2022 Kessler Fellows
Kessler Fellows is an entrepreneurship program rooted in Cornell Engineering. The program is open to all juniors at Cornell University that have a strong interest in entrepreneurship. Students will engage in a semester-long immersion aimed to help them cultivate their entrepreneurial readiness before their summer experience with a startup.
Meet the 2022 Kessler Fellows
Somil Aggarwal
Computer Science
Somil will be interning with We3, a web3 professional network for women and non-binary individuals who bond through learning, investing and accessing financial opportunities together in order to attain freedom, independence and joy.
"The exciting thing to me about the Kessler Fellowship is the community. Even though entrepreneurship is often a rigorous solo endeavor, being a Kessler Fellow means you are automatically a part of a community striving to accomplish the same goals, and that community is what I hope transcends this program."
Yunhan Chen
Hotel Administration
Yunhan will be interning with Switch, an online platform that provides members with access to designer jewelry through a subscription-based service.
"I believe that entrepreneurship is one of the best ways to make change in the world. After the Kessler Fellowship, I hope to use my entrepreneurship experience to implement new ideas and start my own company to provide better products to improve people's lives."
Maxim Clouser
Hotel Administration and Computer Science
Maxim will be interning with Wheel the World, an online travel marketplace that allows people with disabilities to book accessible travel experiences including accommodations, tours, and activities.
"I hope to experience firsthand what it takes for a new business to grow and become successful so I can apply what I have learned to my future endeavors. This summer, I want to have a more hands-on experience in a creative environment where I can make an impact."
Michael Hansan
Industrial and Labor Relations
Michael will be interning with Heimdal, a startup that is developing a scaleable and affordable solution for direct air carbon capture.
"As a Kessler Fellow, I hope to accelerate my understanding of what startup ecosystems would best suit my skills and interests and allow me to contribute to solving the problems of tomorrow."
Kendall Hoffman
Information Science, and Environment and Sustainability
Kendall will be interning with Ecolectro, a Cornell startup working to create a cleaner, cheaper and more scalable green hydrogen to decarbonize the economy.
"Through the Kessler Fellowship, I hope to learn valuable skills and gain hands-on experience through a culture and community of innovation that can't be found at a traditional company. I hope to learn from an inspiring and mission-driven team and surround myself with people who share my passionate commitment to a common purpose."
Ave Kludze
Biomedical Engineering
Ave will be interning with GRO Biosciences, a biotechnology company that expands the amino acid alphabet to overcome the limitations of protein therapeutics.
"I am interested in entrepreneurship because I see it is an opportunity to not only contribute to the medical and scientific field, but also as a means of addressing unresolved clinical needs that continue to plague patient-care at large. After the Kessler Fellowship, I hope to use the entrepreneurship experience and skills I learn to make tangible differences in medicine, engineering, and healthcare through personal ventures while contributing to the well-being of society."
Elizabeth Madimola
Global and Public Health Sciences
Elizabeth will be interning with HealthQuarters, a platform that brings together trusted clinicians, wellness practitioners, and brands to meet customers' needs for long-term health.
"I hope to learn how to be a leader and pioneer in healthcare, and be inspired by a cohort of change-makers and trailblazers in their own respective fields. I also hope to learn the skills I need to be successful in the startup I work for this summer."
Tewodros Mitiku
Computer Science
Tewodros will be interning with Kurtosis, a platform that provides developers with the tools to create and manipulate customized development environments, optimized for prototyping and end-to-end testing in the blockchain space.
"After my Kessler fellowship I hope to use my entrepreneurship experience to work for an initiative where I am able to have a high impact in all areas."
Jacob Ritter
Communication
Jacob will be interning with Evtek, a tech company that is reinventing recycling by radically improving the system of collection, identification, and redemption through machine learning.
"As someone in the communication major and the business minor, I have always liked the risk and reward idea of entrepreneurship, and the leadership and ambition required to start and run a young company. I look forward to putting my own skills towards these pursuits."
Jordan Roth
Food Science
Jordan will be interning with UBEES, a company that is combining traditional beekeeping expertise with innovative science and technology to reduce bee mortality rates and sustain the beekeeping industry.
"Through the Kessler Fellowship, I hope to learn how to make my entrepreneurial goals come to fruition. I've always dreamed of having my own business, and with my experience as a fellow, I will be one step closer to starting my own business in the food and beverage industry."
Phillip Teixeira-DaSilva
Food Science, and Applied Economics and Management
Phillip will be interning with Food.Partners, a company that helps independent, cooperative, and small to medium sized businesses to develop, manage, and expand their hospitality, food and beverage operations in a flexible and financially sustainable way.
"I want to learn the essential ingredients necessary to help startups thrive, especially those in the food industry. I would also like to expand my network of creative thinkers and innovators as a member of a group of peers and mentors that possess a shared passion for entrepreneurship."
Sanna Vedrine
Chemical Engineering
Sanna will be interning with Transaera, a startup that is developing a new class of affordable, energy-efficient, sustainable cooling systems.
"Given the current state of the environment, I am interested in entrepreneurship in order to develop the skills to become a leader in the ongoing global transition to renewable energy. One particular challenge that fascinates me is the urgent need for efficient energy storage."
Dawn Zee
Human Development
Dawn will be interning with SimpliFed, a Cornell alum founded company that provides virtual breastfeeding and baby feeding support that is fully covered by health insurance.
"As a Kessler Fellow, I hope I can use this opportunity to challenge myself and gain exposure to the startup world. Since I also have an amazing cohort, I hope that we’ll be able to share our interests and learn from one another."