2021 Spring Commencement

April 30, 2021

Lyman Briggs College Spring 2021 Commencement

Erickson Hall, 620 Farm Lane, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824

April 30, 2021 | Recordings: 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m, 2:00 p.m.

Kendra Spence Cheruvelil, Interim Dean

Order of Ceremonies | Award Winners | Briggsies Supporting Briggsies

LBC Supports Survivors: Resources pertaining to sexual assault and harassment

Share What's Next in Life | Graduate List

Order of Ceremonies

Processional

Pomp and Circumstance, MSU Wind Symphony, Conducted by Kevin Sedatole

Welcome

America the Beautiful, Will Johnson, Vocals; Jasmine Harry, Piano

Moment of Silence

Welcome from President Stanley

MSU Board of Trustees Greeting

Greetings from the Provost

Senior Class Address

Hamza Kaakarli*, Neuroscience

Hamza Kaakarli, graduating with a degree in Neuroscience, is a member of the Honors College and an MSU Board of Trustees Award Winner. He recently served as president of the Michigan State University Muslim Students' Association and worked as a research assistant and COVID vaccination center volunteer for Sparrow Hospital.

LBC Alumni Address

Tamika D. Payne, Principal Consultant, Ending Payne Consulting Services; Vice President, Board of Directors, New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Tamika D. Payne, the founder of Ending Payne Consulting Services, is an internationally recognized expert on gender-based violence, gender equality, diversity, equity, and social inclusion. She has two decades of experience in this arena, including 11 years in international development and humanitarian affairs. Ms. Payne is a public speaker, facilitator, and thought leader who skillfully weaves together her extensive professional experience with her personal experiences and identities to promote gender equity in organizations.

Recognition of Achievements and Awards

Conferral of Degrees

Reader: Mark Bashore

Faculty Marshalls: Abe Edwards, Ryan Sweeder, Rachel Barnard

Charge to Graduates

Alma Mater

MSU Graduate Choral Ensemble, directed by Professor Dimitri Berlinsky

Recessional

MSU Fight Song, Performed by Professor Dimitri Berlinsky and the student ensemble International Chamber Soloists

*Denotes member of the Honors College

Award Winners

MSU Board of Trustees Award Winners

For students maintaining a 4.0 grade point average throughout their undergraduate careers

Rachel Alcorn*, Zoology
Angelica Cabatu, Zoology
Matthew Cederman*, Physiology
Shelby Fenn*, Physiology
Samantha Gregoire*, Neuroscience
Emily Hawker*, Microbiology
Nicole Hefty*, Biological Science
Jacob Jensen*, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Hamza Kaakarli*, Neuroscience
Eli Keller*, Human Biology
Luke Noah*, Neuroscience
Abi Otwell*, Neuroscience
Lissa Pereira Sanabria*, Human Biology
Chris Reeves*, Neuroscience
Catrina Stephan*, Human Biology
Abby Struble*, Physiology
Ben Walters*, Neuroscience
Michael Wischer, Biomedical Laboratory Science
Kaitlin Ziadeh, Neuroscience

F.B. Dutton Award

Nominees must exemplify the ideals of the Briggs program, and contribute significantly to improving the quality of science education by showing active leadership and participation with the LBC community while maintaining a high level of academic achievement.

Victor Di Rita, Neuroscience

LBC Alumni Association Outstanding Student Award

Nominees must display exemplary spirit, enthusiasm, leadership, and dedication to student and alumni activities while earning a commendable level of academic achievement.

Taya Smith*, Nutritional Sciences

Academic Excellence Award

Nominees must demonstrate an exemplary level of academic achievement in the completion of a rigorous course of study, as well as intellectual involvement within their chosen major field of concentration, and a concern for the human aspect of their field of study.

Noah Lubben*, Human Biology

Department Award: The Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program Stevens Award

An award for the graduating student in the program with the highest GPA.

