Graduate School Peer Advocates

Matthew Amato

Molecular Biophysics My name is Matthew Amato, and I am a PhD candidate in the Molecular Biophysics program. I grew up in New Mexico and I love being outside, from backpacking and kayaking to everything else in between. Graduate school has taught me we do our best work when we are feeling our best. Just as cars need regular oil changes and maintenance to properly run, we need to schedule time to check in with ourselves. Graduate school can be overwhelming at times, so it is important to create a strong support system. I am always here to talk about navigating graduate school or just being a person in graduate school. I am hoping to chat with you!

Chen Chang

Postdoc Hi there! This is Chen Chang. I am from China and received my doctoral degree from the University of Macau in 2023, the same year I joined UTSW as a postdoc. In my free time, I enjoy reading, traveling, and hiking, especially exploring national parks. As a recent PhD graduate and a foreigner getting familiar with a new country step by step, I know how high pressure these periods can be, and I understand the challenges faced by peers in similar situations. I believe that effectively dealing with stress and potential negative emotions is crucial for maintaining mental health and fostering creativity in scientific work. We all face challenges along our paths, and the main reason I joined the peer advocate program is to dedicate my efforts to helping my peers. I am highly enthusiastic about learning how to overcome these challenges for personal growth and am passionate about dedicating my efforts to helping those I can. If you want to talk about mental health or anything else, such as travel, please let me know. I am always here to support you!

Ritika Dhruve

Postdoc Hi, I'm Ritika Dhruve. I'm currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Cardiology, where I'm dedicated to finding new ways to enhance cardiovascular health. I've recently wrapped up medical school and earned a Master's in Public Health, which has significantly influenced my approach to addressing both individual and community health challenges. Outside the lab, you'll likely find me on the badminton court or cycling around town. Cooking is another passion of mine; it's a great way for me to unwind and connect with others. As someone new to Dallas without family or friends here, I truly appreciate the value of having a supportive buddy to share daily experiences with. I'm also deeply committed to mental health awareness and am excited about the opportunity to get involved as a peer volunteer. May it be a walk, a cup of coffee or maybe exploring new places while discussing life, please don't hesitate to reach out.

AJ Jain

Biomedical Engineering Hey guys! I'm AJ (pronouns he/they) and I'm a PhD student on the Computational Biology track in the BME program. I work on fMRI neuroimaging tools and analysis for clinical psychiatry. I'm passionate about mental health and well-being both in my research and personally. Through prior training and experience with groups such as Crisis Text Line, I've cultivated my passion for connecting with others and providing support surrounding the hardships in life- which includes being a student in a rigorous PhD program like UTSW! Additionally, with my experience as a queer/trans person of color, I'm committed to providing a safe listening environment for students of all backgrounds and identities. Outside of UTSW, I love rock climbing, hanging out with my cat, and reading. Don't hesitate to reach out!

Ethan Perets

Postdoc My name is Ethan Perets, I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Molecular Biology and the 2025 Co-President of the UTSW Postdoctoral Association. Before arriving at UTSW, I received my PhD from Yale University and spent one year as a postdoc at Harvard University. Outside of research, I enjoy traveling, playing music, visiting museums, and skateboarding at the numerous parks around Dallas. Throughout our lives, we will inevitably encounter difficult situations. In those challenging moments, one powerful option is to speak with someone prepared to connect you with helpful resources. As a peer advocate, I am ready to support your journey at UTSW.

Katie Rubitschung

Biomedical Engineering Hi, I'm Katie! I graduated from Minnesota State University Mankato with my bachelors and masters in biomedical science. I joined UTSW in 2019 as a research technician in the radiology department before joining the Biomedical Engineering PhD program in 2023. Outside the lab, I enjoy training for marathons with my dog, Batman. I chose to become a peer advocate because chasing your PhD can be just as overwhelming as it is rewarding. I have faced many challenges in graduate school and as a nontraditional student, I believe that optimism and having someone to talk to — whether about lab dynamics, academic stress, interpersonal relationships, life transitions, mental health, or simply day-to-day challenges — makes all the difference. I hope to be a supportive, empathetic, and motivating resource for my peers you navigate this journey. Don't hesitate to reach out to me if you'd like to chat or grab a coffee!

Weronika Stachera

Genetics, Development & Disease My name is Weronika, I am a 5th-year GDD student, and I volunteer to serve as a peer advocate. I am from Poland, and I came to the US 4 years ago. I was struggling with many different aspects of being an international person in a country thousands of kilometers (miles) from my friends and family. I had difficulties with all the new paperwork regarding visas, taxes, SSNs, etc. I am here as a resource to HELP you. Being a graduate student is a huge challenge and we don't need to face more difficulties. Grad life can also be very isolating especially when you are in a new country. But remember, you are not alone! I aim to bring the student community together to identify each other's problems and make the way through them. Let me be your advocate for any issue you might have. Let me help you feel more at home, here in UTSW.

Shayna Thomas-Jardin

Postdoc Hello, my name is Shayna and I joined UTSW in 2021 as a postdoc in the Molecular Biology Dept. In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, baking, reading, watching shows, and I'm currently restoring my 100-yr-old home!I have two children, born during my undergraduate and graduate studies, which has enhanced my skills of how to maintain a healthy work/life balance and time management. As a mentor in the lab, both here at UTSW and during my PhD work, I know the "ins" and "outs" of lab dynamics, relationships, and how to keep a project moving forward, or have that difficult talk with your PI. I'd love to use everything I've learned to help grad students and fellow postdocs inside and outside the lab. Please reach out to discuss any topic; academic, lab, child-related, life craziness, funding (I have an F32!) or just want to talk.

Reshma Vettil

Postdoc Hi, my name is Reshma, and I am a postdoctoral researcher at Sabari lab. Before joining UTSW in January 2020, I did my PhD from National centre for biological sciences in India. For my research, I am a computational biologist, and we study how biomolecular condensates organize gene regulation. In my spare time, I enjoy writing, sketching, and exploring places and different restaurants. I always love to have conversations and meet new people. During my graduation years, I realized that having someone whom you can reach out and talk to is a privilege and this is the reason why I wanted to join the Peer Advocate program. I would love to be that someone whom you can talk to.