Leadership

Emily De Freitas
Rush Chair
Emily is a junior in the Lambda class and current co-chair of Professional Development. She’s double majoring in Neuroscience and French. Outside of Phi Chi she is a research assistant for the School of Nursing, studying domestic violence against women with disabilities. She is also a member of the Michigan All-Girl Competitive Cheer team! Some of Emily’s favorite activities include curling up with her cat or finding a new craft to complete. She rushed Phi Chi for the community of passionate individuals, and has found that and more. Go Phi Chi & Go Blue!

Reese Patchen
Rush Chair
Reese Patchen is a current rush co-chair! Reese is a senior Neuroscience major and part of the iota class. Outside of Phi Chi, she is a teaching assistant for Biology 225, co-president of the Serotonin Society, member of Pi Beta Phi, and a research assistant in the AER Lab researching the impacts of sleep initiation and deprivation on memory consolidation and pathological conditions. Outside of academics she loves Soul Cycle, hiking when home in New Hampshire, and going to the beach!

May Weston
Professional Development
May is a junior in the Lambda class and currently serves as one of our Professional Development Chairs. She is majoring in Biology, Health and Society, and Spanish, with the goal of becoming fluent to help reduce language barriers between patients and physicians. May works as a Patient Care Technician in the emergency room and enjoys tutoring high school students through PALMA. This past summer, she volunteered in Costa Rica, combining her passion for service and travel. In her free time, she loves exploring Ann Arbor's many coffee shops and spending time outside.

Amanda Chen
Professional Development
Amanda Chen is a sophomore and is excited to be one of our co-chairs of Professional Development! She is studying Public Health with a minor in music, and is interested in investigating the effects of health disparities on reproductive health. Amanda also is a Clinical Support Assistant at IHA, volunteers at Mott’s Children Hospital, and is involved in ovarian cancer research at the School of Public Health. In her free time, she loves pilates, music (piano and guitar), and trying new foods with friends.

Saniya Reddy
Philanthropy Chair
Saniya Reddy is one of our Philanthropy chairs! She is currently a sophomore from Novi, MI, currently pursuing a major in Movement Science and a minor in Biochemistry, with a passion for sports medicine, orthopedics, and women’s health. Outside of Phi Chi, Saniya serves as the Finance Chair for AMWA and tutors elementary school students. She’s also part of MHEAL’s PeriOperative project team, working on a heated mattress solution to prevent hypothermia in surgical patients. When she has a spare moment, Saniya loves running, being outdoors, and cheering on Michigan sports teams.

Opal Vitharana
Philanthropy Chair
Opal is a junior in the lambda class, majoring in Public Health Sciences with minors in Disability Studies and Creative Writing. She is a proud member of the Lambda class and currently serves as a Co-Philanthropy Chair. This summer, Opal is volunteering in India, where she is furthering her commitment to service and global health equity.

Brian Magaswaran
Social Chair
Brian is a junior at the University of Michigan majoring in Neuroscience and currently serves as one of the Social Chairs for Phi Chi. He works as a research assistant at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, contributing to a project focused on rare cases in pediatric health. Passionate about medicine, Brian hopes to pursue a career in either pediatrics or cardiology. In his free time, he enjoys exploring Ann Arbor, discovering new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family.

Noah Siegel
Social Chair
Noah Siegel is a junior at the University of Michigan majoring in Neuroscience. A proud member of the Lambda class, he joined in Fall 2023. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Noah enjoys music, fishing, supporting Michigan athletics, and spending quality time with friends. As the current co-social chair, he is enthusiastic about creating memorable experiences and is looking forward to organizing a wide range of engaging events for the chapter.

Arnav Bhaskar
DEI Chair
Arnav is a junior at the University of Michigan majoring in Biomedical Sciences and currently serves as one of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Chairs for Phi Chi. Passionate about multicultural health and promoting cultural competence in healthcare, he is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment within the fraternity. Outside of Phi Chi, Arnav conducts research in the Kandarpa Lab, volunteers at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, and works as a Patient Care Assistant at Michigan Medicine.

Ritika Putta
DEI Chair
Ritika is a junior in the Lambda class and the current co-chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)! This is her second year in the position. Ritika is currently majoring in Neuroscience. Outside of Phi Chi, Ritika works as a Peer Mentor for the Health Sciences Scholars Program and is a Patient Care Technician. Also, she volunteers at the VA Cancer Clinic. In her free time, Ritika loves to listen to music, try new restaurants, and go on walks. She’s so excited for the PNM’s to find their community like she did. Go Phi Chi!

Frankie Gamio-Legani
Mental Health and Wellness Chair
Frankie is a junior in the Lambda class and current co-chair of mental health and wellness. She is majoring in Biology, Health, and Society and minoring in Economics. Outside of Phi Chi, She assists the audiology and otolaryngology clinic at the Mott's Children's hospital.

Katja Stzurma
Mental Health and Wellness Chair
Katja is a junior and serving as one of the mental health and wellness chairs for phi chi. She is a Biopsychology Cognition and Neuroscience major with a minor in Entrepreneurship. Outside of Phi Chi she is a Best Buddies mentor, part of her sorority Alpha Delta Pi, and works in the Mari Rackhem Center administering ABA therapy to children with autism. Her long term goal is to build a career to better public health for children and adolescents with neurological disorders. In her free time she loves to play tennis, eat lots of food, and go on walks with friends!

Devesh Kc
Alumni Outreach Chair
Devesh is a junior in the Mu class, majoring in Neuroscience and Minoring in Business. This summer, he is a Research Intern at Cleveland Clinic, where he is working with the Colorectal Surgery Department. Outside of Phi Chi, Devesh is a proud member of the University of Michigan Club Hockey team, Theta Xi Fraternity, Pre-Surgical Club, and is a Laboratory Assistant in the ECLS Lab. He is ambitious to pursue a career in surgery. As Alumni Outreach Chair, he is eager to build relationships with our alumni and host events with the rest of the brotherhood.

Naya Seligson
External Branding Chair
Naya Seligson is a sophomore in the Nu Class. She is majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology with a minor in Medical Anthropology. She is passionate about pediatrics, with a special interest in cardiology and genetics. Outside of Phi Chi, she’s involved in FYSH Board at Hillel, Dance Marathon, Chi Omega, and Research. Originally from Dana Point, California, Naya enjoys being outdoors, going to the beach, playing pickleball, taking photos 24/7, playing guitar and bass, and spending time with friends over a chai.