Michael Wischer, Biomedical Laboratory Science

*Denotes member of the Honors College

Briggsies Supporting Briggsies

Briggs Ambassadors

Briggs Ambassadors are a crucial part of LBC’s recruitment efforts. They meet individually, serve on panels, and give tours to future students, serving as representatives for the college and sharing their personal experiences.

Dhaval Ghandi, Neuroscience
Megan Seyerle, Neuroscience and Physiology

Peer Advising Assistants

Peer Advisors support incoming student enrollment during New Student Orientation over the summer and annual enrollment during the spring semester. They conduct individual and group advising, as well as workshops and social media campaigns.

Serene Abu-Hamdan, Human Biology
Blerta Prenaj, Human Biology
Abby Struble*, Physiology

Peer Mentors

Peer mentors are matched with new LBC students to receive mentoring during their first semester in Briggs. They help their mentees navigate their first semester of college by hosting group events and one-on-one check-ins, and by facilitating group chats.

Mahmoud Ajine, Neuroscience
Cameron Bennett*, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Matthew Cederman*, Physiology
Amy Dedoyard, Human Biology
Kennedy Franklin*, Physiology
Grace Joachim, Microbiology
Madison Sewick*, Neuroscience
Neha Vallabhaneni, Human Biology
Kimberly Watson, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Ryann Whalen, Physiology

Undergraduate Learning Assistants

Learning assistants enrich the student learning experience. They are part of teaching teams across the college, teaching their near-peers important concepts and skills and providing class, lab, and recitation learning support.

Serene Abu-Hamdan, Human Biology
Angelica Cabatu, Zoology
Matthew Cederman, Physiology
Patrick Clouse*, Physical Science-Interdepartmental
Cassie DeGroat, Neuroscience
Victor Di Rita, Neuroscience
Nathan Flowers, Actuarial Science
Stephen Fong, Neuroscience
Kennedy Franklin*, Physiology
Mitchell Gajar, Human Biology
Nicole Hefty*, Biological Science
Shanna Hilborn, Chemistry
Kate Hoegeman*, Chemistry
Elie Huez, Neuroscience
Valerie Khaykin, Neuroscience
Christine Lee*, Neuroscience
Natalie Masopust, Environmental Science & Management
Jad Mourad, Physiology
Taha Muhammad-Ali*, Physiology
Yuya Nishida, Zoology
Matt Ross, Actuarial Science
Jacob Schoener, Neuroscience
Madison Sewick*, Neuroscience
Emily Simonis*, Chemistry
Taya Smith*, Nutritional Sciences
Kiersten Walsworth, Human Biology
Huda Warsame*, Human Biology
Ryann Whalen, Physiology
Brendan Wiley, Physiology

Online Course Assistants

Online course assistants enrich the student learning experience. They advanced online teaching and learning during the pandemic by assisting faculty with course management across digital platforms and designing customizable digital resources for students.

Joe Chalifour, Environmental Biology/Zoology

LBC supports survivors.
Resources pertaining to sexual assault and harassment

You are our number one priority. Please take good care of yourself.
In-person listening space in Erickson Hall: There is a confidential listening space in Erickson Hall, Room 107, staffed by volunteer advocates from the MSU Center for Survivors offered during each commencement ceremony on April 30.
MSU Center for Survivors: 24-hour Sexual Assault Crisis hotline: (517) 372-6666; Live chat and resources at https://centerforsurvivors.msu.edu
State of Michigan Sexual Assault & Abuse hotline: (855) 864-2374 or (855) VOICES4
RAINN-National Sexual Assault Hotline: (out-of-state) 1-800-656-4673
Our Commitment Resources  https://msu.edu/ourcommitment/resources/
Ending Payne Resources www.endingpayne.com/

Share what's next in life

For those of you who are starting a new job or committing to a graduate or professional school, congratulations! We would love to hear more about your next opportunity. Log in with your MSU NetID and password, and share what you're up to next.

If you’re still trying to decide your next steps: don’t fear! You have access to MSU Career Services for two years after you graduate. Book an appointment with Krysta Coleman, LBC's career consultant, to talk about resumes, grad school searches, mock interviews, or anything else associated with your post-grad plans.

