Meet Your TRAC Mentors
Raheel Sarwar
Class of 2027
Major and/or minor: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: Grafton, Massachusetts
What are your goals after finishing your undergrad? My goal is to pursue a PhD in the field of computational biophysics, making simulation and computational approaches more predictive of drug discovery success. After my PhD, I hope to work in the biopharmaceutical sector as a machine learning scientist or engineer.
If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be? Cristiano Ronaldo (GOAT), Isaac Newton, Shah Rukh Khan, and Barack Obama.
On a scale of 1-10, how funny would you say you are? I would say a solid 8. When I am not working or studying, I like to joke around with friends and family.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why? I would love to live in Madrid, Spain. I grew up watching my favorite soccer team Real Madrid on the TV, and being able to watch the games from the Santiago Bernabéu would be great. There is also a nice work-life balance there and vibrant cultural scene.
What is one piece of advice you wish you were given or known about starting at a new university? Don’t be afraid to ask for help early on and keep an open mind about your path. Transferring to BU was a major transition, especially when it came to navigating my academic and career goals. I initially entered on a pre-med track, but after realizing clinical hospital work wasn’t for me, I discovered a genuine passion for research. Reaching out to professors, peers, and advisors made all the difference in helping me pivot, find clarity, and build my place here.
Lojyn Elkotory
Class of 2028
Major and/or minor: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: Andover, Massachusetts
What are your goals after finishing your undergrad? After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue a master’s degree and build a career in the pharmaceutical industry to contribute to the development of new treatments.
If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be? My grandma, Dr. Magdi Yacoub, Jane Austen, Zendaya
On a scale of 1-10, how funny would you say you are? I would say a 7. I’m extremely talkative, so I’m always contributing to the conversation, and I can usually throw in a joke or two.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why? I would like to stay in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston has some of the best pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the world, which makes it a great place for me to pursue my career. I also love getting to experience all four seasons, especially the fall. Since I have moved around a lot in the past, I have really grown to appreciate the community I have built in Boston and the people I have met along the way. It has become a place that feels like home to me.
What is one piece of advice you wish you were given or known about starting at a new university? I wish I had known that it’s okay not to have everything figured out right away. Starting at a new university can feel overwhelming, but give yourself time to adjust and explore different opportunities before making final decisions. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and ask for help when you need it.
Alexandra Cajiga Geissenhainer
Class of 2028
Major and/or minor: Biomedical Engineering & Math minor
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
What are your goals after finishing your undergrad? Ideally I would like to continue my education through a PhD program where I can focus my research on something I love. I also want to get a cat.
If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be? My mom, Snoop Dog, Elfo from Disenchantment, and Donald Glover
On a scale of 1-10, how funny would you say you are? I don’t think I can rate myself. You’ll just have to meet me and find out.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why? It would absolutely have to be London. I spent my first semester of freshman year there and fell in love with the city. I love how busy it can get, but also how you can find small bubbles of greenery.
What is one piece of advice you wish you were given or known about starting at a new university? Go to all the events offered to you! You never know who you’ll meet or what opportunities you’ll be offered!