Campus Connections

Ancy Verdier is the founder of East End Periodontics, a dental practice with offices in Manhattan and East Hampton, NY where he practices periodontology and implant dentistry. Dr. Verdier earned his B.A. in Psychology from Tufts University, where he served as Student Body President and was the winner of the coveted Wendell Phillips Award. Following his graduation, he completed the post baccalaureate program at Harvard University and then matriculated at Tufts University’s School of Dental Medicine. After receiving his Doctor of Dental Medicine, Dr. Verdier completed a prestigious three-year residency program in Periodontology at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He is a former clinical associate professor at NYU School of Dentistry, is currently an attending at Interfaith Medical Center and is a frequent speaker at national dental meetings and oral health seminars. Dr. Verdier can offer advice on pursuing a degree in dentistry and can be reached at drverdier@ancyverdier.com.

Ninrat Datiri received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2007 and his M.S. in Computer Engineering from NC State University in 2010. Currently as an Intel-sponsored GEM Fellow, he is a second year Ph.D. student in Electrical Engineering and his advisor is Dr. Valencia Joyner. He has held numerous research lab positions and has interned with HP, IBM and Intel. He can provide advising on the benefits of graduate school, finding funding for graduate school, finding a summer internship, applying for the GEM fellowship, and insight on STEM-related questions. He can be contacted at Ninrat.Datiri@tufts.edu.

Ajamu Brown is a former Peace Corps volunteer (Namibia 2000-2002) and holds a Masters degree in Urban and Environmental Policy from Tufts University and a B.A. in Speech Communications from Ithaca College. He is also a seasoned community organizer and volunteers as a certified Community Chef to provide interactive food education workshops in New York City. In 2009, Ajamu was awarded a fellowship through the TogetherGreen program for his role in promoting food justice and environmental sustainability in Central Brooklyn where he developed a web-based map that highlight urban gardens and other green assets in his community. More about the Bed-Stuy Community Eco-Mapping Project can be found here: http://www.greenstuy.org/. Ajamu can be reached at ajamu100@gmail.com.

Brandon Ransom is a Masters Candidate in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. Brandon grew up in Antioch, CA. He is a recent graduate of Morehouse College where he majored in Biology and attained a minor in public health. Brandon can provide advice on studying for the sciences/MCAT/GRE, applying to graduate school, preparing for a career in the health field, and knowing where to find a good time. Brandon welcomes any and every one to get in contact with him via his email at Brandon.Ransom@tufts.edu.

James Jennings is Professor of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning at Tufts University. His research and teaching focuses on urban issues, particularly local economic development, and community development, education, and nonprofits. He has published numerous books and articles on subjects like poverty; Black and Latino political relations; faith-based organizations; public education; and housing. Dr. Jennings received his doctorate from Columbia University in political science, where he focused on Puerto Rican politics in New York City. He grew up in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of New York City, but has also lived in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico during most of his childhood and teen-age summers. He can be reached at: james.jennings@tufts.edu.

Noah W. Kirksey graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, majoring in Marketing and Event Planning. After graduation he went on to work at the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, as a Meeting & Event Planner. He later earned a certificate in Meeting and Event Management from Northeastern University. Noah is currently the Budget and Administrative Coordinator in the Office of the Provost at Tufts University. He is responsible for providing budgetary and financial support for the Provost Area, which includes nineteen Provost Units and Centers. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and currently serves as the vice president and graduate advisor in the Hartford Alumni chapter. Noah can provide advising and share his experiences with employment preparation, career planning, and career development. He can be reached at Noah.Kirksey@tufts.edu.

T.F. Scott Darling, III received a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Government, with a minor in Geography, from Clark University, a Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University School of Law, and a Master of Public Policy from Tufts University. He serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff/Assistant General Counsel for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (The “T”). He has held numerous senior positions in the fields of public transportation, public works, environmental, and urban planning. He can provide assistance with finding a summer internship, charting a career course, and providing insight on research questions. You can contact him at sdarling@mbta.com.

Simon Howard was born and raised in California and received his B.A. in Behavioral Science/Psychology at San Jose State University. He is now pursuing his Ph.D. in Social Psychology primarily focusing on research within the domains of race, prejudice and discrimination. Based on his experiences he can provide advising on applying to grad school, pro/cons of going straight from undergrad to a doctoral program, conducting research in psychology, research opportunities in psychology, dealing with solo status, and the importance of learning/navigating the culture and politics of Eurocentric academia. He can be contacted at Simon.Howard@tufts.edu.

Travis Brown is the Director of The Center for STEM Diversity at Tufts University. He grew up in Orlando, FL, majored in Biology at Morehouse College, and went on to UC Berkeley where he studied animal behavior and endocrinology. Dr. Brown can provide advising on studying for the sciences, summer research internships, applying to graduate school, and how to have a successful graduate career. He welcomes emails and can be reached at travis.brown@tufts.edu.