Lyman Briggs College Graduates, Spring Class of 2021

Alphabetized by last name

A-C

Ali Abdel Magid, Human Biology
Serene Abu-Hamdan, Human Biology
Noah Adams, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mahmoud Ajine, Neuroscience
Bella Akouri, Human Biology
Rachel Alcorn*, Zoology
Danielle Allison*, Animal Science
Buchi Amanze*, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anita Anguelova, Nutritional Sciences
Nagib Ashabi, Human Biology
Noah Aurand, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Emily Babcock*, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Lili Bacon, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Pedro Barbosa Machado*, Neuroscience
Adam Barrett*, Human Biology
Brooke Bassett, Human Biology
Julia Bassier, Environmental Geosciences
Brennan Baudeloque*, Human Biology
Ally Bauer, Human Biology
Cameron Bennett*, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Brandon Bigelow, Human Biology
Emily Bishop, Computer Science
Jason Blondeau, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Jacob Bloom, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Thomas Bolden, Computer Science
Kaely Bolio, Neuroscience
Naomi Boonzaaijer, Neuroscience
Casey Borowsky, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gagana Borra*, Neuroscience
Nicholas Bourbeau, Human Biology
Leah Braucher, Nutritional Sciences
Andrew Brooks, Physiology
Kai Brown, Human Biology
Kristian Brucaj, Computer Science
John Buhl*, Physics
Sean Burke, Environmental Biology/Microbiology
Emma Burke, Human Biology
James Burtka*, Human Biology
Mary Kay Burzych, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Keegan Byrnes, Human Biology
Angelica Cabatu, Zoology
Sean Cannon, Physiology
Siwei Cao, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Grace Cardellio, Biological Science
Jessie Carlson, Nutritional Sciences
Camryn Cather*, Human Biology
Matthew Cederman*, Physiology
Joe Chalifour, Environmental Biology/Zoology
Madelyn Chapman, Human Biology
Juan Chavez, Computational Mathematics
Brenda Cheung, Human Biology
Karina Cieslak, Microbiology
Patrick Clouse*, Physical Science-Interdepartmental
Nick Confer*, Chemistry
Noah Croasdill, Biomedical Laboratory Science
Molly Crusse, Neuroscience
Nicole Cubba, Environmental Biology/Zoology
Jeremy Cuff, Physiology
Celeste Czarnecki, Chemistry

D-H

Shereen Daniel, Biology
Pooja Dave, Neuroscience
Isabella Davidson, Nutritional Sciences
Dev Dayal*, Human Biology
Maria Decator, Animal Science
Ross Deckmann, Human Biology
Amy Dedoyard, Human Biology
Cassie DeGroat, Neuroscience
Mallory DeMott, Physiology
Kaden Dennis, Environmental Biology/Microbiology
Nitya Deshpande, Physiology
Maria Dessinger, Human Biology
Alexis DeVries, Neuroscience
Victor Di Rita, Neuroscience
Shannon Doane, Nutritional Sciences
Audrey Downs, Microbiology
Grace Doyle, Environmental Sciences & Management
Reshma Dukkipati*, Neuroscience
Claire Duncan, Chemistry
Terrance Duncan*, Microbiology
Nidhi Dungrani, Human Biology
Andrew Duquette, Environmental Biology/Zoology
Hannah Dygert, Physiology
Cassandra Eddy, Human Biology
Lauren Eldred, Microbiology
Josh Elkhawand, Microbiology
Inna Espinoza, Nutritional Sciences
Julia Evanski*, Human Biology
Monica Fan, Physiology
Owen Farber, Chemistry
Jeremy Feiner*, Microbiology
Johanna Feiner, Neuroscience
Shelby Fenn*, Physiology
Samantha Finkbeiner, Neuroscience
Nathan Flowers, Actuarial Science
Stephen Fong, Neuroscience
Emily Fox, Human Biology
Kennedy Franklin*, Physiology
Cameron Fuentes, Actuarial Science
Pooja Gadhiya*, Human Biology
Mitchell Gajar, Human Biology
Dhaval Gandhi, Neuroscience
Neil Garg*, Physiology
Audry Gerber, Animal Science
Casey Gerlach*, Physiology
Vatche Gilbert, Neuroscience
Carly Goldring, Human Biology
Corey Grassmyer, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Jalen Green, Neuroscience
Samantha Gregoire*, Neuroscience
Will Griffith*, Neuroscience
Roman Grossi, Neuroscience
Zaakir Hamzavi*, Neuroscience
Allison Hartwick, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Kylee Hasbany, Neuroscience
Emily Hawker*, Microbiology
Alex Heffner, Zoology
Nicole Hefty*, Biological Science
Morgen Henry, Neuroscience
Hilda Herrera-Reyes, Biomedical Laboratory Science
Alena Herwig, Neuroscience
Jessica Heyer*, Human Biology
Shanna Hilborn, Chemistry
Kate Hoegeman*, Chemistry
Shelby Hogan*, Biomedical Laboratory Science
Kayla Hogan, Biomedical Laboratory Science
Danielle Hohman, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Elie Huez, Neuroscience

