Meet Your GIC Team
The GIC team is composed of a leadership team and peer mentors, who work together to support international graduate students and enhance the GIC experience.
The GIC Leadership team includes the Manager of Graduate International Recruitment and Retention, Event Coordinators, Podcast Coordinator, Social Media Coordinator, and Sanctioned Support Coordinator. The GIC Leadership team is responsible for guiding the overall direction of the program, ensuring smooth operations, and developing initiatives that improve student engagement and experience.
GIC Peer Mentors play a key role in building community by connecting directly with international graduate students, sharing their experiences, and leading student-centered programming.
Together, the GIC team collaborates to plan and implement programs such as virtual Student Panels, Welcome Week events, and other mentor-led activities that support international graduate students.
Ruth Ortega-Gonzalez, MPA
As a UC Irvine alumnus (B.A. in Political Science, 2010) with a Master’s in Public Administration from Cal State University, Fullerton, Ruth brings over nine years of experience working in international education. Having studied abroad, Ruth understands the unique challenges that international students face and is passionate about supporting UC Irvine’s global community through their academic journey. Outside of work, Ruth is usually spending time with family and friends, running, watching movies, brunching with friends or planning her next trip.
Sharanya Bashyam
Sharanya is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Department of Cognitive Sciences. Originally from India, she researches how exposure to additional languages shapes how children navigate the social world around them. Her role includes planning and organizing various virtual and in-person events to help ease the transition into UC Irvine for incoming international students. This is currently her fourth year with GIC, and she hopes to create a welcoming environment for GIC’s global community. Outside of research, you can find her reading, attending classes at the ARC, hiking with her husband, going to concerts, and making her beverage of the day.
Anais Elena Fernandez Calzavara
Anais is a third-year PhD student in the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics. Her research explores how dietary patterns rich in ultra-processed foods affect the onset of chronic disease. She is of mixed Italian-Dominican heritage, but grew up on the shores of Lake Como (Italy) before moving to the UK to complete her MSc and spending most of her early adulthood there. Her multicultural background and experience as an international student kindled her desire to support others navigating similar transitions. This is Anais second year with GIC, where she was first a mentor and is now serving as Small Events Coordinator. In this role, she helps organize informational panels and Summer events to welcome students on campus. When she is not working, you can usually find her baking or enjoying a nice book or movie with a cup of tea.
Sofia Altieri Correa
Sofia is a third-year PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at UC Irvine and originally from Spain. Her research in the Chesler Lab focuses on using computational fluid dynamics to better understand pulmonary cardiovascular diseases. She combines computational modeling with experimental data to study how biomechanics influence disease progression. Beyond research, she is deeply committed to supporting graduate students through mentorship and community engagement. She has been involved in several UC Irvine programs, including Graduate International Connection, Next Gen Pathways, and POWER where she helps students navigate both academic and personal challenges. She is especially passionate about wellness, inclusivity, and helping international students adjust to life at UC Irvine.
Advitha Thotapalli Arun
Advitha is a fourth-year PhD student in Economics at UC Irvine, where her research explores how communities adapt to environmental challenges related to water and energy. Originally from India, she hopes to pay forward the support and sense of belonging she experienced by contributing to GIC. As Podcast Coordinator, she aims to develop content that helps incoming students navigate their transition with clarity and confidence while amplifying diverse cultures and perspectives that shape the UC Irvine community. When she’s not at her desk, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes, listening to audiobooks, and spending time at the beach.
Maryam Hassani
Maryam Hassani is a PhD student in Informatics whose research lies at the intersection of health and technology. She focuses on reducing anxiety and improving well-being among stigmatized and marginalized populations. This is her fourth year with GIC and her third year serving as the Sanctioned Support Coordinator. Maryam enjoys working closely with students, helping them navigate challenges, and connecting them to helpful resources. In her free time, she loves cooking, exploring new restaurants, sharing good food with friends, and hunting down rare and exotic fruits.
Peer Mentors
Education, PhD
School of Education
Master of Software Engineering
School of Information & Computer Sciences
Biomedical Engineering, PhD
School of Engineering
Clinical Psychology, PhD
School of Social Ecology
Economics, PhD
School of Social Sciences
Cognitive Sciences, PhD
School of Social Sciences
Psychological Science, PhD
School of Social Ecology
Film & Media Studies, PhD
School of Humanities
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, PhD
School of Engineering
Economics, PhD
School of Social Sciences
Master of Embedded & Cyber-physical Systems
School of Engineering
Master of Computer Science
School of Information & Computer Sciences
Biomedical Engineering, PhD
School of Engineering
Informatics, PhD
School of Information & Computer Sciences
Film & Media Studies, PhD
School of Humanities
Education, PhD
School of Education
Computer Science, M.S.
School of Information & Computer Sciences
Language Science, PhD
School of Social Sciences
Sociology, PhD
School of Social Sciences
Software Engineering, PhD
School of Information & Computer Sciences
Cognitive Sciences, PhD
School of Social Sciences