Writing Center Staff Directory 

• Jennifer Albanese (Director)
  

  Jennifer Albanese is the Director of the Writing Center and the former Associate Director of the Writing and Rhetoric Program, where she has taught for 24 years. She has developed workshops and writing courses for the Graduate Chemistry program, the IACS, and the Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University. 
• Sara Santos
   
• Petrina DiSanto (Undergraduate Assistant Director)
  

  Petrina is a fourth-year dual degree undergrad/grad student working towards her BA in English Teacher Preparation with a minor in Film & Screen Studies and her MA in English. She’s been the Undergraduate Assistant Director at the Writing Center since Fall 2024. She was previously a teaching assistant for WRT 102, SBU 101, and EGL 301, and hopes to pursue teaching young adults before moving to higher education. In her free time, Petrina loves to read, crochet, watch Halloween movies, and go to museums.Specializations: UNDERGRADUATE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR,EGL TA,WRT TA,FULBRIGHT
• Brian Eberle (Graudate Writing Support)
  

  Brian Eberle is the Graduate Assistant for Graduate Writing Support. A PhD candidate in the Department of English, his research focuses on the relationship between space, historical memory, and literary representation in 20th-century Anglophone fiction. He has taught literature and composition courses since 2013 and has worked in writing centers since 2011. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking and trying to placate the Duolingo owl.SPECIALIZATIONS: GRADUATE WRITING SUPPORTEmail gradwriting@stonybrook.edu to book an appointment with him!
• Abby Mars
  

  Abby is a senior in the English Honors Program, with minors in Linguistics and Writing & Rhetoric. She has previously TAed for WRT102. Last summer, she received a URECA grant to study gangs in NYC. She is currently working on her Honors thesis about The Hunger Games. In her free time, she enjoys playing cards and going on walks.Specializations: WRT TA, FULBRIGHT, URECA, NURSING
• Abigail Tavera
  

  Abigail is a senior majoring in psychology with two minors in writing and biology, with plans to attend law school post-graduation. She is the PSY 310 Writing Consultant, but she also enjoys all other forms of writing. She has experience working in psychiatric clinics and in psychological research, and has been a teaching assistant for HON 101 (Introduction to the Honors College) and PSY 250 (Biopsychology) in the past. Currently, she is a tutor at the ASTC, a teaching assistant for PSY 339 (Schizophrenia), and is an intern Student Mediator at the Office of the Attorney General. In her free time, Abigail thoroughly enjoys spending time with family, reading, hiking, kayaking, and all things outdoors. She is also OBSESSED with coffee and her Shih Tzu mix, Oreo!Specializations: PSY 310, WRITING CONSULTANT,PSY TA,HON TA
• Amanda Doggett
  

  Amanda is a junior working towards her BSW in Social Work with a potential minor in Applied Mathematics and Statistics. She hopes to pursue the one-year advanced standing program for a Master's in Social Work and become a licensed social worker. In her free time, Amanda enjoys going for walks, spending time with her family, and eating out.Specializations: SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM
• Angelyse Roman
  

  Angelyse is a senior majoring in English with a minor in Hispanic Languages with plans to get a masters in Higher Education Administration. She has experience with different forms of writing such as research papers, personal narratives and was a TA for SBU 101. She is a member of the ANZ club on campus and loves to read on her free time. Specializations: SBU 101
• Anjali Vishwanath
  

  Anjali is a senior double majoring in International Relations and Journalism with plans to apply to law school. She has experience with different forms of writing for publication, including writing for publication in AP style and writing for television. She has had articles and editorials published in The Stony Brook Press and The Statesman. Anjali has also written scripts for news shows as a former member of Stony Brook Newsbreak and the Stony Brook Media Group. She has been a TA for HON 201, POL 311, and POL/SOC 374. She is also the social media manager for the Writing Center and launched the Instagram account @stonybrookwritingcenter.Specializations: SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER,POL/SOC TA,JOURNALISM: STONY BROOK PRESS, STATESMAN
• Ansh Garg
  

  Ansh is a senior majoring in Computer Science and in Applied Mathematics and Statistics. His primary career interests lie in information security, and he plans to pursue graduate education in security policy. He has written about computer science and medicine throughout his career, and he has extensive experience writing case reports, research papers, and professional applications. In the past, he has been involved in computer science research (machine learning, cybersecurity) and medical research (neuroscience, stem cells, oncology). Ansh has also previously been a teaching assistant for CSE 215. Specializations: CSE/ISE TA,STEM,ACADEMIC RESEARCH
• Brian Chen
  

  Brian is a junior Political Science major with a minor in Writing & Rhetoric. He was previously a teaching assistant for SBU 101 and WRT 102, but is currently involved with writing at The Stony Brook Press and The Undergraduate Law Review. When not working, Brian spends his free time participating in high-stakes eating contests, visiting the frogs at Avalon Park, and abruptly pausing while walking to think about retirement.Specializations: WRT TA,STONY BROOK PRESS,LAW REVIEW,FULBRIGHT
• Chiho Kakita
  

