Liz Shelbred

Human Rights Intern

From a young age, my parents instilled within me the power of curiosity, and provided me with the resources to broaden my perspective. My travels to various parts of the world sparked my interests in human rights, migration, and conflict resolution, and led me to research the transformative power of critical pedagogy.

I am a senior at Tufts University pursuing a double major in International Relations and Civic Studies, with concentrations in Security and Peace and Justice Studies. Since my first year at Tufts, The Tufts Daily has provided me not only with a strong community but also a means of preserving the truth and mobilizing change on campus. I have served as Associate Editor, Executive Opinion Editor, and a member of the Editorial Board. Currently, I write for the Investigative section and am on the Journalism Education and Diversity Report Committees at the Daily. I have also been a member of Amnesty International at Tufts, where I have learned about practical ways to prevent human rights abuses and deliver justice. Additionally, as part of the Tufts Experimental College’s Explorations program, I am teaching a first-year course on the covert history of CIA involvement in Latin America.

I followed my interest in transformative education to Education for Employment (EFE), where I aided in assembling a global network of prominent influencers, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists to fund and promote EFE’s Fall 2020 Women’s Empowerment campaign across the MENA region. In the spring of 2020, I volunteered with the World Peace Foundation to track the spread of COVID-19 in prisons, jails, and ICE detention centers. With the Oslo Scholars program at the Tufts Institute for Global Leadership, I interned for Jamila Raqib and the Albert Einstein Institution this summer. There, I tracked nonviolent action in the news, researched the role of digital technologies and social media in nonviolent resistance, and aided in developing the AEI 2.0 platform. In October, I will be attending the Oslo Freedom Forum in Miami.

After college, I hope to pursue a career in human rights law and conflict resolution. I joined The Trebuchet to follow my belief in education and community to be the keys to dismantling systems of oppression and division.

Naomi Michelson

Ingyin Khine

Human Rights Intern

I’m a junior at Tufts University studying International Relations with a concentration in Global Health. On campus, I am a board member at Tufts South Asian Regional Committee (SARC) and Maternal Advocacy and Research for Community Health (MARCH). I also participated in the EPIIC Class of 2019-2020: Preventing Genocide and Mass Atrocities and learned about the complexities of Genocide studies and state atrocities.

I was born and raised in Yangon, Myanmar. For the past few months since February 1st, I have witnessed my country fall under dictatorship again for the 3rd time and the people fighting for freedom once again. While it breaks my heart every day to see the Burmese military and other oppressive institutions continue to terrorize the people, the unbent revolutionary spirits of my people continue to inspire me to keep fighting for freedom daily.

While I was still in Yangon over the past year, I worked with numerous organizations doing whatever we can to help maintain the resistance. Whether it is through fundraising or teaching kids who have been resisting the regime by refusing to go to school or through helping out with a campaign to memorialize everyone who has fallen during the revolution, I've been trying to keep my hopes up during what seems to be a very bleak time for my country.

During and after college, I hope to continue to fight for human rights and justice for all the oppressed groups of the world. I joined the Trebuchet to be involved with and learn from a community of like-minded individuals who are all so passionate about their work.

Tulliver Lines

Intern/Amanuensis

I am a rising senior at Bard College at Simon’s Rock, where I study English literature. 

I’ve lived in Brookline my whole life, where Sherman has always been a neighborly presence. While my interests often take me to the deep parts of library stacks that are totally sunlight-free, Sherman has persuaded me to work with him and to look out at the world through his eyes for a little while. My passions draw me most to Middle Eastern affairs, and, at times, Central and Eastern Europe. 

My mother — a close friend of Sherman and his wife —  was a Moscow Correspondent in the Soviet Union and later the Russian Federation from 1986 to 1993, and from her I’ve received both an education and a continuing interest in the world. My own writing tends toward the creative side, but I am eager to find ways of narrativizing the research that I and others do, and to describe both the physical and emotional aspects of being a part of an outward-looking community. 

My area of personal inquiry right now centers on the poet Louis Zukofsky, and on the placement of Jewish perspectives in the first wave of literary Modernism. That interest more or less inevitably intersects with one in modern Israel and its place in the Middle East, as well as the tensions and differences between diasporic and Israeli Jews. 

I spent last year reading English at Lincoln College, Oxford. There, I was able to broaden my mind to include the principles of American and British literature simultaneously. I hope to work further to allow such simultaneities to flourish, as they seem to me to constitute the most useful kind of understanding in the sense of ‘an understanding’, something which exists between and not just within people. Such understandings are what allow me to do my work, as they delimit that which can be a subject, whether an image in my poetry or in the day-to-day observations that I use in my prose.

