The Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics is pleased to announce the new Undergraduate Fellows for 2020.

Undergraduate Fellows, Spring 2020 

Marian Bothner is a sophomore concentrating in Philosophy with a focus on questions of moral and political philosophy, especially in the Kantian tradition. Her studies also concern the intersection of economics and personal belief systems. On campus, Mari serves the Managing Editor of the Harvard Political Review, works with an environmental consulting group, and organizes student art exhibits. 

Nicholas Brown is a sophomore in Pforzheimer House concentrating in Social Studies. Currently, he is particularly interested in the works of Karl Marx, Thomas Hobbes, and Elizabeth Anderson. He also cares deeply about normative issues, especially those surrounding questions about class-based politics and the U.S. bankruptcy system. Outside the classroom, he has worked to increase access to the bankruptcy system, organized progressive coalitions on campus, and co-led the Harvard Review of Philosophy. 

Youmna Chamieh is a junior in Adams House concentrating in Government with a secondary in Philosophy. She is particularly interested in the ethics of close relationships and in exploring the roles which sentiments like loyalty, affection and affinity should play in guiding our moral lives. Outside of academics, she also serves as the President of the Harvard French Club, the Managing Editor for the Harvard Human Rights Review, and a staff writer for the Harvard Lampoon. 

Ilana Cohen is a sophomore joint concentrating in Social Studies and Philosophy with a focus on the ethics of environmental policymaking. She spends most of her time on campus campaigning for fossil fuel divestment and environmental justice, as well as working as an editor of the Harvard Political Review. In addition to pursuing her passions for environmental activism, politics, and journalism, Ilana has dedicated time to expanding her collection of dorm plants, which she has named after her favorite feminist icons and works of existentialist literature. 

Elijah Christopher DeVaughn, Jr. hails from Compton, California. He is currently a junior concentrating in History and Literature with a secondary in African-American studies. He is particularly interested in how Shirley Chisholm––the first black woman elected to the United States Congress and the first black woman to run for President––grappled with the ethics of representation. In his extracurricular work, Elijah is Founder of EJayyTalks, a lecture series he conducts in Compton to inspire youth. On campus, he serves as a research assistant to Professor David Gergen and served as the Co-Chair of the Fellows Study Group program at Harvard's Institute of Politics. In summer 2018, Elijah served as a legislative intern for Senator Kamala Harris in Washington D.C. With hopes of being a public servant, Elijah will never stop dreaming and will forever represent his family, his hometown, and his race with the upmost pride. 

Jacob Fortinsky is a junior studying Social Studies, focusing on theories of crime, punishment, and violence. He is particularly interested in the relationship between the law and morality, the role of free will in the legal system, and the brutality of capital punishment. Outside of the classroom, Jacob is involved in the Institute of Politics, Harvard Rugby, Harvard Hillel, the Harvard Prison Divestment Campaign, and the Harvard Crimson, where he serves an Executive Editor on the Editorial Board. He is also passionate about Israel-Palestine peace activism and co-founded the Coalition at Harvard for Israel-Palestine (CHIP). 

Woojin Lim is a sophomore in Winthrop House concentrating in Philosophy with a secondary in Government. He works primarily in moral and political philosophy, and his academic interests range from the philosophy of law and the justification of uncivil disobedience to topics in corporate social responsibility. On campus, he has served as the managing editor of The Harvard Review of Philosophy and the director of the undergraduate human rights working group. 

Isaac Longobardi is a junior concentrating in Social Anthropology with an interest in the politics, ethics, and social experience of aging and end of life. For his senior thesis, he is conducting fieldwork as a home health aide and hopes to understand the ways in which norms of care, professionalism, and hospitality are transformed in that context. He currently serves as chair of The Crimson Editorial Board and enjoys writing, travel, and playing the saxophone.   

Jill Sharples is a junior in Kirkland House studying Social Studies with a secondary in Philosophy. With a focus field entitled “Women at War: Fighting for Citizenship,” she is pursuing a thesis that examines a theoretical relationship between military service and citizenship. In addition to her academics, Jillian is the Paul Revere Battalion’s Cadet Command Sergeant Major for Army R.O.T.C. and the President of Harvard’s Undergraduate Ethics Bowl. Some of her passions include the environment, traveling, and music. 

Cathy Sun is a sophomore at Harvard University joint concentrating in Social Studies and Philosophy. She is fascinated by the ethics of civil resistance and transitional justice. Outside of academics, she serves as the chair of the Harvard Public Opinion Project at the Institute of Politics and is heavily involved with the International Relations Council. She also conducts research at the the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy and the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs. In her spare time, she enjoys performing with the Asian American Dance Troupe and writing an occasional op-ed for The Harvard Crimson. 

Divya Vatsa is a junior concentrating in Social Studies, with a secondary in Computer Science. As a premed student, she is interested in understanding the intersection between philosophy, ethics, and mental health. She also enjoys exploring health policy issues such as health care payment reform. Outside of classes, she serves as a Peer Advising Fellow, co-leads the South Asian Women’s Collective, and loves to dance. 

Polina Whitehouse is a sophomore concentrating in Social Studies whose academic interests include law and policy, philosophy, and literature. Currently, she is particularly interested in understanding the ethics and political philosophy around regulatory legislation, as well as their manifestations in public opinion. On campus, she writes and edits for Fifteen Minutes Magazine and The Harvard Advocate, and works as a research partner for Radcliffe Fellow Joan Naviyuk Kane.