Meet the Summer Staff

Hello hello! My name is Erin (she/her) and I am so excited to be one of your lovely FSY counselors this summer! I am a proud Trumbullian in the MCDB major (also pre-dental) and a recent 2026 graduate! On campus, I am a Head Advising Fellow for Matriculate, research assistant in the Van Wolfswinkel Lab, and a studio aide for the Trumbull Pottery studio! In my free time, I love cafe hopping, hitting up Elena's Ice Cream for their weekly flavor, and finding the best crab rangoons on campus (as you can tell, I'm very food motivated). I was a former FSY-er myself and as I close out my time with Yale, I've reflected on how daunting, confusing, and exciting navigating this space has been. I'm truly here as a resource for you and I'm so excited to see how you all make this university your own! Looking forward to seeing you this summer!

My name is Bianca Flores (she/her), and I am a rising sophomore in Grace Hopper College majoring in Ethnicity, Race, and Migration (+ possibly PoliSci) alongside an Education Studies certificate. I'm from Lewisville, Texas. On campus, I'm very involved as a Recruitment Coordinator at the Admissions Office, a Pedagogical Partner at the Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning, an Advising Fellow for Matriculate, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Yale. Outside of school, I'm often shopping/thrifting, yapping in the buttery, dancing, running, or blasting music in my room (#1 Tate McRae & SZA fan). Participating in FSY was a great experience that cemented my love for New Haven and helped me establish amazing support systems. I'm beyond excited to be back as a counselor and meet our newest Yalies!!!

Hello! My name is Ashyah, and I’m a rising senior in Timothy Dwight. I’m from Santa Monica, CA, and I study Neuroscience and History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health (HSHM). In my free time, you can usually find me sipping Nutella lattes at Koffee, hanging out at the Asian American Cultural Center, or taking even more pictures of TD’s beautiful ginkgo tree. I’m so excited to welcome you all this summer, and I hope that, like me, you’ll soon come to think of our campus as a second home. <3

Hi everyone :) My name is Esperance Han (she/her), a rising junior in Grace Hopper College studying both Environmental Studies and Environmental Engineering. I am from Ocala, Florida. I participated in FSY in 2024 and it was one of the best choices I have made at Yale! Because of FSY, I entered Yale my freshman year with such a strong, stable support system. The picture of me above is actually a photo of me from this year when my FSY besties and I went on a spring break trip to Madrid, Spain! I love singing (I am a part of Yale A Cappella), thrifting (and upcycling clothes with a sewing machine), environmental advocacy, hiking and picnics at the beach. I am so excited for this full circle moment of being an FSY counselor this summer, and meeting and hanging out with you all. Please feel free to reach out to me at anytime, I am here! <3

Hi everyone! My name is Darren and I'm a rising junior in Pierson College majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a certificate in Energy Studies.  At Yale, I'm on Yale Robotics, the Fishing and Lacrosse Clubs, and work a job in my residential college office. I also do air quality research in the Gentner Lab and materials science research in the Nanoprobe Lab. I did FSY during the summer of '24 and it was a highlight of my time here at Yale, which is why I'm so excited to be returning as a counselor this summer! My favorite moment at FSY was when we went ziplining, which was not only an extremely fun experience, but also a great opportunity to grow closer with the people in my cohort. Outside of classes and extracurriculars, I love drawing, practicing my guitar, and traveling. In fact, the picture attached is my friend Cade (on the right) and I during my study abroad in Munich, where I studied Economics and Political Science and traveled to places like Bulgaria, the UK, Italy, and Greece! 

Hi y'all! My name is Ivy (she/her). Though I was born in Manhattan, I grew up in a rural town seated in the Virginian portion of the Appalachian Mountains called Wytheville (about 45 minutes southwest of Blacksburg/Virginia Tech for reference). I'm in Berkeley College '28, and I'm currently studying Mollecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) and pursuing a certificate in Chinese. On campus, I recently co-founded Oral Health at Yale (OHAY) and the Yale Fuzhounese Students Association (YFSA). Outside of academics, I love traveling, cooking, crocheting, dancing, watching movies, and hanging out with friends. I'm also an FSY alum, so I know firsthand how special this program is. Looking forward to meeting everyone and making new friends!

My name is Fernando Lopez (he/him), and I am from Illinois. I majored in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology with a certificate in Education Studies. This upcoming fall I'll be attending dental school! I graduated in 2025 and am from the best residential college... Silliman! On campus, I was involved with the Office of Educational Opportunity as a peer mentor for first-generation, low-income students, a FroCo, and an academic strategies mentor with the Yale Prison Education Initiative. I'm excited to be back in New Haven for the summer!

Andrea Loza (she/her) was born in Germany, raised in Bolivia, and later moved to Virginia. She is in Timothy Dwight College and is majoring in Statistics and Data Science. At Yale, Andrea is a Tsai CITY Fellow, a LAUNCH Leader, and works for the Poorvu Center and the Dean's Office. She is also a FGLI Thrive Peer Mentor with the Office of Educational Opportunity. Last summer, she studied abroad in Berlin, where she spent her days hopping between cafés, exploring the city, and traveling to nearby countries. When she's not studying or with friends, you can find her out and about with a coffee in hand and a good podcast. She is so excited to meet the Class of 2030!

