Our Executive Board
LEADERSHIP
Akash Chopra | Co-President
Master of Analytical Political Economy | Department of Economics
akash.chopra@duke.edu
Akash is a Master's student in the Analytical Political Economy Program in the Departments of Economics and Political Science. Akash was born in New Delhi, India but spent most of his life growing up in Singapore. After completing his BA at Boston University, he moved to North Carolina and joined DISI in his first semester at Duke. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, biking, and planning road trips. Akash looks forward to working closely with every member of DISI this semester!
Felicia Lim | Co-President
PhD, Molecular Cancer Biology | The Graduate School
felicia.lim@duke.edu
Felicia is a PhD student in Molecular Cancer Biology. Born in Indonesia, she stayed in a few other countries before coming to Duke for her graduate study. She first started as a Project Innovator in the Spring of 2019, then became a Project Manager in the Fall of 2019 and in Spring 2020 she went on to become the Director of Operations/. She is now excited to use her experience at DISI to be Co-President this semester. Felicia has always been interested in giving back to the community and through DISI, she feels that she is able to do so by working together with the local non-profits. In her spare time, she loves to read, listen to music, and hike.
PhD, Molecular Cancer Biology | The Graduate School
felicia.lim@duke.edu
Felicia is a PhD student in Molecular Cancer Biology. Born in Indonesia, she stayed in a few other countries before coming to Duke for her graduate study. She first started as a Project Innovator in the Spring of 2019, then became a Project Manager in the Fall of 2019 and in Spring 2020 she went on to become the Director of Operations/. She is now excited to use her experience at DISI to be Co-President this semester. Felicia has always been interested in giving back to the community and through DISI, she feels that she is able to do so by working together with the local non-profits. In her spare time, she loves to read, listen to music, and hike.
OPERATIONS
Marlon Do Couto | Co-Executive Director of Operations
Master of Quantitative Management | Fuqua School of Business
marlon.do.couto@duke.edu
Marlon is a Masters in Quantitative Management (MQM) student at the Fuqua School of Business. Originally from Brazil, Marlon moved to the U.S. in 2012 to pursue his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Seattle University. He worked in asset management before joining Duke. In his free time, Marlon likes to run/workout while listening to his favorite podcasts and exploring the nature around the Durham area.
Master of Quantitative Management | Fuqua School of Business
marlon.do.couto@duke.edu
Marlon is a Masters in Quantitative Management (MQM) student at the Fuqua School of Business. Originally from Brazil, Marlon moved to the U.S. in 2012 to pursue his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Seattle University. He worked in asset management before joining Duke. In his free time, Marlon likes to run/workout while listening to his favorite podcasts and exploring the nature around the Durham area.
Patrick Crotty | Co-Executive Director of Operations
Master of Analytical Political Economy | Department of Economics
patrick.crotty@duke.edu
Patrick is pursuing an M.A. in Analytical Political Economy, a program co-housed within the Department of Economics and Department of Political Science. Patrick joined DISI his first semester at Duke and has enjoyed working with students and organizations looking to make a positive impact. Before moving to Durham, Patrick earned his B.S. in Economics and B.A. in Political Science from the College of Charleston. In his free time, Patrick likes to exercise, cook, and drink too much coffee.
Master of Analytical Political Economy | Department of Economics
patrick.crotty@duke.edu
Patrick is pursuing an M.A. in Analytical Political Economy, a program co-housed within the Department of Economics and Department of Political Science. Patrick joined DISI his first semester at Duke and has enjoyed working with students and organizations looking to make a positive impact. Before moving to Durham, Patrick earned his B.S. in Economics and B.A. in Political Science from the College of Charleston. In his free time, Patrick likes to exercise, cook, and drink too much coffee.
PARTNER OUTREACH
Peyton Brooks | Co-Executive Director of Partner Outreach
Master of Quantitative Management | Fuqua School of Business
peyton.brooks@duke.edu
Peyton is currently pursuing his Masters in Quantitative Management (MQM) at The Fuqua School of Business and prior to coming to Duke, he received his BS in Social Entrepreneurship at Florida State University. Outside of school, he has experience working in corporate strategy, asset management, and startups. When he is not working, he loves playing ultimate frisbee, hanging out with friends, and traveling.
Master of Quantitative Management | Fuqua School of Business
peyton.brooks@duke.edu
Peyton is currently pursuing his Masters in Quantitative Management (MQM) at The Fuqua School of Business and prior to coming to Duke, he received his BS in Social Entrepreneurship at Florida State University. Outside of school, he has experience working in corporate strategy, asset management, and startups. When he is not working, he loves playing ultimate frisbee, hanging out with friends, and traveling.
Shimin Yu | Co-Executive Director of Partner Outreach
Master of Quantitative Management | Fuqua School of Business
shimin.yu@duke.edu
Shimin is a master student in the Master of Quantitative Management at Fuqua School of Business. She is from Nanjing, China and has studied in the US since undergraduate school. She received her BS in supply chain and information system at Penn State University before moving to Durham. Shimin joined DISI as project manager last semester and has enjoyed working on projects with her colleagues. During her free time, she likes playing volleyball and watching movies.
