BISF Leadership 2025-2026

 

Maggie Tsyganova

Co-President

Email: mt150@rice.edu
Majors: Mathematical Economic Analysis, Minor in French Studies

Maggie Tsyganova, originally from Chicago, is a senior at Duncan College majoring in Mathematical Economic Analysis. She is particularly interested in China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Russian energy policy. This semester, as Co-President of BISF, Maggie looks forward to increasing BISF’s engagement and impact with the Rice student population. Outside of academics, Maggie is also involved with Rice Consulting and interns at the Baker Institute. In her free time, she enjoys studying foreign languages and trying new food spots.

 

Bella Pacheco

Co-President

Email: bp55@rice.edu
Major: Political Science, Social Policy Analysis, minoring in Spanish

Bella Pacheco, originally from San Antonio, is a junior at Martel College double-majoring in Political Science and Social Policy Analysis with a minor in Spanish. She’s interested in international migration, U.S.-Mexico relations, and human rights law. Throughout her time as BISF’s Co-President, Bella is excited to develop initiatives that strengthen BISF’s presence across campus and increase student awareness of local, state, and national policy issues. Outside of BISF, Bella is an intern at the Baker Institute Claudio X. González Center for the United States and Mexico, a DJ for KTRU Rice Radio, and enjoys taking yoga classes.

 

Saami Baig

Co-Director of Events

Email: sb230@rice.edu
Major: Social Policy Analysis, Health Sciences and Spanish minor

Saami Baig is a junior at Duncan majoring in Social Policy Analysis and Health Sciences. He is particularly passionate about community violence prevention policies and health equity. This semester, as Co-director of Events, Saami hopes to boost engagement and interest in policy issues. In his free time, Saami enjoys photographing nature, DJing, and biking.

 

Jacob Alemeshet

Co-Director of Events

Email: ja161@rice.edu
Majors: Economics and Computer Science

Jacob Alemeshet is a junior at McMurtry College majoring in Economics and Computer Science. He is interested in domestic policy relating to tech/AI, economic equity, and education. As Co-Director of Events, he is excited to help organize opportunities for students to engage in thoughtful dialogue on the complex issues shaping our world. Outside of BISF, Jacob enjoys playing basketball and watching films.

 

Mahtab B. Dastur

Co-Director of the General Board

Email: md123@rice.edu
Major: Social Policy Analysis; Political Science. Minors: Neuroscience; Politics, Law, and Social Thought

Mahtab B. Dastur, a native Houstonian, is a junior at Duncan College studying Policy and Neuroscience. She is particularly interested in fostering spaces for open dialogue, alongside her work in violence prevention and education policy. This semester, as Co-Director of the General Board, Mahtab looks forward to increasing BISF collaborations with various student groups on campus. Outside of BISF, Mahtab is heavily involved in student government, serving as RSA Internal Vice President and Duncan Vice President. In her free time, she enjoys talking to people and making chai.

 

Reed Zimmerman

Co-Director of the General Board

Email: rz67@rice.edu
Majors: Social Policy Analysis, Health Sciences, Medical Humanities

Reed Zimmerman is a sophomore at Duncan College majoring in Social Policy Analysis and Health Sciences with a minor in Medical Humanities. His main academic interests are community health and reproductive healthcare policy. As Co-Director of the BISF General Board this year, Reed is excited to get more Rice students engaged in public policy learning. Reed is also a member of the Rice Speech and Debate Team, and interns at the Kinder Institute. His hobbies include embroidery and attending concerts in Houston.

 

Lila Saenz

Director of Outreach

Email: ls207@rice.edu
Majors: Political Science

Lila Saenz is a sophomore at Duncan College studying Political Science. Her experiences as a biracial Japanese and Mexican American have shaped her passion for immigration policy, civic engagement, and creating spaces for open dialogue.

As Outreach Director of BISF, Lila hopes to make policy conversations more accessible and community-centered. Outside of BISF, Lila is an officer of Rice Dance Theater and loves performing with her chamber music ensemble. In her free time, she enjoys exploring cafes in Houston and reading.

 

Ramon Fulgencio

Co-Director of the Policy Competition

Email: rf52@rice.edu
Major: Political Science and Business

Ramon Fulgencio is a senior from Duncan College majoring in Political Science with a minor in Business. He is especially interested in EU-China relations and the role international institutions play in shaping global cooperation. This semester, as Co-Director of the Policy Competition, he aims to help expand student engagement and foster conversations on international affairs. Outside of academics, he has conducted research in Hong Kong and Japan and is a tour guide on campus. As a Questbridge scholar, he aims to create an inclusive community for all. In his free time he enjoys traveling and photography.

Devan Sanka

Co-Director of the Policy Competition

Email: ds181@rice.edu
Majors: Civil Engineering and Managerial Economics

Born and raised in Tampa, FL, Devan Sanka is a junior at Sid Richardson College double majoring in Civil Engineering and Managerial Economics. His policies interests lie primarily in domestic energy security, electrification initiatives, and environmental regulation policy. Stepping into the role as co-direct of the BISF policy competition, Devan aims to increase the number of policy competition applications and help students approach the competition to make it a fun, non-intimidating process. Apart from academics, Devan enjoys skiing, trying new restaurants, and the aviation industry.

 

Rohini Pillay

Editor-In-Chief of Rice Journal of Public Policy

Email: rp73@rice.edu
Majors: History, Global Affairs, French Studies. Minors: Politics, Law, and Social Thought and Art History

Rohini Pillay is a senior at Duncan College majoring in History, Global Affairs, and French Studies, with minors in Politics, Law & Social Thought, and Art History. Her academic and professional interests center on immigration and international law, refugee policy, and human rights, with a particular interest in the MENA region. This semester, as Editor-in-Chief of the Rice Journal of Public Policy, Rohini is excited to expand the Journal's reach, elevate the quality of its publications, and create a collaborative environment that encourages thoughtful policy writing and discussion. Outside of campus, she interns with the Baker Institute's Center for the Middle East and the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative. In her free time, she enjoys Pilates, visiting museums, reading fashion journalism, and exploring Houston's coffee shops and restaurants.