The Graduate Student Lounge

Reservations may be made at the Graduate Student Lounge Information Desk or via e-mail at GradLounge@uchicago.edu.
Reservations requested via e-mail are not valid until the requestor receives a confirmation e-mail.
To ensure student access to the spaces, we limit reservations to 1 hour.
If the room is free at the conclusion of the reservation, the individual may reserve the room again.
Please note that one may reserve a room for no more than 3 consecutive hours.
Please note that spaces may only be reserved by current University of Chicago graduate students.

Lounge Room 405
Room 405 is a “smart” conference room, perfect for virtual meetings, small study sessions, meetings, and presentations.
Room occupancy must be limited to six individuals.

Lounge Room 411
Room 411 is a space best suited for small study sessions and meetings.
Room occupancy must be limited to six individuals.

Reservations must be made at the Graduate Student Lounge Information Desk.
Reservations run throughout the day until the close of the Graduate Student Lounge each day.
Unclaimed items will be removed at 5 PM each day.
Please note that spaces may only be reserved by current University of Chicago graduate students.

JACOB BELEMJIAN
Graduate Program: Masters in Financial Mathematics
Hometown: Wilbraham, Massachusetts
Education: Trinity College, Hartford, CT;  B.S, Computer Engineering

My name is Jacob Belemjian and I am a Master’s Candidate in the Financial Mathematics program. Upon my graduation I would like to work in Asset Management as a trader, or I would like to pursue a career in Sports Analytics. I graduated from Trinity College in 2021 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering. Outside of school, I love to watch soccer and basketball as I am a huge fan of the Boston Celtics and FC Barcelona. My favorite book is What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe.

NATALIE BROWN
Graduate Program: MPP at the Harris School of Public Policy
Hometown: Palm Bay, Florida
Education: Bachelor’s in Government from Cornell University

Currently, I’m focused on policies related to poverty reduction and intergenerational wealth for Black and Brown families. In the past, I considered becoming a lawyer to achieve this end, but I’m passionate about molding responsive public policy to achieve equitable and justice-focused ends. Within my program at Harris, I am excited by data analysis and programming. If you want to talk about R or Python, let me know! Outside of academics, I am obsessed with meal prep, lifting weights, traveling the world (or at least attempting) and spending time with friends.

MARIA FERREIRA
Graduate Program: MAPSS-History
Hometown: Lambaré, Paraguay
Education: Bryn Mawr College, B.A.

As a historian, I study Modern Central and Eastern European history and international history. In my research, I like to draw connections between major historical events that happen in Europe with my home country, Paraguay. In my free time, I like to spend time with my roommates watching shows or going to the farmers’ market. I also enjoy watching and playing soccer and practicing my Russian language skills.

ROSIE HANKES
Graduate Program: Crown School of Social Work Full-Time MSW Program
Hometown: Skokie, Illinois
Education: Wheaton College, Norton, MA; B.A., Sociology and Women & Gender Studies

I am interested in becoming a school social worker with the goal of making education equitable for all students. In addition to working at the Graduate Student Lounge, I also work at a preschool for children with behavioral differences and I tutor middle and high school English. In my spare time I love to read, crochet, and play on my Nintendo Switch.

MENNA HASSAN
Graduate Program: Master of Science in Molecular Engineering
Hometown: West Lafayette, Indiana
Education: Purdue University; B.S. Computer Engineering

I am a first year Master’s student in PME studying the computation materials modeling track. My main interests are in simulation design and application for classical and quantum materials. Outside of classes I have been enjoying exploring Chicago and all the delicious food here!

VIJAY KRISHNA
Graduate Program: MS Program in Analytics
Hometown: India
Education: Bachelor’s in Engineering

I am a graduate student in the analytics program within PSD. After graduation I intend to work in the tech industry. I love going out for movies, exploring new places and meeting new people.

ZHENGYUAN LING
Graduate Program: MAPH (Master Program in the Division of the Humanities)
Hometown: Ningbo, China
Education: College of William & Mary, B.A. History and International Relations

I am an international graduate student interested in early modern China’s social and legal history. I am a native speaker of Mandarin Chinese and the Wu dialect, and I am learning Japanese at the University. I love home-cooking and road trips. I have driven to more than 20 states in my VW Golf.

MARK MARROQUIN
Graduate Program: Master of Arts Program in the Humanities Two-Year Language Option
Hometown: Union, New Jersey
Education: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey B.A., Linguistics and Arabic

I am a second/third (two and a half?) generation Guatemalan-Ecuadorian New Jerseyan. For my master’s program, I have studied comparative media on the Lebanese and Guatemalan Civil Wars. In my second year, I am taking Arabic language courses to receive language proficiency certification. I have worked with Arab immigrants and refugees in the past. After graduation, I plan on working with Arab immigrant communities again. I enjoy exploring Chicago, catching up with family, brewing coffee, and reading books on the Middle East and Latin America. During the Chicago winter, you’ll see me wearing Llama-themed sweaters from Guayaquil, my mom’s hometown.

ANILA PODILA
Graduate Program: Public Policy Analysis
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Education: Indiana University

I am pursuing my masters in public policy in order to focus my career towards food insecurity, understanding food systems, and agricultural policy. I hope to gain experience in outreach and government relations. When I am relaxing I’m usually listening to music, reading poetry, or cooking (or eating!!).

PRISCILLA RAMOS RICO
Graduate Program: Master’s (AM) program in Social Work
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Education: The College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio; B.A., Sociology

My name is Priscilla, and I am a first-year graduate student at the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. I am pursuing my Master’s in Clinical Social Work and currently doing my field placement at Youth Guidance, where I am a case management intern. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Women’s, Gender, Sexuality Studies from The College of Wooster in May of 2021. I spent my senior year conducting research on the experiences of Latinx undergraduate students at predominately white higher education institutions. As well as being inducted into Iota Iota Iota Women’s and Gender Honor Society. In my free time, I love spending time with my family and friends, watching Netflix, trying out new foods and restaurants, and painting.

MEGAN RO
Graduate Program: AM program in Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Education: UCLA, Los Angeles, California; B.A., Art History

After spending the first part of my career in museums, I am now pursuing clinical social work at the intersection of mental health and aging, supporting both older adults and their caregivers. When I’m not busy with school, I love going on road trips with my partner and our rescue dog Pepper, trying hole-in-the-wall restaurants around the city, and binging reality television.

The Graduate Student Lounge will be closed on Monday, May 30, 2022 in observance of Memorial Day.

We now have games in The Lounge!
Ask at the desk.