Fall Connection Series: Alumni Meetup in Rockville

Dr. Seema Schappelle’s career has often intersected the boundaries of science and policy. Currently, Dr. Schappelle serves as a branch chief in the Existing Chemicals Risk Assessment Division (ECRAD) in USEPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP). ECRAD is focused on developing risk evaluations for chemicals undergoing safety reviews under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Prior, Seema served as the director of the Exposure Assessment Coordination and Policy Division (EACPD) where she oversaw the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP), which utilizes high throughput screening techniques and computational approaches for efficient prioritization of chemicals and pesticides to assess their potential risks to human health and wildlife using alternative test methods. Seema has served as a policy advisor on legislative issues surrounding the environment, energy and agriculture in the U.S. House of Representatives for Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04) during the 113th Congress. More recently, she joined foreign service staff in the U.S. Embassy, New Delhi and advised the Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs on environmental and agriculture-related issues impacting India’s population and USG interests.

Seema received her B.S. in Natural Resources Management from the University of Maryland at College Park. She then attended Johns Hopkins University and earned an M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy, and later earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy from George Mason University with a research focus in environmental risk communication techniques.

Angus Chen is a cybersecurity executive and community builder who serves on the Inter-Asian Alumni Alliance (IAAA) board at JHU. In this role, he helps connect Asian and Asian‑American alumni, students, and allies through mentorship, career mobility programs, and student forums that strengthen the JHU network. Professionally, Angus is the CEO of Qerberos, an AI-powered cybersecurity startup, and brings 20+ years of hands-on experience from MITRE, the Federal Reserve Board, and FINRA. A frequent speaker on AI, quantum computing, and deep tech at conferences such as RSA, DEF CON, and ISC2, he focuses on aligning security innovation with real-world impact. Angus holds an M.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics from Johns Hopkins, a Global Executive MBA from IESE (where he serves on the U.S. Alumni Board), and an executive certificate from NYU Stern (Class President). He is CISSP, CCSP, and PMP certified, and outside of work, an avid rock climber and trail runner. 

Smitha "Prabhu" Mahesh is a graduate of the Class of 2021 at Johns Hopkins University. She graduated with a B.A. Philosophy and a Minor in Bioethics. While at Johns Hopkins, Smitha worked with community organizations in Baltimore City including the Baltimore City Health Department, International Rescue Committee, and Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition. While on campus, Smitha worked closely with the Voices of Color Committee as well as collaborating with students on community issues through the Inter-Asian Council at JHU. Currently, she is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), specializing in Health Policy. Her education and work experience inspires her research interest in harm reduction, maternal and child health policy, and public policy. Smitha works as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Hilltop Institute to advance aging and disability policy through mixed-method research and analysis.