University Council

The purpose of University Council (UC) is to promote and advocate for the interests and welfare of all the students at SUNY Downstate as related to campus-wide issues and activities.

All Student Activity fee paying members of Downstate's student body are members of University Council .

UC funds various clubs and organizations at SUNY Downstate and meets monthly. Your University Council, with representation from all 5 colleges/schools, serves as a liaison group between students and administration for all pertinent matters to the total student body. The council deals with university-wide issues such as SUNY budget cuts and tuition increases, as well as stays informed about state-level discussions via affiliations with the SUNY Student Assembly and SUNY Council. UC funding co-sponsors activities such as Winter Ball/Spring Fling, an annual semi-formal dance, the Multicultural Fair, a Service Learning Poster Competition, and the Thanksgiving Dinner.

Do you have any suggestions/ideas for improving anything at our institution? Please fill out the University Council "Suggestion Box" Form

If you need to reach a member of the University Council please email them at UniversityCouncil@downstate.edu, plus a little information about your UC leadership representatives:

The University Council Leadership Communication Structure

Org Chart

Your University Council co-sponsors funding for clubs across campus, and allocates funds to clubs for the full academic year every March. Bylaws, meeting minutes, and the financial documents outlining whether or not your club has funding from different student councils can be found here.

If you are interested in becoming a leadership representative of University Council or want further information please contact Adam Burgman, through eMail or call 718-270-3293.

