The Class of 2026 has turned their tassels and crossed the commencement stage, closing one chapter and stepping boldly into another. These young alumni are taking their passions far and wide, empowered by the experiences, mentorship, and opportunities that shaped them at Lehigh.
Meet the Graduates
Kendalin Flores ’26 | Jake Feuerstein ’26 | Kamara St. Paul ’26 | Arin Kumar ’26 | Ava Conolly ’26 | Oyu-Erdene Ankhbayar ’26 | Nikolas Cruz ’26 | Akanksha Gavade ’26 | Anna Marie Patti ’26 | Emily Sigel ’26 | Sabato Corbisiero ’26 | Iqra Choudhry ’26
Kendalin Flores ’26
Degree: Biocomputational Engineering
Destination: Fundación Dominicana de Estudios Marinos (Dominican Foundation for Marine Studies)
Position: Fulbright Scholarship Researcher
Growing up on Long Island and frequently traveling to the Dominican Republic to visit family, Flores developed a deep connection to the water from an early age. Although she arrived at Lehigh with an interest in coding, a two-month internship in Bermuda introduced a new perspective.
While digitizing systems at the Conservation Research & Archaeology Laboratory, Flores was introduced to several facets of marine science. She also assisted with an experiment studying upwelling — a process in which strong currents push warm surface water offshore, allowing colder water to rise and replace it. The experience opened her eyes to the intersection of technology and environmental research, changing the trajectory of her career.
When she returned to campus, Flores knew she wanted to pivot toward marine systems, though she still felt some uncertainty. She turned to Wynn Meyer, assistant professor of biology, the first professor to give her the opportunity to conduct research on campus. Meyer encouraged her to pursue the path wholeheartedly and later wrote her a recommendation for a Fulbright scholarship, which she ultimately received.
Now, post-graduation, Flores is headed to the Dominican Republic to develop an AI forecasting model that predicts when coral spawning occurs. The data will not only help researchers better chart spawning cycles, but also reduce the wasted time and resources that come with unsuccessful dives.
Jake Feuerstein ’26
Degree(s): Bioengineering and Global Studies
Destination: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Position: Doctorate in Biomedical Engineering
While a career in health care always appealed to Feuerstein, he knew the traditional path wasn’t the right fit for him. Still, he felt a strong drive to help — a motivation that led him to Xuanhong Cheng’s lab. Over four years, Feuerstein contributed to research on a diagnostic device for sickle cell anemia, combining engineering and medicine in ways that felt meaningful to him.
That work eventually brought him to Sierra Leone, where the team saw the device being used firsthand and worked to ensure the research remained grounded in the needs of the community. Interacting directly with patients and hearing in-person feedback gave Feuerstein a new perspective on the impact of the work and reinforced his passion for the field.
By junior year, Feuerstein had logged more hours in the lab than anyone else, determined to solve an issue involving a chemical reagent in the device. The lack of progress was frustrating, but advice from a senior researcher shifted his mindset: “As a scientist, it’s your job to fail repeatedly.” Feuerstein embraced the trial-and-error process, continuing to push forward until something finally worked. In that moment, he realized this was the path he was meant to pursue, no matter how many attempts it took to get there.
Feuerstein is preparing for his next venture at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a doctoral student, where he has already matched into a lab that aligns closely with the education and research experience he gained at Lehigh. Looking ahead, he hopes to develop continuous biosensors and diagnostics that use predictive algorithms to help patients track vital biomarkers and make lifestyle changes before serious health issues emerge.
Kamara St. Paul ’26
Degree(s): Business and Economics
Destination: Mastercard
Position: Associate Solutions Architect
Coming from a lineage of strong, independent women, St. Paul was driven to push herself academically, athletically, socially, and professionally. After arriving at Lehigh, she quickly found a sense of belonging and community. She joined the basketball team, became campus coordinator for the Women of Color Alliance before later serving as president, and she took on a leadership role as secretary of the Black Student Union.
St. Paul’s experiences eventually took her across the globe to Milan, where she studied abroad through the College of Business and interned with LG. Immersing herself in a new culture challenged her to think more creatively, solve problems independently, and collaborate within a corporate environment. The trip broadened both her personal and professional perspective, and she plans to carry the lessons with her as she begins her career at Mastercard.
At Lehigh’s Donning of the Kente ceremony, St. Paul’s impact on campus was recognized with the Ralph Albert Thomas ’76 Leadership Prize, honoring the leadership and advocacy she cultivated through her time at the university. During her final semester, she was inducted into Lehigh's chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Arin Kumar ’26
Degree: Biology
Destination: Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Position: Dental Student
For many children, trips to the dentist are something to dread. For Kumar, they were an opportunity to spend time with his father, a periodontist in Hackensack, New Jersey. As he grew older, Kumar began shadowing his father and other dental professionals, gradually realizing that dentistry was the path he wanted to pursue. By sophomore year at Lehigh, he was certain of it, spending summers gaining clinical experience and preparing for a future in the field.