J-M

Natalie JaBaay*, Nutritional Sciences
Ritika Jain, Human Biology
Sylvia Jennette, Human Biology
Jacob Jensen*, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Grace Joachim, Microbiology
Devani Johnson, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Meg Jones*, Environmental Sciences & Management
Hamza Kaakarli*, Neuroscience
Joshua Kam*, Human Biology
Daniel Kashy, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Manwinder Kaur, Neuroscience
Eli Keller*, Human Biology
Legend Kenney, Physics
Sarah Kerr, Neuroscience
Sameed Khan*, Human Biology
Usher Khan, Neuroscience
Bashir Khatib-Shahidi, Physiology
Valerie Khaykin, Neuroscience
Braden Kilpatrick, Physiology
Matt Kilroy, Physiology
Chris Kim, Human Biology
Michaela Kizy, Human Biology
Ashley Korendyke, Environmental Biology/Zoology
Shagane Kotcharian, Human Biology
Andra Kotsonis, Human Biology
Aaron Kruskie*, Astrophysics
Grace Kuza, Human Biology
Hannah Lalonde, Human Biology
Anlin Larson*, Human Biology
John Le, Neuroscience
Christine Lee*, Neuroscience
Andy Levine, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Anna Lin*, Neuroscience
Nicole Lipcaman, Microbiology
Sydney Loughridge, Human Biology
Noah Lubben*, Human Biology
Vivian Ly, Physiology
Morgan Lynch, Physiology
Adam Lynch, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Charlie Mahoney, Human Biology
Anya Malchie-Inman, Chemistry
Moe Mallah, Human Biology
Haaniya Mallick*, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Varun Mangal, Physiology
Robert Marino, Physiology
Natalie Masopust, Environmental Sciences & Management
Raywa Masti*, Neuroscience
Samantha McDonald, Physiology
Gabi Meitler, Environmental Biology/Zoology
Dia Melhotra*, Neuroscience
Shefali Merchant, Nutritional Sciences
Hope Meyers, Biochemistry/Biotechnology
Benjamin Mitchell*, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Reema Mody, Human Biology
Teja Mogasala*, Human Biology
Jad Mourad, Physiology
Sara Moussa, Neuroscience
Irushi Mudalige, Human Biology
Taha Muhammad-Ali*, Physiology
Asad Muhammed, Physiology
Katelyn Murphy, Nutritional Sciences
Nataleigh Muscott, Neuroscience

