Kristen Lee Costa (SSW’00) of Westport, Mass., is the founder of Helping Helpers, which provides stress management seminars, writing services, psychotherapy, and online resources for clinicians, teachers, physicians, and general audiences. Visit www.helpinghelpers.com or e-mail Kristen at contact@helpinghelpers.com to learn more.

Matthew Garrett (CFA’00) of Tallahassee, Fla., was selected to participate in the 2008 Oregon Bach Festival’s master class in conducting, led by Helmuth Rilling. Matthew is a doctoral student in choral music education and conducting at Florida State University. E-mail him at mlg06c@fsu.edu.

Bryan Pillai (CAS’99) of Baghdad, Iraq, a captain in the U.S. Army, is commander of the 972nd Military Police Company in Baghdad. He is stationed with fellow BU alums Captain Claudia Pena Crossland (CAS’97) and Colonel Phillip Maxwell (GRS’97), both assigned to the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq.

Kimberly (Agar) Hynes (SMG’00) and Peter Hynes (CAS’01) of Matawan, N.J., announce the birth of their first child, Noah Peter, on May 15, 2008. E-mail Kimberly at kimberlyagar@hotmail.com.

Daniel R. Lefebvre (MET’00) of Philadelphia, Pa., published Personal Finance for the New Physician: Money Management for Residency and Beyond (Xlibris, 2007). “As an ophthalmology (eye surgery) resident myself, I felt that there was not a great single book that explained personal finance in a way that was efficient and useful,” he writes.

Marshall Levit (CGS’98, COM’00) of Houston, Tex., earned an M.B.A. with a concentration in business ethics from the University of St. Thomas in May. Contact him at mlevit1@yahoo.com.

Melinda Lopez (GRS’00) of Bedford, Mass., writes that her play Gary was produced by the Boston Playwrights’ Theatre in March. Inspired by the Kenmore Square ’70s rock scene, the play chronicles the quiet anguish of three siblings in Gary, Ind., who express themselves through music. Melinda is also the author of Sonia Flew, which has been produced all over the country, and Scenes from a Bordello.

Thuy-Ai Nguyen (CAS’00, GRS’00) of Houston, Tex., married Scott Slattery on March 15, 2008. Thuy-Duong Do (SMG’01, MET’06) was a bridesmaid, and Anh (Hang) Bungcayao (CAS’00) was a reader. Fellow alums Lac Nguyen (ENG’98) and Tuan Nguyen (ENG’00) also attended. Thuy-Ai and Scott also had a traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony in Vietnam in July. Both are both pursuing doctorates in cell and molecular biology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Contact Thuy-Ai at thuy-ai.nguyen.2000@alum.bu.edu.

William Sargent (CGS’98, COM’00) of Singapore writes, “I have relocated to Singapore after two years in Paris and five years in Sydney before that. I am currently managing marketing and communications across Asia for a financial services company and enjoying the amazing travel opportunities in the region.”

Robert Simon (CAS’00, GRS’00) of Acworth, Ga., became an assistant professor of Spanish at Kennesaw State University a month after earning a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in 2006. He recently published his first book of poetry, New Poems from the Airplane and Graveyard (Finishing Line Press, 2007), and is under to write a book about postmodernism and Sufi mysticism in the poetry of Joaquim Pessoa. Robert and his wife, Helena, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Sophia, in September 2007. Contact Robert at rsimon5@kennesaw.edu.

Alison (Erwood) Sinacore (SED’00) and Joseph Sinacore (CAS’00) of Farmingville, N.Y., announce the birth of their first child, Jake Robert, on March 24, 2008. Contact them at alison.sinacore@gmail.com.

Andrea Toochin (COM’00) of Sunnyside, N.Y., “a financial reporter by day and a publisher by night,” recently launched an online magazine, www.trendcetera.com, which aims to predict which international lifestyle trends will make it in America. “If you want to talk about journalism, swap links, learn more about how globalization impacts the American consumer, or just hear about some great new products and artists, check it out,” she writes.

Alicia Tycer (CAS’00) of Walnut Creek, Calif., published her first book, Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls (Continuum International Publishing Group, 2008), a Continuum Modern Theatre Guide to the classic feminist play. Alicia earned a Ph.D. from the joint doctoral program in drama and theater of the University of California, Irvine, and UC San Diego. Contact her at aliciatycer@yahoo.com.

Diana Rodriguez Wallach (COM’00) of Philadelphia, Pa., published a young adult novel, Amor and Summer Secrets (Kensington Publishing, 2008), the first of three books she has been contracted to write. Amigas and School Scandals and Adios to All the Drama are due in stores this winter.

