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University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryUNH International Educator Newsletter Global Education CenterSpring 2014Spring 2014, UNH Alumni Around the WorldFocus on international alumniCenter for International EducationFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/international_newsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Global Education Center at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. Ithas been accepted for inclusion in UNH International Educator Newsletter by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars'Repository. For more information, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationCenter for International Education, "Spring 2014, UNH Alumni Around the World Focus on international alumni" (2014).International Educator: the Newsletter of the UNH Global Engagement Editorial Board. 183.https://scholars.unh.edu/international_news/1837/14/2016 The Newsletter of UNH Global Engagementhttp://unh.edu/cie/newsletter/2014/spring/alumni­news­oiss.html 1/2The Newsletter of UNH Global Engagement Spring 2014Ellen Pass with her son Benjamin and her daughterMiaUNH ALUMNI AROUND THE WORLDFOCUS ON INTERNATIONAL ALUMNIEllen Pass '07, from Germany, was enrolled from 2005­2007 in theMasters Clinical Nurse leadership program at UNH Durham. Shewrites that her “experiences at UNH were both socially andprofessionally fulfilling, and provided experiences that I am able toapply to my work in Berlin, Germany.” Below is her update:How did it start? I completed my BA in nursing in Frankfurt, Germany before Icontinued in the Master’s program at UNH. As a German nursingBA student I had to write a thesis focusing on the differences andcommonalities between American and German nurses. I decided todo a master’s degree in nursing to further my professionaldevelopment and to learn more about this topic. I applied forfinancial support and was honored to receive a Fulbright scholarship.I chose UNH because I had lived in NH previously as an intern. Myexperience was positive, and I really enjoyed New Hampshire and itsnature and people. I chose the nursing program to become a leader inthe German nursing field. The master’s program in nursing has abroad­based approach which allowed me afterwards to choose acareer path that was perfect and catered to my professional needs.What were my experiences being abroad?The time I spent on campus was so different in many ways fromstudying in Germany. UNH provided many resources that myprevious university did not have. The support from teachers andprofessors, other classmates, and the international office was a huge help and a great resource.Two experiences that were totally different from my German education have stayed in my mind. One experience is when I hadto order an article from an African Journal for one of my thesis papers. I was very nervous when I asked the librarian if itwould be possible to order it as it was very costly…all she said was: “Don’t worry, you will get what you need.” “That’s ourservice to you!’ I was amazed because the resources are so readily available to every student.The other experience was completing open book exams. I had never heard of open book exams before I came to the U.S. tostudy. Open book exams are a great idea because one can look up the small details found in graphs and you do not have toworry about forgetting the little things that are easily lost in nervousness and worry. German universities and students coulddefinitely profit from open book exams.What happened when I returned to Germany?After graduating from UNH, I started a career in clinical research for a global American company that has a German base inBerlin. I am a clinical data manager and my main work is to build up databases being used for clinical studies. I communicate7/14/2016 The Newsletter of UNH Global Engagementhttp://unh.edu/cie/newsletter/2014/spring/alumni­news­oiss.html 2/2and train doctors and nurses from all over the world that are participating in the studies and are responsible to deliver patientdata. The main language that is used is English. My education at UNH gave me a great foundation for developing my Englishcommunication skills.At the moment I am on maternity leave as Germany allows the mother to stay home for the first year after a child’s birth. Ihave two wonderful children; our daughter Mia is 4 and our son Ben is 7 months. My wife Janine, from New Hampshire,works as a nurse here in Berlin. I enjoy the time with my children; however I am also looking forward to returning to mywork as a clinical researcher. I wish all of you good luck in your future. Use the international office as much as you can. They do great work and are therefor you.Dinesh Thakur '92Dinesh Thakur ’92 (M.S. Chemical Engineering) founded his second start­up, Medassure Global Compliance in January2014. He co­founded Sciformix, another startup based in Westborough, MA in 2007, and served as its President & CEO until2012. In May 2013, his involvement in the prosecution of Ranbaxy Laboratories for selling adulterated medicines in the USbecame public, when the generic drug manufacturer pleaded guilty to seven felonies and paid $500 million to the USGovernment in fines and penalties. Dinesh had worked with the US Department of Justice and the Food and DrugAdministration for eight years to help prosecute this fraud.After graduating from UNH, he worked at Genetics Institute (now Pfizer) in Boston, and Bristol­Myers Squibb Company,both in Syracuse, NY and Princeton, NJ. He was recognized as a pioneer in Laboratory Robotics in 1997 at the InternationalSymposium of Laboratory Automation and Robotics. He is a thought leader in the area of global public health and worksclosely with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.Dinesh continues to be active as a UNH alum. He serves as a mentor in the UNH Pathways program. He established twoscholarships, one each in Bioengineering at CEPS and in Healthcare Analytics at CHHS, to help deserving students developspecialized skills in the STEM study areas. He has been nominated to serve on the CEPS Advisory Board in 2014.  Copyright © 2015, Center for International Education  •  The University of New Hampshire223 Hood House  •  89 Main Street  •  Durham, NH 03824tel: 603­862­2398  •  fax: 603­862­0169study.abroad@unh.edu  •  international.affairs@unh.edu

