Meet the Student Council

ASA Student Council

The ASA Student Council is composed of a chairperson and 14 representatives who each represent one Technical Committee (TC). Below, you can learn more about each member of the student council.

Student Council Chair: Cassidy Christie

Term: Fall 2026 – Spring 2028
University of Texas at Austin, USA
Pronouns: she/her
cchristie@utexas.edu
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Cassidy Christie is a PhD student in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin and at the Applied Research Laboratories. She is supervised by Dr. Mark F. Hamilton, and studies acoustic radiation force on heterogeneous particles and nonlinear shear wave beams in tissues. Cassidy received her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in music from the University of Rochester in 2024. As an undergraduate, she participated in research and engineering projects concerning musical pitch tracking and neural encoding, models of age-related hearing loss, RF angle-of-arrival software implementation, and methods for bone conduction evaluation. In addition to her research, Cassidy loves encouraging the next generation of scientists and engineers by volunteering with Women in STEM of UT Austin. In her free time, she enjoys golfing, crocheting, and trying out new coffee shops.

Previous TC Rep:  Fall 2025 – Spring 2026: Chirag Gokani, University of Texas at Austin, USA

Animal Bioacoustics Representative: Lucinda Chambers

Term: Fall 2025 – Spring 2027
University of New South Wales
Pronouns: she/her
Lucindachambers2577@gmail.com
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Lucinda Chambers is a PhD candidate in marine bioacoustics at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, under the supervision of Professor Tracey Rogers. Lucinda received her Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering in 2023 from UNSW and completed an honour’s thesis in aeroacoustics studying noiseless flight of gliding insects. After some time spent as an acoustic engineer in an environmental consultancy, she returned to UNSW in 2023 to begin a PhD on the acoustic soundscapes of the Southern Ocean. In particular, her thesis focuses on communication systems of Antarctic marine mammals, including leopard seals and beaked whales. In her free time, you can find her performing pub gigs in Sydney with her band or hiking coastline trails in search of the best hidden whale watching spots.

Previous TC Rep:  Fall 2023 – Spring 2025: Marissa Garcia, Cornell University

Architectural Acoustics Representative: Lizette Wong

Term: Fall 2025 – Spring 2027
University of Texas at Austin, USA
Pronouns: she/her/hers
lizettewong@utexas.edu
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Lizette is a PhD student in mechanical engineering at UT Austin working with Dr. Michael Haberman to explore the spatio-temporal modulation of acoustic metamaterials. She received her B.S. in electrical engineering and B.M. in jazz piano in May 2025. Lizette was drawn to acoustics because of how it bridges engineering and music to shape the human experience of listening and interacting with sound. Outside of school, Lizette loves to make music, bake, read, and find new matcha and coffee shops.

Previous TC Rep:  Fall 2023 – Spring 2025: Olivia Heui Young Park, The Pennsylvania State University, USA

Acoustical Oceanography Representative: Camille Wardlaw


Term: Spring 2026 – Fall 2028
MIT-WHOI Joint Program, Massachusetts, USA
camille.wardlaw@whoi.edu
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Camille Wardlaw is a PhD student in the MIT-WHOI Joint Program in Applied Ocean Science and Engineering. She is advised by Gordon Zhang (WHOI), Andone Lavery (OSU), and Julien Bonnel (UCSD)—proof that it takes a village! Her research focuses on signal processing methods for broadband acoustic backscatter, particularly in application to deep-sea communities. She previously earned her B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from UC Santa Barbara, where the oceanfront view may have influenced her career choices.

Camille is passionate about mentorship and graduate school demystification. Outside of research, Camille can be found backpacking, scuba diving, and learning to sail.

Previous TC rep: Fall 2024 – Spring 2026: Jade Lopez Case, University of Rhode Island

Biomedical Acoustics Representative: Nicholas Rivet

Term: Fall 2026 – Spring 2028
Western New England University, Massachusetts, USA
Nicholas.Rivet@wne.edu

Nicholas M. Rivet is a PhD Fellow in Mechanical Engineering at Western New England
University, where he is advised by Dr. Bart Lipkens. His research focuses on biomedical
acoustics and acoustofluidics, particularly the use of high-frequency acoustic standing waves for
particle and cell manipulation in continuous biomanufacturing applications.
Prior to his doctoral studies, Nicholas worked as an R&D engineer at MilliporeSigma/FloDesign
Sonics, where he helped develop and characterize ultrasonic separation technologies for
bioprocessing. His current work combines acoustic device design, experimental characterization,
and applied fluid systems with the goal of advancing acoustically driven separation tools for
biologics and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
In addition to research, Nicholas enjoys live music, playing ice hockey, and walking his dog in
the mountains.

