
What is WREN?
WREN, the Women's Research Engagement Network, is a program founded by the Interdisciplinary Women's Collaborative to promote and celebrate women in research at Northeastern University. WREN not only helps women find research positions, but it also actively supports women in research through providing resources, programming, networking, and presentation opportunities. Ultimately, we hope to fight against the "leaky pipeline" and increase the number of women in academia.
Our Mission
Why was WREN Created?

Women are systematically underrepresented in research. According to UNESCO, just 30% of researchers worldwide are women. This number is even less for BIPOC, low-income, or LGBTQ+ women. WREN seeks to increase the number of female-aligned individuals in research through connecting students with faculty researchers, developing a supportive network of women in research at Northeastern, and providing unique funding and presentation opportunities.


Furthermore, a primary goal of WREN is to provide opportunities and support to those underrepresented in research. The WREN team acknowledges that forces beyond gender, such as racism, classism, homophobia, xenophobia, and others, create additional barriers for women hoping to enter the world of research. WREN seeks to help women overcome these barriers, and the program is designed with a diverse team of women in order to support and uplift the entire Northeastern student body, regardless of their background. If you have any ideas on how to make WREN a more inclusive program, please contact us.

WREN's History

WREN, the Women's Research Engagement Network, was founded in Fall 2020 after members of the Interdisciplinary Women's Collaborative realized that many students at Northeastern, particularly women, felt that research was inaccessible to them.
The organization was founded with a central goal: to promote and celebrate women in research at Northeastern. Since its founding, WREN has built a robust team of both faculty advisors and passionate students.
As of Spring 2025, we have 100+ Scholars, 70+ Jumpstart participants, and 27 student leaders. We have directly helped provide over 25 students research positions, in addition to establishing a dual internship program with the Northeastern Institute for Health Equity and Social Justice Research.
Because of the success, WREN has expanded its dynamic programing to highlight the organizations values and expand its reach. To best serve these goals, WREN has consolidated the IWC and acts as the next evolution of the larger organization.



Research at Northeastern

Northeastern is classified by the The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as Tier 1 research institution, meaning the university ranks among the top institutions in the country in terms of research activity.
Undergraduate students are actively involved in research on campus, frequently working to generate meaningful findings as demonstrated by the many students that present annually at Northeastern's Research, Innovation, and Scholarship (RISE) Expo. However, at Northeastern, there is no defined path to find a research position. WREN is seeking to change that.


Find a Position

WREN's centralized application system gives women at Northeastern a clear path to find research opportunities on campus. However, there are other ways to get involved for students who are not interested in or are not able to participate in WREN.
Some ways to get involved in research on campus beyond WREN include:
1. Connecting with a professor in a class you are taking and asking about their research.
2. Attending research fairs, student organization meetings, and other events to network with students and faculty
3. "Cold-Emailing" professors whose contact information you find via individual college websites.
4. Performing research while on co-op.
5. For students who are part of the Honors Program, earning an Honors Early Research Award.
Find Funding

Many student researchers in long-term positions work anywhere from 5-15 hours a week on their projects. As such, finding funding to support research is essential for many students, especially for those who rely at least partly on their own income to support themselves during college.
The Northeastern University Office of Research and Fellowships website is a great resource to explore options for funding. A notable highlight includes PEAK awards, which can provide up to $3,000 in funding on a semester-by-semester basis for NU students.
In the future, WREN hopes to be able to offer more opportunities for research funding uniquely to our members.
Meet the Team

President
Samantha Balaban
Hi, I'm Sam! I am a fourth year Cell and Molecular Biology major and Business Administration minor. I am also pursuing a MS in Biotechnology through Northeastern's PlusOne program. My research experiences have a focus on environmental microbiology. As a member of the Chai Lab, I study molecular regulation of biofilm-mediating compounds in B.subtilis. I also have experience working on fungal degradation of PFAS. I hope WREN can become a home for you as it has for me. Please feel free to reach out via our website, Linkedin, or instagram if you are interested in WREN!

Executive Director of Finance
Adwaitha (Aadi) Sameer
Hi, I’m Aadi! I’m a fourth-year Biology major with a Business Administration minor on the pre-med track. I am currently a research assistant at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center with the Kulkarni Lab, where we study the enteric nervous system. In my free time, I enjoy exploring coffee shops and playing tennis!

Secretary
Avery Kim
Hello! I am Avery, a second year Bioengineering and Biochemistry major on the Pre-Med track. I first joined WREN last semester through the Jumpstart program and am excited to continue my involvement as Secretary this year. I recently joined the Minkara COMBINE Lab, which focuses on using computational bioengineering techniques such as Monte Carlo simulations and Molecular Docking to model molecular interactions with pulmonary surfactants in our lungs. Outside of school, I love running and reading, and am always excited to try a new cafe!

