International Student Advisory Council

Computer Science, B.S.

Turkey

Yazgi is from Istanbul and is currently studying Computer Science (B.S.)with a Minor in PPE (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) at UB with the Yildizlar Education Fund (YEF) Scholarship. She is involved on campus as PR Chair of UB Association for Computing Machinery Club, and Underclassmen Rep. of UB Society of Women Engineers Club. She is a big fan of Eric Clapton, Joan Baez, Taylor Swift, and discussing the origins of Baklava.. Yazgi is a believer of “being the change you wish to see in the world.” 

Electrical Engineering, Ph.D.

India

Sarbajit ‘Sam’ Basu is a PhD student in the Department of Electrical Engineering, investigating data-driven control applications for DC Micro-grids. A former instructor and avid student advocate, Sam brings a wealth of experience in mentoring and collaborating with peers. Beyond his academic pursuits, Sam is passionate about advocating for the rights and duties of international students, graduate student concerns, queer rights, and the importance of celebrating his Asian Indian Hindu religio-ethnic identity while blending in with the fabric of the USA. Sarbajit enjoys engaging in thought-provoking discussions and finding humor in everyday life. You can contact him via email or join him for his daily brew at Starbucks.

Chemical Engineering, Ph.D.

Nigeria

Biomedical Sciences, B.S.

India

Tanvi is currently a junior and has been a part of ISAC for a year. She has shown her campus involvement by holding various positions. She is a WiSE ambassador (Women in Science and Engineering) and an academic coach at the Tutoring and Academic Support Services (TASS).  She is also a Resident Assistant (RA) in Campus Living and an International Student Service (ISS) Academic Success Student Advocate. She is also the director of engagement at the UB chapter of Food Recovery Network (FRN). In addition, she is also a student researcher and an active volunteer.

Neuroscience, B.S.

Iran

Pantea (She/Her) is an international undergraduate student at UB majoring in Neuroscience. She is from Tehran, Iran. At UB, she has been a welcome weekend leader, a student engagement ambassador, an academic tutor and an International Student Advisory Council founding member. 

Global Gender Studies, Ph.D.

Nigeria

Joyce Adeola Jekayinoluwa, M.A. is a Ph.D. student, Graduate Teaching Assistant and Graduate Fellow in Global Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University at Buffalo. Her research focuses on the Implementation of sexual violence policies in higher education institutions in Nigeria and the US. She is passionate about gender violence prevention, community-based interventions, and advocacy.

As a Peer Educator with the UB Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Unit, Joyce develops initiatives promoting healthy attitudes toward gender roles and relationships. Joyce's commitment to service and leadership is evident through her involvement in several organizations. She currently serves as the President of the UNA-USA University at Buffalo Chapter, a Delegate for the Commission on the Status of Women, and the Co-founder of BBRIDGE, a supportive community for Black women addressing intimate partner violence and educating the public on healthy relationships.

Exploratory, B.A.

Bangladesh

Theater and Dance, Ph.D.

South Africa

Kuhle Mbawu is an international South African student working on her Theatre and Performance, Ph.D. Her pronouns are (She/Her/Hers). She is a member of the Graduate Students of Color (GSOC) and the Executive member of the Nigerian Students Association. In her spare time, she takes walks to observe nature, sing, and listen to music.

Computer Science, B.S.

India

Computer Science, B.S.

India

Rishav is the current PR Chair of UB Divtech, a SEAS club affiliated with the Department of Computer Science. He also serves as an ISS Academic Success Student Advocate, SEAS Peer Mentor, and Student Engagement Ambassador. He hails from a musically inclined family and is an ardent lover of Indian classical music.

Curriculum Instruction and the Science of Learning, Ph.D.

Nigeria

Anthonia Ojeh is a Ph.D. student in the Curriculum, Instruction, and the Science of Learning program within the Department of Learning and Instruction. Her research focuses on evaluating commercially developed literacy curricula to assess their alignment with evidence-based practices. This effort is aimed at improving literacy and reading instruction through equitable access to high-quality materials for both educators and students.

Outside of her academic pursuits, Anthonia enjoys binge-reading novels by her favorite authors and nurturing close connections with family. As a member of the International Students Advisory Council (ISAC), she is dedicated to amplifying the voices of international students and advocating for inclusive policies, meaningful support, and a vibrant campus experience.

Educational Leadership and Policy, Ph.D.

Kazakhstan

Karly is a Ph.D. student in Higher Education, originally from Kazakhstan, with a deep interest in how AI is shaping the student experience and well-being. As a mother and international graduate student, she cares deeply about advocating for the diverse needs of our global community, especially fellow student-parents. Her journey has taken her from corporate leadership to MBA teaching and now to educational research, all driven by a passion for empowering underrepresented voices. As an ISAC member, she is excited to listen, collaborate, and help create meaningful solutions that support and uplift international students. Outside of academics, you will find her traveling, swimming, walking, or happily lost in a good book.

Management Information Systems, M.S.

India

Praghati is a Master’s student from Coimbatore, India, with a deep passion for information security and risk management. With just two suitcases and a million dreams, she began her journey as an international student determined to carve her place in the world of information security. 

She believes in the power of shared experiences, peer support, and meaningful conversation to shape not just careers, but communities where students feel seen, supported, and empowered, especially those who are stepping into unfamiliar environments with big ambitions. When she's not immersed in coursework, you will likely find her exploring new places, bird watching, writing snippets, taking photographs, or simply enjoying a quiet evening walk while admiring the graffiti around the city. 

Praghati always believes in the magic of good conversations, so when your paths cross, feel free to drop in and say hi.

Language Education, Ph.D.

Japan

Yuya Yamamoto (he/him/his) is a PhD student in Language Education and Multilingualism. He is an international student from Japan and studied in the UK for his MA. Also, he was an English language teacher for five years in Japan. In his free time, he likes watching sports (especially baseball and soccer) and going to local cafés.

EEB Sustainability, Ph.D.

Nigeria

Biomedical Engineering, B.S.

Nepal

Diwash (He/Him/His) is majoring in Biomedical Engineering with interests in Medical Imaging. He is a part of UB Nepalese Student Association (NSA), Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Chapter at UB for a year now. Besides this, he is the Club Director for L.Y. 2025/26 of Nepal’s oldest living Leo Club, Leo Club of Kathmandu Himalayas Patan. One of his motives to join ISAC is to increase the visibility of ISAC amongst International Students at UB so that they can get good advice and support in times of need. Also, he is representing his country, Nepal at ISAC.

Mechanical Engineering, B.S.

Bangladesh

Wasif is an undergraduate Honors Scholar at the University at Buffalo, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. On campus, he works at the Silverman Library and serves as an Admissions Office Tour Guide, a SEAS Peer Mentor, and a tutor at the TASS Center. Actively involved in student leadership, he has been part of organizations such as Engineers for a Sustainable World and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Passionate about international collaboration and student advocacy, Wasif brings experience in public speaking, community engagement, and global outreach. Outside academics, he enjoys mentoring peers, exploring new cultures, and applying his skills in engineering, digital marketing, and social impact initiatives.