Meet the Executive Team managing operations at the Unity Network

Jilly Choi - CEO & Director
Hi, I'm Jilly Choi. I’m a senior at duPont Manual. I’m a Triple ISEF Finalist (Atlanta ‘22, Dallas ‘23, Los Angeles ’24) and JSHS National Finalist. My research focuses on biomimetic/humanoid robotic systems developing a full body proprioceptive humanoid implementing MIT’s Quasi-direct actuator design and low cost dexterous prosthetics implementing machine learning. I’m one of our mentors for all things robotics and mechanical engineering here at Unity, but if that's not your jam, our mentors at Unity are experienced in everything from environmental engineering to cutting edge cancer research.
I'm incredibly passionate about the impact we're creating at the Unity Network and I'm truly excited to see what's in store for the future.

Faith You - COO & Montana Delegate
Faith is a senior at Hellgate High School who focuses on Cellular and Molecular Biology, as well as Neuroscience. She is an ISEF Finalist, as well as a 1st place winner for Oral Presentation at National JSHS. She has conducted research at the University of Montana, as well as MIT through the Research Science Institute. Outside of research, Faith is interested in advocacy for healthcare equity and education in rural parts of America. She also enjoys photography, hiking, and tennis.I'm incredibly passionate about the impact we're creating at the Unity Network and I'm truly excited to see what's in store for the future.

Sarah Park - Director of Internal Affairs & Florida Delegate
Greetings! I’m Sarah Park, a Senior at the Bolles School in Jacksonville Florida. I’m a 3-time 3rd Place Grand Award winner at ISEF. I was named 2021 America’s Top Young Scientist by winning the 3M/Discovery Education Young Scientist Challenge. I’m currently researching as a SPARK (Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge) Scholar at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. Besides my passion for science, I love music. I have been playing violin for more than a decade and have performed in various music gigs including classical, bluegrass, musical, etc. I’m super excited to be a part of Unity Network!

Dhruti Pattabhi - Director of Outreach & Michigan Delegate
Hello! I'm Dhruti, a junior at Canton High School, Michigan. I'm a 2023 NJSHS finalist for my research on TBI and biomarkers. Right now, I conduct computational neuroscience research and edit for an online student journal. Outside of the lab, you can find me on the lacrosse field, in a dance studio, or in my room binging Gilmore Girls and Boston Med.

Zach Chen - Board of Directors
Hi! I'm Zach, I'm a freshman at Harvard. I am a 2x ISEF Finalist with projects in environmental science and neuroscience working with colleagues from M.I.T, Massachusetts General Hospital, and most recently Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel. Beyond research, I'm an avid debater and rank 24th nationally for congressional debate. I also enjoy running and playing basketball in my free time!

Dylan Butler - Internal Liason
Hello, My name is Dylan Butler and I am a senior from George W. Hewlett High School. In my first year of research I worked to characterize the plant aging pathway in response to ethylene, and in my second year I worked to develop new novel treatments of trichomoniasis. Currently I have multiple awards at the local level, and I am a JSHS New York, Semi finalist, Long island science congress’ honors winner and the winner of the first round of my states regeneron affiliated competition. I hope to one day work in the medical field as I hope to use my passion for chemistry and biology to help those around me.

Peyton Chang - Internal Manager
Peyton Chang is a junior at the McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN. He is a passionate scientist who is active in his school’s Science Olympiad and Science Bowl. In addition, he is a USA Biolympiad Semifinalist and has done research at the City of Hope in Duarte, CA. Outside of science, Peyton is also a dedicated musician, playing the french horn in his school’s wind ensemble and honors orchestra, and an athlete, playing both squash and ultimate frisbee.

Emma Delgado - Director of Social Media
Hi! I’m Emma and I’m a rising junior in American Heritage from South Florida. I started research in 2022 and qualified for ISEF last year and won first place in my category! Outside of science research and sigma xi, I’m involved in Key Club, the Patriot Post, Model UN, and other clubs. In my free time, I enjoy reading and hanging out with friends. I’m very excited to be on the executive board of UNITY this year!

Kun-Hyung (Kyle) Ruh - Director of Biological Sciences Resources
Salutations! I'm Kyle, a rising senior at Bronx Science in NYC. I qualified for ISEF 2023 for the discovery of new neuroprotective mechanisms against Alzheimer's Disease. I like to run, sleep (although deprived of it 24/7), and listen to Korean songs from the 1900s thanks to being influenced by my older sisters' musical taste. I run the Machine Learning, Scioly, and Math Team clubs at school. I'm so happy to lead Unity Network with everyone!

