Who We Are

The Yale Society of Physics Students is a nationally registered chapter of the Society of Physics Students. We host weekly study sessions (with food!), dinners with professors in the physics department, fun study breaks, movie nights, outreach efforts, and other events. We also hold a prestigious senior lecture series every year, first held in 2018: the Howard L. Schultz Senior Prize Lecture in the spring. Anybody is welcome to join Yale SPS. Check out the “Join!” tab for more information.

Officers for 2025-2026

Diya Naik PC ‘26 | Co-President she/her

Diya is a junior Physics (Int.) major from Columbus, Ohio. She’s excited about both the theory and hardware of quantum computers. She also loves to hear about how branches of physics intersect. Hoping to make physics welcoming to all sorts of identities and backgrounds, she’s looking forward to hearing any and all input on improving physics. In her free time, you can find her drawing or rambling about her novel of choice.

Darya Dayanim GH ‘28 | Co-President she/her

Darya is so excited to be engaging with the physics community at Yale. She joined the Moore Lab her first summer at Yale and has never looked back. She one day hopes to pursue research in quantum gravity. One of Darya’s favorite physics experiences at Yale has been serving as a peer tutor for introductory physics. Outside of class, she enjoys oboeing in DPops, footing in FOOT, and triathaloning in Club Tri. Darya is fluent in Hebrew, should be a lot more proficient in Spanish, and hopes to learn Persian.

Board Members

	Andrés Luengo TC ‘27 \| Vice President he/him Andrés is a junior in Trumbull College majoring in physics (int.) and computer science. He was born in Venezuela and now lives in South Florida. He is a member of the Yale AstroML Group, where he researches the pulsations of stars in stellar clusters. In his free time, he plays the french horn and does indoor bouldering.
	Max Watzky BF ‘27 \| Treasurer he/him Max Watzky is a junior in Benjamin Franklin College majoring in Physics (int.) and S&DS. He is interested in the applications of data analysis and machine learning to physics, and he’s currently involved in a biophysics project at Yale’s School of Medicine. Outside of SPS, you can find him playing trombone or extending his 600+ day Duolingo streak.
	Yasmine Samolada MY ‘27 \| Prize Lecture Chair she/her Yasmine is an undergraduate student in the class of 2027, double majoring in physics (int.) and mechanical engineering (ABET). Originally from Greece, she is interested in high-energy nuclear physics- working with the RHIG on the pfRICH detector of the ePIC experiment- and in nuclear energy research. Beyond academics, she enjoys photography and violin.
	Ilana Greenberg ES ‘29 \| Prize Lecture Chair Ilana Greenberg is first-year in Ezra Stiles college. She is a prospective double major in Physics and Mathematics, and hopes to explore the intersection of theory and application. Outside of SPS, you can find her writing for the Yale Scientific Magazine, developing the curriculum for CodeHaven, and conducting Machine Learning research. She also enjoys speedcubing, creative writing, and memorizing digits of pi!
	Andy Ma ES ‘28 \| Professor Dinner Chair he/him Hi, I’m a sophomore studying CS & Math, but I’m interested in all sorts of things. I started as a physics major, and I like to think I’m still a physics major in all but name. On campus, I’m involved in Yale Mathcounts Outreach and ARAY. In my free time, I love ice skating (used to play hockey) and photography. I’m also looking to get back into biking soon.
	Kane Trundle BR ‘28 \| SPS National Liaison he/him Kane Trundle is a second-year student in Branford College, majoring in physics (int.). His academic interests span quantum mechanics to condescend matter physics. He is particularly interested in the clean energy sector and deep tech. Beyond physics, Kane has a passion for writing and reading short stories. He looks forward to supporting and contributing to Yale’s vibrant physics community!
	Giulio Sotti TD ‘29 \| Community Service he/him Giulio is a freshman in Timothy Dwight college from London and Italy, studying Physics. He is interested in investing, entrepreneurship, and their intersection. When not discussing all-things science, you can find him working in the TD Buttery or representing the best IM Soccer team. Feel free to reach out about SPS or Yale in general!
	Vasilisa Malenkiy JE ‘27 \| Fundraising & Travel Chair she/her/hers Vasilisa is a junior Physics (Int.) major from Boulder, Colorado. Her current research involves developing instrumentation for dark matter detection experiments, with additional research interests spanning fundamental questions in experimental quantum & condensed matter physics. In her free time, Vas loves skiing, dancing, swimming, and surfing.