Sakena D. Young-Scaggs (STH’00,’02) of Montclair, N.J., a former associate dean of Marsh Chapel and university chaplain at BU, contributed to Those Preaching Women: A Multicultural Collection (Judson Press, 2008). Her sermon “Spiritual Alchemy” is one of 33 pieces by ethnically and denominationally diverse women from across the country. Sakena is a doctoral candidate in the ethics and sociology of religion at Drew University.

Nicole (Serow) Bolduc (CAS’01, SED’03) of South Windsor, Conn., had a son, Benjamin Nathan, on April 1, 2008. E-mail Nicole at nicolejbolduc@gmail.com.

Douglas Chan (ENG’01) of Orlando, Fla., and his wife, Wei, announce the birth of their first child, Richard, on September 16, 2007. E-mail them at dcchan00@gmail.com.

Pete Cirak (ENG’01,’07) of North Andover, Mass., welcomed a son, Alexander Michael, on February 5, 2008. “Alex was born with a full head of hair that makes him look like he’s going 200 miles- per- hour sideways,” Pete writes. E-mail him at pcirak@comcast.net.

Carolyn Young Gillan (SMG’01) of Ridgefield, Conn., announces the birth of her second child, Jacob Michael, on March 24, 2008. He has a two-year-old sister, Anna Rose.

Shane Migliore (ENG’01) of Albuquerque, N.Mex., recently completed a doctorate in electrical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is now worksing for Sandia National Laboratories, specializing in navigation, guidance, and control of flight vehicles. Contact him at shanemigliore@gmail.com.

Rishi Reddi (GRS’01) of Brookline, Mass., received the 2008 L. L. Winship/PEN New England Award for her first collection, Karma and Other Stories (HarperCollins, 2007). The awards are given annually for the best book of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry by a New England writer on a New England subject.

Eric Zacharek (ENG’01) of Boston, Mass., is in his second year of the M.B.A. program at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. He spent the summer interning at McKinsey & Company in Manhattan. E-mail Eric at eric.zacharek@sloan.mit.edu.

Jennifer (Jones) Blazer (SAR’02,’04) and Charles Blazer (ENG’01) of Reston, Va., were married on Cape May, N.J., on October 7, 2007. The wedding party included Paige (Melillo) Williams (COM’02), Rachel Cushing (COM’02), Katie Piaseczny (SAR’02,’04), Megan Loeschke (SAR’04), Kerry Cole (CAS’03), Eric Eng (ENG’01), David Lam (ENG’99), and Shen-Hoei Yeoh (ENG’01). Jennifer is a physical therapist, and Charles is an attorney.

Marissa (Eusebio) Borja (CGS’00, COM’02) of Ipan, Guam, received an Edward R. Murrow Award for her work on Survivors: In Their Own Words, a documentary about survivors of the Japanese occupation on Guam. Shortly thereafter, she and her husband, Mark, welcomed their third daughter, Catherine Teresa. “The demands of a growing family prompted me to forego my six-year career in broadcast journalism and instead She started her my own production company, MIG Productions, last October,” Marissa writes. “I now and now hosts, writes, and produces Pacific Home & Garden for KUAM-TV Guam. I’d love to have old classmates log on to my company’s Web site, Visit www.pacifichg.tv.” E or e-mail Marissa at mborja@pacifichg.tv.

Gary Daichendt (CFA’02) of Azusa, Calif., completed his doctorate in education at the Columbia University Teachers College last spring. His is an associate professor at Azusa Pacific University. Contact Gary at daichendt@hotmail.com.

Mindy Finn (COM’02) of Washington, D.C., runs her own political consulting firm, Finn Enterprises, which specializes in integrating the Internet and technology into media and public relations campaigns. Previously, Mindy worked on the e-campaigns for the 2004 Bush-Cheney ticket and for the Republican National Committee; she also worked on Rick Santorum’s 2006 senatorial bid and Mitt Romney’s 2008 presidential run. She is a fellow of the Institute for Politics, Democracy, and the Internet, a contributor to TechPresident.com, and a regular speaker at George Washington University’s Politics Online Conference and the Personal Democracy Forum Conference. E-mail Mindy at mindyfinn@gmail.com.

William FitzHugh (MET’02) of Gaithersburg, Md., joined 5AM Solutions, a new company that provides software solutions and Web-based support to biotech companies, academic institutions, and government agencies engaged in life sciences research. William specializes in bioinformatics and biostatistics. Contact him at wfitzhugh@5amsolutions.com.

Max Lu (CAS’02) of New York, N.Y., recently launched a commercial real estate brokerage, www.mpropertiesgroup.com. “I’m looking for a business partner with a New York real estate law background to work out some high-profile deals,” he writes. “Please contact me at 212-203-4395.”