Aahana Shrivastava - South Regional Director
I am a part of the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science and work in a UNT research lab. I have also been a part of the nanoexplorers program at UTD and the Arts4Science program. I also am a part of the FIRST Robotics Competition and have gone to World Championships and I am an alumni of the FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Lego League.

Ari Wen - Northeast Regional Director
Hi friends! I’m Ari, a senior at Tabor Academy in Massachusetts. I’ve been working at Nankai University as a research intern in chemical engineering since 2022, specifically studying bio-inspired materials and alloy catalysts. I qualified for ISEF 2023 and won 2nd place in materials science. I've also entered STS 2024—so exciting! Additionally, I won bronze at Yau North America. Outside of research, I am a soprano actress in my school’s musical cast, I dance (and sometimes choreograph), and I sail. I believe that collaboration and unity are what make STEM powerful and valuable, and I’m excited to embark on this journey to work towards unity with you all.
Our State Leaders

Massachusetts State Director
Angelina Wei
Angelina is a junior at Boston Latin School and is interested in molecular biology and neurology. As an MSEF competitor in both the state and city-wide fairs, she has worked in labs at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel doing research in Alzheimer's disease and was part of a psychology lab advisory board. Outside of the science fair, she has interned at Tufts Medical Center, is an editor of her school's science newspaper, and is the president of a medical club. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball and the piano.

Virginia State Director
Shiv Davay
Hello! Shiv is a freshman at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). He started investing time in research in 2022 and has spent a major portion of his time on a novel cancer therapy method. This project allowed him to qualify for the Thermo Fisher JIC and win 3rd in the regional fair as the first student in his county to do so. Other than science fairs and passion project research, he also competes in Varsity Policy Debate, Model UN, Science Olympiad, and Biology Olympiad. In his free time, he tends to spend time either with his family watching movies or at a badminton court with friends. Shiv is grateful to be an integral part of the Unity Network!

Alaska State Director
Elizabeth Djajalie
Elizabeth has been involved in environmental science and ecology research for most of her high school. She is a 2-time ISEF finalist and won a grand award and two special awards her second year. She was also a 1st place oral presenter at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. An advocate for women in STEM, she founded a podcast that has been aired on the radio as well as reached listeners in 7 countries spanning 4 continents.

California State Director
Aditi Kiran
Hi! I'm Aditi, a senior at Basis Independent Fremont in California. I'm a 2x Grand Award winner at ISEF in the chemistry category, with projects focused on synthesizing materials for sustainable energy solutions. Beyond research, I've been a student of Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance form, for more than a decade, organizing and participating in countless performances over the years. In my free time, I also enjoy playing the piano and reading books. I'm so excited to be a part of the Unity Network team and look forward to helping fellow student researchers succeed!

Arizona State Director
Ira Bagga
Ira is a sophomore at Arizona College Prep High School. She is currently participating in her state science fair and is interested in immunology and biotechnology. Other than research, she frequently volunteers at St. Joseph’s Medical center, is the president of her state’s chapter of Athena Project, and participates in Speech and Debate. In her free time, she is a Bharatnatyam dancer, enjoys dancing, and spending time with her friends and family. Ira is so thrilled to be a part of the Unity Network!

New York State Director
Emily Smukler
Hi! My name is Emily Smukler and I am a senior at GW Hewlett High School in Hewlett, New York. I am currently a researcher at NYU in a structural DNA Nanotechnology lab. I also created a simulation to evaluate the role of various factors on neonatal seizures. In my school I worked on an RNA-Seq analysis on the role of fatty-diets on Alzheimer's development. Outside of research, I spend much of my time in Key Club, SciOly, Journalism, and Robotics on Team 7120 Bionica! Otherwise, you can find me reading or playing with my cat, Neo!

Utah State Director/ Robotics Liason
Evan Weinstein
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Texas State Director
Sriya Yedlapalli
I'm Sriya Yedlapalli and I'm a part of the Unity Network! I write articles focusing on the healthcare aspects of such a diverse stem organization. I would love to be a neurosurgeon one day and I build on my knowledge of the medical field to share my insights and research with the stem community as well!
By the numbers
Check out the rest of out team!
International reach
4 countries
Partner chapters located in Ukraine, Malaysia, and more!
National Reach
50 States
State chapters including TX, MA, CA, NY, Fl, and more!
Membership
200+ members
We've connected with so many students all advocating for STEM equity