Officers for 2025-2026

Co-Presidents:

Max Watzky (BF 2027) (Fall) Diya Naik (PC 2027)

Board Members

Andrés Luengo (TC 2027) Richard Lin (ES 2026) Kane Trundle (BC 2028) Giulio Sotti (TD 2029) Vasilisa Malenkiy (JE 2027) Darya Dayanim (GH 2028) Ethan Martinez (MY 2026) Robin Tsai (TC 2027) Jerry Li (GH 2026) Ilana Greenberg (ES 2029) Brad Foutz (SM 2028) Yasmine Samolada (MY 2027) Harry Pambianchi (TD 2029) Ian Li (MY 2029) Richard Chen (SY 2029) Lizzie Seward (DC 2027) Daniel Wang (MC 2029) Shwetlana Jha (SY 2028)

Officers for 2024-2025

Co-Presidents:

Nikita Mazotov (PC 2026) Max Watzky (BF 2027)

Board Members

Diya Naik (PC 2027) Richard Lin (ES 2026) Kane Trundle (BC 2028) Andrés Luengo (TC 2027) Anh-Thai Le (BF 2026) Matthew Balestier (JE 2026) Vasilisa Malenkiy (JE 2027) Andy Ma (ES 2028) Darya Dayanim (GH 2028) Madison Butchko (JE 2026) Lucy Xiao (BK 2027) Ethan Martinez (MY 2026)

Officers for 2023-2024

Co-Presidents:

Aaron Chizhik (GH 2025) Nikita Mazotov (BF 2026)

Board Members

Henry Kaplan (BR 2025) Matthew Balestier (JE 2026) Jerry Li (GH 2027) Lucy Xiao (BK 2026) Max Watzky (BF 2027) Maddi Brown (PC 2026) Diya Naik (PC 2027) Anh-Thai Le (BF 2026)

Officers for 2022-2023

Co-Presidents:

Barkotel Zemenu (JE 2022) Maddie Butchko (ES 2023)

Board Members

Aaron Chizhik (GH 2025) Ethan Martinez (MY 2026) Nikita Mazotov (PC 2024) Alexa Murray (BF 2024) Andrew Nupp (MC 2022) Robin Tsai (TB 2026)

Officers for 2021-2022

Co-Presidents:

Amanda Butler (JE 2022) Dawson Thomas (ES 2023)

Board Members

Lumisa Bista (GH 2024) Agastya Rana (DP 2024) Annie Lin (SM 2024) David Saunders (GH 2023) Richard Li (MY 2022) Barkotel Zemenu (GH 2024) Maddie Butchko (JE 2024) Wyatt Kremer (TC 2024)

Officers for 2020-2021

Co-Presidents:

Shoumik Chowdhury (SY 2021) Laura Zhou (BF 2022)

Board Members

Shantanu Jha (SY 2021) Amanda Butler (JE 2022) David Saunders (GH 2023) Dawson Thomas (ES 2023) Yiming Zhang (BF 2022) Jessie Chen (DP 2023) Giovanna Truong (MY 2023) Olivia Aspegren (BF 2023) Vuong Mai (ME 2021)

Officers for 2019-2020

Co-Presidents: (Spring 2020 Semester)

Shoumik Chowdhury (SY 2021) Laura Zhou (BF 2022)

Board Members

Shantanu Jha (SY 2021) Helena Lyng-Olsen (PC 2022) Clare Staib-Kaufman (SY 2021) George Iskander (GH 2020)

Co-Presidents: (Fall 2019 Semester)

George Iskander (GH 2020) Shoumik Chowdhury (SY 2021)

Officers for 2018-2019

Co-Presidents: (Spring 2019 Semester)

George Iskander (GH 2020)
Shoumik Chowdhury (SY 2021)

Co-Presidents: (Fall 2018 Semester)

Sophia Sanchez-Maes (SM 2019)
Cady van Assendelft (SM 2019)

Newsletter: Chunny Ding (SC 2019)
Facebook Page: George Iskander (HC 2020)

Officers for 2017-2018

Co-Presidents: (Fall 2017 Semester)

Aaron Hillman (BK 2018)
Sophia Sanchez-Maes (SM 2019)
Cady van Assendelft (SM 2019)

Co-Presidents: (Spring 2018 Semester)

Sophia Sanchez-Maes (SM 2019)
Cady van Assendelft (SM 2019)

Newsletter: Chunny Ding (SC 2019)
Facebook Page: George Iskander (HC 2020)

Officers for 2016-2017

Co-Presidents: (Spring 2017 Semester)

Aaron Hillman (BK 2018)
Sophia Sanchez-Maes (SM 2019)
Cady van Assendelft (SM 2019)

Co-Presidents: (Fall 2016 Semester)

Benjamin Krakoff (SY 2017)
Jedidiah Thompson (BK 2017)

Officers for 2015-2016

Co-Presidents: (Spring 2016 Semester)

Benjamin Krakoff (SY 2017)
Jedidiah Thompson (BK 2017)

Co-Presidents: (Fall 2015 Semester)

Manjari Randeria (SY 2016)
Mina Himwich (BR 2016)
Mariona Badenas (BR 2016)

Officers for 2014-2015

Co-Presidents: (Spring 2015 Semester)

Manjari Randeria (SY 2016)
Mina Himwich (BR 2016)
Mariona Badenas (BR 2016)

Co-Presidents: (Fall 2014 Semester)

Robert James Pecoraro (JE 2015)
Catherine Harmer (JE 2015)

Officers for 2013-2014

Co-Presidents: (Spring 2014 Semester)

Robert James Pecoraro (JE 2015)
Catherine Harmer (JE 2015)