Missy Mazzoli (CFA’02) of Brooklyn, N.Y., received the 2008 Morton Gould Young Composer Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. She was chosen from more than 600 entries in this year’s competition. Missy was an artist-in-residence this past summer at the Blue Mountain Center in Blue Mountain, N.Y.

Patrick Murphy (ENG’02) of Princeton, N.J., received an Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni Teaching Award, given to Princeton graduate students for their outstanding abilities ast teachers. Patrick, who teaches integrated circuitry, electronic circuitry, and introductory photonics in the department of electrical engineering, was cited for his patience and communication skills with both science and non-science students.

Shoshana Cohen Stopek (COM’02) of Studio City, Calif., recently authored wrote four children’s books based on the Hanna-Barbera character Scooby-Doo. Scooby-Doo! New Friends at the Zoo, Scooby-Doo! Your Everyday Hero, Scooby-Doo! Team Player, and Scooby-Doo! A Girl’s Best Friend were all published by Bendon Publishing in 2007.

Jeremy Auslander (CGS’01, SMG’03) of Los Angeles, Calif., is president of Roxbury Jewelry, one of the nation’s largest a diamond importers and jewelry manufacturer, that whichspecializes in private sales to professionals, athletes, entertainers, and executives. E-mail Jeremy at jauslander@roxburyjewelry.com.

Marissa Berg (SED’03) and Christian Graff (COM’99, SMG’99) of Bristow, Va., were married on July 4, 2008, on the Gros Islet beach on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. Katherine Branch (CAS’03) and Amy Clark-Canty (CAS’02) attended. Christian is serving in the Army National Guard, and Marissa is a second-grade teacher in Manassas, Va.

Victoria Britton (CGS’01, CAS’03) of Somerville, N.J., married Michael J. Allen, Jr., on April 12, 2008, in Ansonia, Conn. Shane Morgan (CGS’01, CAS’05), Kirsten Lundeen (CGS’01, CAS’03), Jodie Friedman (CGS’01, SMG’03), Kristin Cass (CAS’03), Terri Mace (CGS’01, CAS’03), and Glendon Coburn (ENG’02,’05) attended.

Michael Kiser (CAS’03, GRS’03) of Brighton, Mass., married Dana Hooper on November 10, 2007, in Norfolk, Va. Colin Quirino (CAS’04), Joseph Dimino (CAS’04), and Nick Kassotis (CAS’04) attended. Michael, who has served two tours aboard Navy ships, was recently appointed to a two-year assistant professorship with the Navy ROTC program at BU, and Dana is an accountant. Contact Michael at mskiser@bu.edu.

Danielle Catera Muecke (CAS’03) of Atlanta, Ga., and her husband, Patrick, welcomed a son, Benjamin Levi, on September 22, 2007. E-mail them at dcatera@alum.bu.edu.

Jennifer Ozog (ENG’03) of Le Locle, Switzerland, is currently on a six-month assignment in Switzerland with her employer, Johnson and Johnson.

Allison Bell (ENG’04) and Scott Dianis (ENG’04) of Durham, N.C., were married on May 27, 2007, in Nyack, N.Y. Inge Tamm-Daniels (ENG’04) and Rachel Seraspe (ENG’04) were in the wedding party.

Don Desfosse (GSM’04) of Chelmsford, Mass., and his wife, Betsy, announce the birth of a girl, Lindsey Morgan Desfosse, on June 4, 2008. “Lindsey and her older sister, Alyssa, two and a half, are becoming best friends already, and the whole family is doing wonderfully,” Don writes.

Alli Jessing (COM’04) of Columbia, Md., married Aron Guzowski on March 29, 2008, in Baltimore, Md. The ceremony was officiated by Kevin Lavin (COM’04). Alli works for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Clara Kebabian (SPH’04) of Wellesley, Mass., writes that her band, Eksi Ekso, released its first full-length album, I Am Your Bastard Wings (Magic Bullet Records, 2008), in June. The album was produced by Grammy Award winner Malcolm Burn, who has worked with Peter Gabriel, Daniel Lanois, and Emmylou Harris. Check out www.eksiekso.com or www.myspace.com/eksiekso. Contact Clara at clara.kebabian@gmail.com.

Elizabeth Kennedy (COM’04) of Washington, D.C., is deputy director of communications for the Recording Industry Association of America, which recently sent representatives to BU’s campus to talk to students and administrators about important issues facing the higher education and music communities.