Through that desire to have and work (live) within limits, I take an interest in the world and world affairs. The general ‘tide’ of history seems to be an exertion of gravity (towards or away from capitalism, democracy, liberalism, authoritarianism, etc.) in the all-important space of ideas, while in the world, curiosity and joy are felicitous surroundings for the soul.

If to have a community is to have people who fascinate, who drive one into the world, who change ‘before one’s eyes,’ I hope to have this one bring me into a different level of interest in the good unfolding around the world (outside the Anglosphere particularly) even in the present time. 

[Teichman:] I thoroughly anticipate a fun-filled, mirthful time with Tulliver. I surely cannot know what will evolve, but I know it will yield fascinating outcomes. He is a fencer in spirit and sport.  With this foilist, there will be a lot of parries and ripostes ahead. He has chosen among other tasks, as yet to-be-defined responsibilities, to take on the complexity of my calendar and scheduling across the globe, meeting our community and decisively engaging, attracting, and perplexing one and all. Our first days began with his ambivalence towards Remi, informing me he cares not a whit about sport, that his diversions into Foreign Affairs and Foreign Policy distract him from his beloved Kenyon Review and translations of Slavic poetry.  What a compelling brew. I wonder whether we will ever get anything done given our propensity to talk together.

Felix Bhattacharya

I am a current Junior at Tufts University pursuing a degree in International Relations and Civic Studies. While I was originally born in Newton, Ma — I moved to Berlin, Germany when I was 6 and grew up there most of my life. I moved back to the US for high school, and lived in Pittsburgh, PA for those four years. Being half-German and half-Indian, I have always loved to travel and explore the world. Academically, I have found a profound interest in international law and its purpose, as well as AI and how we will have to assess both its potential and risks.

Outside of class, I play tennis, act on the stage, and compete on the Tufts Mock Trial team. This past summer, I worked in Berlin on a new global forum called Berlin Global Dialogue — which brought together leaders from the public and private sector. I love finding opportunities for dialogue across different opinions, and believe dialogue and collaboration can lead to a better understanding of the world and its primary issues.

My love for theatre and tennis, have taught me about teamwork and collaboration — the importance of trusting your partner, whether it be on the stage or courts with partners or in everyday life. My life experiences have taught me to never make assumptions about individuals and always trying to enter a conversation with an open mind.

Learning more about the IGL and its mission, through taking EPIIC (‘23) and being the Vice-President of Tufts Amnesty International, has shown me the power of a wide international network. I joined Trebuchet as an intern to learn more about the power of collaboration and dialogue, and how it can help make the world a better place.

[Teichman:] I will have the wonderful opportunity to be with Felix for the next several years, as he has been accepted to Fletcher in the highly competitive BA/MALD program. This will also be an intergenerational relationship for me as he has introduced me to his father Professor C.B. Bhattacharya, a mentor who will also be a lecturer at Sai University and help me continue to honor the memory of Bory Damyanova.

David Rubin

Network Coordinator

I am a rising Senior at Dartmouth College studying International Relations and Geography. My time in school has focused on subjects of nuclear non-proliferation and geopolitical conflict with my regions of interest being the Middle East and Russia. At Dartmouth, I have been named a War and Peace Fellow at the Dickey Institute of International Understanding.

These academic interests and a family connection led me to Sherman, who introduced me to Trebuchet and Student Pugwash USA. With Sherman’s guidance, I have created a Pugwash Student organization at Dartmouth with the goal of creating a community to reflect and discuss subjects of Nuclear and advanced weaponry technologies and their implications on geopolitics. Our meetings involve dissecting publications put forward by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists or the International Security Journal, in addition to exploring recent headlines surrounding International Security and WMDs.  Our group is currently 25 strong and highly motivated!

I am also involved with the Dartmouth varsity Squash team. As a returning senior and 4 year varsity letter winner, I will be at the helm of the team next year as one of its captains.

As a dual citizen of America and France, the ability to navigate two languages and cultures is my strong suit. In the spring of 2021, I took a gap year to live in Paris, where I worked as a paralegal at Gobert et Associes, a French real estate law firm. My duties at the firm involved judicial research and the management of dozens of British homeowners in France participating in a class action suit. This opportunity provided me the opportunity to navigate a fully professional francophone environment.

With my head now geared towards the foreign service, being a member of the Trebuchet team is an honor. The Trebuchet’s goals of creating meaningful dialogues amongst people of various opinions and backgrounds is essential to tackling multinational issues. I look forward to furthering these dialogues and to growing the Trebuchets vast network of avid and like-minded individuals.

