Meet Your GIC Team
Your GIC Leadership team consists of your Manager of Graduate International Recruitment and Retention, Event Coordinators, Podcast Coordinator, Social Media Coordinator, and Sanctioned Student Support Coordinator.
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 UCI’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 rising fourth year PhD candidate in the department of Cognitive Sciences. Originally from India, her research broadly focuses on how exposure to more languages alters the way children navigate the social world around them. This is her third consecutive year with the GIC and she is currently working as the Large Group Event Coordinator. Her role includes planning and organising various virtual and in person events to help ease the transition into UCI for incoming international students.
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 UCI 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 UCI.
Yeonseong (Catherine) Seo
Catherine is a rising 5th-year Ph.D. candidate in Chemical Biology. This is Catherine’s fourth year with GIC. She has been a mentor and the Event Coordinator for GIC. This year, Catherine is our Podcast Coordinator and has plans to create spaces for international graduate students to feel seen, supported, and informed. Through storytelling and resource-sharing, our episodes will highlight the voices of GIC mentors and relevant on- and off-campus experts, offering both practical guidance and a sense of belonging as they build a new home at UCI.
Blanca Romero Mila
Blanca Romero Mila is a Ph.D. candidate in the Biomedical Engineering Department at UC Irvine. Her research explores epilepsy by studying markers in brain signals. She earned her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Barcelona. This is Blanca’s fourth year with GIC. She first joined as a mentee, then became a mentor, and has served as Social Media Coordinator for the past two years. On campus, she’s active in other initiatives as well. She is the president of the Graduate Association of Biomedical Engineering Students for 2024–2025 and participates in various mentoring programs. Outside the lab, Blanca loves reading, practicing Pilates and yoga, hitting the gym, discovering new places, and spending time with friends and family.
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 third year with GIC and her second year serving as the Sanctioned Student 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.