Outside the classroom, Kumar found community through the Lehigh Dental Society while also embracing his creative side through music. During his junior year, he and several fraternity brothers formed a rock band called 5Skin. What began as a fun outlet after classes quickly developed a loyal following, leading the group to perform at local bars, birthday parties, and Lehigh events.
Now preparing for dental school, Kumar hopes to eventually become a periodontist, combining the scientific precision that first drew him to dentistry with the human connection that has made the profession meaningful to him.
Ava Conolly ’26
Degree: Chemical Engineering
Destination: Solar Atmospheres
Position: Metallurgical Research and Development Engineer
Conolly first discovered her love of chemistry during her junior year of high school. When she arrived at Lehigh, she declared a major in chemical engineering and immediately immersed herself in the field, especially through Lehigh’s AIChE chapter and hands-on experiences.
By sophomore year, Conolly had grown especially interested in the connection between chemical engineering, materials science, and real-world materials processing. After her internship at Solar Atmospheres, her interest in metallurgy and materials science continued to grow, helping lead her toward her next steps. On campus, she served as lab technician for Laura Moyer, manager of metallography, light optical microscopy, and X-day diffraction, and later worked with the Summer Engineering Institute as a mentor. Moyer, director of the institute, became a significant source of guidance throughout Conolly’s time at Lehigh, while her fellow chemical engineering students formed a close-knit network of encouragement and support.
Much of Conolly’s motivation comes from her younger sister and her parents, whom she hopes to make proud as she begins her career in engineering. Now, as she prepares for her next chapter, she hopes to inspire other young women and show them that there is space for them to thrive in STEM fields, too.
Oyu-Erdene Ankhbayar ’26
Degree: Population Health
Destination: Case Western Reserve University
Position: Doctorate in Biostatistics
While searching for colleges from her home in Mongolia, Ankhbayar had one specific goal in mind: finding a university that offered population health as a major. Around the same time, Lehigh had recently launched its College of Health, and something just clicked. She applied, was accepted, and moved across the world to pursue her dream.
Once on campus, Ankhbayar quickly got involved, working at both Taylor Gym and the campus bookstore. The roles helped her build confidence, strengthen her communication skills, and find a sense of belonging far from home. Another transformative experience came through an Iacocca internship in Luxembourg at the Luxembourg Institute of Health. Though the work differed from her background in biostatistics and public health, it expanded her perspective and ultimately became a stepping stone toward graduate school.
As she explored her next steps, conversations with faculty led her to connect with Paulina Gonzalez ’25, a student enrolled in the same graduate program at Case Western Reserve University that Ankhbayar will soon attend herself. Supported by professors, peers, and Lehigh’s international student community, she now feels prepared for the next chapter of her story.
Nikolas Cruz ’26
Degree(s): Electrical Engineering and Physics
Destination: IBM
Position: Quantum Hardware Test Engineer
For Cruz, the future of AI and quantum computing isn’t some distant concept — it’s the field he hopes to help shape. Before arriving at Lehigh, he was fascinated by technology and computing, interests that eventually led him toward physics research and quantum systems.
For more than half of his time at Lehigh, Cruz worked with Ariel Sommer, associate professor of physics, on atomic physics research, an experience that left a lasting impression on him. Through the Department of Physics Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, he also served as a research fellow, designing a reprogrammable microchip that automated data acquisition for experiment timing. Along the way, he gained experience working with custom radio frequency electronics, feedback loops, and other quantum-related technologies.
Now headed to IBM, Cruz is eager to continue pursuing his passion for quantum computing. He hopes to research ways to improve quantum computing apparatuses and make the technology more compact and accessible for widespread corporate use.
Akanksha Gavade ’26
Degree(s): Industrial & Systems Engineering and IBE Finance
Destination: University of California, Irvine
Position: Doctorate in Informatics
Entrepreneurship has never just been about launching a business to Akanksha; it’s about building solutions that create meaningful social impact. Her interests lie at the intersection of technology, public health, education, and AI, with a focus on expanding access and addressing systemic challenges.
That passion took her around the world during her time at Lehigh. Through a Ruhr Fellowship at TU Dortmund University and support from the Iacocca International Internship Program, Akanksha explored Germany’s entrepreneurial landscape while expanding her global perspective and traveling across 10 countries. She was also a fellow in the Global Social Impact Fellowship in Kazakhstan, where her team developed and tested a sustainability education app designed for elementary school students. The app introduced lessons, quizzes, and homework assignments centered on environmentally conscious habits, such as conserving water. The experience deepened Akanksha’s cultural awareness and reinforced her desire to create positive change wherever she goes.
