Class of 2027
Luke Alvarez is a Finance major from Lake Wales, Florida, currently living in Baumer Hall. His primary research interest lies in the mass production of affordable housing and the positive impact it can have on sustainability. His involvement in Student International Business Council and Investment Club have helped prepare him to pursue these interests by developing his understanding of economic trends and facets that govern the housing industry. This past year, he was also a part of the First Undergraduate Experience in Leadership cohort, where he was able to work on initiatives with Notre Dame’s Department of Disability Advocacy. In his free time, Luke enjoys spending time outside, doing anything from playing football with friends to hunting and fishing back home in Florida.
Sydney Anel is majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior in the College of Science with a minor in Patient Advocacy. She is fascinated by neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, and she is also interested in studying the interaction between neural control and prosthetic devices. Currently, she does research in Dr. Jessica Payne's Sleep, Stress, and Memory (SAM) Lab where she intends to study the impact of quality of sleep with the development of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Additionally, she serves as the Vice Head of the Social Committee for the 2027 Class Council, planning events for her classmates. She is also involved in the Notre Dame Swim Club, Biotech Club, and the American Medical Women's Association. After graduation, she plans to pursue an MD-PhD to continue her passions in medicine and research.
Joe Balto is an Aerospace Engineering major pursuing a minor in Theology. His early childhood memories of visits to the local astronomical society planted a seed of questioning wonder that still inspires him today. He is currently researching the additive manufacturing of transparent filaments in order to 3D print lenses, and he hopes to expand on his interest to contribute to new improvements in telescope-related technologies by pursuing a PhD after graduating. Joe also plans to study the implementation of MOPA lasers to create colored films on metallic substrates via destructive interference to further his understanding of the field of optics. Additionally, Joe is an active member of the structures/manufacturing squad on Notre Dame's Design Build Fly team, the Notre Dame Men's Club Water Polo Team, the pianist for Stanford Hall weekly mass, and Stanford Co-Commisioner of Social Events. When he's not working, he loves spending time outside on North Quad, playing chess, and watching the Baltimore Orioles play.
Not Pictured: Sophia Baquerizo
Aiden Gilroy is majoring in Political Science and Philosophy. His current research area is in digital privacy, where he hopes to understand better the impacts of social media and smartphones on developing minds and write policies to decrease the associated harms. Currently, he is involved as a writer for Notre Dame’s New AI project which produces monthly updates on the development of AI around the globe, as well as, a writer for the Application, Ethics, and Governance of AI initiative where he has produced pieces on AI’s impact on education and religion. Outside of academics, he is passionate about spreading the gospel and is the vice president of the Colligate Gospel Group on campus. Additionally, he loves to read, rock climb, and spend time outside. His goal is to pursue law school after graduating from Notre Dame and help regulate Big Tech to create a less detrimental relationship between humans and technology.
Catherine Judson is majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace engineering and a minor in philosophy. She is involved in the Domer Rover design team, where she contributes to the design of a prototype of a Mars rover on both the science subteam and the mechanical subteam. Furthermore, she is interested in astrophysics and is currently involved in research primarily focused on primordial black holes and their growth into supermassive black holes. This is to find a model of the universe that aligns with how space currently behaves. Around campus, she enjoys club swim and playing piano for dorm masses in Johnson Family Hall. After graduation, she hopes to enter the aerospace engineering industry for a couple of years and then attend graduate school to study the intersection of astrophysics and mechanical engineering to further her knowledge of how the universe works.
Kevin Kelley is a member of the Class of 2027 majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior, minoring in Health, Humanities, and Society. He is on a Pre-MD/MPH track, with special interests in Public Health, and hopes to one day be a physician working in the Public Health field. He does research alongside Dr. GA Radvansky in the Notre Dame Memory Lab, focusing on neural pathways of encoding new memories. He also participated in Global Health research through the Eck Institute of Global Health, focusing on loneliness and suicidality in the South Bend Community. Around campus, he was a member of First Year Class Council (FYCC), is a current member of Sophomore Class Council, is a founder and Co-President of the Notre Dame chapter of the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). He is also the Keenan Hall Programming Chair, and is a weekly volunteer at A Rosie Place for Children Hospital.
Erin King is a chemical engineering major with a strong passion for energy and pharmaceuticals. She is currently pursuing these interests as an undergraduate researcher in the Bohn group, where she focuses on electrochemical approaches to scientific questions. Her projects include multiplex sensing of cytokines, electrochemically fabricating Molecularly Imprinted Poymers (MIPs) in nanopores, and detecting Nitrosamines in solution via Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs). Outside of the lab, Erin is a part of several student organizations, including the Engineering Leadership Council, Student Government, ChemE Car, and the Notre Dame Climbing Club. In fact, when she is not in lab or class, Erin can most likely be found at the climbing wall, working as a RecSports employee, or simply having a good time. On the off-chance that the climbing wall is closed, she will be outside, enjoying the sunset, climbing rocks and trees, or, in the best-case scenario, doing both at the same time.
