YMMF SCHOLARS

Suzie Melkonyan
Masters in Financial Analysis at London Business School
YMMF Program: 2021
Hometown: Boston, USA
YMMF Program: 2021
Hometown: Boston, USA
About: Hello! My name is Suzie. I am passionate about finance and numbers in general, which led me to graduate with MS in Financial Analysis at London Business School (2021) and BS in Management at UMass Boston (2019). After studies I started my career in Investment Banking, working at UBS in London until September 2023. Currently, I am exploring startups in the technology space in San Francisco. Outside of professional pursuits, I love clearing up my head practicing aerial yoga.
Fun fact: I used to be a competitive latin dancer as a teenager. Nowadays, I enjoy attending opera and classical concerts, but you can also catch me dancing to techno and electronic beats at festivals
Fun fact: I used to be a competitive latin dancer as a teenager. Nowadays, I enjoy attending opera and classical concerts, but you can also catch me dancing to techno and electronic beats at festivals

Michael Seiranian
BSc Computer Science at King's College London
YMMF Program: 2021
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
YMMF Program: 2021
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
About: Hello there! I'm a Computer Science BSc student currently undertaking a Software Engineer internship at Siemens, fully immersed in crafting Java Selenium tests for a dynamic product. Beyond coding, I'm captivated by the realms of AI and robotics, finding the rhythm of life through Hip-hop and techno music, and embracing the energy of football and basketball. While coding and exploring tech fuel my days, hitting the gym keeps me balanced.
Fun fact: I orchestrated a physics-themed rap masterpiece that propelled my class to victory, earning us an unforgettable adventure to CERN!
Fun fact: I orchestrated a physics-themed rap masterpiece that propelled my class to victory, earning us an unforgettable adventure to CERN!

Arina Hayryan
BSc Economics at London School of Economics
YMMF Program: 2022
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
YMMF Program: 2022
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
About: I am a penultimate year BSc Economics student at LSE, with my career pursuits straddling financial services and public policy. My professional experience includes internships at BCG, Deutsche Bank and Eurochambres, and I have spearheaded an interdisciplinary research scheme in collaboration with peers and academics from across the School. Beyond academia, I am an Analyst at the LSE M&A Group and Associate at Castore Consulting, aboard the Committees of the LSE Business & Investment Group and Women in Business societies.
Fun fact: I enjoy practicing ballet, delving into literature, engaging in thought-provoking conversations and people-watching over black Americanos 🙂
Fun fact: I enjoy practicing ballet, delving into literature, engaging in thought-provoking conversations and people-watching over black Americanos 🙂

Ella Aleksanyan
BA PPE at University of Warwick
YMMF Program: 2022
Hometown: Ufa, Russia
YMMF Program: 2022
Hometown: Ufa, Russia
About: I am a final year Philosophy, Politics and Economics student at Warwick University. My professional experiences include internships at EY, Fiserv, Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust, and the MFA of Armenia. Furthermore, I have recently become a BCG Mentee. My extracurricular activities have been equally fulfilling as I co-founded the Warwick Armenian Society and served as the Vice-President of the Warwick International Relations Society. Lastly, my interests encompass international relations, metaphysics, business strategy, world classical literature, art and gymnastics.
Fun fact: I work for Baroness Caroline Cox to assist in the provision of humanitarian aid for the Lady Cox Rehabilitation Centre in Artsakh.
Fun fact: I work for Baroness Caroline Cox to assist in the provision of humanitarian aid for the Lady Cox Rehabilitation Centre in Artsakh.

Laura Poghosyan
MSci Biochemistry at King's College London
YMMF Program: 2022
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
YMMF Program: 2022
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
About: I'm a biochemistry enthusiast currently on my MSci journey at King’s College London. My academic story includes the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and schooling at "Quantum" College. Beyond books, I've volunteered in diverse roles, from coaching English with AGBU ANI program to greening spaces and exchanging ideas globally. With a knack for holistic growth and a passion for learning, I aim to leave my mark in the scientific realm. Recently, I researched gene expression of growth factors in Parkinson's disease.
Fun fact: I'm a huge true crime fan and love watching movies, reading detective books and listening to podcasts about it.
Fun fact: I'm a huge true crime fan and love watching movies, reading detective books and listening to podcasts about it.

Gor Grigoryan
BSc Accounting and Finance at University of Manchester
YMMF Program: 2022
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
YMMF Program: 2022
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
About: I am a final year Accounting and Finance student at the University of Manchester. I have been working as an Actuarial Consultant at Aon for the past year, as was allowed to do a year in industry as part of the degree program. After completing my second year at university and before joining Aon, I did an internship at OakNorth Bank’s Debt Finance Team. I have co-founded and currently co-preside the University of Manchester’s Armenian Society.
Fun fact: At a very young age, I used to practice magic tricks, mainly with cards. Thanks to this, I’m great at controlling people’s attention, which has been helpful so far, especially when it comes to doing presentations.
Fun fact: At a very young age, I used to practice magic tricks, mainly with cards. Thanks to this, I’m great at controlling people’s attention, which has been helpful so far, especially when it comes to doing presentations.