Spring 2014, UNH Alumni Around the World Focus on international alumni

University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryUNH International Educator Newsletter Global Education CenterSpring 2015Spring 2015, UNH Alumni Around the World:Focus on International AlumniCenter for International EducationFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/international_newsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Global Education Center at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. Ithas been accepted for inclusion in UNH International Educator Newsletter by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars'Repository. For more information, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationCenter for International Education, "Spring 2015, UNH Alumni Around the World: Focus on International Alumni" (2015).International Educator: the Newsletter of the UNH Global Engagement Editorial Board. 13.https://scholars.unh.edu/international_news/13The Newsletter of UNH Global Engagementhttp://unh.edu/cie/newsletter/2015/spring/alumni-news-oiss.html[6/24/2016 1:13:13 PM] SearchThe Newsletter of UNH Global Engagement Spring 2015Yong ZhaoBack to index pageSubscribeCenter for InternationalEducation HomeUNH ALUMNI AROUND THE WORLDFOCUS ON INTERNATIONAL ALUMNIYong Zhao (China)I came to UNH in January 2011 to pursue theMaster’s degree in Mechanical Engineering andgraduated in May 2012. I investigated the calibrationof cutting force models in end milling and developeda novel calibration method based on cutting forceprofiles for an “Intelligent Machining System” underthe supervision of Prof. Barry Fussell and Prof.Robert Jerard.Upon graduation, I joined a small productdevelopment company called ResolutionDevelopment Services in Wilmington, MA. Myresponsibilities include mechanical design,camera/optics/lighting solution, calibration strategy,image analysis and processing methodologies.I enjoy living in the suburbs of Boston since there is so much great authentic Chinese food in the area. In my spare time, I enjoyskiing and spending time with friends.The best memories of my time at UNH are my advisors and the OISS group. Prof. Fussell and Prof. Jerard provided me endlesssupport, encouragement and guidance throughout my graduate study. I felt extremely lucky to work with them and am grateful fortheir help. I frequently attended International Circle hosted by OISS; this weekly event gave international students a chance to getto know each other and share their experiences. I would like to extend my thanks to the OISS staff for their help and support inmaking UNH a second home for all the international students.Yunus Cezairli (Turkey)I was very excited to be accepted at UNH and have the chance to experience lifeoutside of Turkey. I completed my undergraduate degree in MechanicalEngineering in 2011 and received my Master’s Degree in Ocean Engineering/Ocean Mapping in 2013. I now work for Fugro Pelagos, Inc. as a hydrographerwhere I conduct surveys to map underwater worldwide.The Newsletter of UNH Global Engagementhttp://unh.edu/cie/newsletter/2015/spring/alumni-news-oiss.html[6/24/2016 1:13:13 PM]Yunus CezairliFaraz MehdiSung Pil KimFaraz Mehdi (India)I graduated from UNH in December 2012, with a doctoral degree in MechanicalEngineering. Since then, I have been a post- doctoral research scholar at TexasTech University, and am now looking to move back to New Hampshire. I amoriginally from India, but had a fair amount of exposure as an internationalstudent prior to coming to the United States. I distinctly remember beingextremely impressed by the efforts of the international office in ensuring asmooth transition for all of us. I found the orientation, in particular, very usefuland volunteered for it every single year while at UNH, which led to severalamazing memories and close friendships. I even met the lovely woman, who isnow my wife, at UNH. We initially started communicating as she mistook me forsomeone else, and I thought she was an international student I had helped duringorientation! UNH has given me immense love and affection, and I hope someday to be in a position to give back.Sung Pil Kim (South Korea)I was already utilizing my Electronic Engineering degree in South Korea, butdecided to pursue an advanced degree in the U.S. I attended UNH Law (thencalled Franklin Pierce Law Center) and earned my Master of IntellectualProperty in 1998 and returned later to complete my J.D. degree in 2011.Following that, I became a patent attorney at Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C. inWashington, DC.My best memory of UNH involves Professor Joseph Dickinson. During a partyin 1997, there was a photo taken of Prof. Dickinson and my family, whichincluded my wife and 1-year-old daughter (my son was not yet born). Prof.Dickinson framed the photo and placed it in his office. When I visited campus 10years later, Prof. Dickinson immediately recognized me and invited me to hisoffice to show me the photo. “It was a very nice surprise and I don’t think we caneasily expect such a moment in a big-scale school”The Newsletter of UNH Global Engagementhttp://unh.edu/cie/newsletter/2015/spring/alumni-news-oiss.html[6/24/2016 1:13:13 PM]This past January, I was elected as a President of the Korean American Intellectual Property Bar Association (Association ofKorea-rooted Korean-American IP Practitioners in DC, VA, MD areas) for the 2015 and 2016 terms.  Copyright © 2015, Center for International Education  •  The University of New Hampshire223 Hood House  •  89 Main Street  •  Durham, NH 03824tel: 603-862-2398  •  fax: 603-862-0169study.abroad@unh.edu  •  international.affairs@unh.edu