[Teichman:] David is a really interesting part of a lineage. I first became aware of his parents, Anne-Marie Codoeur and Ron Rubin, when they were co-founders of the University of the Middle East alongside Keith Fitzgerald, then one of my students who I helped advise. I had the advantage of a sustained period of time because of the unique Dartmouth framework, and in the months that we worked together, he wonderfully touched every aspect of this web and its projects in a deliberate, organized, and effective manner. He was tremendous fun to work with. He introduced me to the world of squash and all the hidden parks and places of Brookline.

Tarun Kumar Reddy

Intern

I am Tarun Kumar Reddy, a fourth-year student from the School of Computing and Data Science at Sai University, Chennai, India. I was born and raised in a small city called Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, India. I later joined Sai University for my undergraduate studies, where I was part of its founding batch. At Sai University, I am majoring in Data Science, learning Mathematics, Programming, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, and Natural Language Processing. Along with my major, I am doing a minor in Economics. My interests include Technology, Strategy, Development studies, Social Impact, and Public Policy. I believe in multi-disciplinary education and that the solutions to pressing problems come from combining multiple disciplines. Apart from academics, I am an active volunteer at Sai University, conducting several events and activities.

My journey with Sherman and Trebuchet started in my second semester(2022) when I started working with him to manage the Trebuchet website and design posters for his courses at Sai University. Our relationship has strengthened over time, and I have worked as a designer for many courses he offered at SaiU. I also served as a teaching assistant for the Global Challenges course in 2023-24, and now I work with him on various aspects of the Trebuchet. I was fortunate enough to meet a lot of people from the Trebuchet community, and Sookrit Malik, founder and CEO of Energeia, is one of them. I was glad that he offered me an internship at Energeia as a Business Analyst. Apart from our professional relationship, Sherman serves as a mentor, and I discuss different aspects of my life and get guidance from him in all major decisions I make.

AMEDEO BETTAUER

Intern

I'm a sophomore at Brookline High School, but I grew up in the greatest city in the world, New York City. I like to slot in time each day to catch up on world news - a habit I picked up growing up with NPR over breakfast, which sparked my early appreciation for storytelling and current events.

I write for The Cypress, Brookline High's newspaper, exploring issues that affect our school community. I am the co-captain of the Brookline Speech and Debate team, where I compete in Extemporaneous Speaking, analyzing political questions with minimal preparation time. In this activity, I have been a finalist at many tournaments and qualified for the 2025 national competition in Chicago, IL. I'm also the co-founder of the Brookline Invests club, where I help fellow students understand the factors behind financial markets and economic trends.

Last summer, I worked on AI and Digital Strategy as an intern with the City of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. While navigating AI strategy in a government context was fascinating, it also reinforced my belief that understanding how different fields intersect - from journalism to policy to technology - is crucial for addressing complex challenges.

When not writing or competing, you might find me practicing the harp, crafting fancy coffee drinks, or keeping up my 700+ day Duolingo streak (which has helped me learn conversational Dutch and Japanese, as well as a bit of German). I'm excited to work with Sherman and be part of the Trebuchet community.

Srikanth Reddy

Intern

I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in Computer Science at Boston University, driven by a strong passion for both technology and business. Originally from Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, my journey has been fueled by a curiosity to solve real-world problems through user-centered design and innovative thinking. I’m especially drawn to the product side of technology, where technical insight meets strategic decision-making to create impactful, scalable solutions.

At Boston University, I’ve had the opportunity to explore this intersection of tech and business more deeply through a machine learning project called WLF, developed within BU Spark!—the university’s innovation and experiential learning lab. This project focuses on building an image classification model, and I’ve contributed in both technical and product roles. I worked on implementing and refining the machine learning pipeline on the development side. At the same time, I served as a product manager, defining the product vision, prioritizing features, and shaping the roadmap. This dual experience allowed me to bridge the gap between engineering and strategy, reinforcing my ability to lead cross-functional efforts and think holistically about product development. BU Spark! has been instrumental in honing my skills and deepening my passion for building meaningful, user-centered solutions.

Before beginning my graduate studies, I spent two years growing from a curious intern into a product-minded software engineer. During this time, I worked on a range of projects that pushed me to think beyond code—projects involving backend services, microservices, web applications, and even machine learning tools. These experiences helped me build a strong foundation in developing scalable, reliable systems while also teaching me the importance of collaboration and communication across diverse teams.

As I gained experience, I became increasingly drawn to the decision-making side of product development—understanding how features are defined, why certain priorities are chosen, and how user needs and business goals come together to shape what gets built. I naturally began taking on responsibilities beyond development: contributing to feature roadmaps, aligning technical execution with product vision, and thinking critically about the broader impact of the work. This is where I truly found my passion—at the intersection of technology and business, where creativity, strategy, and engineering come together to solve real problems.

