BISF Leadership 2023-2024
Siddhi Narayan
Co-President
Email: sn61@rice.edu
Majors: Computer Science and Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality
Siddhi Narayan is a junior at Sid Richardson College majoring in Computer Science and Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality. This is her third year being involved in BISF. Her areas of interest include reproductive health policy, education policy, and economic equity. She hopes to help BISF continue to expand it's campus presence, and engage undergraduates in pressing policy issues. Outside BISF, she enjoys spending her tetra at CHAUS and exploring Houston with her friends.
Nithya Shenoy
Co-President
Email: nas13@rice.edu
Major: Economics
Nithya Shenoy is a senior at Sid Richardson College and majoring in Economics. Her areas of interest include American politics, the Middle East, and monetary policy. the foreign policy and healthcare. As Co-President, she is hoping to increase campus engagement with the Baker Institute. Outside of BISF, she is involved in Model UN and the Rice Undergraduate Finance Club. In her free time, she enjoys reading and exploring new places.
Kayla Peden
Co-Vice President
Email: kmp12@rice.edu
Major : Political Science; minor in Politics, Law, and Social Thought
Kayla is a junior from Duncan College, majoring in Political science with a minor in Politics, Law, and Social Thought. She is passionate about reforming the criminal justice system and has a strong interest in foreign and domestic policy. She is very excited to co-direct the policy competition this year and hopes to get as many people involved on campus as possible. Outside of BISF, you can find her hanging with friends, singing karaoke, or finding events that give away free food and t-shirts.
Shalin Mehta
Editor-in-Chief of RJPP
Email: ssm10@rice.edu
Major : Political Science; minor in Politics, Law, and Social Thought
Shalin Mehta is a senior at Duncan College studying Political Science and minoring in Politics, Law and Social Thought. He is interested in a variety of topics in foreign policy including security studies, arms control, and global development, with regional focuses on the Middle East and West Africa. This year as Editor-in-Chief of the Rice Journal of Public Policy, he hopes to expand RJPP’s presence on campus and its engagement with the student body and to continue the publication of high quality policy analyses of both domestic and foreign issues. You can reach out to Shalin with any questions about RJPP at ssm10@rice.edu.
Ammar Siddiqi
Co-Director of Events
Email: ads15@rice.edu
Majors: Social Policy Analysis, Biosciences
Ammar Siddiqi is a sophomore at Hanszen College studying biosciences and social policy analysis. His research interest in health disparities has led him to develop a niche interest in the intersection of healthcare and public policy. As this year's Director of the General Board, he is excited to organize engaging events and discussions to stimulate greater interest in public policy on-campus. Outside of BISF, you can find Ammar learning to play new board games with friends or trying new cuisines.
Debi Saha
Co-Director of Events
Email: ds76@rice.edu
Majors: Social Policy Analysis, Biosciences
Debi Saha is a senior from Lovett College majoring in Social Policy Analysis, Economics, and Asian Studies. Her interests are centered on housing, education, and elections. In the past, she co-authored a survey studying drive-thru voting, participated in the Houston Policy Challenge, and worked with the Harris County Election Administrator’s office to make recommendations for election administration. She has also previously worked in policy through internships with the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. As the Director of Events for BISF, she looks forward to making policy events, opportunities, and the Baker Institute accessible to all.
Christina Boufarah
Director of Logistics
Email: ceb19@rice.edu
Major: History; minor in Jewish Studies
Christina Boufarah is a Sophomore at Wiess College majoring in History with a minor in Jewish Studies and is studying Arabic this semester. She is passionate about foreign policy with a focus on the Middle East. Christina joined BISF as a Freshman as a member of the General Board. This year, she is serving as Director of Logistics and is excited to broaden BISF engagement and connect students with exciting opportunities and events through the club. Christina loves rewatching American Vandal, coffee, and sushi.
Samantha Wibawa
Co-Director of General Board
Email: ssw15@rice.edu
Major: Environmental Engineering; minor in Asian Studies, History, Energy & Water Sustainability
Samantha is a sophomore at Martel College studying Environmental Engineering and minoring in Asian Studies, History, and Energy & Water Sustainability. She is interested in energy policy and global pathways toward decarbonization and sustainability, particularly in East Asia and Southeast Asia. As the co-director of the Baker Institute General Board, she looks forward to exploring every member's policy interests as a team and increasing on-campus policy engagement. She enjoys running around the outer loop, matcha/coffee, and exploring food in Houston with her friends.
Rithika Iyengar
Co-Director of General Board
Email: rki2@rice.edu
Major: Mathematical Economic Analysis and SOPA; minor in Statistics and Poverty, Justice, and Human Capabilities
Rithika Iyengar (she/her) is a sophomore from McMurtry College majoring in Mathematical Economic Analysis and Social Policy Analysis, with minors in Poverty, Justice, and Human Capabilities and Statistics. Her policy interests revolve around economic development, gender equity, and civil rights. In the past, Rithika has researched the gendered impacts of criminal legal reforms, worked on data driven program change at nonprofits, and has been involved with advocacy for health equity and immigration rights. As the co-director for the general board, Rithika’s excited to expand the range of activities the general board engages in and make BISF more visible to the Rice community!