Executive Director of the Jumpstart Program
Amy Crook
Hi everyone! I'm Amy, a third-year majoring in Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, and I am the Jumpstart Executive Director. I am really interested in learning how to use genetics to develop new medicine, and I have been involved in melanoma and obesity research at Rutgers University. Now at Northeastern, I am helping genetically engineer bacteria to produce biochemicals as sustainable forms of energy. Outside of academics, I love crocheting, painting, and reading fantasy novels!

Jumpstart Program Director of Operations
Trisha Nelson
I'm Trisha and I am a 4th year Behavioral Neuroscience Major with a minor in Data Science. I joined WREN to provide undergrads who were completely new to the research field with all the advice and information I have learned through my own personal journey. Besides serving as the Jumpstart Director of Operations, I am also involved in other clubs on campus such as No Limits Dance Crew and NEURONS!

Jumpstart Program Director of Events
Michelle Yu
Hi! My name is Michelle, and I am a 4th year Biochemistry major with a Data Science minor. I conduct research on top-down mass spectrometry deconvolution in the Agar Lab at Northeastern. I was previously a Protein Analytics and Mass Spec Co-op at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and I am currently an Analytical Chemistry Co-op at Matterworks. In my free time, I enjoy crocheting, baking, and playing video games with friends.

Jumpstart Events Associate
Ari Hong
Hi, I’m Ari! I am a third-year student majoring in Biology and Math at Northeastern University. I joined WREN through the Jumpstart program last semester and am excited to continue as a Jumpstart Associate. My research background includes mathematical modeling of neuron and tumor cell communication during my time at Stony Brook University. Currently, I am looking forward to contributing to projects in clinical trials and neuroscience. Outside of the lab, I enjoy discovering new coffee shops around Boston.

Jumpstart Event Associate
Aarsheya Colvin
Hi! I’m Aarsheya Colvin, a third-year Health Science major on the Pre-Med track. My research experience is in memory and cognition at the Brain Game Center and SoundMind Collaboratory on campus! I’m excited to be part of WREN and connect with peers, faculty, and meet with young women in research. I enjoy music, exploring Boston’s coffee spots, and spending time with friends.

Jumpstart Events Associate
Aarushi Vatsyayan
Hi! I’m Aarushi, a third-year Behavioral Neuroscience major on the pre-med track. I’m currently involved in two research labs on campus and really enjoy working in both. In my free time, I love baking, going to the gym, and exploring Boston!

Jumpstart Event Associate
Saniya Burman
Hi, I’m Saniya! I’m a 4th-year Neuroscience major with a minor in Public Health. I have some prior neuroscience/psychology research experience at Northeastern, where I work as a research assistant in the Plasticity in Neurodevelopment (PINE) Lab—studying how early-life environments shape infant brain development—and the Music in Neural Development (MIND) Lab, where I explore how music can support cognitive function. Outside of research, I love listening to music, collecting vinyls, exploring new coffee shops, and traveling to new places!

Executive Director of the Scholar Program
Isabella Selekman
Hi, I'm Bella! I'm a 4th-year Cell & Molecular Biology major with a minor in Ethics. My research interests include cell biology, immunology, and oncology in drug discovery and pharmacology contexts. Currently, I work on-campus in the New England Tissue Protection and Inflammation Institute. In my free time, I enjoy volunteering, sci-fi movies, and going on walks with friends!

Director of Scholar Operations
Kimberly Kanchan
Hi, I'm Kimberly! I'm a third-year Health Science major with minors in Cell & Molecular Biology and Nutrition. I currently work at Northeastern's CHANGE Lab, which is focused on improving adolescent health outcomes through community-based research, and I also have experience conducting research in musculoskeletal development and cardiovascular health. I joined WREN to connect with like-minded peers who are passionate about research. In my free time, I enjoy painting seascapes, cooking fun meals, and exploring new spots around Boston!

Director of Scholar Events
Dina Yacoub
Hi, I’m Dina! I am a fourth-year Health Sciences major with a Nutrition minor on the pre-med track. Currently, I am a research mentee with the Northeastern Social Justice Peer Mentorship Program. My research project assesses how international students at Northeastern access care on campus, identifies barriers that can delay care and works to develop interventions that increase access. In my free time, I like to go thrifting and explore Boston!

Scholar Events Associate
Pema Sherpa
Hi! My name is Pema, and I'm a third-year majoring in Biology and minoring in Art. I am a WREN Scholars Events Associate and I love how WREN is such a supportive and welcoming community. I’ve done research as a Health Equity Intern and am currently interning at the DCRP at MGH. My interests lie in the clinical applications of research and how they can help improve the accessibility of treatments for underserved communities. In my free time I love volunteering and making matchas for friends!

