Our Alumni

Alumni Stories

Alumni Spotlights


Alumni from the Department of Biological Sciences are making significant contributions in fields ranging from medicine and healthcare, research, pharmaceuticals, public policy, business and higher education. Their diverse career paths show the breadth of a biological sciences education from UD and the impact its students have on the world.

Nicola Habash

Nicola Habash | 2021

Nicola completed an Honors Degree with Distinction in Biological Sciences with minors in Africana Studies and Women and Gender Studies. 

While earning his degree, he was an American Global Fellow at UD's English Language Institute, a science tutor at the OAE, and a work-shop leader for UD's integrated honors chemistry program. Nicola served his community by volunteering at Compassionate Care Hospice at St. Francis Hospital, Christiana Care's Emergency Department, and Exceptional Care for Children. Nicola was a research assistant in the Schwarz lab, studying neuroimmunology and behavior. In addition to presenting his research at three neuroscience conferences, he completed a thesis and is in the process of publishing a paper with the lab.

Nicola is currently a student at Jefferson's Sidney Kimmel Medical College where he will pursue a degree in medicine. Outside of class, he is becoming adjusted to living in Philadelphia and is a member of Jefferson's Professional Conduct Committee. ​

Simran Tandon

Simran Tandon | 2021

While attending the University of Delaware, Simran double majored in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Spanish. She studied abroad 3 times to Spain, Argentina, and Australia. Simran was also a part of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, and was a research assistant at the Child's Play psychology lab, studying children with autism.

After graduation, Simran moved to Boston, MA and started a job as an Inside Sales Representative for Agilent Technologies, a biotechnology company. She currently works on a team that sells cell analysis instruments to research labs.​

Jackie Littman

Jackie Littman | 2020

​Jackie is the former Captain of the UD Color Guard in the UD Marching Band, Member of Harrington Theatre Arts Company (HTAC), Member of Delazure (UD's Indoor Color Guard), Chemistry Workshop Leader, and Biology Ambassador.  

After researching with Dr. Jessica Tanis, Jackie realized that she really enjoyed research, especially in regards to biology and its real time applications to human health. This led her to public health and epidemiology.  She has since applied to 8 different public health graduate school programs and was accepted into every single one. Jackie eventually committed to the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health, pursuing a Master's degree in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology, where she will combine her background in genetics research with her passion for human health and disease prevention. 

Due to Jackie’s heavy involvement in the color guard in the UD marching band led her to the opportunity of working as a color guard instructor at her former high school in Maryland, which she is currently doing virtually. 

Christabelle Ayensu-Asiedu

Christabelle Ayensu-Asiedu | 2018

While attending the University of Delaware, Christabelle formerly a Chemistry Workshop Leader & Coordinator, UD Secretary for NAACP, Corresponding Secretary for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., START Lab Undergraduate Research Assistant, STAR Lab Student Assistant, and MAPS. 

Christabell is currently a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University, working towards a M.S degree in Biotechnology, with plans to graduate Fall 2020.  Upon graduation, she will be applying to medical school. Outside of classes, she works as a part time research assistant at Johns Hopkins Adherence research center in the pulmonary and critical care center.