Council Organization

Name	Position on Board	Bio
Tobi J. Somorin	President	Tobi is a fourth-year MD/MPH candidate at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine & School of Public Health and is excited to serve as President of University Council. A lifelong New Yorker born in the Bronx and raised in Middletown, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Stony Brook University. Between his third and fourth years of medical school, Tobi completed two research fellowships: Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery Research at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and Translational Research in Advancing Health Equity (TRACS) at SUNY Downstate, while also serving as a Teaching Assistant for the Executive MBA program at the University of Pittsburgh. As a former SUNY Student Assembly Representative Downstate, his leadership successfully passed legislation providing mandatory wellness days for all 1.3 million SUNY students. Tobi is also passionate about global health through his work with Surgeons in Humanitarian Alliance for Reconstruction Research and Education (SHARE). Tobi is pursuing a career in reconstructive plastic surgery and has additional interests in health policy/administration, mental health and well-being, and healthcare disparities. He is committed to ensuring that each Downstate student has an excellent experience and thrives during their graduate school education.
Daniel Green	Vice President	Dan Green, MPH is a third-year student in the College of Medicine and the Vice President of University Council. He previously served as a SUNY Student Assembly representative. As a member of the Global Health and Clinical Neurosciences pathways, Dan is passionate about community-centered medicine, health education, and advancing health equity. He is committed to strengthening student representation and fostering collaboration across the Downstate community. Outside of medical school, he enjoys cooking, bouldering, and scuba diving.
Shivasuryan Vummidi	Treasurer	Shiva is a third-year MD/MPH student at SUNY Downstate and is happy to resume his role as the UC Treasurer for the next academic year. He currently likes to exercise, play video games, and conduct orthopedics research at Downstate. Shiva is excited to help UC make Downstate a better campus for everyone!
Hend Heikal	Secretary	Hend (she/her) is a second-year medical student in the College of Medicine. She serves as President of the Medical Council for the Class of 2028 and Secretary of the University Council, where she works to ensure student perspectives are represented in university-wide decisions and advocates for initiatives that strengthen academic, scholarly, and wellness opportunities across all programs. She is the founder and president of the Cardiology Interest Group and a member of the Medical Educator Pathway, reflecting her commitment to mentorship, collaborative learning, and innovation in medical education. Hend is also engaged in research in neurology, cardiology, and obstetrics and gynecology. She lives in Queens and earned her Bachelor of Science from Fordham University and Master of Science in Physiology from SUNY Downstate.
Thomas Sanford	SUNY Student Assembly Representative	As the SUNY Student Assembly Representative, Thomas is an MS4 on a mission to connect, represent, and advocate. His goal is to forge lasting connections across the greater SUNY network, ensuring that the voices of Downstate students are amplified. Thomas is dedicated to advocating for accessible healthcare education and fostering an inclusive environment where every student can thrive. Join him in shaping a SUNY that champions student success and community well-being.
Kunika Chahal	COM Representative	Kunika Chahal, MPH is a third-year medical student at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. She is the College of Medicine Representative for University Council, the Vice President of Student Affairs for the Class of 2026 Medical Council and has served on the Student Council Governing Board. She is passionate about advocating for an increase in mental health services and in medical education accessibility, such as for students with disabilities or students with dependents. She aspires to be a radiation oncologist focused on advocating for accessible care for her patients. Her interests include rock-climbing, hiking, biking, traveling, reading, trying new foods, and adventuring with her dog.
Jasmine Yu	College of Nursing Representative	Jasmine serves as the College of Nursing (CON) representative on the University Council. She has a background as a medical assistant and an EMT and is now currently an accelerated nursing student. She has plans to bring her love of teaching and medicine and become a nursing educator in the future. Jasmine is excited to serve on the University Council this year and advocate for her fellow classmates. Outside of school she’s an avid reader and always looking for new book recommendations!
Thomas Sanford	SUNY Student Assembly Representative	As the SUNY Student Assembly Representative, Thomas is an MS3 on a mission to connect, represent, and advocate. His goal is to forge lasting connections across the greater SUNY network, ensuring that the voices of Downstate students are amplified. Thomas is dedicated to advocating for accessible healthcare education and fostering an inclusive environment where every student can thrive. Join him in shaping a SUNY that champions student success and community well-being.
Isaac Vingan	COM Representative	Isaac is an 9th year MD/PhD student in to his 4th year of medical school. He is the active medical school representative and the former president and vice president of the University Council. Isaac passionately engages with campus faculty to play an active role in enhancing the education of his future medical peers. He has received his PhD from the Neural and Behavioral Sciences Program at SUNY Downstate in the laboratory of Dr. Juan Marcos Alarcon. He has TAed and tutored for numerous medical school and graduate school classes. He hopes to practice neurology at an institution that will enable him to continue basic research and teaching.
Nour Elshabassy	School of Health Professions (SOHP) Representative	Nour is a second year PA student, class of 2025. In addition to his role as the SOHP Representative on University Council, he is on the PA Student Council, serving as the New York State Society of Physician Assistants (NYSSPA) and the Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Associates (SAAAPA) representative. He is also the Secretary for the SOHP Student Council. Upon graduating, Nour aspires to explore the field of Internal Medicine, as well as become an educator to help guide future PAs. In every future role he serves, Nour intends to optimize patient care, promote health education, and bridge the gaps that lead to health disparities. His interests include playing/watching soccer, hiking, running, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.
Lianlen Joy Go Distor	School of Graduate Studies Representative	Lianlen Joy Go Distor is a second-year PhD candidate in Molecular and Cellular Biology at SUNY Downstate, serving as the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Representative. Her current research at the Brooklyn VA focuses on cardiovascular electrophysiology, specifically investigating ion channel dysregulation in cardiotoxicity. She holds a BS in Biochemistry (ACS-certified) with a minor in Biology, and an MS in Healthcare Systems Engineering. As a multilingual student fluent in Filipino and English, with additional experience in Japanese and Mandarin, she brings a global, inclusive perspective to graduate student advocacy. Her broader research spans diabetes, infectious disease, and public health, with collaborations involving Kaiser Permanente, Stanford, and UNESCO. She holds a patent in antibacterial research and earned a Gold Medal at the Malaysia International Young Inventors Olympiad. Lianlen has served as a Graduate Senator and Student Representative on LMU’s Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee, and also coordinated operations for a university honors program. She developed Health Odyssey, an educational video game blending creativity with health advocacy. As the SGS Representative, she is committed to amplifying student voices, fostering collaboration, and enriching the graduate student experience across SUNY.
Dhruti Patel	School of Public Health Representative	Dhruti Patel is an international student pursuing her degree in the School of Public Health, with a keen interest in cancer epidemiology and research, and aspires to pursue a residency in radiation oncology. She aims to be a voice for her fellow students in the School of Public Health and plans to advocate for initiatives that enhance the overall student experience and inclusive environment for all. She has a yin and yang preference in her taste of entertainment as she loves watching horror movies and k-dramas. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and cooking new dishes.