Master of Quantitative Management | Fuqua School of Business
shimin.yu@duke.edu
Shimin is a master student in the Master of Quantitative Management at Fuqua School of Business. She is from Nanjing, China and has studied in the US since undergraduate school. She received her BS in supply chain and information system at Penn State University before moving to Durham. Shimin joined DISI as project manager last semester and has enjoyed working on projects with her colleagues. During her free time, she likes playing volleyball and watching movies.
INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT
Danielle Shediac | Co-Executive Director of Internal Development
Master of Quantitative Management | Fuqua School of Business
danielle.shediac@duke.edu
Danielle is a student in the Masters in Quantitative Management at the Fuqua School of Business. Originally from Lebanon, she grew up in Abu Dhabi for 18 years before moving to Beirut to pursue her bachelor in Business Administration from the American University of Beirut. She has 2.5 years of management consulting experience in the Middle East and is looking forward to joining the DISI executive team and giving back to the community!
Master of Quantitative Management | Fuqua School of Business
danielle.shediac@duke.edu
Danielle is a student in the Masters in Quantitative Management at the Fuqua School of Business. Originally from Lebanon, she grew up in Abu Dhabi for 18 years before moving to Beirut to pursue her bachelor in Business Administration from the American University of Beirut. She has 2.5 years of management consulting experience in the Middle East and is looking forward to joining the DISI executive team and giving back to the community!
Aili Hao | Co-Executive Director of Internal Development
PhD, Biochemistry | Medical School - Biochemistry
aili.hao@duke.edu
Aili is a fifth year PhD candidate in Department of Biochemistry. She is from Beijing, China and moved to United State since high school. Aili studied Microbiology at University of Wisconsin- Madison for undergraduate. With an interest in bacteria and structural biological, Aili is currently working on bacteria membrane for her thesis study. In free time, she likes to cuddle with her cat (Elsa), travel to different countries and explore different culture (pre-pandemic). She gained a new hobby during the pandemic - cooking & baking, especially break baking. Aili is very exiting to be part of the DISI again this semester!
PhD, Biochemistry | Medical School - Biochemistry
aili.hao@duke.edu
Aili is a fifth year PhD candidate in Department of Biochemistry. She is from Beijing, China and moved to United State since high school. Aili studied Microbiology at University of Wisconsin- Madison for undergraduate. With an interest in bacteria and structural biological, Aili is currently working on bacteria membrane for her thesis study. In free time, she likes to cuddle with her cat (Elsa), travel to different countries and explore different culture (pre-pandemic). She gained a new hobby during the pandemic - cooking & baking, especially break baking. Aili is very exiting to be part of the DISI again this semester!
MARKETING AND STUDENT OUTREACH
Grégoire De Veyt | Executive Director of Marketing and Student Outreach
Master of Quantitative Management | Fuqua School of Business
gregoire.de.veyt@duke.edu
Grégoire is from Belgium and goes by Greg and is currently pursuing his Masters in Business Analytics at Fuqua. He has an MBA with specialization in Business Information Management from his alma mater in Belgium, combined with a BA in Business Administration. He has been selected to spearhead the marketing of DISI as executive and looks forward to working with all of DISI! In his free time he enjoys he enjoys playing golf, soccer and rugby.
Master of Quantitative Management | Fuqua School of Business
gregoire.de.veyt@duke.edu
Grégoire is from Belgium and goes by Greg and is currently pursuing his Masters in Business Analytics at Fuqua. He has an MBA with specialization in Business Information Management from his alma mater in Belgium, combined with a BA in Business Administration. He has been selected to spearhead the marketing of DISI as executive and looks forward to working with all of DISI! In his free time he enjoys he enjoys playing golf, soccer and rugby.
Strategic Planning
Travis Dauwalter | Executive Director of Strategic Planning
PhD, Public Policy and Economics | The Graduate School
travis.dauwalter@duke.edu
Travis is a fourth year PhD candidate pursuing a joint PhD in Public Policy and Economics. He studies US energy policy with a focus on how market design can affect class inequities. Travis was elected and served as President of the Graduate and Professional Student Government during the 2018-2019 Academic Year. Prior to Duke, Travis served for five years as an officer in the United States Air Force and spent another five years in the Energy Industry, working first for General Electric and then for Haskell, a design-build firm that constructs power plants. He has a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy, an MBA from Pennsylvania State University, and an MA in Economics from Columbia University. Travis is married with three small children. He has no free time.
PhD, Public Policy and Economics | The Graduate School
travis.dauwalter@duke.edu
Travis is a fourth year PhD candidate pursuing a joint PhD in Public Policy and Economics. He studies US energy policy with a focus on how market design can affect class inequities. Travis was elected and served as President of the Graduate and Professional Student Government during the 2018-2019 Academic Year. Prior to Duke, Travis served for five years as an officer in the United States Air Force and spent another five years in the Energy Industry, working first for General Electric and then for Haskell, a design-build firm that constructs power plants. He has a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy, an MBA from Pennsylvania State University, and an MA in Economics from Columbia University. Travis is married with three small children. He has no free time.
