Sara Ansaloni

I am Sara Ansaloni, originally from Italy, and now a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology at Drexel University. I have been on the board of the BBGSA (Bioscience and Biotechnology Graduate Students Association) since its inception three years ago, as Social Chair, Secretary and, last year, as President.

I am now GSA President because I want to see things change for the better here at Drexel. There is a lot offered to the Drexel student body: funds for social events and academic activities such as seminars, invited lectures from prestigious outside speakers, symposia and workshops, and ever so many organized events with free food. I think we could make better use of these opportunities to create a spirit of graduate life that goes beyond the hard work each of us puts into his/her research and teaching activities. We should strive to create happy memories of our grad school time!

There are also many things to be improved upon. Better graduate student benefits, especially health care coverage and stipends, are issues I have really taken to heart in my last year as BBGSA President. Some of you may have read the Letter to the Editor of the Triangle I wrote regarding these issues.

My priorities are graduate student benefits (health insurance and stipends) and the formation of a more broadly connected graduate student community that would improve the quality of life of graduate students at Drexel. I enjoy doing team work and I believe that Drexel will greatly benefit by a greater involvement of grad students in decision making processes such as course work, administration and financial issues.