Meet the
E-Board!
President: Jessie Nelson
This Jessie's second year as President of SODA and third year as a member! Outside of SODA, Jessie is a member of REACH, a student organization tutoring in the Ithaca City School District, a Peer Advisor for the College of Arts and Sciences, and a member of Psi Chi. She is a junior psychology major hoping to attend graduate school after her time at Cornell.
Vice President: Latha Panchap
Latha Panchap is a senior in biological engineering on the pre-med track at Cornell University. She is one of the founding members of SODA and loves fostering awareness of such a prevalent condition. Latha also serves as the Philanthropy Chair of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society and is an active brother of Phi Delta Epsilon Pre-Medical Fraternity. She volunteers as a peer advisor for incoming freshmen students in the College of Engineering. Outside of school, Latha serves as a volunteer coordinator for Healthy Children, Brighter Futures, a nonprofit organization focused on improving infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. When Latha isn't in the library or at a campus event, she is usually at a concert, traveling, or educating the general public on why Iron Man is clearly the best superhero.
Treasurer: Brent Dinger
Brent Rexroth Dinger is an undergraduate senior in the College of
Engineering studying mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering. He was born in Clearwater, Florida and lives in Austin, Texas, though he spent most of his life in San Antonio, Texas (Go Spurs Go!). He joined SODA in its founding year and served as Co-Activities Chair during his junior year. Brent is also a member of WOP House and the Jerome H. Holland International Living Center program house, where he helps organize events such as the annual International Dinner. When he isn’t cooking Danish pancakes or reading an atlas, Brent can be found enrobing his next meal in a potpourri of hot sauce, purchasing the smelliest cheeses at Wegmans, playing Mario Kart, or cowering in fetal position. He has a pet shrimp named Lenni , has swum with the whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium, and has an inexplicable sense of nationalism for Finland.
Secretary: Hiley Cammock
Hiley Cammock is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences with hopes to pursue a career in medicine. She has an unhealthy fear of flies and can usually be found in either Olin or Uris Library. She is currently majoring in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Nutrition and minoring in Anthropology. She has been involved with SODA since her sophomore year and enjoys spreading the awareness as well as dispelling any myths about diabetes. Around campus, Hiley mentors freshmen and sophomores who show interest in pursuing a career in research or medicine through the club, Cornell MEDSCI. She is also an active member of the club, REACH, and loves working with her adorable elementary students. Outside of school, Hiley can be found playing any sport that doesn't require the catching of flying objects, eating dark chocolate, cooking, and skiing.
Fundraising/Activities Chair: Sarah Sonenberg
Sarah Sonenberg is a senior in the College of Agriculture and Life Science studying biology and nutritional sciences. She is currently applying to medical school and has never been more stressed out. Sarah joined SODA during her junior year and has had a blast helping organize and participating in their events. Sarah spends the rest of her time working as programmer for the Center for Jewish Living, practicing yoga on any available flat surface, running after eating too many cookies, attempting to skype with her cat, and enabling her addiction to Gilmore Girls.
Fundraising/Activities Chair: Pardis Pooshpas
Pardis is a premed senior in CALS studying Biological Sciences. She joined SODA to help raise awareness about Diabetes on campus and outside. She's the president of Red Cross club on campus, a member of Red Cross Advisory Board in Tompkins County, copy editor in TRP and a member of Cornell Meinig National Scholars. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, playing pool, dancing and biking.
Public Relations/Outreach Chair: Matt Engel
Hello! As one of the executive board members involved in public relations and outreach, I help put the A in SODA! My interests lie in neuroendocrine signaling in response to food intake, as well as pharmacological treatments for metabolic disease. Subscribe to our Twitter feed @SODAcornell and stay updated on breaking developments in diabetes research and novel treatment strategies!
Public Relations/Outreach Chair: Clarice Lin
My name is Clarice Lin, and I'm a senior in both biology and food science! I joined SODA because I am a huge believer that a healthy lifestyle (and the right food) will influence health; with Diabetes Type II cases increasingly at a alarming, I wanted to raise more awareness of this issue. I enjoy playing the violin at elderly homes, cooking, and exploring hidden gems in Ithaca!
Founder: Maisie Orsillo
Maisie Orsillo is the founder/outgoing President of Students of Diabetes Awareness She's a Type 1 diabetic who is passionate about sharing her experiences with others. She's a current senior in the College of Human Ecology studying Nutritional Sciences. Maisie hopes to pursue a career in the field of medicine specifically focusing on preventative medicine and women's health. Maisie created SODA in 2012 because she felt that no strong support network existed for students living with diabetes on Cornell's campus. She also wanted to work with other students to spread awareness about this very real health issue. Outside of SODA Maisie is a Resident Advisor in Balch Hall, President of the Cornell Catholic Community student leadership team, a research assistant in an infant cognition lab, and a volunteer at the Ithaca Free Clinic. Maisie is extremely thankful for all of the support she's received from the Cornell community in making her dream become a reality.