On campus, Akanksha built a strong network of mentors and collaborators. She served as president of Scholars of Finance and the Lehigh Consulting Group while also receiving support from many people, including Ana-Iulia Alexandrescu-Anselm, professor of practice in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering; Vice Provost for Creative Inquiry Khanjan Mehta; and Eric Baumer, assistant professor of computer science and engineering; who encouraged her through research and professional development opportunities. She credits Lehigh’s interdisciplinary environment with helping shape the unique path she has forged for herself.
Anna Marie Patti ’26
Degree: Mechanical Engineering
Destination: Lockheed Martin
Position: Stress Analyst
Drawn to Lehigh for its strong engineering program, Patti arrived knowing she wanted to pursue a future in aerospace engineering. That ambition only strengthened after she connected with Terry Hart ’68 H’88, professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics, who served as her academic advisor and mentor, encouraging her every step of the way.
Patti joined the research group of Natasha Vermaak, associate professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics, during her sophomore year, where she was introduced to finite element analysis. The experience became foundational to her later work as a Ruhr Fellow with TU Dortmund in Germany. There, she adapted kinetic thermal profile bending simulations, gathered data, attended lectures by mechanical engineering faculty, and developed prototypes that expanded her technical expertise.
The skills Patti developed through research and international experience helped her secure a mechanical engineering internship with Lockheed Martin the summer before her senior year. Now, she has accepted a full-time role with the company as a stress analyst while simultaneously pursuing a master’s degree in aerospace and space systems engineering at Lehigh.
Emily Sigel ’26
Degree: Psychology
Destination: Accenture
Position: Consulting Analyst
At just 14 years old, Sigel launched her first business: The Cotton Candy Girl. Her entrepreneurial drive grew as she landed at Lehigh, where she was awarded a Trustee Scholarship. Although she initially planned to study business, psychology soon captured her attention in unexpected ways. Rather than choosing between the two interests, she leaned fully into both — launching ventures, interning with startups, and advising fellow student entrepreneurs on campus through the Baker Institute.
Through Lehigh West's Startup Academy internship program, Sigel led the development of a new brand strategy for a travel and AI startup, work that laid the foundation for a career blending entrepreneurship, leadership, and human behavior. Her study abroad experiences in Sydney and Rome through the Council on International Educational Exchange further expanded her worldview. She returned knowing she wanted a career with global reach, one that would allow her to understand how people and organizations adapt across cultures, industries, and technology change.
Over the past year, Sigel has grown into an AI native, immersing herself in platforms like Claude and Lovable. Combined with her psychology background and entrepreneurial mindset, those skills opened new opportunities following her internship with Accenture. Now, in her full-time role with the company, she drives strategic, human-centered AI adoption.
Sabato Corbisiero ’26
Degree: Accounting
Destination: Deloitte
Position: Tax Consultant
Part of what drew Corbisiero to Lehigh was the opportunity for a fresh start and the chance to push himself beyond his comfort zone. He entered as a finance major, seeing it as a broad enough direction, and quickly became involved with Scholars of Finance during the organization’s first year on campus. The experience exposed him to new career paths and helped him better understand what truly interested him. Combined with support from Lehigh’s Center for Career and Professional Development, Corbisiero gradually found clarity in his goals.
During his junior year, Corbisiero studied abroad in Milan with IES Abroad, where he interned at the Gatti Pavesi Bianchi LuDovici law firm, improved his Italian, and traveled extensively throughout Europe. The trip reinforced his growth mindset and encouraged him to approach every opportunity as a chance to learn something new.
On campus, Corbisiero founded the Lehigh Lifting Club, combining his passion for fitness and leadership. One day, he hopes to open his own gym. For now, he is preparing to begin his career as a tax consultant with Deloitte.
Iqra Choudhry ’26
Degree: Arts
Destination: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Position: Master of Public Health and Biopharmaceuticals Student
As a first-generation Pakistani college student, Choudhry arrived at Lehigh with a passion for health care and a commitment to improving patient outcomes through research and advocacy. Throughout her time at Lehigh, that passion evolved into a deeper interest in addressing health challenges on both the individual and population levels.
Choudhry became actively involved in organizations such as the Multidisciplinary Association of Pre-Medical Students, where she connected with peers who shared her dedication to health care and service. She also expanded her academic interests through research in Lehigh’s Tiny Earth Lab, working alongside Lorenzo Servitje, professor of English and health, medicine, and society, and Gabrielle String, assistant professor of population health and civil and environmental engineering, to study antibiotic resistance and explore how environmental microbes may contribute to the discovery of novel antimicrobial compounds. Through this research, she developed hands-on experience in microbiology and scientific inquiry while engaging with one of today’s most pressing global public health challenges: antimicrobial resistance.
These experiences strengthened Choudhry’s interest in the intersection of patient care and public health. Now, she is preparing for her next step at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she will pursue a master’s of public health and biopharmaceuticals before continuing on to physician assistant school. As she looks ahead, she hopes to build a career centered on compassionate care and advancing health equity for communities on a broader scale.
