Winthrop House Resident Tutors

Your resident tutors are here to facilitate community in your entryway and to support you through your years at Winthrop House as you navigate academic, professional, and personal life. Please see below to learn more about who we are, why we're here, and what we do. We hope you'll take advantage of any excuse (or no excuse at all) to get in touch with any of us at any time! (Nonresident tutor bios are coming soon.)

Alex Bagley
Specialties: Medicine, Winthrop Music Society, Engineering, Biology
Bio: I was born and raised in the Boston area, graduating from St. John’s Prep, MIT, and now currently in Harvard Medical School’s M.D./Ph.D. program. At MIT, I studied Chemical Engineering and conducted research at the Whitehead Institute (MIT), Merck & Co., and Joule Biotechnologies on projects ranging from ‘how drug-eluting coronary stents work’ to ‘engineering bacteria that produce petroleum.’ My Ph.D. research involves designing gold nanoparticles, which in addition to sounding cool, may one day help us detect and treat cancer in new ways. I’m always happy to talk science and medicine, so definitely be in touch if you’d like to chat about your research or anything else that captures your imagination. My interests in medicine and science are closely matched by my interests in basketball and music. I played on the Varsity Basketball team at MIT and have kept playing since coming to Harvard. Whether it’s helping our undefeated IM team at the MAC or playing pick-up at Hemenway or Shad, I’m always up for a game or just shooting around. Music is also important to me, and as the new Music Society Tutor, I’m excited to work with Winthrop’s student musicians – from the concert violinists to the jazz pianists to the beginner guitarists (like me). Being part of Winthrop is, in a word, awesome, and I look forward to getting to know many of you during the year!

Raul Campillo
Specialties: Government, Law
Bio: I grew up in San Diego, California for 18 years before I came to Harvard for my undergraduate studies. I concentrated in Government where I wrote a thesis on political advertisements. I was a member of the Undergraduate Council my freshman year, and then a dedicated member of the Harvard Dems for the next three years. I also played on the JV baseball team. I lived in J-Entry and H-Entry in my three years in Winthrop and worked for Mr. Simms one summer as well. After graduating, I joined Teach For America in the Las Vegas Valley region as a 5th grade teacher. It was a great experience that really has given me perspective on the difficulty of the problems America's children face in low-income communities. I am beginning my first year at Harvard Law School in September, 2011. I love studying the Constitution and civil rights, as well as law and politics. If you have any questions about the Gov Department (writing a thesis, picking classes, professors, resources, funding); want to apply to law school; like to chat about current events, The Daily Show, or The Colbert Report; or if you are looking for great restaurants in Boston, my door is wide open. For anything else, it is wide open still.

Elisabeth Centeno
Specialties: Race Relations, Law
Bio: Hey Winthrop! I grew up in the fabulous City of Angels (Los Angeles!) before I made my way to Northern California and finally across the country. For college I went to Stanford where I double majored in Art History and International Relations. While art will forever be my first love, I also developed a budding interest in law. After graduating, I spent a year working at Human Rights First in New York City as a John Gardner Public Service Fellow. Most recently, I graduated from Yale Law School, where I spent a great deal of time doing direct legal service work through the Domestic Violence Clinic and Immigration Legal Services Clinic. This year I will be working in the Immigration Unit of Greater Boston Legal Services. I’m new to the Harvard community, but I’m so excited to become a part of it through life at Winthrop House. I hope to share my many passions with you all, including the arts and cultural offerings in Cambridge and Boston (art museums, film festivals, theater, ballet, symphony -- you name it!), arts and crafts (mini-Martha Stewart here!), community service, and celebrating cultural heritage (through food, music, literature, film, etc). I’m also new to rowing and would love to continue this hobby at Winthrop. Joey (my fiancé) and I can’t wait to meet you all! Consider us your one-stop shop for pre-law, pre-med, and general life advice needs!

Maggie Gram
Specialties: English, African American Studies, BGLTS, Public Service, Website
Bio: I grew up in Van Nuys, CA, went to New York for college, lived in Brooklyn while working as an organizer and then in communications for the New York Civil Liberties Union, and am now a doctoral student in the English department, where I'm writing and teaching about postwar American literature and culture. Favorite things include breakfast, music, novels written recently, running, my baby sisters, bicycle-riding, history, radio, constitutional law, talking to you. Least favorite things include long boring movies and mean people. Whether or not you share these interests and aversions, I hope you’ll drop by and say hi; I am hugely honored to be a part of this community, and I am happiest and most invigorated when I'm surrounded by the incredible people who make it what it is.

