Peer Advising

BMB Peer Advisors are upperclassmen majoring in Biochemistry who are able to answer and resolve general advising questions. They work particularly with students new to UMass and to the major.

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Enrollment Holds

To help ensure a timely graduation, all BMB majors are required to meet with an advisor before they register for classes. The enrollment hold can be lifted by meeting with a BMB Peer Advisor during their office hours (listed below), or by emailing peeradvising@biochem.umass.edu with the following information:

  • First and Last Name
  • SPIRE ID#
  • Enrollment Appointment Date & Time
  • Expected Graduation Term
  • Secondary Majors/Minors
  • List of BMB Courses Completed and Enrolled In
  • List of Planned Courses for Next Semester

Note: Holds will not be taken off immediately after your advising meeting, but will be lifted in time for your individual enrollment appointment.

Who are the BMB Peer Advisors?

Nandini Kritam
Class of 2025
Headshot of Nandini Kritam
Nandini is a pre-med student in the Commonwealth Honors College doing research in the Rotello lab. She is the Vice President of the Biochem Club, a content editor in Her Campus, and the Secretary and founding member of the Varam Tamil Student Association. She is also a peer mentor for Residential Life in Kennedy Hall.
Headshot of Nandini Kritam
Tiffany Nguyen
Class of 2025
Headshot of Tiffany Nguyen
Tiffany is a pre-dental student in the Commonwealth Honors College doing research in the Rotello Lab. She holds leadership positions in the Association of Women in Science (AWIS) and Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. She has been a TA for biology courses and for home-schooled students in the BMB department.
Headshot of Tiffany Nguyen
Katy Barbosa
Class of 2026
Headshot of Katy Barbosa
Katy is a Biology TA, a research assistant, and on the Pre-Med Society E-Board. When she's not working, you can most likely find her at Sweets & More enjoying a milkshake.
Headshot of Katy Barbosa
Keerti Daesety
Class of 2026
Headshot of Keerti Daesety
Keerti is a BioTAP Peer Mentor in the Commonwealth Honors College doing research in the Psychology department. She also works as a tutor for student athletes, volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and plays Intramural Soccer.
Headshot of Keerti Daesety
Kathryn Ohm
Class of 2025
Headshot of Kathryn Ohm
Katy is a TA for Chem 269 with a minor in Chemistry, studying to take her pharmacy technician certification exam with the goal of pursuing Pharmacy school in 2026.
Headshot of Kathryn Ohm
Frank Paccione
Class of 2026
Headshot of Frank Paccione
Frank is an SI for Physics 131 and a field supervisor for UMass EMS. He also has a business minor and plans on pursuing medical school. You are likely to find Frank at Harvest in the student center or Mapleline Farm in Hadley.
Headshot of Frank Paccione
David Spiewak
Class of 2026
Headshot of David Spiewak
David is on a pre-med track, with experience as an EMT and as a TA in the introductory Biology lab (SEA-PHAGES program). He is involved with the UMass Pre-Med Society on campus and enjoys video games and fitness in his free time.
Headshot of David Spiewak

How can I meet with a BMB Peer Advisor?

Visit them in 912 LGRT during their drop-in hours, or email @email with your questions.

Ask them about:

  • Degree requirements for BMB
  • Course prerequisites
  • Advanced electives
  • How to get into a research lab
  • Choices for Gen Ed classes
  • Use of SPIRE

Note: Do not contact the BMB Peer Advisors via their personal UMass email accounts. All inquiries should be directed to @email.

Spring 2025 Peer Advising Schedule

A visual calendar of the Spring 2025 Peer Advising schedule

 

Mondays: 9am-10am (Katy B); 10am-12pm (Tiffany); 1:30pm-3:30pm (Frank); 3:30pm-5:30pm (Keerti); 5:30-6:30pm (Nandini)
Tuesdays: 11:30am-1pm (Katy O); 1:30pm-3:30pm (Frank); 4pm-6pm (Katy B)
Wednesdays: 9am-10am (Katy B); 10am-12pm (Tiffany); 12pm-1pm (Katy O); 1:30pm-3:30pm (David)
Thursdays: 8am-10am (Keerti); 3:30pm-4:30pm (Nandini); 4:30pm-6pm (Katy O)
Fridays: 11am-1pm (Nandini); 4pm-6pm (David)