I completed my undergraduate studies in Computer Science at Parul University, where I built a strong foundation in technical and problem-solving skills through coursework in algorithms, software design, and data science. Beyond academics, I developed leadership and communication skills as a volunteer with the National Service Scheme (NSS), where I led a team of ten to deliver STEM education programs to underserved communities. This experience deepened my sense of purpose and sparked my interest in using technology to make a real-world impact.

I met Sherman through my brother, and since then, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know not only him but also the inspiring community he has cultivated through The Trebuchet. His thoughtful guidance and unwavering belief in meaningful engagement have made a lasting impact on me. Becoming part of this network fills me with both pride and a sense of responsibility. Supporting Sherman and The Trebuchet by helping maintain the website has given me a rewarding way to contribute to a mission I deeply respect. I’m truly grateful to be part of a community that values curiosity, connection, and purpose.

Jonathan Talmor

I am a rising senior at Brookline High School who has been on the football team and rowing team. I am part of my school’s Jewish Student Union club and participate in the film club. My interest in international relations is partially derived from my Israeli heritage. Every summer going to Israel as a kid, politics and war were always topics spoken about all around me. This being the case I have taken a keen interest in learning about them. In addition I also love learning foreign languages. I am fluent in Hebrew and take Chinese and Japanese as language classes at school. Outside of school, if I am not on a shift at my part time job, I am either making music, playing basketball and soccer, or hanging out with my friends or family. I also enjoy reading when I am looking for a quiet time.

Sherman is my next door neighbor and has been a long time friend of my family and I. Sherman one day presented me with this internship opportunity and a chance to help build the community on the Trebuchet, while learning a lot about my personal interests. As for my future, I eventually either want to practice law or start a business. This being said, I believe building communities of people from all over the world and learning more about international relations are very important in contributing to this goal.

In the end, international relations have a tie to everything in one way or another. It impacts so much of our everyday lives. The Trebuchet really helps this message become clear and helps make the best connections between many different people and places.

Mata Wakefield

Intern

I am currently a sophomore in the screened fine arts department at Edward R. Murrow High School in New York City. Growing up in New York City has made me appreciative of people’s cultures and I’ve become conscious of how I’m constantly exposed to so much diversity. My parents both have jobs that focus on international affairs and I have grown up listening and participating in their conversations, which has created a sense of global awareness and curiosity about the world. 

I am still figuring out and exploring what I’m interested in, but right now I’m passionate about environmental issues and climate change. Outside of school, I enjoy printmaking and rock climbing. I also play soccer and recently started volunteering at a local non-profit organization. I enjoy learning about astronomy, history, and sociology, but I’m especially interested in climate change and environmental issues. This summer I’m studying in Portugal to learn more about how humans are impacting our climate and ecosystems and what we can do to mitigate that impact. 

My dad introduced me to Sherman, who was his professor when he was a student at Tufts University. I am excited to work with Sherman and learn more through working with him and being part of The Trebuchet.

[Teichman:] One could not fail to be impressed by this young woman, and knowing her lineage :) I know this is going to be a wonderful reciprocal working relationship.

Maria Udalova

Intern

I am a senior at Brookline High School, which I transferred to during my sophomore year after moving from Florida. I have had a diverse upbringing across Russia, Cyprus, and London, facilitated by my parent’s love for new adventures and change as well as their inability to stay in one place for too long — my mother jokes that it’s because of our Romani heritage, and I find it hard to disagree. Our constant travels have shaped my love for new experiences, ideas, people, and initiatives. 

In the summer of 2022, I was introduced to nuclear disarmament advocacy while interning with Sherman. This sparked my deep involvement in nuclear disarmament activism during my junior year. Since then, I’ve become a steering committee member of Students for Nuclear Disarmament (SND) and the founding president of the Brookline SND chapter.  I am incredibly proud of how we’ve grown as a student organization over the past year. We have coordinated events such as a webinar on the intersection of climate change and nuclear weapons, and SND members are constantly spreading awareness of the importance of youth in the disarmament movement by participating in events like panels and other forums. 

My advocacy work has taken me coast to coast — lobbying in DC, participating in Hiroshima and Nagasaki remembrance events in Seattle, presenting to advocacy groups on youth engagement, and leading 30 students in lobbying at the Massachusetts State House for climate and disarmament legislation. I’ve also received the Youth Nuclear Abolition award from IPPNW and GBPSR for my advocacy, an honor I can’t describe.  

In addition to my disarmament work, I serve as the Director of Policy Development at the American Youth Association (AYA), where I research and generate youth-centered legislation. Working with AYA has been an insightful experience, offering a deep dive into policy creation. I am confident that the motivated youth I work with will be capable leaders of our country when the time comes.

