Think & Do Tank

Venya Tiwari is a sophomore studying Aerospace Engineering. Venya serves as the Trade Study Lead for the Rutgers STAR SpiceSAT Structures Team. She has worked as a Consulting Analyst for the Rutgers Consulting Group and has worked as an intern for the Rutgers Technology and Democracy Research Hub. Venya looks forward to working at the intersection of engineering and AI policy in the future.

Katherine O'Connor is a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences. She studies Sociology on the Pre-Law Track with minors in Creative Writing and Environmental Studies. In her free time, she participates in the Rutgers Mock Trial team and cooks for her friends.

Elijah Cohen is a junior at Rutgers University, double-majoring in Political Science & Criminal Justice with a minor in Law and History. He is interested in pursuing a career in public interest law and advocating for individuals in underprivileged communities. Outside of the Think & Do Tank, he is a fellow in the Lloyd C. Gardner Fellowship Program and serves as the secretary of the Rutgers Ski & Snowboard Team.

Salma Farag is a student at Rutgers University–New Brunswick studying Finance and Business Analytics IT on a pre-law track. Her interests include public policy, civic engagement, and economic equity, informed by experience in economic research, grassroots organizing, and community leadership. Through the Think and Do Tank, she hopes to collaborate on practical solutions to challenges facing American democracy.

Jude Smith is a second-year student from Brick, NJ majoring in History and Data Science. They serve as Treasurer for both the Rutgers Undergraduate Society of History and the Rutgers Reach Out and Read Club. They also have a passion for applying data to social problems to help build a better world. Jude is interested in pursuing a MPA or JD after graduation.

Daniel Benimovich is a sophomore at Rutgers with the Honors College, majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Business Administration. Daniel’s interest in addressing challenges facing democracy and civic engagement arose from his time working as an undergraduate research intern at the Technology and Democracy Research Hub. Daniel also works as an Emergency Medical Technician and volunteers for the Rutgers Health Service Corps. He plans on attending medical school after college.

Isabella Alvarez-Gomez is a sophomore in the School of Arts and Sciences, studying Political Science and Psychology. She believes that the first step in strengthening American democracy is increasing civic engagement among marginalized communities. As manager of the American Voter Project, she works to make research on voting accessibility accessible to all citizens, especially those who are disenfranchised. 

Emma Hackbarth (she/her) is a junior at Rutgers-New Brunswick majoring in Communication. Born and raised in New York City, Emma was surrounded by millions of stories growing up, and years of theater training and Buddhist meditation practice have given her insight on the value of emotional awareness and stability in communication. In her second workshop with Rutgers Democracy Lab, Emma aims to strengthen her model for productive political communication in collaboration with driven peers.

Vanessa is a curious sophomore in SAS. Majoring in Psychology, she aspires to one day open a nonprofit mental health retreat. She has previously worked as an intern at both RDL and the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services over the summer, also currently volunteering as a Peer Mentor in the College Support Program. Seeking to understand how civic/community engagement and psychology intersect, her goal is to encourage civil and genuine discussion between people with differing perspectives.

Gil Shenoy is a sophomore at Rutgers University, majoring in biochemistry and on a pre-med track, with a minor in public policy. Outside of Think and Do Tank, he participates on campus in a number of activities, including Rock Climbing and Network 8. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, photography, and cooking. Gil is passionate about politics and has stayed involved over the last few years, participating in the Darien Civic Engagement project, helping to register and mobilize voters.

Jade Augustin just finished her first year at Rutgers University New Brunswick. She is from Summit, New Jersey and will be majoring in Political Science and Economics. Jade is excited to be a member of this program and work towards building a stronger future for all. 

Ava Talwar is a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences and the Honors College, majoring in Political Science with minors in Business and Technical Writing. She has interned in legal offices, civic engagement organizations, and political campaigns. In addition to her work with the Think and Do Tank, she serves as President of the Women’s Political Caucus, sits on the board of Phi Alpha Delta, and is a member of the Undergraduate Law Review. Ava is passionate about civic engagement and empowering individuals to make their voices heard.

Nivedita is a junior in the honors college majoring in Genetics and minoring in Public Health. She conducts research on the genetic and environmental factors that influence psychiatric outcomes and recently interned at the New Brunswick Counseling Center. She will also be teaching a FIGS course on Health & Medicine in Fall 2026. Informed by these experiences, she is particularly interested in researching social determinants of health and improving care for vulnerable populations.

Georgia is a sophomore at Rutgers University, double majoring in Public Policy and Spanish and minoring in Business Administration. In the Think and Do Tank, she is committed to breaking down barriers, like language, to civic engagement. She hopes to work in the nonprofit sector to expand equitable access to resources and believes in the power of storytelling and intentional relationships to strengthen communities.

Drishti Chauhan is a junior at Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences, double-majoring in Political Science and Economics with a minor in Psychology. He look forward to learning more about civil issues and collaborating with a group of like-minded peers at the RDL Think and Do Tank.

Elijah Cohen is a junior at Rutgers University, double-majoring in Political Science & Criminal Justice with a minor in Law and History. He is interested in pursuing a career in public interest law and advocating for individuals in underprivileged communities. Outside of the Think & Do Tank, he is a fellow in the Lloyd C. Gardner Fellowship Program and serves as the secretary of the Rutgers Ski & Snowboard Team.

Tamarr Goodwin is a soon-to-be attorney with a drive to make positive change with voice and action.

Aarya Patil is a sophomore majoring in Economics and Political Science. She is eager to meet new people and solve democratic problems together as a team in Think and Do Tank! Outside of school, Aarya loves to bake and read as well as explore new places spontaneously!

Anastasia Formelio is a First-Generation Undergraduate at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, pursuing a dual bachelor's degree in Political Science and Environmental Policy, Institutions, & Behaviors. Post graduation in 2027, she plans to attend a Professional Law School to study Environmental Law. She has a passion for reducing structural barriers by ensuring equitable access to communal resources and environmental protections.

Bella Ayres is a rising junior in the Honors College double-majoring in English and Philosophy with minors in Psychology and Criminology. Bella is a legal intern at the Matus Law Group and the Vice President of the Rutgers Pre-Law Society. She is also a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honors Society, a Staff Writer for the Rutgers Undergraduate Law Review, and a member of Delta Gamma. She intends to pursue a law degree after college, specializing in estate planning or copyright law.