Hi! My name is Belle Marz (she/her), and I’m a sophomore in Jonathan Edwards College. I’m a prospective Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry major from Abilene, Texas. I love baking, singing, dancing (I've been doing ballet for 16 years!), playing the ukulele, reading, and spending time with friends. On campus, I’m involved in a cappella as a member of Redhot & Blue, where I also serve as the group’s business manager. I’m also passionate about teaching and work as both an online tutor and a tutor at BioCity labs here in New Haven! Outside of academics, I enjoy getting outdoors and going on hikes whenever I can. I participated in FSY, and it was such a meaningful experience for me, so I’m especially excited to welcome this year’s FSYers to Yale!

Hi y'all! I'm Zach Minter (any pronouns), from Park City, Utah. I'm a rising Junior in Silliman College, intending to major in Cognitive Science. At Yale, I'm involved in Shades A-Capella and Harvest. I also dabble in Film, Theatre, and some literary magazines (hopefully!) in addition to holding a few on-campus jobs. Otherwise, I'm interested in movies, learning guitar, and learning random facts. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you and am currently brainstorming some whimsical activities for us all!

I’m Isaac Monks (he/him), and I’m from Tahlequah, Oklahoma! I am a junior in Timothy Dwight College, majoring in American Studies with a certificate in Education Studies. My work focuses on the intersections of Indigenous sovereignty with speculation, real estate and policy. Outside of my studies, I am a communication and consent educator (CCE), counselor for Yale Reserved and an avid poker & card game player. I am looking forward to having the best summer with you all!

Hello, my name is David Moreno (he/him), and I'm in Silliman College, Class of 2027, from Harlem, New York. I'm on track to graduate as a Mechanical Engineer on the ABET-accredited track. At Yale, I'm the President of Yale Funbotics, where we teach robotics to New Haven middle schoolers, and I am part of Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association (YUAA), helping with the liquid project as we build a liquid-propelled engine. Away from academics, I love baseball and am part of the club team, as well as fishing and dodgeball (please ask me about Intramurals aka IMs). I attended FSY and met some of my closest friends, so I'm looking forward to meeting new people and just getting to know everyone. I know this is going to be a great time.

Hi everyone! My name is Esther Ojo (she/her), and I am a BA/MPH junior in the Big B (Branford College: home to the squirrels) double majoring in History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health (HSHM) and African Studies on the pre-med track. I’m originally from Newark, New Jersey but my I am Nigerian to the core. I was part of the FSY Class of 2023, and I’m excited to stay connected to that community! I love traveling and have checked off four countries thanks to Yale. Most of my wardrobe comes from thrifting, and I enjoy restaurant and café hopping, my favorite spot is Common Grounds… you’ll see when you get here. On campus, I’m involved in research, choir and so much more. This summer, I’m excited to build community, and I can’t wait to introduce you all to our beloved buttery life! I am the person in the Yale #15 jersey and the girl next to me is my best friend whom I met at Yale. This was us at the past Harvard-Yale game.

Hey everyone, I'm Sebastian (he/him)! I'm a rising senior in Berkeley double-majoring in Statistics & Data Science and Economics. I participated in FSY back in 2023, and I'm super excited to be coming back as a counselor! I'm originally from Portland, OR, so I know all about the transition period that comes with being a West coaster at Yale. I also love to lift, so you'll be able to find me at Payne Whitney Gym (the main gym on campus) throughout the summer. Video games are a huge hobby of mine too, so I'm looking forward to bringing out my PS5 and running some game nights in the buttery (a chill little hang-out spot in every residential college's basement). Super excited to meet everyone! Enjoy the last few months of senior year. June will be here before you know it. (P.S. I'm the guy all the way on the left.)

My name is Madison (she/her), and I am from Syracuse, NY. I recently graduated from Yale College and the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) as part of the BA-BS/MPH program, where I was in Pauli Murray College and majored in Economics before continuing in the Health Policy Department at YSPH. I was an FSY student in 2021, a counselor in 2024, and a CoCo (Community Coordinator) last summer, and I’m so excited to be back in this role again. Throughout my time on campus, I worked as a Student Assistant at the Yale Center for British Art, a Research Analyst in the Yale Department of Economics, a Teaching Assistant at a women’s prison in Connecticut, and a Program Assistant for a global health program at YSPH. I was also involved in extracurriculars like the Yale Undergraduate Prison Project and the Yale Prison Education Initiative. Outside of work and school, I love spending time with friends and hanging out in coffee shops, and I truly can’t wait to meet you all and be your CoCo this summer!

Hello!! I’m Fátima Sampedro-Valle (she/her), a junior in Morse College studying History of Science, Medicine & Public Health, and I’m a proud New Haven native! I also participated in FSY in the summer of 2023, and I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to be working as a counselor this summer! On campus, I work as a Student Coordinator at La Casa Cultural, an undergrad researcher at the Before & After Baby Lab, volunteer for Bridges ESL, a member of Latino Ministry at St. Thomas More (Yale’s Catholic Chapel) and dance for Yale’s Ballet Folklórico group! I’m most excited to meet the new FSY cohort this summer and for a wholeee bunch of serendipitous memories :)