Charlotte Persson-Gulda
Specialties: Mechanical and Environmental Engineering, Mathematics
Bio: I grew up in a family who love to travel, in a country, Sweden, which has travel agencies on every block. Through travelling I have developed a curiosity to see different places and meet new people. I moved to the United States as a freshman for my undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and play for the Women's Golf Team at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Once I graduated, I moved to Boston and applied my engineering skills at a manufacturing company for two years. I started my PhD studies in Environmental Engineering at Harvard fall 2010, and I am excited and very happy to be part of the awesome tutor team here at Winthrop House! My weakness in life is my love of teddy bears and sweet desserts. You will also soon realize that I am a total sport freak, who hates to lose! Feel free to stop by to talk about any school/athletic/travel/job related topics, or anything else that you may have on your mind. Or come beat me on the Wii or Guitar Hero - although you may not get to leave until you let me win at least once ;O)

Maria Persson Gulda
Specialties: Engineering, Physics, Mathematics
Bio: Hello everyone! I was born and raised in Sweden, the home of the Vikings, IKEA and ABBA. I crossed the Atlantic in 2002 to play golf for University of Colorado as an undergrad. During that time I took a bachelor in engineering physics, with a minor in applied math and economics. I know lots about adapting to a new crazy culture like the US and missing out on class due to tournaments so if you would like any expertise in these areas I would love to discuss them with you!!! As soon as I graduated, I hit the tour and played professional golf. After trying out for the LPGA I received my acceptance letter from Harvard and I am now a PhD student in Applied Physics here. Besides being a total sports freak, I love traveling to different countries and experiencing their cultures, listening to music, meeting new people and eating desserts. Please feel free to stop by at any time and we can discuss anything you fancy. See you soon!

Luke Leafgren
Specialties: Fellowships
Bio: I spent my early childhood in Unalakleet, Alaska, but moved to Superior, Wisconsin, in time to meet my future wife, Lindsay Noll, who stunned me in ninth grade when I first saw her on-stage as Rosie in Bye, Bye, Birdie. In high school, I was the captain of a state-champion mock trial team and an equally awful football team (1-7). I went on to receive a B.A. in English from Columbia, and a second B.A. in Philosophy and Theology from Oxford. I specialize in Arabic but can read about ten languages, partly on account of having studied abroad in Heidelberg, Perugia, Venice, Damascus, Irbid (Jordan), and Cairo. During those years, Lindsay and I drove over twenty thousand miles in a dozen European countries (without accident or citation). My Comparative Literature dissertation studies how Arabic historical novels suggest possibilities for community between Muslims and Christians. At Winthrop, I'm the House Fellowships Advisor and an IM Sports enthusiast. Games such as go, chess, and bridge are among my favorite pastimes, and I'm currently attempting to learn ballroom dance.

Pete L'Official
Specialties: Fellowships
Bio: I was born and raised in New York City, in the only borough that is both situated on the mainland of North America, and the only one which requires a definite article by way of introduction. I am currently a PhD student in the History of American Civilization program, and you are free -- perhaps even encouraged -- to call what I do American Studies, along with pretty much everyone else. I have read books, watched movies, and listened to music at various points in my lifetime (and will more than likely continue to do so), and have written about doing those things for various people at Williams College, Oxford University, New York University, The Village Voice, Salon, The Believer, Spin, Vibe, and other such fine, upstanding institutions. I am interested in the eternal questions of a classical education: The Bronx or Brooklyn? Boot Camp Clik or Dipset? Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? Luc Sante or Junot Diaz? Corbu or Mies? Rio or São Paulo? San Juan or Santo Domingo? Alphaville or Masculin, féminin? Marlo Stanfield or Avon Barksdale? Tracy Morgan or Tracy Jordan? Generally, the answer to these questions is: "both." I am, however, willing and happy to discuss these quandaries or anything else, anytime.

Joey Lopez
Specialties: Medicine
Bio: Hey, Winthrop! I’m from Sacramento, California and I’m a dual-degree M.D./M.B.A. student at Harvard Medical School and Harvard Business School; I’ve completed my first three years of medical school and this year I will be at HBS. Before coming to Harvard, I received my B.A. in Human Biology at Stanford University. At Stanford, I led Barrio Assistance, a weekly tutoring program for at-risk and under-resourced minority youth. I also served as Co-Chair of Chicano/Latinos in Health Education (CHE), which provides professional, academic, and community support to Latino pre-medical students. I’ve continued these efforts more recently by co-founding the Harvard Minority Medical Alliance (HMMA), through which I’ve helped mentor over 100 pre-medical students of all backgrounds. When I’m not studying medicine, I’m watching or playing soccer. My favorite teams are Manchester City and FC Barcelona. If you ever feel like watching soccer game highlights, talking about medical school, or anything else, you should definitely let me know!

