February 21, 2024
Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community – 2/21/24
Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community – 8/14/24 The following individuals recently joined the Washington and Lee employee workforce.
Indunil Alahakoon, Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry – The College
Indunil Alahakoon, visiting assistant professor of chemistryQ. Tell us a little about yourself.
I obtained a Bachelor of Science special degree in Chemistry from the University of Colombo (Sri Lanka) and a Ph.D. from the University of Toledo. My husband is also a math Ph.D. candidate at the University of Toledo. We both enjoy spending time together in coffee shops discussing perceptions in science! We also love taking evening walks, appreciating the simple joys of life.
Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I enjoy baking, experimenting with new recipes and decorating my home to create a cozy atmosphere. I also find pleasure in shopping, exploring different styles.
Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
I’m excited about exploring the natural beauty of Lexington and the surrounding region. Also, I’m looking forward to getting some hiking experience on the beautiful trails.
Jamila Baig, Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology – The College
Jamila Baig, visiting assistant professor of biologyQ. Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in the mountainous northern part of Pakistan, surrounded by the Karakoram and the Himalayas. My love for nature has always been a part of my life and memories. Hearing stories from my parents about the changing snow-capped peaks and fluctuating weather, and observing these alterations, always made me curious. My research broadly focuses on a multiproxy approach and uses a high-resolution analysis of the lake’s sediment cores that goes back 14,500 years. I study how multiple proxies respond to climate change, how they intersect with each other and how this information can be used to inform policymakers based on past trends. My previous work used benthic macroinvertebrates to assess the water quality of the lakes. As a climate scientist, I provide a distinctive viewpoint on local and international climate initiatives and partnerships with a background in the impact of climate change on high alpine lakes in the Himalayan region and the Pacific Northwest.
Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I enjoy listening to music and reading books. Also, I can read and write in six languages and I speak four languages.
Q. Anything in particular you are looking forward to at W&L?
I look forward to working with the vibrant academic community and engaging with students through interactive teaching and innovative research.
Austin Benner, Associate Director of Dining Services – Dining Services
Austin Benner, associate director of dining servicesQ. Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in Hershey, Pennsylvania and grew up in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. I attended Elizabethtown Area High School and then Harrisburg Area Community College while working for Hershey Entertainment and Resorts. I spent a decade with Hershey, starting as a dishwasher and leaving as their sous chef. I then moved on to Elizabethtown College as its p.m. assistant manager. I spent a little under a year in that position and then spent five years as the general manager of dining services. My wife and I met and started dating in the summer between ninth and 10th grade, and this December will be celebrating our ninth wedding anniversary. We have two daughters, Adelyn (14) and Amelia (7).
Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
My family and I love staying active and being outdoors. We enjoy camping, hiking, swimming, and anything that gets us out of the house. My oldest daughter aspires to play collegiate volleyball, so we enjoy practicing and training together. I like to stay in shape and hit the gym five days a week. Although I don’t play as often as I like, I love to play golf and spend the day out on the course. Additionally, I enjoy volunteering and staying active in the community.
Q. Best advice anyone has given you?
The best advice I’ve ever received was from my dad, who is an Army veteran: “Whenever you find yourself in a situation where leadership is lacking, step up and lead. It’s on you. Burn the lifeboats and push forward.” I also highly enjoyed reading the book “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, which offers great advice about mentally accepting mistakes and failures and learning from those situations.
Denise Jensen, Administrative Assistant – Law Library
Denise Jensen, law library administrative assistantQ. Tell us a little about yourself.
I have lived all over the U.S., due to my dad’s career with the Internal Revenue Service. My husband and I have raised two boys, both are married to amazing women. We have a four-legged boy (Radar) at home who is spoiled rotten. I enjoy gardening and the local critters are enjoying my efforts to offer them a wide variety of snacking options in my flower beds.
Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I cook, bake and enjoy experimenting in the kitchen. Homemade ice cream is my newest obsession. I love to share samples for honest feedback – volunteers are always welcome.
Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
We just love the area in general and moved here in 2020 to eventually retire sometime in the next 20 years.
Candice Robinson, Assistant Professor of Sociology – The College
Candice RobinsonQ. Tell us a little about yourself.
I received a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master of Arts in sociology from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Hampton University. I’m excited to return to Virginia, the first place where I entered higher education!
Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
No hobbies or hidden talents, but I do enjoy a well-done documentary or movie, as well as anything that will help me treat myself like a plant. Which means, anything that will make sure I get fresh water, sunlight and air!
Q. Best advice anyone has given you?
Not specifically for me, but the movie “The Holiday” has one of my favorite pieces of advice: Treat yourself like the main character in your life.
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