IAS Officers Fall 2025
Allison Frank
President
Allison is a senior double majoring in History and Italian Studies with minors in Philosophy and German. She lived overseas when she was younger and has loved travelling ever since, joining IAS to meet others interested in global studies and living abroad. In her free time she enjoys watching old movies, reading, running and visiting our public libraries; she hopes to earn a master’s in library science after undergrad.
Luke Ramcharita
Vice President
Luke Ramcharita is a Junior from Euless, TX, pursuing a major in Government along with minors in National Security and International Business as well as History. He is interested in the intersection of business, technology, and national security particularly when it comes to the national security implications of critical and emerging technologies. He joined IAS to be surrounded with like minded students who also have an interest in learning more about international affairs. Luke enjoys going to the gym, watching WWII movies, and catching up on the latest foreign and domestic political events.
Moyu Yumoto
Director of Finance
Moyu Yumoto is a junior from south of Tokyo, Japan, and Houston, TX, studying History and International Relations & Global Studies. Her academic focus centers on East Asian Foreign Policy, particularly US-Japan Relations, and International Security. She hopes to one day return to Japan and work to bridge better US-Japan Relations. Moyu joined IAS to meet other people at UT interested in international relations and learning about different cultures. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking, listening to classical music, and visiting art museums.
David Tran
Academics Director
David Tran is a junior from Fort Worth, TX, majoring in Plan II Honors and International Relations and Studies. He is also pursuing a certificate in Security Studies and minors in Arabic and History. His interests include intelligence studies, military affairs, and foreign affairs in addition to a regional focus on the Middle East. He joined IAS to explore global affairs and their impact on national grand strategies while learning from peers with similar and connected interests. David enjoys reading, narrative-based video games, and lock picking in his free time.
Adrian Biddle
Programs Co-Director
Adrian Biddle is a senior from Leander, TX, majoring in Human Dimensions of Organizations with a minor in Government. He enjoys learning about the visible and invisible international political forces that shape conflict, cooperation, prosperity, and decline. While dabbling in all things history and politics, Adrian has a regional focus on the Middle East and the topic of military affairs & the impact of militaries and militias on domestic politics. Adrian joined IAS to connect with students from other cultures who are eager to engage with the key political questions of our time. In his free time, you can find him across various Texas state parks, hanging out with friends on campus, writing stories at the PCL, or at Gregory gym.
Jack Mahoney
Programs Co-Director
Jack is a junior from Dallas, TX, double-majoring in History and Asian Studies, with minors in Government and Chinese. Additionally, he is undertaking a History Honors thesis exploring the political and cultural implications of the 1903-1904 British Invasion of Tibet. He is interested in Modern and Early Modern history, intellectual history, political economy, and contemporary global politics. Jack joined IAS to become more involved in discussions concerning contemporary affairs and to meet peers with similar interests. In his free time, Jack enjoys talking with friends, reading, writing, pacing in circles, and making tea.
Abigail Vandiver
Programs Chair
Abby Vandiver is a sophomore from Houston, TX, studying International Relations and Global Studies on the International Security track with a focus on Latin America. She is also pursuing a minor in Spanish and a certificate through the Bridging Disciplines Program in Public Policy. She is interested in diplomacy, immigration policy, and public affairs. Abby joined IAS to meet others with shared academic and professional interests, and to become more connected with the opportunities UT has to offer in global affairs. In her free time, she enjoys playing the NYT minigames, trying new breakfast spots, and attending concerts.
Jessye Fan
Communications Director
Jessye Fan is a junior from Sugar Land, TX, majoring in Advertising and pursuing a minor in Business. Her interests include the environment, politics, and Europe/Asia. Outside of IAS, Jessye is involved in Liberal Arts Council and Innovations for Peace & Development. She joined IAS as a way to meet others interested in global affairs and find ways to reach out to students about such topics. In her free time, Jessye can be found playing ultimate frisbee, listening to music, and reading the Atlantic articles.
Sofia Hernandez
Communications Chair
Sofia Hernandez is a senior from El Paso, TX, pursuing a major in Government with minors in History and Sociology. She is interested in the interplay between law, politics, and society, particularly how institutions and legal systems shape cultural norms, governance, and justice. Her focus includes judicial decision-making, international and comparative law, and the historical and cultural forces that influence societal change. Sofia joined IAS to engage in meaningful conversations that challenge her thinking and broaden her perspectives on global affairs and cultures. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, playing sports, and listening to music.
Anastasia Smith
Community Outreach Director
Anastasia is a junior from College Station, TX, double-majoring in International Relations and Global Studies and History with minors in Chinese and Global Management. Her focus is international security in East Asia and she has an interest in strategic cross-cultural communication during conflict to prevent international crime. She joined IAS for the opportunity to meet students with similar passions, learn from speakers well-versed in global affairs, and contribute to the international community in Austin. When she isn’t studying, Anastasia can be found hanging out with friends at a cafe, watching legal thrillers, or exploring the outdoors.
Angelo Carreno
Community Outreach Chair
Angelo Carreno is a sophomore from Plano, TX studying International Relations & Global Studies and pursuing a Japanese Certificate. His interests include European and Asian Politics, historical developments to foreign policy, and international security. He joined IAS to meet students with passions in international relations and to learn more about international developments. In his free time, he enjoys reading books, watching movies, and going to the gym.
Avery Zhao
Socials Director
Avery Zhao is a sophomore from Plano, TX pursuing a major in Business along with a minor in French and a certificate in Computer Science. She took a gap year in Germany, where she developed her interests in European politics and national security. She joined IAS to seek a diverse community of friends with a common interest in global affairs. In her free time, she enjoys biking, trying new foods, and solving puzzles. After graduation, she hopes to travel more.