Scholars Event Associate
Meera Shukla
Hi, I’m Meera, third-year behavioral neuroscience major. I am so excited to be part of the Scholar team, as well as apply my experience in both the Jumpstart and Scholar program at WREN to my role. I currently work as an undergraduate research assistant in the Social Development and Wellbeing Lab, where I work on adolescent and child brain development and health. In my free time I enjoy writing, listening to podcasts, and cooking and creating new recipes!

Executive Director of Faculty Outreach
Jessica Lin
Hello! I’m Jessica, a third year Health Sciences major. I joined WREN due to its mission of empowering women in research and providing ongoing support throughout their careers. I’d love to contribute by helping create more opportunities for fostering mentorship and advocating for inclusive academic environments. In my free time, I enjoy exploring various artistic medias.

Faculty Outreach Associate
Sarah Adams
Hi! My name is Sarah and I am a 4th year Bioengineering & Biochemistry major. I've been involved in research in industry, hospital, and academia--currently part of the TUMOR lab on campus--and am always excited to chat about all things cell biology. I enjoy running and reading although I am slow at both!

Faculty Outreach Associate
Cate Marshburn
Hi! I'm Cate Marshburn,a 2nd-year Behavioral Neuroscince major with a minor in philosophy.I'm originally from Austin Texas,but I moved to Mass for school because of the research and medical opportunities in Boston. I was very excited to join WREN through the jumpstart program for the community of passionate women in research!The WREN internal mentorship program also helped me find the lab that I currently work with, the Venkatachalam Biophysics lab, where I do gene and neuron imaging in C.elegans. Outside of my research, I also play saxophone in NU Wind Ensemble and basketball with my friends.

Faculty Outreach Associate
Abinaya Kumarappan
Hello! I'm Abinaya Kumarappan, a second-year Behavioral Neuroscience major on the Pre-Med track. I joined WREN because I loved the community it created and admired how much it benefited female-identifying women in research positions. I've been a part of the EPIC Brain Lab since January 2025 to research whether we can find reliable biomarkers for psychiatric disorders to more accurately predict clinical outcomes. In my free time, I love hanging out with my friends, going on long walks, and customizing my iPhone and iPad homescreens!

Executive Director of Mentorship Programs
Nethra Raju
Hi I’m Nethra! I'm a fourth year Behavioral Neuroscience major on the pre-med track and this year I am the Executive Director of Mentorship for WREN. I joined WREN's Jumpstart program during my first year which helped me get involved with research and I've been in WREN ever since. I've worked at both the Interdisciplinary Affective Sciences Lab (IASL) on campus and the Emi Lab at the Martinos Center at MGH. In my free time, I love baking, working out, and going on walks with my friends!

Director of Community Outreach
Harper Stotland
Hi! I’m Harper Stotland, a fourth-year Behavioral Neuroscience major on the pre-med track and the Director of Community Outreach for WREN. I founded the WREN initiative Bringing Innovation, Research, and Discovery to Students (BIRDS), which aims to inspire high school students to get involved in research. I’m a research assistant at the MIT Gabrieli Lab, focusing on pharmacological interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and at Northeastern's Center for Translational Neuroimaging. I enjoy running, watching hockey, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Director of Internal Mentorship
Savannah Murphy
Hi! My name is Savannah Murphy and I am the Director of Internal Mentorship. I am a senior studying Chemistry and Biology with a concentration in chemical biology on the pre-med track. In the past, I have performed ovarian cancer research at Mass General Hospital, organic chemistry research at Boston University, and have done projects for biotech companies. I have been a Medical Assistant in Hematology/Oncology at Beth Israel and a PCA in the Emergency Department at Mass General Hospital. In my free time, I enjoy reading and drawing.

Executive Director of Media and Marketing
Jaimie Lee
Coming Soon!

Director of Marketing
Claudia Ferenc
My name is Claudia Ferenc, and I’m a third-year student at Northeastern University studying Business Administration and Communication Studies, with a minor in Psychology. I joined WREN in Fall 2024 through the Scholar program. My research experience includes Community to Community: Policy Equity for All (C2C), conducting data-driven analysis to support strategic investments in Bay Area programs, and Dr. Yang’s News Data Collection project, collecting and organizing visual content from online news articles. In my free time, I love learning new languages and playing the piano, flute, and guitar.

Director of Media and Design
Vivian Lin
Hi! I am Vivian, the Director of Media and Design. I joined WREN during the Spring of my Freshman year, and it has been a wonderful experience. I enjoy cooking, crocheting, and doing any creative activities. Excited to work with everyone!