The Peer Ambassador Program provides current MA Statistics students with meaningful leadership opportunities to support the department’s academic community.
Ambassadors serve across three focus areas:
Outreach: Represent the program at recruitment events and engage with prospective students to share insights about the MA experience.
Community Building: Plan and facilitate activities that strengthen peer connections and foster a welcoming, inclusive environment.
Social Media & Communications: Develop content that highlights student experiences, promotes departmental events, and supports program visibility.
Click on any ambassador below to learn more about their role and contributions.
Hannah is a scientist with a deep interest in combining her passions for computation, statistics, and health in the development of precision medicine diagnostics and therapeutics through harnessing big data from genomics, wearable devices, and electronic health records. She loves meeting new people interested in statistics and data science and looks forward to meeting you at events!
Sharazad Ali is a Master’s student in Statistics at UC Berkeley with a background in Statistics, Psychology, and Data Science from Rice University. She is primarily interested in exploring how data science and machine learning modeling can be adapted to address contemporary challenges in healthcare and social equity. She has gained industry experience through internships at HP and P&G, where she worked on large-scale data engineering, data science/analytics, and predictive modeling projects. In the past, she has held various leadership positions to foster inclusive environments for underrepresented communities in the tech space. As an Outreach Peer Ambassador, she’s incredibly excited to connect with future applicants, share her journey, and help others feel confident and supported as they navigate their path to graduate school!
Ryann is a Master’s student in Statistics at UC Berkeley with a background in psychology and institutional research. She is passionate about using statistics to support data-informed decision-making in higher education and to foster actionable change. Ryann enjoys connecting with others interested in statistics — especially those from nontraditional or interdisciplinary backgrounds — and is excited to support both prospective and current students in the program.
Donjhai Holland is a Master’s student in Statistics at UC Berkeley with a background in business, data analytics, and public health research. Before coming to Berkeley, she participated in the Pathways into Quantitative Aging Research (PQAR) program at NYU and worked on projects ranging from Alzheimer’s detection using multi-view data analysis to 3D digital twin modeling. She is passionate about using data to uncover meaningful insights and is especially drawn to work that centers equity and real-world impact. Donjhai has also served as a tutor, peer mentor, and academic coach, and she’s excited to now support students as an Outreach Ambassador. She looks forward to connecting with prospective students and helping make the statistics community feel more accessible and inclusive.
Jasmine Khamuani is a Master’s student in Statistics at UC Berkeley with a strong passion for data analysis, actuarial science, and teaching. Her experience includes serving as a Graduate Student Instructor for introductory statistics courses and teaching community college students through CalTeach. She has also gained industry experience through an actuarial internship at Delta Dental of California. Jasmine holds a B.Sc. in Actuarial Science from the UK and is committed to building supportive learning environments and contributing to her community through education and applied statistical work.
Madison (Maddie) MacDonald is a Master’s student in Statistics at UC Berkeley with a strong passion for using statistical methods to address real world challenges, particularly in the areas of mental health, political science, and environmental science. Before pursuing graduate studies, Maddie earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics with a minor in Psychology from Purdue University. Her undergraduate research included contributing to a longitudinal study on the well-being of Latine youth in rural communities, as well as leading the Data Analytics sub team for a semester-long Data Mine Corporate Partners project with the American Mathematical Society. She also worked as a private tutor throughout high school and college, known for her ability to explain complex topics clearly and adapt to a wide range of learning styles. Thus, she is excited to bring that same support and approachability to her role as an Outreach Ambassador. Overall, at Berkeley, Maddie looks forward to strengthening her skills in applied statistics and data science, collaborating on meaningful data driven projects with her cohort, as well as exploring advanced topics in statistical modeling, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
Wengel is a Master’s student in Statistics at UC Berkeley with a background in statistics with an emphasis in statistical data science from UC Davis. She is passionate about public health equity and promoting data accessibility for marginalized communities, especially in research and policy decisions. At UC Davis, she supported students as a peer advisor and student ambassador, helping them with academic planning and resources. She has also participated in several undergraduate research programs and looks forward to using data science to tackle real-world problems. As an Outreach Peer Ambassador, she’s excited to share her journey and help others feel supported and welcomed in the statistics community.
I’m a Master’s student in Statistics at UC Berkeley with a background in Statistics & Data Science and Economics. I have experience applying data science in both academic and professional settings, with a focus on finance. I’ve been supporting students—especially international students—since high school. I’m excited to connect with others through outreach and share everything this amazing program has to offer!
Hi, I'm Akanshaa! Here to turn up the good vibes and help build a welcoming, connected MA Stats community. I love meeting new people and organizing fun gatherings, especially if there’s coffee involved!
Abhishek Sai Shukla
I'm Abhishek, a Master's student in Statistics who recently moved from Bangalore to Berkeley. When I'm not working through datasets, I'm usually doing improv, exploring new neighborhoods, or getting into conversations about movies, culture, or whatever random topic comes up.
I'm excited to help create a community where people feel comfortable being themselves—whether that's sharing study tips, grabbing food together, or just having those spontaneous conversations that make everything feel a bit more connected.
Junya Tsuneishi is a Master’s student in Statistics at UC Berkeley. Born and raised in Japan, he spent over eight years at a Japanese life insurance company, where he was responsible for structuring and managing quantitative and data-analysis projects focusing on investment, finance, ESG, and healthcare. As a company-sponsored student, he is passionate about leveraging data-science methods to tackle business challenges and create value for stakeholders and society.
Ricardo Pérez Castillo is a Master’s student in Statistics at UC Berkeley with a background in data analytics and consulting. Born and raised in Monterrey, México, he holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering. Prior to Berkeley, he worked on data-driven projects at McKinsey & Company, helping organizations make better decisions through data. He is especially interested in using statistics for social impact and looks forward to connecting with others in the community!
