Meet the current members of the Research Laboratory (by experience in the Lab, and in alphabetical order):
Senior Student Researchers (2011-12)
Irnande Altema
Irnande is the Lab’s Blog Director, as well as a senior researcher at the Lab. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, and a Master of Science in Biomedical Science Policy and Advocacy from Georgetown University. Prior to law school, Irnande worked as a Health Researcher for Mid-Atlantic Community of Health Centers (MACHC), where she assisted with a health needs assessment of a rural county in Maryland by evaluating whether a community health center would meet the residents’ health needs. Irnande is interested in health law and government.
Download the resume of Irnande Altema.
Orly Bertel
Orly is the Lab’s Protocols Director, as well as a senior researcher at the Lab. She graduated from Cornell University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Policy Analysis and Management. At Cornell, Orly was a research assistant for a federally funded National Institute of Health project. She performed data collection and content analysis in order to study trends in advertising within the tobacco and pharmaceutical industries. At Hofstra Law, Orly is a recipient of the Child and Family Advocacy Fellowship and a staff member of the Family Court Review. She spent last summer interning at the Nassau County Family Court. Orly hopes to pursue a public interest law career promoting the rights of children and families.
Download the resume of Orly Bertel.
Chan Hee Park
Chan is the Lab’s Database Director, as well as a senior researcher at the Lab. She graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in 2005 with a Bachelor of Music in Classical Piano Performance. During the summer in 2010, Chan went to Seoul, Korea and participated in the Fordham/Sungkyunkwan summer class in international commercial arbitration, and was a summer intern at Barun Law. At Hofstra Law, she is a member of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA), Practicing Attorneys for Law Students Program (PALS), and Hofstra Law Christian Legal Society (CLS). She is planning a career in international law.
Download the resume of Chan Hee Park.
Rida Siddiqui
Rida is the Project Director for the Lab’s Comparative Medical Accident Liability Project, as well as a senior researcher at the Lab. She graduated from Fordham University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in History. While at Fordham, she interned at the King’s County District Attorney’s office and was deeply involved in various community service projects, such as Global Outreach. At Hofstra Law, Rida is a member of the Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA) and the South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA). Rida is interested in health law and international law.
Download the resume of Rida Siddiqui.
Student Researchers (2011-12)
Mycroft Boyd
Mycroft is a researcher at the Lab. He graduated from Montclair State University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. During his time at Montclair, he was active in two student-organized charities - Students Taking Action Now: Darfur, and Active Students Serving In Society Together. Mycroft is fascinated by paradoxes, number games and a broad variety of topics in the law, most especially in the areas of intellectual property and patents. His goal is to one day practice law as a solo practitioner.
Download the resume of Mycroft Boyd.
Jeff Chen
Jeff is a researcher at the Lab. He graduated from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Justice, with highest distinction. At Hofstra Law, he was the Vice-President of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, and he has interned at the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Term, First Judicial Department. His interest in technology began when he first learned how to program in Visual Basic during high school. Later, he learned how to program in Java, C++, and C. During the winter break of 2010, he assembled a computer and submerged it in a five-gallon fish tank full of mineral oil. The interior of the fish tank is decorated with colored pebbles, artificial seaweed, and a bubbling aerator. He is interested in immigration law and criminal law.
Download the resume of Jeff Chen.
AJ Durwin
AJ is a researcher at the Lab. He received a B.A. in Philosophy from Hofstra University and wrote a senior honors thesis on how insights from psychology can improve philosophical methodology. In the spring of 2010, AJ began a moral psychology research project which he continued during the summer of 2010 at MIT’s Saxelab, collaborating with Liane Young. He and Liane are presently continuing a project concerning the effects of moral realism on moral decision making. During the summer of 2011, AJ collaborated with Fiery Cushman of Harvard’s Moral Cognition Lab on a project concerning the morality and legality of collective responsibility. AJ has a broad interest in using the empirical sciences to inform moral and legal judgment. Specifically at the LLT Lab, he hopes to apply cognitive and computer science to elucidate legal decisions and ultimately to improve those decisions. After law school, AJ will reluctantly choose between pursuing a pharmaceutical law career or a Ph.D. in Psychology.
Download the resume of AJ Durwin.
