Staff

  • Person

Ha Pham (Vietnam)

Biography Ha Pham is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences studying Cognitive and Computer Science, and a first-year Master’s student in Data Science. She was born in Ishikawa, Japan and grew up in Hanoi, Vietnam. She joins ISAB to help create more sustainable changes for her international student community here, and contributes…

  • Person

Terhi Nurminen (Finland)

Biography Terhi is a senior in the College and Engineering studying Cognitive Science and Systems Engineering. She grew up in rural Finland and prior coming to Penn spent two gap years in the Swedish archipelago – a perfect location to fend off the pandemic. She is interested in mathematical modeling and understanding how humans make…

  • Person

Novia Woiso (Tanzania)

Biography Novia is a sophomore at the Wharton School, interested in concentrating in real estate and BEPP. She is a Tanzanian from the region/town of Morogoro. Novia is passionate about embracing her culture and realizing the value that comes through effective intercultural discourse. Novia wants to help create spaces that reinforce cultural pride and nurture…

  • Person

Charity Apreku (Ghana)

Biography Charity (she/her) is a junior at the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Economics with a minor in Computer Science. Born and raised in Tema, Ghana, she is actively involved in campus organizations such as Penn Ghana, BlackGen Capital, and Growth Equity @ Penn. Charity joined ISAB to help address…

  • Person

Niamh Lotty

Contact Biography Niamh is an ISSS Advisor, assisting with the International Students and Scholars within Penn Global. Prior to coming to Penn, Niamh worked in Belfast, Northern Ireland as a Consular Immigration Associate for Vialto Partners. Niamh received her BA in History from Millersville University of Pennsylvania with two minors in Government and Political Affairs…

  • Person

Melinda Massaro Ingersoll

Contact Biography Melinda Massaro Ingersoll serves as an International Student and Scholar Services Advisor for the International Student and Scholars (ISSS) department. With extensive experience in international education, she specializes in program development, cross-cultural communication, immigration advising, and global learning initiatives. Melinda holds a Master of Science in Student Personnel Administration from the State University…

  • Person

Aaron DeBruin

Contact Biography Aaron DeBruin is the International Student and Scholar Coordinator (ISSC) at ISSS. Before joining ISSS as the temporary Resource Coordinator in February 2008, Aaron had moved to Philadelphia from Baltimore in Fall 2007. His background work experience includes administrative and technical services in the film and video industry, including video editing, office administration, and bicycle…

Professional Headshot of Aaron DeBruin
  • Person

Jeanne Ma

Contact Biography Born and raised in China, Jeanne’s passion for working with international students and scholars started when she was a freshman in college. She has over a decade of experience in international student and scholar services in higher education. In her various roles in the Office of International Students and Scholars at Lehigh University…

  • Person

Traci Martin

Contact Biography Traci Martin is the International Scholar Specialist at the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) in the University of Pennsylvania.   Her responsibilities include reviewing and approving the requests to process the J-1 scholar applications for the University of Pennsylvania, Monell Chemical Senses Center, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Presbyterian Medical Center and Pennsylvania…

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