious diseases. I have also worked on assay development and clinical research in previous projects. I’ve spent my last two summers here conducting research through PRISE and Herchel Smith, but have also had significant experience in the biotechnology/pharmaceuticals space. Outside of the lab, I am a teaching assistant for organic chemistry and systems analysis, one of the co-presidents of HackHarvard, and an active member of my house community. In my free time, I enjoy road cycling, reading, writing, and spending time with friends in Boston. Please feel free to reach out about research opportunities and URAF funding, engineering courses, pre-med/pre-grad advice, or whatever else you may be curious about!
Armando Patiño (Bioengineering)
Email: apatino@college.harvard.edu
Hi everyone! I’m Armando, a senior in Mather House studying Bioengineering with a secondary in Computer Science. I’m passionate about the intersection of data science and biology, where computation drives real impact.This summer, I interned at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, building pipelines to study transcription factors, super-enhancers, and omic data. I also developed machine learning tools to analyze CRISPR-based gene expression. Last summer, I explored software engineering through an externship with Citadel | Citadel Securities. On campus, I’ve been involved in communities that celebrate identity and innovation. I’ve served as Treasurer of RAZA (Harvard’s Mexican cultural group), Head of Fundraising for SHPE, and Operations Associate for LiFT. I’m proud of my Mexican heritage and care deeply about representation and inclusion. In the Karczewski Lab at the Broad Institute, I help analyze large-scale genetic data to better understand variants that cause disease. Outside class, I work for Harvard Student Agencies (HSA) under CDE, help coordinate first-year intramural sports, and give Spanish-language campus tours. I enjoy staying active, meeting new people, and helping make Harvard feel like home. Most importantly, I’m here for you! Whether you have questions about classes, research, internships, or just want to chat, I’m happy to help.Also, fun fact: I’ve been dating my amazing girlfriend since freshman fall, proof that relationships in college are totally possible! Excited to meet you! Don’t hesitate to reach out!
Aryenne Ysabelle Rodrigo (Environmental Science and Engineering)
Email: aryenneysabellerodrigo@college.harvard.edu
Hello! I'm Aryenne Ysabelle Rodrigo, a senior in Cabot House studying Environmental Science and Engineering (S.B.). This summer, I will be working as a Stormwater Intern with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, supporting stormwater management and field inspections for urban infrastructure projects. On campus, I serve as Co-President of the Harvard Philippine Forum and as Co-Project Lead for Harvard Engineers Without Borders, where I'll be leading an assessment trip to Guatemala for a new community water access project. Previously, I conducted PFAS contamination research in the Sunderland Lab and worked with the Harvard Office for Sustainability as a Resource Efficiency Program coordinator. I'm really interested in applying engineering to build environmental resilience in climate-vulnerable communities. As both an FGLI and international student from the Philippines, I'm always happy to chat about academics, student life, or finding support and community at Harvard!
Cameron Walker (Bioengineering)
Email: cameronwalker@college.harvard.edu
Hey everyone, my name is Cameron, and I am a junior studying bioengineering and living in Lowell House. I am also pre-med and on the varsity football team. What drew me to bioengineering was its ability to combine my passions for math, medicine, and engineering. Specifically, I am pursuing the mechanical subtrack of bioengineering and have recently been doing research at the Harvard Move Lab under the supervision of professor Conor Walsh. I can answer questions about the concentration, bioengineering research, being pre-med, and varsity sports at Harvard. Most of all, I understand the difficulty of balancing these and I am excited to help others navigate this path.
Jade Webb (Bioengineering)
Email: jadewebb@college.harvard.edu
Hello! My name is Jade, and I’m a senior in Currier pursuing an S.B. in Bioengineering on the Mechanical track. I'm primarily interested in cross-functional projects that bridge biology and new technologies to approach issues in longevity, medicine, and the overall human experience in novel ways. Currently, I am a Research Trainee in the Department of Plastic Surgery at Brigham and Women’s hosted by Dr. Orgill where I design and validate new methods for overcoming racial bias in optical-based oxygenation devices for monitoring post-surgical outcomes. Previously, I spent a year at Emulate, a late-stage biotech startup in Boston, where we developed a suite of organ-on-a-chip consumables that aim to reduce the reliance on animal testing and have most recently been used on the Artemis II mission to study how deep space radiation and microgravity affect human health. Last summer, I worked in microinstrumentation R&D at Alcon creating testing apparatuses and SOPs for surgical device technical claims; additionally, I trained with Dr. Ingber’s lab at the Wyss Institute working with donor-derived organoids and organ-on-a-chip systems to optimize a novel rotavirus oral vaccine. I serve as President of Harvard iGEM, a student-led synthetic biology research group, and served as Head of Applied Research of Behavioral Strategy Group, a behavioral economics consulting club. I’ve also worked as a CA for LS50 and a tour guide for SEAS. Outside of academics, I love being active in the Greater Boston community through run clubs, training in heels and commercial dance, and playing ultimate frisbee. I’m currently curating an affordable biomakerspace in my dorm, so feel free to reach out anytime if you want to build together or to chat about engineering courses, research opportunities, the recruiting processes for industry vs. startup, or whatever else you might have questions about!
Nimet Yesil (Mechanical Engineering)
Email: busrayesil@college.harvard.edu
Hi, my name is Nimet Yesil and I’m a senior in the Dudley Co-op concentrating in S.B. Mechanical Engineering. I am interested in funicular structures, audio hardware engineering, and broader critical infrastructure systems. On-campus, I’m active with the Central Asian Student Association and Engineers Without Borders – I even got to travel to Kenya this past winter. Professionally, I have interned x3 at Amazon as a hardware engineer on the Audio Devices and Algorithms team where I worked with various bio-sensors and machine learning models. One of my favorite experiences at Harvard has been leaving to study abroad in Morocco, Nepal, and Ecuador. I highly encourage it, especially if you’re on full financial aid. You should also take a MIT or grad class at one point – you can get cool experiences like the ex-CEO of Panera being your classmate or the architect behind the tallest building in the world reviewing your roof design. Off-campus, I train Muay Thai. Engineering at Harvard is so fun; I’ve benefitted a lot from my seniors and would love to pay that forward. You can reach out to me with questions on classes, studying abroad, whatnot. I would love to grab a coffee – we can also just start through email.