Student Staff

Karen Cortez (she/her) is the Special Projects Coordinator for the Good Life Center for the 2023-2024 school year.  She is currently a second year M.Div., at Yale Divinity School. She graduated from the University of Virginia in May of 2022, with a B.S.Ed in Youth and Social Innovation and English.  In undergrad, she enjoyed building and participating in communities where authenticity, support, and care was available for everyone involved, and she is grateful that she is able to continue that work with the Good Life Center to make wellness programming and resources available for all students at Yale. In her free time, Karen loves exploring Connecticut’s many bookstores, coffee shops, parks and beaches, and having deep and meaningful (theological or not!) conversations with friends.

Adriana Abad Castro (she/her) calls both New Jersey and Ecuador her home. Majoring in Neuroscience and an Education Studies Scholar. At Yale, Adriana is involved in clinical neuroscience research and in expanding Yale's resources for students with disabilities, as well as volunteering in HAVEN Behavioral Health Clinic. Outside of the classroom you can catch Adriana at Yale Film Archive screenings at HQ, watercoloring around Wooster square or catching a good bite at Long Wharf. If you ever want to catch a coffee at the Elm and chat about philosophy, politics or theology let her know!

Andie Gately (she/her) is from San Diego, California, and is planning on majoring in Humanities with a concentration in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. At Yale, Andie is involved in advocating for the mental well-being of students and cultivating discourse on ethical and philosophical issues. Outside of the classroom, you can find Andie crocheting on Cross Campus, hiking up East Rock with her friends, or playing club field hockey! Andie's current fixations include everything Star Wars, sea slugs, Daniel Caesar, and Nikita Gill's poetry. If you ever want to grab a matcha and relax at Koffee? with Andie, just let her know! She also loves sharing music and discovering new artists, so send her your recs!

Aryaan Khan (he/him) is from Los Angeles, California and is majoring in Computer Science with a certificate in Data Science. On campus, he’s a part of Yale Danceworks and Yale Game Development, and in his free time, he enjoys spending his entire paycheck on iced coffee, finding new study spots on campus, and working out at the gym. Also, feel free to give him a movie recommendation — he’s always looking for new films to become obsessed with!

Bethel Asomaning (she/her) is from Olympia, Washington and is majoring in Cognitive Science with a certificate in Education Studies. She enjoys doing psychology research and tutoring children. Other favorite activities involve trying various sports, watching campus performances, and getting into shenanigans with her suitemates.

Catherine Santiago (she/her)

Catherine Wang (she/her) is a senior in Murray majoring in Ethics, Politics, and Economics (EP&E) with certificates in Statistics and Data Science as well as Chinese. Originally from New Jersey, she now calls Atlanta, Georgia home. Outside of being a Good Life Center Intern, Catherine loves spending time at the pottery and art studios on campus and caring for her many plants!

CJ Miles (she/her) is from Charlotte, North Carolina and is completing a Masters of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences with a concentration in climate change and health. At Yale, CJ works in research in the intersection of agricultural food systems and biodiversity conservation and is involved in supporting sustainability and waste reduction at YSPH/school-wide. She is also passionate about environmental justice and climate policy. Outside of school, CJ loves hiking, crafting, yoga, and trying to re-learn piano. If you ever want to spend some time outside, make some art, or relax with tea and a book, CJ’s here for it!

Daniela Chaclan (she/her)

Danny Rodriguez (he/him) is a senior in Hopper College majoring in Cognitive Science. His family is from Jalisco, Mexico but he was born in Chicago and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Outside of the Good Life Center, Danny also works in the Hopper Buttery, is a part of the Senior Class Council, is in the EDON club, and is the former co-president of New Haven REACH. He loves House of Naan and enjoys playing pickleball and hanging out with his friends and his society.

Diego Lopez (he/him) is from Los Angeles, California, majoring in Political Science, with a certificate in Human Rights. At Yale, Diego is involved in supporting advocacy and policy organizations and mentoring students. Outside of the classroom, you can catch Diego supporting Chelsea F.C., working out at Payne Whitney Gym, or talking politics in the BK dining hall. If you ever want to catch a coffee or bubbly with Diego and relax on Cross Campus, just let him know!