  Chiho is a sophomore majoring in Marine Sciences with a minor in Writing and Rhetoric. Along with being a tutor for the Writing Center, she is a Fellow for SCH 101, International Relations Chair for the Japanese Student Organization, and a secretary for SBU Audubon, which is a club dedicated to spreading awareness about birds and bird conservation. Chiho plans to pursue a career that incorporates marine conservation and research with writing, whatever that may entail, but her grand dream in life is to be an author and own a tiny bookshop, preferably with a bakery next door. When she has free time, she can be seen hanging out with friends, enjoying the comfort of her dorm, making progress on her novels or reading, and listening to wildly different types of music.
• Dan Hart
  

  Dan is a first-year graduate student in the English MA program. He was previously a TA for EGL 204, and recently completed an honors thesis focused on the relationship between science fiction and culture with regard to literature and media. Dan has experience with sci-fi, realism, dramatic literature, and researched arguments. You might recognize him from the hit Instagram series "Tutor Tips!" When not working at the writing center, you can find Dan skating around campus, reading at the Staller steps, or surfing on the south shore.Specializations: WRT 102,EGL 204,NARRATIVE WRITING
• Elise Boria
  

  Elise is a senior physics major in the WISE program who intends to go to graduate school in order to pursue a career in research. She has worked at the Writing Center since spring 2024, in addition to which she has been a teaching assistant for the introductory physics labs, and WSE205. She has also participated in an internship with the Herstory Network for memoir writing, and last summer she was an REU student working in experimental AMO physics. In her free time, Elise loves to watch horror movies and go to the beach.Specializations: PHY/WSE TA,REU,HERSTORY NETWORK
• Emily Cheung
  

  Emily is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a BS in Health Science with a minor in Professional Writing. She is involved in various departments across campus and enjoys singing, reading, and relaxing (whatever that means). Her ultimate beloved pastime is collecting trinkets in which her most favored are displayed for all the world to admire.
• Harrison Bohrer
  

  Harrison is a senior majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in Biology and Geospatial Science. He is also a part of the MBA Fast-Track Program. He's interested in pursuing a career involving marine ecology, GIS applications, and carbon sequestration! Harrison is a seasoned tutor, and has experience tutoring all of the major pre-health genres including pre-med, pre-nursing, pre-dental, and so on. He has also completed research under Dr. Sharon Pochron in her Worm Lab as a recipient of a URECA grant for the summer of 2025 and is now a team leader in the lab working on a project funded by the NSF. Harrison currently gets up at 4:35 AM daily for 5:15 AM morning practices as president of Stony Brook Rowing. Intermittently, he plays guitar and runs a growing photography account on instagram. Even more intermittently, he'll sleep.Specializations: Pre-health,URECA,SUS 351 TA
• Isabela Fraguada
  

  Isabela is a senior majoring in Coastal Environmental Studies with her main research experience in environmental education and literacy. She has researched sustainable history, global climate change, and innovative climate financing. Her expertise lies in research-related writing, including internship and fellowship applications and research articles. She has participated in a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates at the University of South Florida focusing on climate resilience and adaptation, as well as a stewardship program with Syracuse University based in sustainable materials management.Specializations: UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMIC RESEARCH (STEM),SUSTAINABILITY, PROFESSIONAL WRITING,REU
• Jayson Louisdor
  

  Jayson is a senior majoring in Marine Sciences with a minor in Ecosystems & Human Impact. He has conducted research in partnership with the NYS Center for Clean Water Technology, collaborated with scientists in government and industry settings, and contributed to projects focusing on improving environmental and human health. He has also presented research at URECA, and plans to pursue graduate study in microbiology and contribute to disease prevention research. In his free time, you can find him playing video games, hanging out with friends, or learning new languages. Specializations: URECA,UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH (STEM)
• Kaitlyn Todd
  

  Kaitlyn is a junior double majoring in Health Science and Creative Writing, with aspirations to bridge the two disciplines in her future career. She currently serves as an associate editor for SBU's scientific journal, Young Investigators Review, where she has extensive experience editing professional research papers, theses, and academic writing. Her specialty lies in medical writing, combining her scientific knowledge with her creative writing skills to communicate complex health information effectively. In her free time, she spontaneously enjoys going to concerts, reading English and historical literature, and writing short stories.Specializations: YOUNG INVESTIGATORS REVIEW, MEDICAL WRITING ASSOCIATE EDITOR
• Kamala Covert
  

  Kamala is a senior in the English Honors Program with a minor in Writing and Rhetoric. Previously a Public Humanities Intern for the English Department's VOICE Lab, she is versed in narrative and expository writing. She plans on continuing her education in graduate school. Kamala is also poised in speech writing, as this past year she presented a speech at the United Nations CSW. Additionally, she was awarded a URECA Summer Research Grant to carry out an independent creative project. Kamala has also led multiple tutoring events in Library Research, College Essays, and Research Papers. Additionally, this past Summer, she tutored the most recent cohort of Fulbright applicants. Currently, she is a TA for WRT 102. In her free time, you'll find her at the local pottery studio, bird watching, or listening to an audiobook.Specializations: WRT TA,URECA, SOP WORKSHOP,FULBRIGHT
• Kevin Yu
  

