PSIL Founders

Dr. Dominic Mao founded PSIL based on his commitment to sharing knowledge and skills with underprivileged students. Born and raised in Imphal, Manipur, Dr. Mao earned a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Biochemistry from Gujarat University, followed by a PhD in molecular genetics from the University of Cincinnati. His own experiences highlight his belief in education’s transformative power, a principle that guides both his teaching and outreach efforts.

As the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies, he oversees two life science concentrations at Harvard. He also holds a teaching position as a lecturer in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. His scientific interests are on DNA repair, extremophiles, and the biology of aging.

Dr. Mao has a special interest in improving educational practices and broadening access to quality education, especially through designing and leading tailored pedagogy workshops to meet the unique requirements of educators across different demographics.

Dr. Wright is the Allston Burr Resident Dean of Eliot House, Assistant Dean of Harvard College, and a Lecturer in the Department of Anthropology at Harvard University. Now in her third year as co-director of the Program for Scientifically-Inspired Leadership (PSIL), Andrea is passionate about fostering cross-cultural exchange and facilitating holistic learning experiences between Harvard undergraduates, local college students, and underserved high school students in India. A life-long educator, Dr. Wright has taught and learned with students of all ages in multiple countries. She regularly conducts pedagogy workshops and believes deeply in the importance of continually reflecting on and adapting our teaching strategies to meet the evolving needs of our students and the broader world.

Originally from a small rural town in Missouri, Dr. Wright’s academic journey began with a B.A. in Anthropology and Environmental Science. She later completed an M.A. in Development Studies at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, India, and earned both an M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology at Brown University. Before joining Harvard, she spent several years in South Korea, where she taught courses on leadership and social activism and served as an International Student Advisor at the Ulsan National Institute for Science and Technology (UNIST). Her research, grounded in feminist anthropology, examines the experiences of female migrant laborers from Northeast India employed in beauty salons in Bangalore.