Previous TC Rep: Fall 2025 – Spring 2026: Cassidy Christie, University of Texas at Austin, USA

Computational Acoustic Representative: Prashanth Tamilselvam

Term: Fall 2026 – Spring 2028
Illinois Institute of Technology
ptamilselvam@hawk.illinoistech.edu
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Prashanth Tamilselvam is a PhD candidate in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, where he is advised by Dr. Francisco Ruiz. His research focuses on the aeroacoustics of human whistling, where he investigates the fundamental fluid mechanics behind sound generation using synthetic experimental models and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Prashanth earned his M.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Illinois Tech in 2020 and his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University, Chennai in 2017. Prior to returning for his doctorate in 2024, he spent four years working as a process engineer in the electronics industry. In his free time, Prashanth enjoys learning the piano and taking walks along Lake Michigan.

Previous TC Rep: Spring 2025 – Spring 2026: Philip Kaufinger, University of Texas at Austin

Engineering Acoustics Representative: Simón Montoya-Bedoya


Term: Spring 2026 – Spring 2028
University of Texas at Austin, USA
simonmontoyabedoya@utexas.edu
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Simón Montoya-Bedoya is a Colombian Fulbright Scholar and a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at UT Austin working with Prof. Michael Haberman. His current work focuses on non-destructive testing for batteries, using ultrasonic testing to better understand the interaction between the electrochemical and mechanical behavior in batteries. Before joining UT Austin, he earned a B.Eng in Control Engineering from Universidad Nacional de Colombia and both a B.Eng in Nanotechnology Engineering and an M.Eng from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. During his master’s, he worked as a Junior Ultrasound Scientist at Verasonics, a leading company in ultrasound technology for research applications.

Outside of his research he enjoys reading, watching movies, and any kind of outdoor activity.

Previous TC Rep: Fall 2024 – Spring 2026: Matthew Olmstead, The Pennsylvania State University, USA

Musical Acoustics Representative: Jee Woo (Kevin) Kim

Term: Spring 2026 – Fall 2027
Penn State University
jvk6427@psu.edu
Website

Jee Woo (Kevin) Kim is a Ph.D. candidate in Acoustics at Penn State. As a member of Dr. Yun Jing’s Sound Innovation in Metamaterials and Biomedical Acoustics (SIMBA) lab, he researches acoustic metamaterials and parametric acoustic arrays. Previously, he studied at the University of Hartford with a major in Acoustical Engineering and Music (Clarinet performance). His passion for acoustics began in his sophomore year in high school after realizing his passion for both architecture and music, eventually figuring that if he couldn’t build the hall or play the solo, he might as well master the physics that makes them work together.

When not in the lab, he enjoys composing, listening to music, and cooking.

Previous TC Rep: Spring 2024 – Fall 2025: May Pik Yu Chan, University of Pennsylvania

Noise Representative: Caner Baydur

Term: Spring 2025 – Fall 2026
Tongji University, China
canerbaydur@tongji.edu.cn
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Caner is a Ph.D. candidate in Design at the College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University (Shanghai, China), and a member of Sustain X (Complex Sociotechnical Systems Design Research Centre). He received his B.Sc. in Architecture with First-class Honours in 2016 and obtained a Chinese-taught M.Sc. in Physics at Tongji University in 2022, becoming the first international student at the university’s Institute of Acoustics. He completed his M.Sc. thesis on reconfigurable acoustic metasurfaces.

By leveraging his interdisciplinary background, Caner has been exploring ideas in his Ph.D. research that focus on integrating programmable acoustic ventilation metamaterials into the built environment. His doctoral studies are supervised by Professors Yongqi Lou, Jian Kang, Nicholas Fang, Yong Li, and Xu Wang. His efforts in acoustics have been recognised and supported by esteemed institutions, such as the Acoustical Society of America, China Scholarship Council, Bank of China, Turkish Physics Society, and Turkish Physics Foundation.

When he’s not immersed in research, Caner enjoys honing his skills on the violin and staying fit through tennis.

Previous TC Rep: Spring 2023 – Fall 2024: Logan Matthews, Brigham Young University

Physical Acoustics Representative: Makayle Kellison

Term: Fall 2025 – Spring 2027
Brigham Young University
Pronouns: she/her/hers
makayle@student.byu.edu
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Makayle Kellison is a Ph.D. student in physics (acoustics) at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She is part of Dr. Kent Gee’s Physics and Aerospace Student-Centered Acoustics Laboratory (PASCAL). Her research focuses on rocket and jet aeroacoustics, particularly the propulsion noise generated by NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS). She is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, a Barry Goldwater Scholar, and previously interned at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.
Makayle completed her B.A. in physics at Rollins College, a liberal arts school in Winter Park, Florida. She was first introduced to acoustics research as an undergraduate student, where she studied organ pipe and clarinet acoustics.
Having attended high school abroad in Amman, Jordan, Makayle enjoys traveling and exploring new places (especially beaches). Outside of the lab, she spends her time swimming, running, reading, and hanging out with her cat, Chip!

