Meet The UConn Rescue Leadership Team
President
Grace Gewirtz
Senior, Physiology and Neurobiology & Psychology on the Pre-med Track
Hi! My name is Grace Gewirtz and I am excited to be this year’s President. I have volunteered as an EMT for Stafford EMS in New Jersey since 2022 and I am a certified CPR and Stop the Bleed instructor. Aside from UConn Rescue, I am a part of the STEMTalk Magazine E-Board and I am an undergraduate research assistant in the UConn Psychology Department. I am looking forward to everything this year will bring!
Vice President
Mary Katherine Eddy
Senior, Physiology & Neurobiology
Hello! My name is Mary Katherine Eddy, and I'm excited to take on the role as Vice President this year! I plan to pursue medical school after graduation, and am currently working as a volunteer EMT and a research assistant in a neuroscience/ophthalmology lab with the University Scholars program. I am excited to continue growing as an EMT alongside the members and directors of UConn Rescue!
Secretary
Sophie LaBrecque
Senior, Physiology and Neurobiology on the Pre-med Track
Hi! My name is Sophie LaBrecque and I am taking on the role of Secretary this year! I am so excited to work with my fellow board members to make everything run smoothly. I worked as an EMT at a local amusement park at home over the summer, and am currently volunteering as an EMT at Tolland Fire Department. I am also on the President of UConn Tap Team, am an undergraduate researcher in the Sartor Lab, and am a member of the academic fraternity Alpha Beta Epsilon. I am excited to get started and see what this year brings!
Treasurer
Bradyn Benben
Junior, Accounting with a minor in Analytics
Hi! My name is Bradyn Benben, and I am honored to serve as Treasurer for UConn Rescue. Outside of UConn Rescue, I am an Instructional Assistant for ACCT 2001, an Administrative Assistant for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, a Senior Resident Assistant, and a mentor for high school students in the Financial Literacy Innovation Program. I am excited to serve the campus community and gain real-world accounting experience.
Training Coordinator
Sean Martin
Senior, Biology
Hey, I’m Sean Martin, the current Lead Training Coordinator of UConn Rescue. I’ve been involved outside of UConn Rescue as an EMT and EMT Tech, as well as volunteering with NMDP. I’m currently on the pre-med track. In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, exploring, video games, and music. I also love animals, and have 3 cats and 2 dogs back at home. I like teaching CPR, so I hope to work well with UConn Rescue this upcoming year!
Stop The Bleed Chair
Jachimma Anaedo
Junior, Molecular & Cellular Biology on the Pre-med Track
Hi!! My name is Jachimma Anaedo and I’m excited to join the UCONN Rescue BOD as a Training Coordinator. I’m currently an EMT volunteer pursuing the pre-med track. At UCONN, I’m a Biology 1107 SI Instructor and Lab Mentor, Assistant Program Director of Cross Cultural Connections, and Community Outreach Chair for Pre-Med Society. I’ll also be joining the Goldhamer MCB lab as an undergraduate researcher. In my free time I enjoy hiking, reading and sketching. I’m looking forward to learning more about EMS and improving my clinical skills this year!
Group Training Chair
Sreya Joseph
Senior, Physiology & Neurobiology
Hi! My name is Sreya Joseph, and I’m thrilled to serve as one of the Directors and Incoming Training Coordinators for UConn Rescue. I currently volunteer as an EMT in my hometown and work as a camp counselor during the summer. At UConn, I’m part of the nationally competitive Bollywood fusion dance team, UConn Surya, and I also serve as a mentor for UConn KUBE. Academically, I’m an undergraduate researcher in a Physiology & Neurobiology lab, where I continue to deepen my interest in the medical sciences. Through this leadership role, I hope to explore new facets of medicine, strengthen my clinical skills, and build lasting connections with others who share a passion for healthcare.
Outreach Chair
Mya Ajanaku
Senior, Physiology & Neurobiology
Hi, I’m Mya Ajanaku, and I am super excited
to serve as this year’s Outreach Chair! I have been volunteering as an EMT since 2024, starting at Stamford EMS and now with Tolland Fire Department. I aspire to become a doctor, but for now, I work as a peer chemistry tutor online and research assistant in a neuroscience lab at UConn Health. Outside of UConn Rescue, I enjoy playing tennis and hanging out with friends. For my last year at UConn, I hope to make a meaningful and lasting impact within our community.
Faculty Advisor
Michael Zacchera
Mike is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Allied Health, where he teaches AH 4092 EMT Training. A paramedic since 1991, Mike worked as an Educator at the Center for Education, Simulation, and Innovation at Hartford Hospital, and as a part time paramedic for the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association. He currently is the MIH Coordinator for the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS).
Feel free to contact Mike at michael.zacchera@uconn.edu