Through these experiences, I’ve learned that advocacy is often an uphill battle, but I refuse to lose hope. I’ve been fortunate to have a supportive team around me, pushing me to grow and develop my skills. As I prepare for the college application process, I plan to pursue a degree in Political Science and International Affairs, excited for the challenges and growth that await.

At Brookline High, I am the captain of the Mock Trial and Speech and Debate clubs, and the Secretary General of the Model UN club. These activities allow me to engage in meaningful discourse, hone my argumentative skills, and mentor other students. I’m also involved in the Climate and Food Justice club as an editor for The Greenzine, I’m the editor for the BHS literary magazine Refractions, and I was previously a staff writer for the school newspaper, the Cypress. 

In the Brookline community, I work in a pottery studio, volunteer at the Brookline food pantry, and am currently pursuing a warrant article to disqualify nuclear weapons companies from getting contracts with our town.  Don’t let my 5,4” stature fool you — I also play for my school’s Rugby Football Club and can be a pretty effective right wing.

I first met Sherman when he came to my Global Leadership class as a guest speaker. Captivated by his insights, I sought out an internship with him, knowing it would be an unparalleled journey. With his encouragement, I secured a spot in the Oslo Scholars program, becoming the first non-university student to do so, and interned with the Belarusian NGO Ecohome. At Ecohome, I’ve researched materials for publication on activist repression in Belarus and broader environmental rights protection issues across Europe and the U.S.

Every day, I’m inspired by the Trebuchet community and the impact we continue to make together. As I look ahead, I’m eager to see where my advocacy journey will lead, and I feel confident knowing I have the unwavering support of this incredible team by my side.

[Teichman:] Maria has proven to be an extraordinary, delightful, and productive contributor to making The Trebuchet be more disciplined and organized than I could have hoped. :) She has won second place in the Massachusetts state-wide debate championship. She has broken precedent in enabling me to successfully sponsor a high school student to become an Oslo Scholar. Given her Russian language skills, she will be working with an Oslo Scholar human rights activist from Belarus. I have had tremendous fun recommending her for her MENSA award.

Nitya Srinivasa

Intern

I am a rising freshman at Trinity College, where I plan to major in biomedical engineering. I was on the Girls Varsity Swim Team at Brookline High School, Co-President of the Key Club (a student-led volunteering organization), Youth Advisory Member of an organization known as Design for Change (DFC), and I will be finishing up my final classical Indian dance graduation (known as an Arangetram) this summer at Triveni School of Dance.

My passion for helping others and demonstrating improvement through change is one I would like to hold on to the most. I started this journey my freshman year of high school with DFC, as I tackled the bullying issue that was spreading among Kindergarteners and 4th graders. My Kindness Project led me to teach in-class discussions with the students and engage with them, which allowed me to personally understand the root cause of the unkind behavior (it was the lack of communication; the students didn’t know how to say “no” or speak up for themselves). By the end of the two weeks, the students learned how to use their active voice while being assertive and learned how to speak up. I also did a mental health project during the midst of COVID with high school students. I noticed patterns of different social behaviors among my own friends and wanted to learn how to help them with their stress and anxiety. Lastly, the Key Club was the final big project that I decided to take charge of in my senior year of high school.

Holding monthly musical sessions at various Senior Living Facilities was truly one of the most heartwarming experiences I was a part of. My activism has always taken place within the Brookline and Greater Boston community. I have found that working among a smaller group of people has allowed me to dive into the specific problems around me. Empowering transformation and creating impact are beliefs that inspire my actions every day.

Although I will be leaving Boston and moving to Connecticut for college, I will make sure to pave a new path for myself through leadership. I hope to use the skills I learn at Trebuchet and apply them to the work I will do at Trinity College. My goal for the future is to break apart the injustices this world has to offer and mend them by helping the world through scientific innovations and a mathematical approach.

Sherman has taught me that everyone has a bold and important story to tell. We have all faced challenges, but we have also overcome many. The most valuable thing we can do is stay in the moment and do the very best we can now.

Sandenna McMaster

“Aide de camp”

In 2021, I graduated from Lewis & Clark College, where I received a degree in International Relations with a concentration in the Middle East and Northern Africa region. On campus, I served as the co-chair for the 59th Lewis & Clark International Affairs Symposium: “System Shocks: Finding Clarity in a Chaotic World”. I was also an active participant in the French Club, the College Outdoors program, and the Botany club. During my studies, I had several external opportunities to conduct research projects surrounding humanitarian conflict resolution, environmental sustainability and agricultural adaptation, policy implementation and tribal conflicts in Western Africa. Originally from Alaska and a dual citizen of France and the United States, I had the chance to grow up with diverse narratives from the communities surrounding me. This instilled in me an understanding of the power of perspective, cross-cultural collaboration, and the interconnectedness of the issues our systems face today. 