Spring 2015, UNH Alumni Around the World: Focus on International Alumni

University of New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository
UNH International Educator Newsletter Global Education Center
Spring 2014
Spring 2014, UNH Alumni Around the World
Focus on international alumni
Center for International Education
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/international_news
This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Global Education Center at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It
has been accepted for inclusion in UNH International Educator Newsletter by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars'
Repository. For more information, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.
Recommended Citation
Center for International Education, "Spring 2014, UNH Alumni Around the World Focus on international alumni" (2014).
International Educator: the Newsletter of the UNH Global Engagement Editorial Board. 183.
https://scholars.unh.edu/international_news/183
7/14/2016 The Newsletter of UNH Global Engagement
http://unh.edu/cie/newsletter/2014/spring/alumni­news­oiss.html 1/2
The Newsletter of UNH Global Engagement Spring 2014
Ellen Pass with her son Benjamin and her daughter
Mia
UNH ALUMNI AROUND THE WORLD
FOCUS ON INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI
Ellen Pass '07, from Germany, was enrolled from 2005­2007 in the
Masters Clinical Nurse leadership program at UNH Durham. She
writes that her “experiences at UNH were both socially and
professionally fulfilling, and provided experiences that I am able to
apply to my work in Berlin, Germany.” Below is her update:
How did it start? 
I completed my BA in nursing in Frankfurt, Germany before I
continued in the Master’s program at UNH. As a German nursing
BA student I had to write a thesis focusing on the differences and
commonalities between American and German nurses. I decided to
do a master’s degree in nursing to further my professional
development and to learn more about this topic. I applied for
financial support and was honored to receive a Fulbright scholarship.
I chose UNH because I had lived in NH previously as an intern. My
experience was positive, and I really enjoyed New Hampshire and its
nature and people. I chose the nursing program to become a leader in
the German nursing field. The master’s program in nursing has a
broad­based approach which allowed me afterwards to choose a
career path that was perfect and catered to my professional needs.
What were my experiences being abroad?
The time I spent on campus was so different in many ways from
studying in Germany. UNH provided many resources that my
previous university did not have. The support from teachers and
professors, other classmates, and the international office was a huge help and a great resource.
Two experiences that were totally different from my German education have stayed in my mind. One experience is when I had
to order an article from an African Journal for one of my thesis papers. I was very nervous when I asked the librarian if it
would be possible to order it as it was very costly…all she said was: “Don’t worry, you will get what you need.” “That’s our
service to you!’ I was amazed because the resources are so readily available to every student.
The other experience was completing open book exams. I had never heard of open book exams before I came to the U.S. to