Adrine Andreasian
BSc Chemical Engineering at UCL
YMMF Program: 2022
Hometown: London, UK
YMMF Program: 2022
Hometown: London, UK
About: I currently study Chemical Engineering at UCL, despite this, I have an interest in finance and study a minor in Finance & Accounting. This led me to taking part in my current internship in the Investment Banking Division at Nomura. Aside from my studies and work experience, I love travelling and have visited over 25 countries.
Fun fact: During my school days, I participated in organising an Escape Room to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Fun fact: During my school days, I participated in organising an Escape Room to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Samuel Herodotou
BSc Computer Science at University of Warwick
YMMF Program: 2022
Hometown: London, UK
YMMF Program: 2022
Hometown: London, UK
About: My name is Samuel, and I am a recent graduate from the University of Warwick with a BSc in Computer Science. I was born and raised in the UK by parents of Armenian and Greek Cypriot descent. I taught myself coding at the age of 12 and have been selling software ever since. My career interests are in startups, and I have successfully joined a new company as CTO. In my free time, I enjoy strength training, travelling and meeting new people.
Fun fact: Both my Greek and Armenian side is from Cyprus
Fun fact: Both my Greek and Armenian side is from Cyprus

Abel Martirosyan
MFA in Fashion Design & Society at Parsons School of Design
YMMF Program: 2023
Hometown: Yerevan Armenia
YMMF Program: 2023
Hometown: Yerevan Armenia
About: I am a Second MFA student in Fashion Design and Society at Parsons School of Design in New York City. My academic journey reflects a deep commitment to exploring innovative design and the intersection of fashion and culture. With over eight years of experience in fashion design, retail and visual merchandising in the luxury sector, I have honed my expertise in crafting immersive brand experiences. My career highlights include creating a full functional, modern womenswear brand in Armenia, where I have successfully combined creative and strategic approaches to deliver exceptional results.

Shushan Grigoryan
MA in Education Policy from University College London
YMMF Program: 2023
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
YMMF Program: 2023
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
About: I am a recent MA graduate in Education Policy from University College London, which I completed with distinction, thanks to a scholarship grant from the fund. My professional experience primarily focuses on public education in Armenia. I have worked with organizations like Teach For Armenia and various research think tanks. My academic interests largely revolve around nationalism and identity studies.
Fun fact: I run an Armenian language channel on YouTube and recently, Kim Kardashian shared a video on her Instagram of my non-Armenian student reading her wedding vows in Western Armenian as a surprise for her husband-to-be.
Fun fact: I run an Armenian language channel on YouTube and recently, Kim Kardashian shared a video on her Instagram of my non-Armenian student reading her wedding vows in Western Armenian as a surprise for her husband-to-be.

Emilia Simonian
VetMB Veterinary Medicine at University of Cambridge
YMMF Program: 2023
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
YMMF Program: 2023
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
About: I am a Veterinary Surgeon. I graduated from Cambridge where I studied Veterinary Medicine for 6 years. I completed several internships including Small Animal Orthopedics and Neurology (Fitzpatrick Referral Hospital), Avian Conservation, Medicine and Surgery (Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital). I also did 2 research projects: "The Computational Basis of Visual Discrimination Learning in Animals" and "Investigating the Use of Mydriasis to Restore Vision in Dogs with Nuclear Cataracts". Outside of Veterinary Medicine, I am interested in Permaculture and for 2 years, I taught permaculture to children in Armenia online.
Fun fact: I make videos, mainly about Veterinary Medicine on Vetventures, my YouTube, TikTok and Instagram channels, which have grown to 500K+ followers in less than 6 months!
Fun fact: I make videos, mainly about Veterinary Medicine on Vetventures, my YouTube, TikTok and Instagram channels, which have grown to 500K+ followers in less than 6 months!

Juliana Parseghian
DPhil in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies at Oxford University
YMMF Program: 2023
Hometown: London, United Kingdom
YMMF Program: 2023
Hometown: London, United Kingdom
About: I am a final year DPhil student in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies with a specific focus on Armenia at Oxford University. My doctoral thesis considers how Modern Armenian artists engage with traditional Armenian culture and what this can say about the interaction between cultural memory and identity. I completed my MA at the Courtauld Institute of Art and my BA at the University of Cambridge. I am originally from London and have professional experience in corporate strategy, crisis management and publishing. I am currently a Junior Dean at an Oxford college. I also have a background in charity fundraising, DEI advocacy, and journal editing.
Fun fact: My main hobbies are art, photography, reading, hiking and watching thought-provoking films. My proudest achievement is getting our dog to sit still.
Fun fact: My main hobbies are art, photography, reading, hiking and watching thought-provoking films. My proudest achievement is getting our dog to sit still.
Hasmik Hakobyan
Masters in Computational Science and Engineering at Technical University of Munich (TUM)
YMMF Program: 2023
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
YMMF Program: 2023
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
About: My name is Hasmik, and I was born and raised in Armenia. I am currently pursuing my master’s in Computational Science and Engineering. I am passionate about exploring the intersection of data science and the natural sciences. Beyond academics, I’ve had the opportunity to work with children from various regions in Armenia helping them conduct environmental projects.
Fun fact: I’ve always loved drawing, and when I was younger, I dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, so I sometimes sketch in my free time.
Fun fact: I’ve always loved drawing, and when I was younger, I dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, so I sometimes sketch in my free time.

Aleksandr Grabski
BSc in Dual Degree in Mathematics, Physics and Engineering Sciences at Paris-Saclay University
YMMF Program: 2023
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
YMMF Program: 2023
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
About: I am an engineering student currently studying at Paris-Saclay University. Previously, I studied engineering at King’s College London, where I completed an internship at VIAVI Solutions, working on a program to optimize CPU functionality in their servers. I also greatly value the time I spent at Project Integration LLC in Armenia, where I developed algorithms for smart grid projects. I am currently seeking new opportunities for this summer to expand my experience with professional engineering firms.
Fun fact: I have a deep passion for music, playing piano since childhood and also guitar and bass. In high school, I started my own band and played bass for the school band.
Fun fact: I have a deep passion for music, playing piano since childhood and also guitar and bass. In high school, I started my own band and played bass for the school band.