Through my academic and professional career, I sought every opportunity to explore the world — to interact with diverse cultures and environments. In 2016, I founded a project to finance and deliver educational supplies to over 150 children in the coastal village of Gomoa Fetteh, Ghana. In the summer of 2017, I researched and collaborated with an advocacy group in Ollantaytambo, Peru to fund the building of a primary school in the remote, mountainous village of Willoc Alto. Through these experiences, I not only continued to grow my passion for global development, but also challenged myself to see how and by what means others interact with the world around them.

After graduating, I followed my interest in conflict analysis and mitigation and began working as a research assistant in Paris, focusing on the concepts of memory, vengeance, and retributive justice in conflict. I then worked as a paralegal for the International Arbitration team at Bird & Bird LLP, focusing on Middle Eastern and North African arbitral cases. Here, I have gained the necessary technical knowledge on international law, and the mechanisms at work behind international negotiations, treaties, and relations. 

Throughout my travels and the different places I have lived, I have been able to keep my connection to my hometown of Palmer, Alaska strong through my favorites hobbies: climbing (both on rock and ice), hiking, snowboarding, and backpacking.

Meeting through a mutual friend, I have had the pleasure and privilege to get to know Sherman Teichman, and in turn, this incredible community he has created. Joining the Trebuchet fills me with both a sense of great pride and of greater responsibility; it serves not only as a network of inspiring global actors, but a wholly necessary conduit for multidisciplinary connections and collaborations that ignite innovative projects for a prosperous future.  

[Teichman:] Sandenna is a wonderful friend and an extraordinary asset for The Trebuchet. I recently had a fun moment when having introduced her to Anne Gibbon, who inevitably was impressed by her and asked my permission to hire her away from The Trebuchet, which I immediately granted. And now, as one wonderful outcome of Convisero, they are both working closely together to develop Matri. Matri aims to drive the research agenda and the standard for human machine interfaces, leading the development of software and hardware products that redefine the human relationship to machines and the data language used to communicate with them and measure our world. Sandenna continues to assist me.

Mt. Marathon - Seward, Alaska

Matanuska Glacier - Chickaloon, Alaska

Chloe Yau

Intern

I am currently a sophomore at Tufts University, pursuing a degree in International Relations and Environmental Studies. Growing up in Hong Kong, a diverse melting pot of cultures, ignited my passion for exploring global issues and fostering social change.

During my gap year, I interned at a local refugee center in Hong Kong, where I learned about the challenges and discrimination refugees face, including their lack of work rights. This experience inspired me to write and publish "The Displaced Cookbook: Untold Refugee Stories and Ethnic Recipes," a collection of compelling stories and recipes from eight women seeking asylum. The project’s impact extended beyond fundraising, winning the Spark for Goods Awards X Ethikaal "Special Mention Award”, garnering local media attention, and amplifying the voices of refugees and asylum seekers in my city.

At fifteen, I was selected as the only student from Hong Kong to attend United World College Costa Rica for the last two years of high school. Living and studying among passionate peers from over 70 countries enhanced my appreciation for intercultural collaboration, as well as the interconnectedness of global challenges. My interest in immigration and human rights continued to grow as I established a student group, "Through Their Eyes," to raise funds and support Haitian and Venezuelan refugees in Costa Rica. Recently, I produced the short film Dreams of Asylum under the Salmanowitz Program at Boston College. I brought together a group of passionate young individuals to create a compelling film that delves into the struggles of young adult refugees in Hong Kong. Through their stories of navigating stability and identity amidst adversity, the film invites viewers to critically reflect on Hong Kong's role in the refugee crisis and the broader challenges of displacement.

At Tufts, I actively pursue my commitment to immigration and human rights as the co-president of Tufts Amnesty International. I also lead the Hong Kong cultural community as president of the Hong Kong Student Association and volunteer to teach English to Latin American immigrants at the Chinatown Asian American Center.

Outside of class, I enjoy surfing, watersports, practicing kung fu, and backpacking. I was acquainted with Sherman by my professor Heather and have since been introduced to Trebuchet’s incredible and tightly-knit community. I am excited to learn from Sherman and Trebuchet’s interconnected community, to explore the world through different lenses, and to find common ground in making a positive difference in the world.

Tarun M.R.

Intern

I’m Tarun M.R., a sophomore at the School of Computing and Data Science at Sai University, Chennai, India. I’m majoring in Computing and Data Science with a minor in Economics. Originally from Trichy, Tamil Nadu, I completed middle school there before moving to Chennai for high school, where I currently reside.

