About

Mahalya was born in Sri Lanka and moved with her family to Vermont at the age of twelve. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in Microbiology and worked for two years in New York. She has been actively involved in advocacy and served as the lead clinic manager for the Mount Sinai Human Rights program, helping in evaluating the medical needs for asylum seekers and studying the experience of people seeking asylum during the first year of the COVID pandemic. She also worked as a coordinator for the Art and Minds elective Humanities course. In recognition of her outstanding commitment to service and patient care, Mahalya was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Mahalya enjoys music and began singing with the New York Chamber Choir several years ago!