Soniya Tamhankar, Co-President
Soniya Tamhankar is a PhD candidate in Cellular and Molecular Pathology and Co-President of WiSolve Consulting Group. In this role, she leads organizational planning, oversees consultant engagement, and manages the group’s project portfolio. She has experience in primary and secondary market research, competitor analysis, pricing and business development strategy, supporting clients in aligning market insights with business objectives. Through WiSolve, Soniya is eager to continue exploring non-academic career paths and applying her problem-solving skills at the intersection of biotechnology and business.
Co-President
Michelle is a 5th year PhD student studying Social Psychology with a focus in Computational Social Science. She studies the intersections between identity, emotion, and human movement. Her research involves modeling human movement, analyzing the effects of synchronous movement, and conducting naturalistic studies. She uses similar methods to investigate human-robot interaction. Michelle's research is grounded in collaboration with computer scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, geographers, artists, and community members. After graduate school, she plans to pursue a career in management consulting.
Ali Altamimi, Incoming Co- President
Ali Altamimi is a third-year PhD student in the Chemistry Program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His research focuses on computational approaches for advanced plastics recycling, with an emphasis on molecular dynamics simulations and thermodynamic modeling for the Solvent-Targeted Recovery and Precipitation (STRAP) technology developed at UW–Madison. He also integrates simulation tools with machine learning techniques to support the development of cleaner polymer systems, including non-fluorinated adhesives. Ali is interested in pursuing a career in consulting and patent law, where he can apply scientific innovation to real-world impact.
Incoming Co-President
Mikaela Seeman is a 5th-year PhD candidate in the Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB). Her research investigates the structural and biochemical basis of the RNA-binding protein FUBP3 and its interactions with poly-UG RNA and other nucleic acids. As Director of Finance at WiSolve Consulting Group, Mikaela oversees financial planning and resource management while contributing to client projects. She is interested in consulting within the life sciences and biotechnology industries, where she aims to apply her scientific expertise and strategic thinking to support innovation and business growth.
Billy Erazo, Director of Professional Development
Billy Erazo completed his PhD research on host–pathogen interactions in toxoplasmosis, focusing on how the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii modulates host immune responses and programmed cell death pathways. With seven years of biomedical research experience and an MBA focused on technology strategy and product management, Billy is interested in becoming a Clinical Product Manager, bridging scientific innovation, commercialization, and the development of impactful clinical products.
Azka Ahmed is a PhD candidate whose research focuses on the role of vitamin D in the immune response to tuberculosis. Using wet lab experiments and computational modeling, she studies immune signaling networks and cytokine regulation during bacterial infection. At WiSolve Consulting Group, Azka is interested in applying her scientific training and analytical skills to real-world challenges in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and management consulting.
Madilyn Ellis, Director of Internal Operations
Madilyn Ellis is a fourth-year PhD student in the Cancer Biology Program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her research focuses on virus-associated cancers, which account for approximately 15–20% of human malignancies. Specifically, she studies the regulation of transcription and genome copy number of Epstein–Barr virus, a human DNA tumor virus. Madilyn plans to pursue a career in biopharmaceutical research and development and is passionate about leveraging molecular biology to improve patient outcomes.
Usha Polaki, Director of Communications and Technology
Usha Polaki is a PhD candidate in the Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Program. Her research focuses on understanding the tumor-suppressive role of the transcription factor GATA2 in uterine serous carcinoma. As Director of Communications and Technology at WiSolve Consulting Group, Usha manages the organization’s digital presence and oversees communications strategy. She is passionate about bridging science and strategy, with career interests in biotechnology consulting and innovation at the interface of research and business.