Vivian Glenn
Vivian Glenn is the Founder and President of Wellness Through Clay, a student-led initiative that creates space for students to unwind, connect, and explore ceramics. After taking ceramics throughout high school, she saw there wasn’t a place to engage with it recreationally at Rutgers and started WTC to bring that experience to campus. She is also involved in public health research, with experience at Brown University School of Public Health, the Rutgers Center for Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, and the RWJ Women’s Health Institute, focusing on substance use disorder, mental health, and policy. She works as a Learning Assistant for Physics for the Sciences. Outside of school, she enjoys baking, exploring coffee shops, and traveling. Fun fact: Vivian has traveled to 14 countries in 3 months!
Saulė Mikaliūnaitė
Having moved to the United States at 13, Saule has learned the importance of balancing consistent hard work with creative and physical outlets. She enjoys different forms of exercise like biking, rock climbing, skiing, hiking, swimming, and weightlifting. She also loves expressing her creativity through pottery, photography, and writing. With WTC, she is excited to help other high-achieving students create that balance and provide them with a space to socialize, relax, and engage through the tactile process of creating with clay! Alongside her rigorous coursework, Saule serves as an assistant researcher at Dr. Lei Yu’s lab, as well as a learning assistant for physics and a chess instructor for middle school students. She recently attended the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting (in San Diego), where she presented her research poster. Fun fact: Saule has a twin sister who is a professional ballerina!
Leudgiana Marcelin
Leudgiana Marcelin is an Exercise Science major with a strong interest in the intersection of physical health and clinical research. She currently works as a Recreation Aide, where she enjoys the opportunity to work closely with the elderly, assisting them with daily engagement and wellness activities. Her professional experience in recreation has sparked a commitment to understanding how movement can improve the quality of life for older populations. Leudgiana is dedicated to applying her academic background to meaningful research within her field. In her spare time, she is an avid reader and enjoys staying active through outdoor hobbies like hiking.
Ikjot Puar
Ikjot Puar is from Piscataway, New Jersey, and is pursuing a major in Psychology with a minor in Biology on the pre-optometry track. She has been a member of RUPOPS, the Pre-Optometry Professions Society, for all of her years at Rutgers and served as President of the organization this past year. She is also a veteran volunteer for the New Jersey Special Olympics and the local clinical coordinator for Sikh Medical Initiative. Outside of school, Ikjot loves to draw and paint, cook, and run.
Zabrina Garofalo
Zabrina Garofalo is from Middletown, New Jersey, and has lived there for the past 8 years. She is pursuing a major in Biological Sciences and is on the pre-medical track. Outside of the classroom, she volunteers at a non-profit health organization as a community health worker (CHW) and translates for patients who are unable to speak English. Although she adores science, she values creativity just as much. She loves art, baking, playing video games, drawing both digitally and traditionally, writing, and spending quality time with those closest to her. Fun fact: Zabrina has moved over 10 times!
Zofia Garofalo
Zofia Garofalo moved from California to Middletown, New Jersey in 6th grade. Since then, they have decided to pursue their dream of becoming a veterinarian. Being a freshman, they haven’t had the opportunity to volunteer or research anything yet, but they were the treasurer for their previous school’s Environmental Club and participated in, through nomination, the Teen Arts Show. Along with a passion for the sciences, they have a love for all types of art. They have made clay creations before, but prefer drawing, both digitally and traditionally, and painting. They also enjoy playing video games, watching movies and anime, reading manga, watching and reading horror-related content, and spending time with their closest friends and family. Fun fact: Zofia has dyed their hair over 58 times!
Sheila Tabanli
Sheila Tabanli earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science from Missouri University of Science & Technology and is currently an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Rutgers University–New Brunswick. Her work focuses on designing student-centered, evidence-based instructional strategies that improve learning experiences and foster a sense of belonging in math classrooms. She developed an instructional framework grounded in cognitive science and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). With over 20 years of experience in K–20 education, she brings deep expertise in inclusive and research-based teaching practices. She is also a Rutgers Chancellor Teaching Fellow, developing pedagogical innovations to support personalized learning pathways. In addition, she supports Wellness Through Clay as a dedicated faculty sponsor, offering guidance to advance its mission of creativity, wellness, and community.
Team Photos