Grace Krane is majoring in Biology and planning to minor in Catholic Social Teaching (CST). She enjoys engaging in opportunities through the Center for Social Concerns (CSC), and participated in the 2023 RISE program and 2023 Appalachia Seminar. In 2024, Grace will participate in the ND Bridge program working with adults with intellectual disabilities at L’Arche Daybreak in Toronto, Canada, and as a leader for the Appalachia Seminar. On campus, Grace is passionate about volunteering with the ND Special Olympics Club, is a member of the ND Biology Club, and will serve as a Co-Vice President of the ND Herbivore Society starting in Fall 2024, where she is excited to share her experiences in plant-based cooking. She has served as a Junior Commissioner for the signature Mass event in Flaherty Hall, and will continue to do so as a Head Commissioner. Interested in climate change and engaging with the natural world, Grace wants to pursue ways that we can promote opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to participate in the outdoors and work toward mitigating climate change. In Spring 2024, she started working in Dr. Jennifer Tank’s lab assisting with research in the fields of ecology and environmental biology. She is working to develop an independent research project focusing on antibiotic resistance genes and environmental DNA as it applies to pesticide runoff, stream ecology, and urban water system sustainability. Grace enjoys swimming, pick-up games of sand volleyball, and lectoring for Flaherty Hall Masses. After graduation, Grace plans to pursue graduate school to continue her passion for research and goal of making environmental change initiatives accessible to all.
Vincent Micheli is pursuing a major in History and a minor in Constitutional Studies. He loves American history and culture, and he would like to research the stories of communities and the members that comprise them. Before coming to Notre Dame, he was heavily involved in the Boy Scouts of America and enjoyed its merit badge program. On campus, Vincent enjoys conversation, reading, writing, and any event he can get involved in. He is also a part of the Write to Vote Project, which helps students across the country publish op-eds related to voting rights.
David Minogue, is an Industrial Design major with an emphasis on Engineering. Minogue is an accomplished designer with experience at the world-renowned Pilot Agency. He has received multiple design awards and maintains an extensive network of clients across the country such as Duke University, the Yellowstone Club, Team Impact and countless others. David, a passionate entrepreneur has founded Spade Graphic Design and Beached Boat Apparel Co., and plays a role in many other startups in the creative space. He is an IDEA Center fellow and serves in various capacities at the center, while also working as a designer for the University of Notre Dame. Minogue continues to work full time while being a student and is committed to exploring new technology in Design.
Carmen Noe is studying Chemical Engineering and Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics. Her research experience includes the use of molecular dynamics simulations and data analysis to optimize reaction conditions in the Colón Group, a part of the Computational Molecular Science and Engineering Lab. Outside of academics, she has gotten involved in the First-Year Engineering Council’s Community Outreach Committee, a Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations team, and the leadership of Notre Dame’s American Institute for Chemical Engineers chapter. She is excited to serve as the Inclusivity Chair and Service Commissioner for Howard Hall, as well as the Junior Director of Sponsorship on the Engineering Leadership Council.
Andre Rainville is double majoring in History and Political Science in the School of Arts and Letters with an intended minor in business economics. He is also an undergraduate fellow at the Notre Dame International Security Center. Possessing an intense interest in the world of military history, international security, and foreign policy, Andre hopes to use his knowledge to preserve national security and democracy. He is currently researching the relationship between the Cuban military, intelligence networks and the proliferation of communism in the Caribbean and Central America. On campus, Andre is the Chair of Operations for EuroSec, an active member and volunteer with the Knights of Columbus and Notre Dame Right to Life, and he is a Sorin Fellow. He also works as an ND Listens caller. In his free time, in addition to participating in Siegfried Hall events, Andre enjoys playing strategy games, reading, and collecting militaria. After graduation, Andre hopes to pursue a PhD in War Studies and/or attend law school. year.
Emma Walson is double-majoring in Anthropology and Psychology with a supplementary major in French and Francophone studies. Emma is interested in studying the intersection of language, culture, and politics, with an emphasis on how language is used by politicians and to describe political stances today. On campus, she will be working with the Memory Lab in the psychology department. She is a member of the First Aid Services Team and the American Red Cross Club of Notre Dame. In her free time, she enjoys running, horror movies, listening to music, and crossword puzzles. After Notre Dame, she hopes to obtain a PsyD in a francophone country. She is looking forward to building connections with fellow scholars and celebrating their successes with them."
Connor Whalen is a Biological Sciences major on the pre-med track in the College of Science. He does research at St. Louis University in the Jain Lab and currently studies hepatic ischaemia reperfusion injury in a novel machine perfusion model. He analyzes iron chelators as potential therapeutics to mitigate ferroptosis in liver transplant surgery. On campus, he is a member of the biology club and the Society of Catholic Scientists. Following his time at Notre Dame, Connor plans to pursue an MD-PhD.
Leo Winters is an Architecture major with a concentration in Historic Preservation and Restoration with a minor in Peace Studies from Cumberland, Indiana. He is a Building Bridges Mentee, a part of Notre Dame’s Quiz Bowl team, a part his hall’s St. Andre’s Committee, and an active member of the Campus Life division of Notre Dame’s Diversity Council. His interests outside of architecture include geopolitics, nature, and aviation. His research interests include digital reconstructions of destroyed or unrealized historic structures, exploring the role of the built environment in diplomacy, and the discovery of new insulation methods and materials. In the future, he hopes to work as a municipal architect and masterplanner for a major city, preferably Indianapolis, to realize the potential of architecture and diplomacy.