I’ve always considered myself to be a multipotentialite, with interests spanning various fields. Music plays a big part in my life — I listen to genres ranging from hip-hop and pop to jazz, J-pop, EDM, and indie. Moreover, I’ve been curious to learn about music production and I recently started learning how to play the guitar! I also love to watch a variety of anime and enjoy reading mangas and manhwas. When I’m not immersed in stories, I love watching and rating movies and series on Letterboxd or gaming on my laptop. I’ve developed a budding interest in philosophy, transitioning from reading fiction to exploring Eastern and Western philosophy, ethics, existentialism, and metaphysics. I’m excited to dive into works by Dostoevsky and Kafka. Additionally, I’ve been learning German through Duolingo and am close to achieving a one-year streak! Sports have also played a significant role in my life. I hold district level silver and bronze medals in swimming and running and enjoy playing badminton and chess in my free time.

At Sai University, I actively engage in various clubs and initiatives, including the Computer Society, Entrepreneurship, Chess, Astronomy, Photography, and Gaming clubs. I’m also a member of the Nominations and Election Commission. As a writer for the Youth Red Team, I contribute to an initiative aimed at testing ChatGPT models for vulnerabilities, and I’ve been invited to contribute to Zeitgeist, SaiU’s student-run journal. I’m passionate about specific fields in computer science and am actively learning new things to improve myself. Currently, I’m collaborating on a project to streamline the election process at our university. I deeply value the multidisciplinary education SaiU offers, which resonates with my diverse interests and ambitions.

My first conversation with Sherman Teichman left a lasting impression on me. His openness, mentorship, and emphasis on trust deeply resonated with me, and I’m grateful for the opportunities he has provided. Currently, I’m creating posters for The Trebuchet’s Global Challenges and MENA courses and will soon manage the community’s website. Sherman has offered me incredible opportunities, and I’m committed to making the most of them. I’m excited to be part of The Trebuchet community and look forward to contributing meaningfully while learning from this incredible network of thinkers and changemakers.

Beth Simone Noveck

Beth Simone Noveck is the Director of the Burnes Center for Social Change and a professor at Northeastern University, where she also leads the GovLab, a partner project dedicated to improving governance through technology. She holds faculty positions at the Institute for Experiential AI, the School of Law, and in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, the College of Arts, Design, and Media, the College of Engineering, and is affiliated faculty at the Khoury College of Computer Sciences.

At Northeastern, Beth directs the AI for Impact program and the InnovateMA co-op, which partners with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to empower students to use artificial intelligence and human-centered design for public sector innovation. Her work focuses on using AI to reimagine participatory democracy and strengthen governance. In collaboration with Citizens Foundation, she is building AI-enabled tools to enhance collective intelligence and participatory problem-solving. Beth also shares her insights on AI, democracy, and governance on her blog, Reboot Democracy.

In 2024, Beth was appointed Chief AI Strategist for the State of New Jersey by Governor Murphy. She previously served as the State’s founding Chief Innovation Officer, leading efforts to modernize government services, improve data transparency, and strengthen digital public infrastructure. This included projects like streamlining unemployment insurance, coordinating COVID-19 response efforts, and building open data platforms to enhance workforce development and business growth.

Before joining Northeastern, Beth served as the first United States Deputy Chief Technology Officer under President Obama, where she founded the White House Open Government Initiative. She also served as a senior advisor for Open Government for UK Prime Minister David Cameron and as a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Digital Council from 2018 to 2021.

Beth is a pioneering civic technologist, having created early platforms like Unchat, Peer-to-Patent, and Democracy Island in Second Life, all designed to make government more transparent, collaborative, and responsive. She is the founder of open, online courses like Solving Public Problems, Open Justice, and InnovateUS, which have trained social innovators and public sector professionals in over 100 countries.

Beth is the author of Solving Public Problems: How to Fix Our Government and Change Our World (Yale Press, 2021), named a Best Book of 2021 by Stanford Social Innovation Review. Her latest book, Democracy Rebooted: How AI Can Save Democracy, explores the role of artificial intelligence in revitalizing democratic institutions.

Beth’s contributions to technology and governance have earned her numerous accolades, including recognition as one of the “Foreign Policy 100” by Foreign Policy, one of Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business,” and one of the World’s 100 Most Influential Academics in Government by Apolitical. She received a doctorat honoris causa from the University of Geneva in October 2023.

Alaina Riggs

Alaina Riggs is a 2/c cadet (junior) at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, majoring in Marine and Environmental Science with a concentration in Fisheries Biology and Geospatial Intelligence. Alaina is currently working on a capstone project focused on OILMAP Validation of Geographic Response Strategies in the Great Lakes.

