About Us

Our Mission

The WiSE PhD Student Advisory Board (AB) was established during the 2017-2018 academic year as a division of USC’s WiSE program to cultivate mentorship and promote the involvement of graduate women in science and engineering. The WiSE PhD AB now functions as a community-based organization specifically focusing on opportunities and events for USC graduate students. We host social, mentorship, and professional development events throughout the academic year to help foster a supportive graduate community. Our events and initiatives are open to all gender identities.

Our PhD Advisory Board

Anjali Bhatnager

Chair of the Board, Social

See Anjali’s Bio

Anjali Bhatnagar is a PhD student in the Marine and Environmental Biology department. Her research aims to investigate how microbes and cyanobacteria interact in the surface ocean. In addition to WiSE, Anjali is involved in student government and the DEI committee in her department.

Raven Althouse

Treasurer, Social

See Raven’s Bio

Raven is a Ph.D. student in Environmental Engineering, with a research focus of utilizing Membrane Biofilm Reactors as a means of water and wastewater treatment, greenhouse mitigation, and microbial cultivation. Off campus, Raven spends her time volunteering at animal shelters and exploring restaurants in LA.

Dannielle Fougere

Programming, Webmaster

See Dannielle’s Bio

Dannielle is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Earth Sciences Department. She is investigating the behavior of active faults in southern California using paleoseismology and geomorphology to develop a holistic view of the plate boundary system. Outside of her research, she is an avid scuba PADI divemaster.

Nripsuta Saxena

Mentorship

See Nripsuta’s Bio

Nripsuta (Ani) is in the Computer Science Ph.D. program and focuses on algorithmic fairness to create a more equitable world. She is actively involved in outreach and engagement efforts at USC. In her free time, you will find her reading or traveling (or both).

Tristan McPhail

Mentorship

See Tristan’s Bio

Tristan McPhail is a Ph.D. candidate in Chemical Engineering. She uses directed evolution technology, mRNA display, to develop potential diagnostic and therapeutic peptides for Huntington’s Disease. Outside of lab, Tristan loves to hike and spend time with her cat, Riley, as well as giving back to the shelter where she adopted Riley by volunteering and helping with their pet food pantry.

Alyssa Chan

Mentorship

See Alyssa’s Bio

Alyssa Chan is a Ph.D. student in the Physical Biology program under the Physics department. In her free time, she is often out enjoying the food and restaurants around LA.

Kylie Trettner

Past Chair of the Board

See Kylie’s Bio

Kylie Trettner is a 5th year PhD Candidate in the Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science. She researches the relationship between external, mechanical forces in the cellular microenvironment and pancreatic cancer disease progression. She currently serves as the WiSE AB President and in her free time you can find her running all over West LA and in the Santa Monica mountains as she trains for marathons.