Héctor Delgado Díaz is originally from Puerto Rico. He has earned a bachelor’s degree in General Science from the Universidad de Puerto Rico en Cayey, followed by a master’s in Physics from California State University, Los Angeles. He is currently a 6th year dual-title PhD student in Astronomy and Astrobiology working with Dr. Rory Barnes. His research focuses in understanding the conditions required for planets orbiting stars completely different from the Sun to support life.
Since joining GPSS in 2024, Héctor has been an active member of the Diversity Committee, the Travel Grants Committee, and the U-Pass Advisory Board. He is especially passionate about making education more accessible and inclusive, both within the university and beyond. Outside of the university, he loves to learn languages, play Smash Ultimate and dodgeball.
The Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) actively participated in the United States Student Association (USSA) Legislative Conference 2025 from March 21-25, playing a key role in the relaunch of the organization. GPSS successfully wrote and passed a resolution to formally join USSA and cast five votes in favor of ratifying the USSA Charter, establishing itself as a founding member. During the conference, GPSS representatives networked with student organizations from 19 states, attended trainings and workshops on federal administration and higher education policy, and engaged with USSA alumni and federal officials. They also took part in an Education Rally near the Capitol on March 24, advocating for student rights. In addition, GPSS met with the UW Federal Relations Team to strengthen collaboration on federal issues and held meetings with key congressional offices, including Representatives Randall, DelBene, Baumgartner, and Newhouse, as well as Senators Murray and Cantwell, to discuss critical topics such as Pell Grants, federal student loans, and free speech on campus.
The WA State Government is proposing large cuts to public higher education campuses and financial aid.
Join The Washington Student Association, The Washington Bus, and the Washington Student Engagement Network at the Capitol in Olympia on April 7th for a rally demanding our legislators to make no cuts to financial aid nor increase tuition for students.
We will follow up the rally with direct action by lobbying legislators in the hallways of the committee chambers, as well as in schedule meetings in their office, and sitting in on committee meetings.
Currently, financial aid is at risk, as the state is actively looking at cutting programs that help students go to college, such as the Washington College Grant and Graduate Student Loan Program, as well as increasing tuition for students. We cannot allow this to happen! We need to mobilize students and tell our elected officials the importance of higher education and how investing in our future workforce can help us with the current budget deficit the state is facing.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Edgar Espino at edgar@washingtonbus.org
If you need assistance with travel costs, please contact Nancy Canales at executive.director@wastudents.org
Let’s work together to show our state leaders how important our institution’s role is!
Alexandros Peltekis obtained his B.S. in Chemistry and Computer Science for the University of Florida. Now, he is a PhD student studying Computational/Theoretical Chemistry under Xiaosong Li in the Chemistry Department in the University of Washington. His research focuses on developing quantum chemistry methods in the relativistic domain.
He joined GPSS in the Fall of 2024 and since then has become an active member of the Provost’s Advisory Committee, Chair of the Judicial Committee, and participated in many GPSS programs to foster a stronger graduate and professional community. Outside of his academic and professional responsibilities, Alexandros actively supports local improv groups through participation and volunteering, which strengthens his creativity, quick problem-solving, and team-building skills.
Run for a GPSS Officer Position – Make a Difference!
Are you passionate about advocating for graduate and professional students? Do you want to lead initiatives that improve student life at UW? Consider running for a Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) Officer Position for the 2025-2026 academic year!
As a GPSS Officer, you’ll: ✅ Represent graduate and professional students at UW and beyond ✅ Advocate for student needs to the university administration, local and state government ✅ Manage a budget of nearly half a million dollars ✅ Collaborate with faculty, staff, and student organizations to improve student experiences ✅ Build leadership skills while getting paid for 19.5 hours/week, with tuition coverage and health benefits
📅 Election Date: May 7, 2025 📌 Nomination Deadline: May 4, 2025, 5:30 PM
Charles Bugre is a PhD Candidate at the Information School (iSchool). His research focuses on digital skills of people with low-levels of literacy, future of libraries and problematic information. As a Senator for the PhD information Science Program since 2022, he has contributed in so many ways to support and improve the work of the GPSS.
He has served as an executive senator, a member of the Election Committee, the Finance and Budget Committee and as a representative on the Faculty Council on Academic Standards. He also spearheaded the creation of the Committee for Senators Motivation and Retention to encourage more interest and active participation of graduate and professional students in the GPSS. He represented the GPSS in the Student Technology Fee Committee in 2022/2023 through which he successfully advocated and contributed to the initiation of stipends for committee members. He also supported students in the Information School and student groups like AVELA (A Vision for Engineering Literacy and Access) to successfully apply for STF funds.
Marina Zub is a dynamic professional with over eight years of experience in the digital marketing technology sector, including four years as a self-employed consultant. Throughout her career, she has partnered with enterprises, including Fortune 500 companies, helping them navigate digital transformation and harness innovative solutions to drive business growth.
A Russian Canadian currently based in the U.S., Marina balances her professional pursuits with her academic journey, pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Washington, where she also serves as a senator representative in the Graduate Student Senate. Her academic focus and professional expertise converge in her passion for leveraging technology to address critical societal challenges, particularly in mental health screening and diagnostics. Marina is the creator of Gino, a conversational agent designed to enhance mental health assessments, integrating advanced AI methodologies to improve accessibility and user engagement.
Marina’s multifaceted skill set spans data analytics, business strategy, and technology integration, bolstered by her natural curiosity and drive to lead. She thrives on bridging the gap between ideas and execution, drawing from her diverse experiences and relentless pursuit of growth.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Marina is an advocate for lifelong learning, actively enhancing her leadership skills and exploring emerging trends in technology, including space exploration and education innovation. As a dedicated mother and a health-conscious individual, she skillfully juggles family, career, and self-care while striving to leave a meaningful impact on the world.
Marina Zub embodies resilience, creativity, and a forward-thinking mindset, making her a formidable force in shaping the future of technology and mental health care.