Born and raised in Tehachapi, California, Alaina has been swimming since she was six years old, accumulating seven years of club swimming experience and four years of varsity swimming, where she served as team captain. In addition to athletics, Alaina participated in student government, mathletes, and community service projects, and worked as a lifeguard, teaching swim lessons to children.

Alaina chose the Coast Guard Academy, inspired by her older sister, a United States Naval Academy graduate and now an Ensign in the Navy. However, Alaina’s passion for environmental and humanitarian missions drew her to the Coast Guard’s unique blend of service and conservation.

At the Academy, Alaina is a member of the swim and water polo teams, participates in the campus marine science club, and served in the Delta Company Command during the Fall 2024 semester. She has taken coursework in marine and fisheries biology, oceanography, emergency management, and environmental studies, building a strong foundation for a career in marine science and conservation.

Alaina has a deep passion for helping others and is excited to expand her impact through the telehealth drone demonstration this summer. She looks forward to applying her knowledge to make positive changes in the world as a Pacific Ally, and hopes to be an exemplary influence on those she meets and bonds with during this journey.

Charlie Klinger

Charlie Klinger is a 2/c cadet at the United States Coast Guard Academy, majoring in Marine and Environmental Science with a concentration in Fisheries Biology and Geospatial Intelligence. Her capstone project focuses on developing strategies to transition Station San Juan, Puerto Rico, to operate entirely on renewable energy.

Originally from Port Tobacco, Maryland, Charlie graduated second in her high school class while serving as President of the National Honor Society and Vice President of her class. She completed a rigorous four-year advanced biomedical sciences program, which sparked her early interest in public health and technology. Charlie is excited to participate in a telehealth drone demonstration, exploring how emerging technology can deliver life-saving care to remote or underserved communities.

A dedicated multi-sport athlete in high school, she competed in soccer, softball, cross country, and swimming. At the Academy, she continues her involvement in athletics as the Women’s Lacrosse Team Manager. Her academic pursuits include coursework in Fisheries Biology, Oceanography, and Emergency Management.

Charlie’s lifelong connection to the water—boating, fishing, and exploring the Chesapeake Bay—instilled in her a passion for marine conservation and service. As a 2025 Pacific Allies Internship participant, she looks forward to applying her scientific background and personal experiences to support coastal communities, promote environmental resilience, and build cross-cultural partnerships throughout the Pacific region.

Ferdinand Safari

MG (Rtd) Ferdinand Safari is a Rwandan national who grew up in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

He holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Maastricht School of Management in the Netherlands and a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. He is also a holder of a post graduate diploma in Strategic Studies from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

He served as a career officer in the Rwanda Defence Force for 28 years and attended all professional tactical, operational and strategic military courses for career officers in Rwanda and abroad.

During his career as a military officer, he held various appointments in command, staff and training. The most recent appointments include Director General Policy & Strategy in the Ministry of Defence, Chief of Plans at the Rwanda Defence Force HQ, Force Chief of Staff in the UN PKO in the Sudan (UNAMID), Commandant of the Rwanda Military Academy and PSO Pre-Deployment Training, Defence Attaché in the USA and Canada, Director of Training at the Defence Force HQ and Infantry Battalion Commander on African Union Mission in Sudan.

Forty Prominent Israelis Express Deep Gratitude to Deputies Behind FT Letter

A group of forty prominent Israeli figures — including former military commanders, diplomats, Knesset members, academics, and civil society leaders — have issued a powerful statement of appreciation to the 36 members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews who signed an open letter in the Financial Times criticizing the Israeli government’s conduct in the Gaza conflict.

The Israeli signatories, among them former IDF commanders, ambassadors, legal scholars, and leading intellectuals, acknowledged the personal risks the deputies face and lauded their "support in the battle we are fighting for the future and soul of Israel." They warned that the government’s current trajectory undermines democratic institutions and prioritizes power consolidation over the safe return of hostages and genuine peace.

The letter criticizes Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government for promoting “Jewish supremacy” and choosing “perpetual warfare” over diplomacy. The signatories underscore the need for unity in the Jewish world to uphold democratic and human values and condemn the silence of many communal leaders in the face of this crisis.

“The toll taken in the lives of Israeli soldiers, the unbearable suffering of the hostages and their families, and the destruction of Gaza... have failed to deter the Netanyahu government,” the letter states, calling instead for a diplomatic path forward.

Among those expressing gratitude are Avraham Burg, former Speaker of the Knesset; Prof. Naomi Chazan; former ambassadors Colette Avital and Alon Liel; former Attorney General Michael Ben-Yair; and dozens of others spanning Israel’s military, academic, and civil service spheres.

Read the full article here: Jewish News – Forty Prominent Israelis Express Gratitude