Brian McCammack
Specialties: History, English, Sophomore Advising
Bio: My wife Laura and I have been at Winthrop since the fall of 2008. We’ve been together since way back in 2001, but we didn’t get married until the spring of 2008 (yeah, I know, I moved fast on that whole proposal/engagement/marriage thing). Sometimes I’m bearded, sometimes I’m beardless, but it’s easy to recognize me when I’m in the courtyard with our dogs, Buddy and Tippy. I’m a grad student in the History of American Civilization program, writing a dissertation about African Americans and the natural environment in interwar Chicago. Even though I’m pretty fully invested in the humanities and social sciences these days, I got my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at Purdue University in Indiana (where I then got my MA in American Studies before coming to Harvard). So I’m living proof that there’s not an impenetrable wall between the hard sciences and the humanities and that, yes, it is possible to do both or switch courses midstream. Born and raised a Hoosier, I’m a huge White Sox and (sort of) Colts fan in a Red Sox and Patriots town, and I love going to Fenway wearing my White Sox hat. I detest the Cubs. In the past few years, I’ve begun distance running pretty regularly and I've run a handful of half-marathons and one full marathon. If you want to go for a run along the Charles sometime, holler at me!

Laura McCammack
Specialties: Teacher Education
Bio: I hail from near Detroit, MI (and yes, did at one point live near 8 Mile) and moved to Indianapolis, IN to attend Butler University. I graduated in 2003 with a BS in Elementary Education and have taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. Currently, I'm teaching 4th grade at Prospect Hill Academy in Somerville. I live with my charming husband, Brian, and our two dogs Tippy (the dachshund) and Buddy (the bassett/beagle, aka a bagel). Tippy is a little crazy - be sure to let him smell you before you try to pet! Buddy is afraid of everyone...don't take it personally. We would be happy to take you on in one of our many board games or a long walk around town with the pups. I also love to cook and bake and often pretend that I'm a cheftestant on Top Chef. To counteract the caloric consequences of my imaginary Top Chef world, I've been known to go for a jog (NB: jog, not run) around the Charles or a hike in the Blue Hills. I'm the person to see for questions related to playing well with others, long division, cursive handwriting, and reciting the 50 states and capitals. In life outside of elementary school skills, I might be helpful to you as a top-notch copy editor, educational policy debater, or connection to volunteer opportunities in area schools. I also promise to understand seemingly constant chocolate cravings, the need for a truly good cup of coffee, and the desire to be just a little lazy. Please feel free to swing on by, even if it's just to see the dogs!

Lindsay Noll
Specialties: Business Careers
Bio: I love you Winthrop House! I am from Superior, WI. Luke and I went to high school together there. That’s where we met, back when we were 15 years old. I graduated from NYU with a double major in French Literature and Dramatic Literature, Theater History, and the Cinema. But I was a transfer student – I spent my first two years of college at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. I received my MBA from Simmons College in May 2010. I love to travel. I studied abroad in France as a freshman, spent two years in England with Luke as he was working on his second bachelor’s degree at Oxford, then a year in Italy. I have made trips all over Europe and around the Middle East. Other personal interests are dancing, watching good movies, all sorts of fitness activities (favorites are yoga, running, and squash), cooking, and investments. My work experience has been in health care, consulting, and has included some different types of accounting (not public, yet).

Laura Ralston
Specialties: Economics and House Sustainability
Bio: Hey All! I started as a tutor in Winthrop in July '09, and as an Economics PhD student at MIT in 2008. My specific interests are development and environmental economics, and I'm keen to link the two areas by looking at the microeconomic impacts of climate change on developing economies. I've also studied lots of labour economics, and being more of an empiricist, I am more than familiar with stata, and can code a line or two of matlab, mathematica, and arcGIS! Before I sound like too much of an MIT computer geek, I'd like to add that I do like the outdoors, and I really enjoy heading out to the White Mountains in New Hampshire, where ice-picking through snow-packed trails has been somewhat of an exciting novelty to me, as I'm from the South of England where snow is a rarity. I live up to the British tradition of being a enthusiastic tea drinker and one of my favourite foods is chocolate, so please drop by for one, or the other, or both! I did my undergraduate studies and a masters at London School of Economics, both in Economics, and if you have any questions about studying in the UK, or life in London then I may be able to help. I spent a lot of time rowing when I was an undergrad so I'm hoping to be a useful addition to the IM crew teams, but I am also willing and curious to try some of these new "American" IM sports!