Co-Presidents: (Fall 2013Semester)

Steven Zwick (PC 2014)
Po-Yi Ho (BR 2014)

Officers for 2012-2013

Co-Presidents: (Spring 2013 Semester)

Steven Zwick (PC 2014)
Po-Yi Ho (BR 2014)

Co-Presidents: (Fall 2012 Semester)

Rachel Kurchin (PC 2013)
Jenna Freudenburg (BC 2013)

Officers for 2011-2012

Co-Presidents: (Spring 2012 Semester)

Rachel Kurchin (PC 2013)
Jenna Freudenburg (BC 2013)

Co-Presidents: (Fall 2011 Semester)

Joseph O’Rourke (SM 2012)
Daniel Kapec (SM 2012)

Officers for 2010-2011

Co-Presidents: (Spring 2011 Semester)

Joseph O’Rourke (SM 2012)
Daniel Kapec (SM 2012)

Co-Presidents: (Fall 2010 Semester)

Alan Hutchison (TD 2011)
Michele Dufault (Deceased)

Officers for 2009-2010

Co-Presidents: (Spring 2010 Semester)

Alan Hutchison (TD 2011)
Michele Dufault (Deceased)

Co-Presidents: (Fall 2009 Semester)

Katherine Rosenfeld (MC 2010)
Matthew Smith (SY 2010)

Officers for 2008-2009

Co-Presidents: (Spring 2009 Semester)

Katherine Rosenfeld (MC 2010)
Matthew Smith (SY 2010)

Co-Presidents: (Fall 2008 Semester)

Nathaniel Roth (PC 2009)
Elizabeth Jerison (SM 2010)

Officers for 2007-2008

Co-Presidents:

Elissa Dunn (BC 2009)
Margaret Shea (SY 2008)

Officers for 2006-2007

Co-Presidents:

Glenn Murphy (CC 2007)
Anna Mandel (SC 2007)

Officers for 2005-2006

Co-Presidents:

Ruth Toner (ES 2007)
Ning Liang (SC 2007)
Maria Orochena

	Andrés Luengo TC ‘27 \| Vice President he/him Andrés is a junior in Trumbull College majoring in physics (int.) and computer science. He was born in Venezuela and now lives in South Florida. He is a member of the Yale AstroML Group, where he researches the pulsations of stars in stellar clusters. In his free time, he plays the french horn and does indoor bouldering.
	Max Watzky BF ‘27 \| Treasurer he/him Max Watzky is a junior in Benjamin Franklin College majoring in Physics (int.) and S&DS. He is interested in the applications of data analysis and machine learning to physics, and he’s currently involved in a biophysics project at Yale’s School of Medicine. Outside of SPS, you can find him playing trombone or extending his 600+ day Duolingo streak.
	Yasmine Samolada MY ‘27 \| Prize Lecture Chair she/her Yasmine is an undergraduate student in the class of 2027, double majoring in physics (int.) and mechanical engineering (ABET). Originally from Greece, she is interested in high-energy nuclear physics- working with the RHIG on the pfRICH detector of the ePIC experiment- and in nuclear energy research. Beyond academics, she enjoys photography and violin.
	Ilana Greenberg ES ‘29 \| Prize Lecture Chair Ilana Greenberg is first-year in Ezra Stiles college. She is a prospective double major in Physics and Mathematics, and hopes to explore the intersection of theory and application. Outside of SPS, you can find her writing for the Yale Scientific Magazine, developing the curriculum for CodeHaven, and conducting Machine Learning research. She also enjoys speedcubing, creative writing, and memorizing digits of pi!
	Andy Ma ES ‘28 \| Professor Dinner Chair he/him Hi, I’m a sophomore studying CS & Math, but I’m interested in all sorts of things. I started as a physics major, and I like to think I’m still a physics major in all but name. On campus, I’m involved in Yale Mathcounts Outreach and ARAY. In my free time, I love ice skating (used to play hockey) and photography. I’m also looking to get back into biking soon.
	Kane Trundle BR ‘28 \| SPS National Liaison he/him Kane Trundle is a second-year student in Branford College, majoring in physics (int.). His academic interests span quantum mechanics to condescend matter physics. He is particularly interested in the clean energy sector and deep tech. Beyond physics, Kane has a passion for writing and reading short stories. He looks forward to supporting and contributing to Yale’s vibrant physics community!
	Giulio Sotti TD ‘29 \| Community Service he/him Giulio is a freshman in Timothy Dwight college from London and Italy, studying Physics. He is interested in investing, entrepreneurship, and their intersection. When not discussing all-things science, you can find him working in the TD Buttery or representing the best IM Soccer team. Feel free to reach out about SPS or Yale in general!
	Vasilisa Malenkiy JE ‘27 \| Fundraising & Travel Chair she/her/hers Vasilisa is a junior Physics (Int.) major from Boulder, Colorado. Her current research involves developing instrumentation for dark matter detection experiments, with additional research interests spanning fundamental questions in experimental quantum & condensed matter physics. In her free time, Vas loves skiing, dancing, swimming, and surfing.