  Kevin is a senior majoring in English Education with a minor in Creative Writing and Journalism. He has written about race relations, intersectionality, news, sports coverage, literature reviews, and educational research throughout his college career. Kevin has vast experience writing for multimedia such as web, social media, radio, and print. His writing has been published in The Statesman and WSHU. Kevin is also Vice President of Reading Is Fun (RIF), a club dedicated to helping international students improve their English. He is also a sport, news, and art writer for The Statesman. In his free time, you can find Kevin either at the gym, reading comic books, or cheering on the New York Giants or Brooklyn Nets! Specializations: JOURNALISM,MASS COMMUNICATIONS,LITERATURE REVIEW,PERSONAL STATEMENT WORKSHOP
• Margaret Lehmann
  

  Maggie is pursuing a PhD in English literature with a focus on the early modern period. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and English. She served as a writing center coordinator at the University of San Diego. She is also an executive board member of the Graduate English Society and co-coordinator of the Stony Brook English Graduate Conference. It is the oldest running English graduate conference in the country. In her free time (which doesn’t exist), she enjoys drawing botanical charts and thrifting.Specializations: Argumentative Writing, Personal Statement Workshop UChicago, College Admissions Workshop UChicago,
• Maria Sazonova
  

  Maria is a fourth-year Physics Major with an Optics Specialization and Minors in Russian and Writing and Rhetoric. Maria has experience with high-level Academic Research writing, STEM Laboratory Reports, Personal Statements, and Creative Writing. Additionally, she has articles published in the SBU Brooklogue Journal and RhetComp Journal, and acts as the proponent for the Gilman Scholarship Workshop, targeted specifically towards Study Abroad Applications. In her free time, Maria enjoys reading, embroidering, and ice skating.Specializations: STUDY ABROAD, GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP, SBU BROOKLOGUE
• Matthew Schuster
  

  Matt is a junior majoring in English and minoring in Political Science. He previously served as a T.A for SBU 101 and is excited to share his love for writing with others at SBU. Post college, Matt hopes to center his career around helping others and fostering a love for reading. In his free time, he enjoys tending to his letterboxd account, attending his favorite musical festivals, and spending time with those closest to him!
• Maura Luby
  

  Maura is in her last semester of undergrad, and she is majoring in English with a minor in Creative Writing. You may recognize her from the Writing Center social media page, including her short-form social media series called "Meta with Maura!" In addition to being a tutor, she is also a senior marketing intern with the Humanities Institute, a project assistant with Enrollment Management, and a registration coordinator with the Stony Brook ACE Program in the office of Undergraduate Education. Maura is able to help with writing from an interdisciplinary approach, as she has both academic and professional experience in the humanities as well as in business. She has extensive experience in research writing through the English honors program, experience in various modes of creative writing (as she currently is workshopping her senior novel project), and additional experience in professional and grant writing through her undergraduate work in the business department. Outside of preparing for her MBA coursework in the spring, Maura loves to play mah jongg and pickleball, play music with her band, and bake apple crisp with her aunt.Specializations: BUSINESS,CREATIVE WRITING,ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING,PROFESSIONAL WRITING,SOCIAL MEDIA,RESEARCH
• Melinda Mathew
  

  Melinda is a junior English Teacher Preparation major with a minor in Globalization Studies and International Relations in the Combined BA/MA program. She is the Public Relations for SBU Taandava, the classical Indian dance team on campus. She hopes to teach high school students and share her love of literature. In her free time, she loves to watch movies, do nails and dance! 
• Nadine Jamora
  

  Nadine is a sophomore majoring in English with a minor in Writing & Rhetoric. She has participated in an internship with the Humanities Institute at Stony Brook as a marketing intern and currently serves on the English Department Student Advisory Council. In addition to being a writing tutor, Nadine is the Founder and President of Journal at Stony, a journaling, scrapbooking, and letter-writing club on campus dedicated to providing equitable access to wellness journaling. She is also the social media coordinator for Alpha Nu Zeta, the English Honors Society. In her free time, you can find Nadine sitting at coffee shops, reading poetry, browsing bookstores, collecting stationery, wandering around art museums, baking, running and sailing!
• Sarah Wickes
  

  Sarah is a senior majoring in English and minoring in Writing & Rhetoric, with plans to work in the publishing industry. She has experience with several kinds of writing, including literary analyses, technical writing, as well as personal narratives, and argumentative essays. She is an editor for both the Kaleidoscope Honors College magazine and the Stony Brook Young Investigators Review. She is also currently a TA for EGL 308 and the event coordinator of Alpha Nu Zeta English Honor Society at SBU.Specializations: EGL TA,KALEIDOSCOPE,YOUNG INVESTIGATORS REVIEW