Philip Hwang
Philip is a researcher at the Lab. He graduated from The University of California, Berkeley (Cal) with a B.A. in Philosophy. At Hofstra Law, Philip is a staff editor of Family Court Review (FCR) and a student advocate for the Unemployment Action Center (UAC). He is also a member of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA), Tax Law Society (TLS), and Hofstra Law Christian Legal Society (CLS). Over the summer of 2011, Philip interned with Wallin & Klarich, where he conducted legal research and contributed to an online blog that has become recognized by the ABA Journal as California’s most widely read criminal defense blog among its readership. Philip hopes to pursue a career in taxation law.
Download the resume of Philip Hwang.
Arthur John
Arthur is a researcher at the Lab. He graduated from Stony Brook University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a minor in Business Management. Prior to starting his legal career, he worked at JPMorganChase as a Personal Banker, where he provided various financial services to individuals and small business owners. Arthur spent the summer of 2011 interning for the Honorable Judge Hoffmann. At Hofstra Law, he is a member of and Treasurer for the Black Law Student Association (BLSA). Arthur is interested in Entertainment Law.
Download the resume of Arthur John.
Evgeny Krasnov
Evgeny is a researcher at the Lab. He graduated from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN, with a B.A. in Languages and International Studies and a minor in Philosophy. At Hofstra Law, Evgeny is a staff member of the Hofstra Law Review and Hofstra Moot Court Board. He is focusing his studies on civil litigation and international law.
Download the resume of Evgeny Krasnov.
Keith Langlais
Keith is a researcher at the Lab. He graduated from Boston University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Prior to law school, Keith worked in the construction risk sector of the insurance industry. At Hofstra Law, he is a staff member of the Labor and Employment Law Journal. Keith plans to work in land use law after graduation.
Download the resume of Keith Langlais.
Daniel P. Rudolph
Dan is a researcher at the Lab. He graduated from Temple University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Risk Management and Finance. As an undergraduate student, he interned with the Temple University Health System, where he drafted policies for the Health System pertaining to emergency preparedness. At Hofstra Law, Dan is the President of the Health Law Society. He spent the summer of 2010 interning for the Honorable D. Webster Keogh. This past summer, he interned for the Disaster Accountability Project, where he helped lead a team in the development of a wiki designed to track the status of disaster policy and after-action reports. Dan hopes to return to healthcare after graduation.
Download the resume of Daniel P. Rudolph.
Joshua Sussman
Josh is a researcher at the Lab. He graduated from The University at Albany in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice. At Albany, Josh worked as the President of the Student Association, managing a budget over $2 million. At Hofstra Law, Josh is Staff member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Law Journal and serves on the Executive Board of the Dispute Resolution Society.
Download the resume of Joshua Sussman.
Senior Lab Members
Patricia Ann Kasting
Tricia is the reference librarian for the Lab and a reference librarian for the Hofstra University School of Law. She is responsible for providing reference services to Lab members and to Law Library patrons, using print and electronic sources. Some of Tricia’s additional duties include providing research instruction and developing research handouts. As the Government Documents librarian, she supervises the selection and maintenance of the Law Library’s federal depository collection. Her scholarly interests have led her to develop a specialization in international legal research. Prior to coming to Hofstra, Ms. Kasting practiced law.
Visit the Hofstra web page of Patricia Ann Kasting.
Michael G. Wagner
Michael is the webmaster for the Lab’s web site. He received his B.S. in fine arts from Hofstra University, specializing in graphic design with a minor in art history. As the Webmaster for Hofstra University School of Law, he is responsible for the development of the following web sites: law.hofstra.edu; my.hofstra.edu (law roles); flerproject.org; nonprof.org; and the LLTLab.org. His responsibilities include both day-to-day updates and long-term initiatives.
Visit the Hofstra web page of Michael G. Wagner.
Vern R. Walker
Professor Walker, the Director of the Lab, has a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame (specializing in knowledge theory, artificial intelligence, logic, and philosophy of science), as well as a J.D. from Yale Law School. He has published extensively on the logic of legal reasoning and factfinding, on the design of factfinding processes, and on the use of scientific evidence in legal proceedings. Prior to joining the Hofstra faculty, Professor Walker was a partner in the Washington, D.C., law firm of Swidler & Berlin, where he practiced before state and federal administrative agencies and before courts on judicial review of agency actions. He teaches courses in torts, scientific evidence, administrative law, and European Union law. Professor Walker also designs computer software that captures legal knowledge and models legal reasoning, and he explores ways to use logical analysis and artificial intelligence in his teaching.
Visit the Hofstra web page of Vern R. Walker.