N-R

Aadi Nalla, Neuroscience
Peter Nelson, Human Biology
Harry Nguyen, Environmental Biology/Zoology
Ria Nikollau*, Human Biology
*uya Nishida, Zoology
Luke Noah*, Neuroscience
Tony Nyamira, Neuroscience
Shreya Ohri, Physiology
Abi Otwell*, Neuroscience
Neeraj Padmanabhan*, Neuroscience
Ireland Papa, Human Biology
Joey Pastori, Microbiology
Neel Patel*, Human Biology
Roshan Patel*, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Devan Patel, Physiology
Kunjal Patel, Biomedical Laboratory Science
Nikhil Patel, Neuroscience
Brooke Pelshaw, Physiology
Lissa Pereira Sanabria*, Human Biology
Odette Peters, Neuroscience
Deni Peterson*, Neuroscience
Jake Petish*, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isabel Petrescu*, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Nick Piner*, Human Biology
Prachee Pingle, Neuroscience
Harrison Plummer, Biochemistry/Biotechnology
Kam Porter, Human Biology
Tamara Porter, Neuroscience
Rachael Powers*, Human Biology
Kyra Powers, Human Biology
Blerta Prenaj, Human Biology
Emily Provencher, Human Biology
Safiyah Quraishi, Human Biology
Josie Randels, Microbiology
Ankita Rao*, Neuroscience
Brendan Rawlings, Human Biology
Priya Razdan*, Human Biology
Chris Reeves*, Neuroscience
Skylar Richardson*, Neuroscience
Jacob Richardson, Physiology
Summer Richardson*, Physiology
Evan Riley, Human Biology
Kate Rogowski, Human Biology
Lauren Rosquin, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matt Ross, Actuarial Science
Frankie Ruffino, Nutritional Sciences
Caitlin Ryan*, Human Biology

S- Z

Ben Salva, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ritika Sanikommu, Neuroscience
Marie-Soleil Sawka, Human Biology
Morgan Schafer*, Human Biology
Bella Schena, Human Biology
Kyle Schiel, Environmental Sciences & Management
Wil Schikorra, Physiology
Kayla Schisler, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Eric Schock*, Human Biology
Jacob Schoener, Neuroscience
Ayla Schwartz*, Neuroscience
John Seger, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gabriele Seilo, Neuroscience
Akhil Sekar, Neuroscience
Madison Sewick*, Neuroscience
Zach Sexton, Human Biology
Ryan Shafer, Human Biology
Zac Shepard, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hannah Shorey*, Neuroscience
Emily Simonis*, Chemistry
Karan Singh, Human Biology
Nadia Sinishtaj, Neuroscience
Shaveena Sivapalan*, Human Biology
Heidi Slawson*, Zoology
Taya Smith*, Nutritional Sciences
Molly Sochor, Human Biology
Ciara Sramek, Neuroscience
Lindsey Stafford, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Jacob Stamm*, Chemistry
Ethan Stav, Human Biology
Kester Stefani, Human Biology
Catrina Stephan*, Human Biology
Shannon Stevens, Human Biology
Abby Struble*, Physiology
Zarshed Suponkulov, Human Biology
Demetri Thompson, Human Biology
Ashleigh Tindle, Biomedical Laboratory Science
Ryan Tomaszewski, Human Biology
Samantha Vader, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Neha Vallabhaneni, Human Biology
Taylor Van Deer, Human Biology
Ethan Van Gorder, Food Science
Madison Vanden Berg, Neuroscience
Trevor Varner, Biomedical Laboratory Science
Ananya Varre*, Human Biology
Paulina Velasco Flores, Human Biology
Emma Verlinden, Neuroscience
Renuka Wagh, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Kiersten Walsworth, Human Biology
Sam Walters, Physiology
Ben Walters*, Neuroscience
Huda Warsame*, Human Biology
Kimberly Watson, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Daria Wedeven, Animal Science
Darius Wells, History, Philosophy & Sociology of Science
Ryann Whalen*, Physiology
Brendan Wiley, Physiology
Chris William*, Neuroscience
Sean Williams, Neuroscience
Matthew Williams, Human Biology
Zoey Willson*, Physiology
Mackenzie Wilson, Neuroscience
Michael Wischer, Biomedical Laboratory Science
Julia Witek, Human Biology
David Wojciechowski*, Human Biology
Phelan Wolf, Nutritional Sciences
Nichelle Wooden, Genomics & Molecular Genetics
Kaitlin Ziadeh, Neuroscience