Executive Council
President
Vamsi Krishna Undavalli
Vamsi Krishna Undavalli is a dedicated aerospace engineer currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at The University of Alabama. His commitment to sustainable aviation and energy innovation is demonstrated through his research at the Engines and Combustion Laboratory (ECL), under the mentorship of Dr. Bhupendra Khandelwal. His work focuses on advancing fuel-flexible, low-emission technologies for jet engines and gas turbines, with a strong emphasis on sustainable and alternative fuels.
Vamsi is an active and influential member of the engineering community. He holds memberships in several esteemed professional societies, including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS). His leadership is exemplified in his role as Chair of the Student Review Initiative for ASME Turbo Expo 2024, hosted by the International Gas Turbine Institute, highlighting his impact on shaping the future of gas turbine technology.
On campus, Vamsi is deeply committed to graduate student advocacy and engagement. He has served as a Graduate Ambassador for the Department of Mechanical Engineering for three years and has represented student interests as a Senator in the Student Government Association (SGA). Within the Graduate Student Association (GSA), he has held multiple leadership roles, including Advocacy Chair, House of Delegates Member, Chief Advisor to the GSA President, the Executive Vice President, and currently the President. His efforts have focused on enhancing graduate student development, engagement, and advocacy, ensuring a strong graduate voice in university decision-making.
Driven by a passion for sustainable innovation, Vamsi aspires to become a propulsion engineer, contributing to the design and development of efficient and environmentally responsible energy systems. He envisions playing a pivotal role in transforming global energy infrastructure through advanced, low-carbon propulsion technologies.
Executive Vice President
Moses Ogunniran Oladele
Moses Oladele Ogunniran is currently serving as the Executive Vice President of the Graduate Student Association (GSA) at The University of Alabama. He brings a rich international background to his role, having served as a Graduate Teaching Fellow at Beijing Normal University in China and as a fellow with the UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) in India. His educational journey spans three continents, Africa, Asia, and North America, shaping his global perspective on higher education and student development.
Moses possesses extensive professional experience in internationalization, higher education administration, educational leadership and policy, graduate employability, student success, and advocacy. He is currently a Graduate Research Assistant (data and policy analyst) at the Education Policy Center, where he contributes to research on educational equity, access, and community development.
His scholarly interests extend beyond student success and access to education to also examine long-term post-graduation outcomes. Specifically, his research explores the alignment between the skills acquired by graduate students and the expectations of the labor market. He is passionate about bridging the gap between academic preparation and workforce readiness, with the goal of enhancing graduate employability, supporting career fulfillment, and equipping students to achieve their professional aspirations.
Outside of his academic and leadership roles, Moses enjoys engaging in community service, organizing faith-based events, mentoring students, and spending quality time in reflective study and spiritual growth. He also finds joy in reading, public speaking, playing tennis, and exploring different cultures through travel and conversations.
Driven by a commitment to inclusive leadership and academic excellence, Moses is dedicated to advocating for graduate students and fostering a vibrant, equitable, and empowering campus community.
Vice President of Operations
Anthony Willing
Anthony is a third-year English Literature PhD student. His research is primarily focused on the depiction of intersectional identities in late 20th and 21st-century novels. When he is not teaching, you can catch him serving the campus and community through ODK, Triota, and the Carl Elliott Society.
Vice President of Financial Affairs
Saketh Reddy Kontham
Saketh is pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Abiodun Wahab
Abiodun Wahab is a Ph.D. student in Advanced Drug Delivery in the Department of Translational Science and Medicine. With a background as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a Master’s degree in Theriogenology, Abiodun brings a global, interdisciplinary perspective to her work at the intersection of pharmaceutical sciences, toxicology, and public health.
As the Vice President of Academic Affairs for the Graduate Student Association (GSA), she advocates for academic excellence, mentorship, and collaborative scholarly engagement among graduate students. Her passion for student success and international representation is evident in her previous leadership as President of the International Student Association (ISA) and her service as a Graduate Student Ambassador.
A fierce advocate for community and collaboration, Abiodun also holds a leadership role on the International Peer Advisory Council (IPAC), where she serves as a mentor-leader in the Global Tide Mentorship program. Through this initiative, she supports the integration, well-being, and academic growth of new international students by fostering community connections, facilitating access to campus resources, and helping students adjust to life in Tuscaloosa through cultural and social engagement.
She is also a member of the House of Delegates in the UA Graduate Student Council, where she helps shape graduate student policies and advocates for student interests. In addition, Abiodun is an active member of the African Student Association (ASA), through which she promotes cross-cultural exchange and leadership development.
Beyond leadership, Abiodun is deeply engaged in research. As a Graduate Research Assistant in the Drug Research and Engineering for Advanced Medicine (DREAM) Lab, her work focuses on designing peroral anti-inflammatory adjunct therapies to reduce the toxic side effects of cancer chemotherapy. Abiodun’s commitment to service, science, and student advocacy continues to shape her impact across campus and beyond. She is known not only for her scientific contributions but also for her tireless volunteerism, collaborative leadership, and dedication to uplifting the voices of students here at UA.
Vice President of Opportunities, Connections, and Success
Diweng Dafong
Diweng Dafong is a French PhD Candidate in the Department of Modern Languages and Classics. She is from Plateau State, Nigeria. She earned her BA in French from the University of Jos and her master’s in French studies from the University of Ibadan, both in Nigeria. Diweng is passionate about poetry and migration writings; her research interest is in the voices of Burkina Faso female writers and filmmakers on immigration and insecurity.
She has served as the Treasurer for the International Students Association (2023), the President of Living International Fellowship (2023), the President of Literature, Language and Linguistics Graduate Student Organization (2024), the Vice-President of Community Engagement (GSA, 2024), and Campus Ambassador for Gift of Life (2023/2024). She is a volunteer for FLEX, an initiative by Dr. April Stevens that teaches French in Elementary Schools. Diweng loves to write poetry; she refers to herself as a situational writer. She loves spending time with her family, and her hobbies include swimming, reading, and writing.
Vice President of Student Engagement
Toni Rebaldo
Toni Rebaldo, a PhD candidate in the College of Communication and Information Sciences at the University of Alabama, blends sharp psychological insight with strategic creativity. Originally from Daphne, Alabama, Toni earned both her B.A. and M.A. in Psychology at UA before stepping into the world of Advertising and Public Relations. Her volunteer roles include Executive Vice President of the Public Relations Student Society of America, executive board member of the C&IS graduate student association (CISGO), former Director of Strategy at Capstone Agency, former Editorial Director at Platform magazine to name a few.
She is currently an intern at Honey Creative, serving the greater Tuscaloosa community as well as a GTA on campus. Her research explores many topics, including consumer-brand breakups, the impact of social media algorithms on consumers, and relationship psychology. Outside the academic grind, you’ll likely find her crafting cocktails behind the bar or soaking up sun near the water.
Vice President of Public Relations
Qudus Ayinde Adebayo
Qudus Ayinde Adebayo is a second-year doctoral student in the Composition, Rhetoric, and English Studies program within the Department of English. His campus involvements include serving as Public Relations Officer for the African Student Association (ASA), Liaison Officer for the International Students Association (ISA), and Communications Officer for The University of Alabama Languages Conference. He currently works as an Assistant Director at The University of Alabama Writing Center.
As the current GSA Vice President of Public Relations, Qudus is dedicated to enhancing communication and outreach, improving student collaborations, and highlighting the diverse experiences of graduate students. He is committed to building a strong graduate student community and responding to feedback with purpose and care.