The newest Fall 2025 cohort of students in the First-Year Innovation Fellowship (FYIF) has arrived!
FYIF is a semester-long program at Innovate@BU that empowers Boston University first-years to explore innovation and entrepreneurship through hands-on projects, mentorship, and community-building.
Applications for Spring 2026 will open later this semester. To be notified when applications open, sign up below.
Meet the cohort:
Ananyah Amaram (ENG’29) is originally from Petersburg, Virginia and is studying Computer Engineering. Ananyah loves learning new things, creating content, and developing innovative ideas. She hopes to start a startup in the near future.
Michelle Aponte (CAS’29) is originally from New York City and is studying Biology and Economics. Michelle enjoys connecting with others, reading, journaling, and playing sports. After graduation, she hopes to work in healthcare and give back to her community.
Vinny Beinke (ENG’29) is originally from Austin, Texas and is studying Biomedical Engineering. Vinny is involved in research at BU and enjoys drawing, reading sci-fi, and listening to history podcasts. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Ph.D..
Anshi Bhatt (CAS’29) is originally from Virginia Beach, VA and is studying Philosophy and Political Science on the Pre-Law track. Anshi runs a digital literacy nonprofit called Frontlines Foundations, which operates in 15 countries. She hopes to attend law school and become a technology lawyer.
Faiza Bin Hammam (ENG’29) is originally from Portland, Oregon and is studying Biomedical Engineering. Faiza enjoys sports, reading, and video games in her free time. She hopes to get her master’s degree, work in a lab, and eventually start a business to help others in underdeveloped countries.
Davide Bonn (CAS’29) is originally from Trento, Italy and is studying Computer Science. Davide has a strong interest in robotics, artificial intelligence, and educational outreach. He aspires to create technological solutions to enhance everyday life and have a positive impact.
Emma Chuo (Questrom’29) is originally from Taipei, Taiwan and is studying Business Administration. Emma is interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, and law. She is curious about how issues of environmental, economic, and political sustainability intersect to create many of today’s most pressing issues.
Cyril Coumans (CAS’29) is originally from Lynnfield, Massachusetts and is studying Neuroscience. Cyril wants to pursue research that can lead to tangible solutions to worldwide problems. He is interested in developing interdisciplinary solutions in his future career.
Gianella Fano (CAS’29) is originally from Flanders, New Jersey, and she is studying Economics. Bilingual in English and Spanish, and Gianella is passionate about creating opportunities for people to learn the English language. She wants to empower people to pursue their dreams and embrace adversity.
Manya Katiyar (CAS’29) is originally from Nagpur, Maharashtra, India and is studying Economics and Data Science. Manya is in Model UN, and she is a TEDx speaker. She wants to explore international relations in the future, and she hopes to one day work as an economic consultant.
Kate Lee (CAS’29) is originally from Daegu, South Korea and is studying Statistics and Computer Science. Kate likes to code games, read, and watch movies in her free time. In the future, she hopes to become a successful businesswoman.
Caitlin Lee (CAS’29) is originally from Saratoga, California and has yet to declare her major. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys trying new restaurants with her family, going out with friends, baking, and cooking. She is interested in fashion, and hopes to make an impact in a creative/artistic field.
Michelle Jiang (CAS’29) is originally from Ringgold, Georgia and is studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Michelle is passionate about the intersection between science and the humanities. She hopes to bridge the gap between academia and the average person, increasing access to truthful scientific information.
Maliha Qandil (CAS’29) is originally from North Attleboro, Massachusetts and is studying Philosophy and Political Science. She enjoys traveling and exploring new places. She eventually wants to go to law school, where she would concentrate on humanitarian aid and refugee protection.
Justin Rotaru (Questrom’29) is originally from Northborough, Massachusetts and is studying Finance and Data Science. Justin is passionate about business, sports, and programming. He hopes to establish his own startup to change the way people use technology to save and improve lives.
Grace Ryan (CAS’29) is originally from Los Angeles, California and is studying Environmental Analysis and Policy. Grace is passionate about creating change through volunteering and advocacy work. She hopes to continue to create positive change through impact-oriented entrepreneurship.
Miazaly Sipaque (CAS’29) is originally from South Boston, Massachusetts and is studying Neuroscience. Miazaly is passionate about studying the brain and understanding human behavior. She hopes to pursue a career in medicine or scientific research.
Ellie Wang (CAS’29) is originally from Tianjin, China and has yet to declare her major. She is passionate about philosophy and sociology, and how these fields connect to everyday decision-making. She values resilience and adaptability, and she hopes to build a more flexible future.
Sam Yeboah-Asi (ENG’29) is originally from Ghana, and he grew up in Bronx, New York. Now studying Computer Engineering, Sam enjoys designing interfaces and building programming tools, and he hopes to apply his skills to create impactful, user-focused technologies.
Charles Yang (CAS’29) is originally from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and is studying Data Science. Charles participates in Model UN and competition math, and he enjoys programming video games, and playing board games and sports. He hopes to become an environmental activist in the future.
