Graduate Assistants (GAs)

Hana Hamdi (GA)

Hana Hamdi

Pronouns: she/her

Yale School of Nurshing ‘26: Nurse-Midwifery

Why AACC? Community, History, and Culture– all things I love and I think are missing in my experience as a graduate/professional school student all the way on West Campus. I love learning about people and their families and heritage, and I love sharing about mine as well, so I am looking forward to being in a space that values those aspects of what make us whole. 

What is your favorite Yale class? The Global Health Justice Practicum, it’s an interdisciplinary course with the Law School, Public Health School, Medical School, and Nursing School. 

What is your favorite book? Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Hana Hamdi is currently pursuing an advanced practice degree in Nurse-Midwifery at Yale University. Formally a Clinical Data Analyst at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, her goal has always been to uplift women and marginalized communities. While at Rutgers University/Douglass College, Hana majored in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. After completing her degree, she received her Master’s in Public Health from Columbia University focusing on Epidemiology and earning a certificate in Public Health and Humanitarian Assistance. She has worked primarily on research studies and needs assessments in many different contexts, such as a Child Friendly Spaces program evaluation for Syrian refugees living in Jordan, a needs assessment for palliative care in hospitals in Senegal, surveillance of childhood asthma in New York City, and an evaluation of a health workforce strengthening program with IntraHealth International in Uganda.
 

Kiswa Rahman (GA)

Kiswa Rahman

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Yale School of Public Health ‘25: Master of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences with U.S. Health Justice Concentration)

Why AACC? I am drawn to the AACC because of the unique nature of the physical space to complement the ever-present community that comes with a shared Asian identity. At the AACC, I am excited to be a part of building community and supporting the Asian and Asian American identity by cultivating spaces for people to learn not only about their history but also celebrate the history of others. I look forward to contributing to and learning from the vibrant community at the AACC and supporting the important work around this community’s historical, cultural, and social aspects while also tapping into my Pakistani heritage! 

What are your hobbies? Film photography, knitting, textile art 

What are your favorite artists/bands? Raveena, Coco & Clair Clair, Atif Aslam, & The Spider-Verse Soundtrack

Kiswa Rahman is a graduate student at the Yale School of Public Health focusing on Social and Behavioral Sciences and U.S. Health Justice. She is particularly interested in colonialism’s various impacts on modern public health crises. Kiswa is originally from the greater Seattle area and deeply enjoys the outdoors. She loves to lounge around by the water, work on one of her endless craft projects, or watch the same handful of movies on repeat.
 

Xuechen Yu (GA)

Xuechen Yu

Pronouns: she/her

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences ‘25: Biostatistics

Why AACC? The warm and welcoming community that values diversity and inclusion.

What is your favorite food? Yangzhou fried rice

What is your favorite movie/TV show? Westworld

Hi, my name is Xuechen Yu. I am a graduate student at the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. I am from Yangzhou, China. I have lived in Singapore and have been in the U.S. since my undergraduate years. I love writing, playing video games, and traveling.