The Diversity & Inclusion Fellows support the efforts of the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (EDIB), help Harvard Griffin GSAS to identify needed areas of support, work with student affinity groups across Harvard Griffin GSAS, and work on projects and initiatives to advance inclusion and belonging on campus.
Interested in serving as a D&I fellow? Email gsas_edib@fas.harvard.edu.
2024–2025 Diversity Fellows
Adriana Aguilar-Maldonado
Before starting graduate school, I attended Santa Rosa Junior College in my hometown to save some money before transferring to a four-year university. At the University of California, San Diego, I earned my bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and cellular Biology and became the first student in my family to graduate from college. Currently, I am a fifth-year PhD candidate in the molecules, cells, and organisms program at Harvard, studying the evolution of reproductive capacity across fruit fly species in the Extavour Lab. Outside of science and school, I like spending time with friends and family, being outside, cooking and baking, and traveling.
Why I am a Diversity and Inclusion Fellow:
Over the past few years as president of the Harvard Griffin GSAS Latinx Student Association, I have helped maintain and build spaces for students who identify as Latinx through cultural, educational, and social events. These spaces are critical for students to connect with other students or staff and find resources to alleviate some of the stresses that come from graduate school, especially for underrepresented minorities. I have experienced firsthand how surrounding oneself with "your people" (for me: first-generation students, people with Mexican heritage, women in STEM) can help push you past obstacles that were once thought to be insurmountable. As a diversity and inclusion fellow, one of my main goals is to continue to push for the creation and maintenance of spaces for all students to find a place where they can find "their people" through collaborations with affinity groups, student leaders, and the student body. I hope that my work with the EDIB office at Harvard Griffin GSAS will be impactful for current and future students.
Zachary Lim
I'm a fifth-year PhD candidate working on using computational linguistics methods to uncover patterns in social behavior, specifically, how researchers navigate methodological disputes. My goal is to better understand how various practices in research contribute to or detract from the value of research in society—interdisciplinary research is my jam! But as important as my research is, it's only one aspect of my life. These past few years have also been incredibly formative for me in terms of developing hobbies, understanding myself better, and fostering deep friendships—activities that are crucial yet often overshadowed by pressures for professional progress. Throughout my time at Harvard, I've been involved in trying to create spaces for others (and myself!) to explore these aspects of their lives and more through organizing events and creating opportunities for people to get involved.
Why I am a Diversity and Inclusion Fellow:
This year, I'm excited to serve as an LGBTQ-focused diversity & inclusion fellow because, while community engagement benefits everyone, it's particularly vital for members of the queer community who often face limited opportunities and spaces to explore their identities earlier in life—I know that was the case for me! Thus, creating inclusive, fun, and safe spaces for people to explore everything life has to offer while here is my goal and I feel lucky to be in a position to do so. If you have thoughts on how I can better fulfill this role, please feel free to reach out!
Jose Aceves-Salvador
I am a fourth-year PhD student at Harvard Medical School in the biological and biomedical sciences program. I am originally from Los Angeles, CA, and moved to Boston for my undergraduate degree. As a first-generation college student, I studied biology and chemistry at MIT, where I was involved in different outreach programs in the Office of Engineering Outreach Programs as well as student groups such as the Leadership Training Institute.
Why I am a Diversity and Inclusion Fellow:
I am a diversity and inclusion fellow because I believe that embracing diverse perspectives enriches our academic experience, challenging us to think critically and creatively. Fostering inclusion and belonging on our campus lends itself to creating engaging learning environments and creating supportive spaces where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed. My goal is to support affinity groups and their initiatives throughout the year while also coordinating with the EDIB office to address the unmet needs of the community.
Akhil Thomas
I am fifth-year PhD student in South Asian religion/Comparative studies at the Committee on the Study of Religion. I grew up in Delhi and dearly miss the three-day long train rides to Kerala, on the southwest coast of India, where my family is from. As a first-generation college student, I studied philosophy for my undergraduate degree at St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and worked with various student advocacy groups and nonprofits in the area. I came to the United States to study the relations between religious vision and social reformation at Yale Divinity School (YDS) in New Haven, CT. During my time at YDS, as the President's Public Service Fellow, I served at Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) where I worked with Afghan resettled students and young adults helping set up and run summer schools.
Why I am a Diversity and Inclusion Fellow:
I am a diversity and inclusion fellow because I believe that diverse and inclusive spaces, where students feel like they belong, are foundational to academic life at Harvard. I have seen that students from underrepresented and underserved communities bear the heaviest burden in graduate school. My hope is that my work contributes to making space for a shared sense of belonging for students from such communities. I also hope to further EDIB’s mission by working together with affinity groups and student leaders to advocate for more resources and support.