Elyse Nguyen (she/her) is a junior from Junction City, KS, majoring in Psychology. Outside of the classroom, she is involved in research, volunteering organizations, and Danceworks. You can find her rehearsing in the dance studio, eating out in local New Haven restaurants, or relaxing with a book. If you ever want to chat with her about mental health, philosophy, or even the latest Netflix release, just ask!

Ernestine Giahyue (she/her) is from Darby, PA, majoring in Neuroscience. At Yale, Ernestine is a pre-med student who is involved in the STARS II program and conducts psychiatry research. Outside of the classroom, Ernestine enjoys playing instruments, binging TV shows, and crocheting. You can also catch her dancing with Dzana Dance. If you ever want to grab a meal, watch a show, or crochet with Ernestine, let her know!

Kat Moon (she/her) is a senior from Seoul, South Korea, majoring in Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry (MB&B) and History of Science, Medicine, & Public Health (HSHM). At Yale, Kat likes to connect with the New Haven community through HAVEN Free Clinic and Alzheimer’s Buddies. She is also a proud soprano of the Yale Gospel Choir, so feel free to drop by one of her concerts! :)

Klaleh Punni (she/her) is from Mays Landing, New Jersey, majoring in History and is pre-law. At Yale, Klaleh is involved in African Leadership on campus, in roles such as publicity chair of the African Students Association, a dancer on the Afro fusion dance team, Dzana, and the previous co-marketing officer of the African Innovation Symposium. Klaleh is also involved in Christian ministry on campus and serves as the worship lead for Christian Union. Outside of the classroom, you can catch Klaleh working out at Payne Whitney Gym, talking about international relations, or singing, listening, and dancing to different genres of music! If you ever want to talk about your favorite tracks or grab a tea with Klaleh, just let her know!

Maiya Hossain (she/her) is from Queens, New York, and is majoring in History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health. Outside of being a Good Life Center Intern, Maiya also works as a Peer Liaison for the Asian American Cultural Center and is an Academic Strategies Mentor at the Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning. In her free time, she loves exploring the New Haven food scene, taking yoga classes (through the Good Life Center!), and stopping by the Jitter Bus for a pumpkin chai latte in the fall. 

Mariama Sow (she/her)

Milkay Teysir (she/her) is from Buffalo, New York and pursuing a degree in Sociocultural Anthropology. At Yale, Milkay has been involved in many of the Afro American Cultural Center’s affinity groups as well as organizations dedicated to prison reform and refugee advocacy. You can find Milkay at the Underground, the AfAm House, or relaxing in a residential college hammock! 

Nana Ama Ocran (she/her) is a sophomore from Ghana, West Africa, studying Neuroscience and History of Science, Medicine, & Public Health (HSHM). Alongside being a Good Life Center Intern, she also works as a Yale College Community Care (YC3) Student Ambassador. Nana also actively contributes to the African Students' Association as their President, and is additionally involved in the Yale Gospel Choir, where she joyously serves as one of their musical directors. She is very passionate about the advancement of Africa, with a particular interest in the public health and educational domain. Outside of academics, Nana finds joy in listening to old school R&B and afrobeats. If you ever find yourself interested in paint & sips, karaoke nights, worship sessions, or simply relaxing in a music studio, don't hesitate to connect with Nana!

Sam Kumar (he/him)

Sarah Eisenberg (she/hers) is a senior in Saybrook studying Psychology and Comparative Literature. She is from the funky and oft-forgotten part of South Brooklyn, New York— think Coney Island, but higher! Sarah loves to dance for DanceWorks, help out at The Slifka Center, and make freehand pottery at Murray’s ceramics studio. If you see her journaling outside in her little notebook, don’t be afraid to say hello or to give her a book recommendation!

Stephanie Owusu (she/her)

Stephanie Wang (she/her)