Previous TC Rep:  Fall 2023 – Spring 2025: Jack Case, Penn State University, USA

Psychological and Physiological Acoustics Representative:
Abhijit Roy

Term: Fall 2024 – Spring 2026
Northwestern University
AbhijitRoy2025@u.northwestern.edu
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Abhijit is a PhD candidate in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northwestern University. He works with Dr. Pamela Souza in her Hearing Aid Lab, focusing on projects related to listener preferences from amplification strategies in hearing aids. Abhijit received his MA in Acoustical Studies from the Johns Hopkins University and his BFA in Sound Design and Music Production from the Savannah College of Art and Design. His research work has spanned language-specificity requirements in hearing aids, acoustic based behavioral studies in the mouse and chicken animal models, and acoustic analysis of hearing aid function. He has also spent time working on developing ML based speech separator algorithms to help hearing aids function in noise better. When not in the lab, Abhijit can be found practising guitar, playing soccer or cricket, or reading mountaineering novels.

 

Previous TC Rep:  Fall 2022 – Spring 2024: Ann Holmes, University of Louisville

Structural Acoustics and Vibration Representative: Jeff Bell

Term: Fall 2025 – Spring 2027
Penn State University
jjb7481@psu.edu

Jeff Bell is a PhD student and National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) fellow at Penn State University advised by Dr. Yun Jing. His area of research includes numerical methods for solving heterogeneous and nonlinear acoustics problems with applications in lithotripsy, transcranial ultrasound, and underwater communications. He graduated with a B.M. in Piano Performance, B.S. in Applied Mathematics, and a M.A. in Mathematics from the University of Alabama in 2022.

Outside of acoustics, he enjoys making music, playing board games, the outdoors, and studying history.

Previous TC Rep: Spring 2025: Klara Chojnacka, AGH University of Krakow

Speech Communication Representative: Aoi Hunsaker

Term: Spring 2026 – Spring 2028
University of Washington
aoih@uw.edu
Personal website

Aoi Hunsaker is a PhD student in the Neural Systems and Behavior area of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington Seattle, where she is co-mentored by Dr. Andrew Brown (Speech and Hearing Sciences) and Dr. Joseph Sisneros (Psychology and Biology). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Spanish.

Aoi’s research focuses on developing software and hardware tools for conducting auditory evoked potential (AEP) tests across animal species. Alongside her research, she works as a scientific illustrator and logo designer for laboratories. Outside the lab, she paints, draws, and seeks out the best food her neighborhood has to offer.

Previous TC Rep:  Fall 2024 – Spring 2026: Sarah Rose Bellavance, New York University

Underwater Acoustics Representative: Robert Drinnan

Term: Fall 2025 – Spring 2027
University of Washington (UW) and Applied Physics Laboratory (APL-UW)
drinnan@uw.edu
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Robert Drinnan is a PhD candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Acoustics Department of the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington, advised by Dr. Peter Dahl. His research focuses on understanding the vector component of the underwater sound field to characterize various aspects of ocean environments. Currently, he is working on explosive sources deployed during the Seabed Characterization Experiment and their effects on seabed propagation. Robert has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Physics from the University of British Columbia, a Master of Science in Oceanography from Dalhousie University, and is a registered professional engineer in Nova Scotia. Prior to starting his PhD, Robert worked for four years in ocean technology designing hydrophone calibration systems. Outside of research, Robert can be found singing in barbershop quartets or hiking and climbing in the Pacific Northwest.

Previous TC Rep:  Fall 2023 – Spring 2025: Natalie Kukshtel, MIT-WHOI Joint Program, Woods Hole MA

Signal Processing in Acoustics Representative: Ben Masters

Term: Fall 2025 – Fall 2027
University of Waterloo
bpmasters@uwaterloo.ca

Ben is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Waterloo’s Hearing Lab where he studies the perception and measurement of effort during conversational interactions. The long-term goal of his research is to develop more naturalistic ways to assess the performance of hearing aid signal processing features. He previously received his Master of Applied Science, also from Waterloo, and Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the acoustics program at Purdue University. Aside from his research, he enjoys teaching, playing music, and the outdoors.

Previous TC Rep: Spring 2024 – Spring 2025: Raymond Plasse, Belmont University