These are the graduated (former) members of the Research Laboratory:
Matthew A. Brown
Matthew was a senior researcher at the Lab, and graduated from Hofstra Law School in May 2010. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. At the University of Michigan, Matthew also pursued a minor concentration in Global Media Studies. At Hofstra Law, he was an Articles Editor of the Labor and Employment Law Journal.
Nathaniel Carie
Nate was the Project Director for the Lab’s Vaccine/Injury Project, as well as a senior researcher at the Lab. Nate graduated from Hofstra Law School in May 2011. During the summer of 2010, he interned for the Honorable William C. Menges, Jr. While interning, he wrote a memo on a motion to suppress a jailhouse confession and reviewed drug court procedures to align them with recent Appellate Court decisions. Prior to starting his law career, he was a parts commodity engineer for Toyota Motor Corporation. Nate graduated from Purdue University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. While at Purdue, he worked as a manufacturing engineer and production supervisor for Visteon Systems, LLC. At Hofstra Law, he is focusing his study on intellectual property law. Nate’s background in engineering drew him to the Lab, and he enjoys applying logic and technology to the legal world.
Courtney C. DeWitt
Courtney was the Project Director for the Lab’s Comparative Medical Accident Liability Project, as well as a senior researcher at the Lab. Courtney graduated from Hofstra Law School in May 2011. She graduated from Colorado State University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. At CSU, Courtney was a research assistant and study supervisor for projects conducted within the Industrial/Organizational Psychology program. Her work as a research assistant included data collection and input, as well as statistical data analysis. Over the summer of 2010, Courtney interned with the New York City Office of Collective Bargaining, where she conducted legal research and writing on such issues as improper/unfair labor practices, scope of bargaining, representation, and arbitrability. At Hofstra Law, Courtney is an intern with the Community and Economic Development Clinic and is an active member of several student organizations.
Eric Lesh
Eric was a senior researcher at the Lab. Eric graduated from Hofstra Law School in May 2011. He graduated from The Boston Conservatory of Music with a B.F.A in Musical Theater and appeared in plays across the country, including the original workshop of the Tony Award winning Broadway musical Spring Awakening. Shortly after Hurricane Katrina, Eric relocated to New Orleans where he worked as a director for a non-profit group that teaches violence prevention to students in the city’s public schools. At Hofstra Law, Eric is a recipient of the LGBT Rights Fellowship and a member of the Vis International Arbitration Moot Team, where he competed as an oralist in Vienna, Austria in 2010. Eric is the Managing Editor of Notes and Comments for the Family Court Review and his Note on consolidating jurisdiction over cases brought under the Hague Convention for the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction has been selected for publication in the winter edition. Eric spent the summer of 2009 working for the International Lesbian and Gay Association in Brussels and he later interned with a member of the New York State Assembly. In the summer of 2010, Eric completed an internship with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand where he worked on LGBT outreach and organizing.
Sonsy P. Rajan
Sonsy was a senior researcher at the Lab. Sonsy graduated from Hofstra Law School in May 2011. Prior to law school, Sonsy worked as a Scientist at the Schering Plough Corporation, New Jersey and at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Massachusetts. At Schering, she worked in Antimicrobial Therapy and Molecular Genetics, and contributed to the in-vitro and in-vivo discovery of drugs with antibacterial and antifungal targets. During summer of 2010, Sonsy worked as a legal intern at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS) in the intellectual property law department. At BMS, Sonsy was involved in prosecution of US and international patents. At Hofstra Law, Sonsy is also a notes and comments editor of the Journal of International Business and Law. She has a graduate degree in Biomedical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University, and an undergraduate degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Bharathiar University, India. She plans to practice law in the area of patent law.
Shiv Vydyula
Shiv was a senior researcher at the Lab. Shiv graduated from Hofstra Law School in May 2011. He graduated from Rutgers University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, and he worked as a client advocate for Hyacinth AIDS Foundation before arriving at Hofstra. At Hofstra Law, Shiv is focusing on corporate law with an interest in securities regulation.
Elena Weinstein
Elena was a researcher at the Lab. Elena is in the class of Hofstra Law School that graduates in 2012. She graduated from New York University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a minor in Italian. Prior to law school, Elena worked as a grant writer at COJECO, a Russian-Jewish Non-Profit Organization. In addition to writing grants, Elena was the project coordinator for a Young Adult leadership program for the Russian-speaking Jewish community. Elena plans to work in health law and bioethics.
