Meet our
RFP Cohort 2026
Madeleine Korver
Madeleine Korver is a junior at Lehigh University, majoring in IDEAS with concentrations in mechanical engineering and creative writing. Originally from Reno, Nevada, she is active on campus through the Lehigh Fencing Club and enjoys outdoor activities with the Outing and Rock Climbing Clubs. As a Ruhr fellow, Madeleine is excited to spend her time investigating cold extrusion with the IUL at TU Dortmund University.
David Broczkowski
David is a rising junior at Lafayette College, pursuing a dual degree in Computer Science and German Studies. He was named an EXCEL Scholar, where he performed research within Data Science and Infoveillance under Professor Lopez at Lafayette. Additionally, he was named a Conversation Partner for the German department at Lafayette, where he meets with students weekly to practice and improve their German skills. Outside of academics, he enjoys playing clarinet in the Lafayette Pep Band and Concert Band, helping to lead his A Capella group, the Chorduroys, and playing Club Tennis. At TU Dortmund, he will be conducting research within the field of machine learning at the Research Center: Trustworthy Data Science and Security under Dr. Daniel Neider. He is excited to explore the academic intersection between Computer Science and German Studies that the RFP provides through the immersion in both a research environment and German culture.
Ronit Kromchenko
Ronit Khromchenko is a sophomore at Lehigh University, pursuing a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering. She is originally from Manalapan, New Jersey. She has been conducting research under the supervision of Professor Luis Nunes Vicente since September 2025, applying data-driven analysis and optimization methods to real-world systems problems. Throughout her undergraduate career, she has developed her quantitative skills across research and leadership, serving as a member of the Industrial and Systems Engineering Student Council. Outside of academics, Ronit competes on the Division I Lehigh Women’s Tennis Team. Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue a career in optimization and data analytics. During the Ruhr Fellowship, she will be interning at the Institute of Energy Efficiency, Energy Economics, and Energy Systems at TU Dortmund
Cara Schillinger
Cara Schillinger is a student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology studying Mechanical Engineering, with a strong interest in energy and sustainable technologies. Outside of academics, she is a member of the Women’s Varsity Openweight Rowing Team. As a Ruhr Fellow, she will work with the BeMoCat group in Technical Chemistry at University of Duisburg-Essen, focusing on laser based processes to modify thin films and synthesize nanoparticles. She is excited to expand her technical knowledge while exploring the Ruhr region and its role in the energy transition.
Alexander Lien
Alexander Lien is a pre medical student at Lehigh University. He is particularly interested in neuroscience and psychology and looks forward to gaining experience in both fields through his work with experts and specialized technology in Bochum. Outside of academics, Alexander is involved with Lehigh EMS, where he helps respond to medical emergencies on campus and supports the university community. During his time as a Ruhr Fellow, he is excited to spend the summer in Germany with Dr. Güntürkün and his fellow interns while continuing to explore his interest in medicine.
Avneet Kaur
Avneet Kaur is a rising junior at Lehigh University, studying Computer Science and Business with a minor in Entrepreneurship. She is an international student from India who loves traveling and exploring new cultures, having lived, studied, and worked across multiple continents. Avneet has experience in the startup space, including work on an AI powered carbon credit marketplace at a climate tech company in Chile. On campus, she serves as President of LU Bhangra and is the incoming Vice President of the Lehigh AI Club. As a Ruhr Fellow at the University of Duisburg-Essen, she will work in AI entrepreneurship at Place Beyond Bytes, designing and deploying reusable AI workflows, agentic systems, and scalable tooling that enable startups to rapidly prototype, iterate, and bring products to market.
Katherine Twiggar
Katherine Twiggar is a rising junior at Lafayette College, studying Integrative Engineering and International Studies. She is involved in research focused on phosphorus recovery from wastewater streams and has spent the past semester studying abroad in Germany. As a Ruhr Fellow, Katherine will work in ecotoxicology at the Research Center One Health Ruhr at University of Duisburg-Essen under the guidance of Dr. Verena C. Schreiner. She is excited to gain insight into research in an international context while continuing to explore German culture.
Genevieve An
Genevieve An is a second year student at Lehigh University, studying neuroscience on the pre medical track. She is the captain of the women’s wrestling team, which placed sixth in the NCAA in its first season, and is also involved in the Student Success Advisory Board and several athletics leadership organizations. As a Ruhr Fellow, she will join the Department of Biopsychology at Ruhr University Bochum, where she is excited to build meaningful connections and further explore her interest in neuroscience research while experiencing life abroad.
Leah Maathey
Leah Maathey is a rising fourth year undergraduate at Harvard University studying Environmental Engineering. Outside of academics, she serves as co president of the Harvard chapter of Engineers Without Borders and as Director of Curriculum for the Harvard Undergraduate Global Education Movement. She is also conducting research on the co occurrence of shallow seismicity and tropical cyclones at the Georgia Institute of Technology. As a Ruhr Fellow, Leah will conduct materials engineering research at the Institute of Forming Technology and Lightweight Components at TU Dortmund University, focusing on the elastic moduli of extruded lightweight metal components.
Agastya Sridharan
Agastya Sridharan is a rising junior at Harvard University, studying computer science and philosophy. He is a research assistant at the Berkman Klein Center and a research fellow with the Cambridge AI Safety Hub, where he studies mechanistic interpretability, introspection and reinforcement learning dynamics in large language models. Outside of academics, Agastya plays the Carnatic (Indian classical) flute, hikes, and enjoys ping-pong, basketball, and badminton. As a Ruhr Fellow, he is excited to develop a deeper mechanistic understanding of emergent phenomena in neural networks.