Melissa Li (CGS’03, COM’04) of West Roxbury, Mass., received a grant from the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation in 2007 for her debut musical, Surviving the Nian. A full-time musician, she is now on a national tour as one half of the with Good Asian Drivers. Visit the band on the Web at www.goodasiandrivers.com, or e-mail Melissa at melsaboo@gmail.com.

Bevin O’Gara (CFA’04) of Boston, Mass., is artistic associate for the New Repertory Theatre in Boston.

Jessica Podlaski (COM’04) of Brookline, Mass., is the new communications specialist for the Biomedical Research Institute at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. She spent the previous two years as part of the hospital’s media relations team. E-mail Jessica at jpod340@alum.bu.edu.

Chloe Quail (COM’04) of San Francisco, Calif., receivedearned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Golden Gate University School of Law in May 2008.

Jessica L. Sharp (CGS’02, SMG’04) of Norwood, Mass., graduated from the New England School of Law this plast May. While in law school, Jessica served was the lead article editor for the New England Journal on Criminal and Civil Confinement and was part of the school’s nationally competitive moot court team.

Yasmin Vafa (CAS’04) of Gainesville, Fla., was a summer associate at the Miami law firm Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod. Yasmin attendsthe Fredric G. Levin College of Law at the University of Florida’s Fredric G. Levin College of Law.

Ann Kirchner (CFA’05, CAS’05) of Brighton, Mass., exhibited pastel drawings inspired by memory and friendship in Ann Kirchner: Portraits and Pages at the Brookline Arts Center gallery this plast summer.

Lauren Ladoceour (COM’05) of San Francisco, Calif., a former Bostonia editorial assistant, is the associate editor of Yoga Journal. She edits the magazine’s award-winning food section, “Eating Wisely,” as well as features and media reviews. Contact Lauren at lladoceour@yjmag.com.

Peter Myers (COM’05) of Campbell, Calif., returned in August 2007 from two years with the Peace Corps in the former Soviet republic of Moldova. He is the Green Party candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in California’s 15th district. Visit www.myersforcalifornia.com, or e-mail him at peter@myersforcalifornia.com.

Josephina Nguyen (CAS’05) of Tulsa, Okla., is a trading analyst for George B. Kaiser’s new physical gas trading entity, Kaiser Trading, LLC. Oklahoma Magazine recently named Josephina one of the “10 Women You Should Know,” a list of women who “define success in their own terms.” Contact her at josephinan@kfoc.net.

Jaclyn Trop (COM’05) of New York, N.Y., earned a master’s degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in May. She is a freelancer for the New York Post. E-mail her at jaclyn.trop@gmail.com.

Philip A. Becnel IV (MET’06) of Arlington, Mass., is a licensed private investigator and the managing partner of Dinolt Becnel & Wells Investigative Group, which has offices in San Francisco, Denver, and the Washington, D.C., area. Visit www.dinolt.com.

Marissa Clark (CFA’06) of Walnut Creek, Calif., married Clay Lancaster on September 7, 2008, in San Francisco.

Karla Fossett (COM’06) of Hollis, Maine, was the script supervisor on the DiBacco Films production Willows Way, which was released domestically and internationally by York Entertainment. Contact her at karla.fossett@gmail.com.

Deborah Moody Pulver (CAS’06) and Benjamin Pulver (ENG’06) of Baltimore, Md., were married on May 24, 2008, in New Hope, Pa. Jason Lim (ENG’04), Christy Foley (COM’06), and Rebekah Gensure (ENG’05) attended. Ben is an industrial engineer for UPS, and Deb is a student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Contact her at dmood002@gmail.com.

Matt Stellar (SMG’06) of Hingham, Mass., is energy manager for the Taunton Public Schools energy conservation project. Undertaken with support from the energy conservation company Energy Education, Inc., the initiative aims to reduce schools’ costs and environmental impact by changing the habits of students, teachers, and administrators. In two years, Matt has helped the school district save more than $650,000, earning the district an Energy Stewardship Award.

Rob Wenger (COM’06) of Port Washington, N.Y., won the grand prize at the second annual Wrath of Cannes advertising awards ceremony, held at Coney Island’s renowned Cha Cha Café in June. Rob won for VirtualDrinkingBuddy.com, an online campaign he created for The Knot Irish whiskey. The event, described as “a bitter cry” against the Cannes advertising festival, was attended by over 100 young advertising professionals.

Ilya Gribov (ENG’07) of Tucson, Ariz., is an electrical engineer for Raytheon Missile Systems. E-mail him at gribov@alum.bu.edu.

Patricia Piekarczyk (CAS’07) of Philadelphia, Pa., received earned a master’s degree in criminal justice from St. Joseph’s University in May 2008. Contact her at ppiekarczyk@gmail.com.