Hopkins Emergency Response Organization

Captain: Olivia Zhang Email

Olivia Zhang is honored to be serving as the Captain for 2026. Olivia is from Toronto, Canada majoring in Neuroscience (Class of 2027). She joined HERO her freshman year as a non-prior EMT. As Captain, Olivia helps oversee the operations of HERO. Outside of HERO, Olivia is a firefighter/EMT at the Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Company, does research on cerebrospinal fluid, and works at the rec. In her free time, she enjoys baking and spending time with her friends.

President: Nadia Almasri Email

Nadia is from Fresno, California and is majoring in Molecular & Cell Biology and Spanish (JHU '27). She joined HERO as a non-prior her freshman year. As President, Nadia helps lead BOD and connects with HERO admin. Outside of HERO, Nadia volunteers as a reproductive health educator with the Violet Project, tutors every subject she can in PILOT, and works in an immunology lab.

Personnel Lieutenant: Bethania Robertson Email

Bethania is from Berkshire County, Massachusetts who is majoring is Biomedical Engineering and Molecular and Cellular Biology (JHU '27). She joined HERO as a non prior EMT in her sophomore spring. As Personnel Lieutenant, Bethania manages HERO logistics, schedules unit shifts, and helps coordinate standby events. She previously served as CPR coordinator and is still an active CPR instructor. In her free time, she enjoys playing basketball on the women's club team, cooking and playing the ukulele.

EMS Lieutenant: Lia Melvin Email

Lia is from Joppa, Maryland. She is majoring in Behavioral Biology with a Psychology minor. Lia joined HERO as a non-prior EMT in her freshman year (JHU '27). As EMS Lieutenant, she oversees promotions within the unit and also assists with onboarding probationary members. Outside of HERO, Lia plays tennis on the JHU women's tennis team. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and hanging out with friends.

Equipment Officer: Justin Blumenthal Email

Justin is from Deerfield, Illinois. He is majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Justin joined HERO as a non-prior EMT in his sophomore year (JHU '27). As Equipment Officer, he maintains HERO's inventory and our squad room. Outside of HERO, Justin works as an event EMT at large festivals, plays club soccer, and conducts dermatology research. In his free time, he enjoys working out and listening to live music.

Recruitment Officer: Josh Russman Email

Josh is from Cleveland, Ohio and is majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology (JHU '27). He joined HERO as a non prior EMT his sophomore spring. Outside of HERO, he's involved in outside EMS, research, and volunteering. In his free time he enjoys baking, skiing, and golfing.

Training Officer: Grant Dahl Email

Grant is from St. Louis, Missouri and is majoring in Neuroscience (JHU '27). He joined HERO as a non prior EMT in his freshman spring. As Training Officer, Grant helps train new HERO members to earn their EMT certification and ensures that members' skills remain sharp. Outside of HERO, Grant enjoys whitewater kayaking, singing in his a cappella group, and playing sports.

Continuing Ed Officer: Clayton Tomlinson Email

Clay is from Hunterdon County, New Jersey and is majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology (JHU '27). He joined HERO as a prior EMT in his freshman year. As the Continued Education Officer, Clay leads weekly trainings, ensures skill competencies, and helps members grow through realistic mock calls. He has previously served as a Personnel Lieutenant and a selections officer. Outside of HERO, Clay is a climbing instructor in Outdoor Pursuits and a camp counselor for Camp Kesem. In his free time, he enjoys reading, climbing, and volunteering with White Marsh Volunteer Fire Department.

Secretary: Arushi Sharma Email

Arushi is from Calgary, Canada and is majoring in Public Health and Natural Sciences (JHU '27). She joined HERO as a non-prior EMT her sophomore year. As Secretary, Arushi helps document unit meetings and assists with community and alumni outreach. Outside of HERO, Arushi is involved with Hopkins Community Connection and the Center for Social Concern. In her free time, Arushi enjoys trying new restaurants, spending time with friends, and travelling.

Member At Large: Sophie Sitafalwalla Email

Sophie is from Johns Creek, Georgia and is majoring in Public Health with a minor in Anthropology. She joined HERO as a non-prior EMT in her freshman year. As Member-at-Large, she plans events and helps to bring the voice of all HERO members to the board. Outside of HERO, Sophie works with Greenhacks to help find innovative climate change solutions, works in a breast cancer research lab and volunteers with best buddies. In her free time, Sophie enjoys hanging out with friends, trying new restaurants, and cooking.

Training Coordinator: Agastya Sinha Email

Agastya is from Montgomery, New Jersey and is majoring in Molecular & Cellular Biology and German (JHU '28). He joined HERO as a non-prior EMT his freshman year. Outside of HERO, Agastya does T1D research at the Pathology Department and volunteers with Alzheimer's Buddies and the JHADRC. He has previously served as an alumni coordinator. In his free time, he enjoys exploring new restaurants, watching football, and playing racquet sports. As a training coordinator, he works with the Continued Education Officer and other High Pressure Training Coordinators to create and execute high intensity mock calls for continuous learning and practice on the unit.

Training Coordinator: Armaan Bilimoria Email

Armaan is a sophomore studying Cognitive Science. As a training coordinator, he works with the Continued Education Officer and other High Pressure Training Coordinators to create and execute high intensity mock calls for continuous learning and practice on the unit.

Training Coordinator: Jack Email

Jack is a student in the class of 2029 studying Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. As a training coordinator, he works with the Continued Education Officer and other High Pressure Training Coordinators to create and execute high intensity mock calls for continuous learning and practice on the unit.

Equipment Coordinator: Alessia Email

Alessia is from Carlisle, Pennsylvania and is majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology (Class of 2027). She joined HERO as a non-prior EMT during her sophomore year. Outside of HERO, Alessia works in a developmental biology lab and enjoys singing in her a cappella group. Within HERO, she assists the Equipment Officer in maintaining inventory and ensuring the squad room is organized and well-stocked.

Alumni Coordinator: Teddy Email

A Towson native and member of the Class of 2028, Teddy is double-majoring in Biophysics and Philosophy. He joined HERO as a non-prior EMT during his sophomore year and now serves as Alumni Coordinator, managing outreach and keeping the HERO network connected. Outside of shifts, Teddy stays active through sailing, theater, and competitive sunbathing.

Website/Social Media Coordinator: Agalya Email

Agalya is a neuroscience and bioethics major from South Lyon, Michigan. She joined HERO as a non-prior EMT in fall of 2025. As website and social media coordinator, she maintains HERO's media presence and keeps the website up-to-date. Outside HERO, Agalya enjoys dancing for Blue Jay Bhangra and working as a director for Blue Hatchlings.

Standby Coordinator: Amelia Giles Email

Amelia (Mia) is a junior majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology and minoring in Psychology from San Francisco, California. As standby coordinator, they work closely with HERO's Personnel Lieutenant, campus event organizers, and the HERO unit to schedule and staff standby emergency medical coverage for events on and off campus. Outside of HERO, Mia is a member of the Cross Country and Track Team and Phi Mu Fraternity. They volunteer with Rosedale Fire Department and Run your City Baltimore and work in a breast cancer research lab and for the nonprofit Matriculate. In their free time, Mia enjoys hiking, reading, baking, and spending time outside.

HERO is very fortunate to have all of the incredible individuals listed on this website volunteering their time and energy to ensuring the organization continues running and delivering quality service to the community. We deeply appreciate the work done by all our current and past members and affiliates since our founding over 30 years ago.