study. Open book exams are a great idea because one can look up the small details found in graphs and you do not have to
worry about forgetting the little things that are easily lost in nervousness and worry. German universities and students could
definitely profit from open book exams.
What happened when I returned to Germany?
After graduating from UNH, I started a career in clinical research for a global American company that has a German base in
Berlin. I am a clinical data manager and my main work is to build up databases being used for clinical studies. I communicate
7/14/2016 The Newsletter of UNH Global Engagement
http://unh.edu/cie/newsletter/2014/spring/alumni­news­oiss.html 2/2
and train doctors and nurses from all over the world that are participating in the studies and are responsible to deliver patient
data. The main language that is used is English. My education at UNH gave me a great foundation for developing my English
communication skills.
At the moment I am on maternity leave as Germany allows the mother to stay home for the first year after a child’s birth. I
have two wonderful children; our daughter Mia is 4 and our son Ben is 7 months. My wife Janine, from New Hampshire,
works as a nurse here in Berlin. I enjoy the time with my children; however I am also looking forward to returning to my
work as a clinical researcher.
 I wish all of you good luck in your future. Use the international office as much as you can. They do great work and are there
for you.
Dinesh Thakur '92
Dinesh Thakur ’92 (M.S. Chemical Engineering) founded his second start­up, Medassure Global Compliance in January
2014. He co­founded Sciformix, another startup based in Westborough, MA in 2007, and served as its President & CEO until
2012. In May 2013, his involvement in the prosecution of Ranbaxy Laboratories for selling adulterated medicines in the US
became public, when the generic drug manufacturer pleaded guilty to seven felonies and paid $500 million to the US
Government in fines and penalties. Dinesh had worked with the US Department of Justice and the Food and Drug
Administration for eight years to help prosecute this fraud.
After graduating from UNH, he worked at Genetics Institute (now Pfizer) in Boston, and Bristol­Myers Squibb Company,
both in Syracuse, NY and Princeton, NJ. He was recognized as a pioneer in Laboratory Robotics in 1997 at the International
Symposium of Laboratory Automation and Robotics. He is a thought leader in the area of global public health and works
closely with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.
Dinesh continues to be active as a UNH alum. He serves as a mentor in the UNH Pathways program. He established two
scholarships, one each in Bioengineering at CEPS and in Healthcare Analytics at CHHS, to help deserving students develop
specialized skills in the STEM study areas. He has been nominated to serve on the CEPS Advisory Board in 2014.
  
Copyright © 2015, Center for International Education  •  The University of New Hampshire
223 Hood House  •  89 Main Street  •  Durham, NH 03824
tel: 603­862­2398  •  fax: 603­862­0169
study.abroad@unh.edu  •  international.affairs@unh.edu


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Spring 2014, UNH Alumni Around the World Focus on international alumni

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