Allison Ray
Specialties: Law, English, Religion, Public Service
Bio: A Midwesterner at heart, I left Chicago for Harvard and fell in love with Boston (although I still miss Chicago pizza). After poring over books and engaging in late-night dhall discussions, I graduated with a joint degree in English and Religion and a secondary field in Government. I'm now hitting the books once more at Harvard Law and back at Winthrop House. While an undergrad, I was heavily involved in a variety of extracurriculars and love to help people figure out what they want to do with their lives. I also taught English to immigrant and refugee high schoolers, did research for a child welfare non-profit, spent a summer at the Department of Justice, and took a gap year between college and graduate school to do something totally different. My favorite things include debating ethics and philosophy, playing with our dog Bailey, trading jokes, baking cakes, and experiencing life with Steve.

Steve Ray
Specialties: Wellness, Grill Master
Bio: Born and raised in Texas, I came up to Boston to study Mechanical Engineering at MIT. I played varsity volleyball for four years (which sadly means I’m ineligible for IM volleyball), worked on F-16s at a major defense contractor, led in several Christian ministries, modeled alternative oil extraction techniques at an oil giant, and met my future wife. After finishing undergrad, my excitement for technology and passion to mentor motivated me to stay around MIT and pursue a PhD so I can teach. As a graduate student, I’m making buildings more energy efficient through my research for the Building Technology group, a joint program between Architecture, Civil, and Mechanical Engineering. Additionally, I'm heavily involved in MIT's D-Lab, whose mission is to alleviate poverty through the creation of appropriate technologies. I’m married to the most awesome woman in Winthrop and love cooking new things, conversing with people of different backgrounds, and just generally being active.

Josh Rosenbloom & Judy Rosenbloom
Specialities: Pre-Med and Pre-Dental
Bio: Hi everyone! We both grew up in the suburbs of Maryland - Judy in Baltimore and Josh in Bethesda. We met here in Somerville, a little known town bordering Cambridge, when we moved in as next-door neighbors. It didn't hurt that we also had class together for two years. Josh is at the medical school and Judy at the dental school. Yes, Harvard has a dental school. Before coming to grad school, Judy majored in Biology at Yeshiva University in New York and Josh concentrated in History and Science at Harvard. After college Josh spent two years in Israel and got a Master's in Public Health at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Besides being pre-med/pre-dental tutors, we are enjoing being part of the entire Winthrop community. We enjoy cooking, traveling, and generally exploring Boston. Stop by E entryway anytime to say hello or just to get a free toothbrush!

Joel Yao
Specialties: Chemistry, LBGTS, Art Room
Bio: After finishing my undergraduate education at Beijing University, I came to the United States in 2006 to pursue my PhD in Physical Chemistry. I am very happy to apply my physical chemistry background to solve important biomedical questions and to work with scientists from diverse backgrounds ranging from mathematics, physics, genetics, to computer science. So if you want to ever want to talk about choice of science concentration, I am your man! For fun, I like cooking (I always try to figure out ingredients when dining out), learning foreign languages (currently Japanese) and reading a bit philosophy (I love Henry David Thoreau). I am also very active in the LBGT grad student community and worked briefly at Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), a group that helped legalize same-sex marriage in Massachusetts. This is my first time living abroad, far away from my family and friends. Although feeling homesick from time to time, I like my new life in Boston, mostly because I enjoy meeting people from different places, thus able to see things at different angles. I look forward to talking to each one of you at Winthrop!

Wendi Zhang
Specialties: Entrepreneurship, International Development
Bio: Hi everyone! I was born in the ancient city of Yangzhou in China, and moved to H-town in Texas, where Everything is Bigger, after 2nd grade. Having been in the Boston area for more than 6 years, I now call Beantown home. For college, I studied both management science and math up the river at MIT, where I fell in love with the engineering mindset and entrepreneurship. Now, I am studying for MBA/MPP degrees from both HBS and HKS and enjoying the new experiences (such as attending Hasty Puddings shows). Since graduating from high school, I have accumulated experiences in entrepreneurship, international development, consulting, finance, international management academic research, teaching in another country, nonprofits and the public sector. I am fluent in English and Chinese, conversational in Spanish, and a beginner in Japanese, but I am absolutely fascinated by foreign languages and always looking for the opportunity to learn more. I spend my free time traveling (personal goal is to have traveled to at least 30 countries by the time I am 30 -- I am at 21 now), learning about different cultures, restaurant hopping, finding out about the latest news in technology, thinking about education in rural Asia, watching movies and TV shows (hoping for another Arrested Development at the moment), and eating Pinkberry. I am looking forward to sharing my interests and experiences with you!