Student Graduate Assistant Members

Lauren Bombara is a graduate student at RWU, majoring in Architecture. She is also pursuing a minor in French. She comes from the southern Worcester area of Massachusetts. Her other interests include dance, fine arts, baseball, and travel, among many others. Lauren is interested in large-scale residential design and hopes to work in an architecture firm which specializes in high rise residences after graduating. She hopes her work will allow her to gain knowledge in urban design and regional vernacular of foreign countries.

Leaha Bovino is a fifth year student in the B.S.+M.Arch program who is simultaneously working to achieve a M.S. in historic preservation. She spent part of her childhood in western Massachusetts before moving to rural New Jersey, where her family currently resides. Her environment growing up encouraged a strong interest in historic homes and farmsteads that was facilitated by attending - and exploring- estate auctions with her father. She intends to combine her passion for historic places and creative nature into a career that seamlessly blends architecture and historic preservation. Her personal lifetime goal is to completely rehabilitate an abandoned historic house from the depths of neglect and restore it to its former glory.

Matthew Eckel is a senior in the Architecture B.S./M.S dual degree program. He is also pursuing a minor in psychology. He is from Somers, NY and has lived there all his life. Besides everything to do with architecture, Matt is avid in sports especially basketball, golf, bowling, and ultimate frisbee. He is also avid in video games, watching movies, and drawing. After completing his education at RWU he plans to achieve his architecture license while working in a big, well-known architecture firm. Ultimately he would love to his own architecture firm concentrated in sustainable design of commercial and residential design.  

Sydney Gamache is a junior majoring in Architecture, minoring in Sustainability, and has a concentration in Art History. She is from Goffstown, New Hampshire and grew up in the Manchester area. Aside from having a love for Architecture, she is also passionate about art. Her junior year of High school she spent the summer studying at RISD with a concentration in drawing. She also has an interest in sustainable design in Architecture, and is hopeful her Sustainability minor will help her better understand sustainable design techniques. Sydney hopes to connect her interests in art and sustainability with her passion for architecture, in the hopes to become a better designer.

Lindsay Guastafeste is a freshman in the Bachelor of Science/Master of Architecture dual degree program. In her first semester, she is focusing on architecture and pursuing an interest in the Italian language. She is from Syosset, New York and has lived in Long Island her entire life. Prior to University, Lindsay has taken architectural design and environmental science courses that have developed her passion for sustainable design. Through her time at RWU, she expects to minor in Sustainability and travel often to gain a more global perspective. Lindsay plans to focus her architectural career on finding affordable solutions to sustainable design

Vincent Lemma is a first year graduate student in the Master of Architecture program. He came to RWU from Boston, Massachusetts where he earned his BA in Architecture with a concentration in tectonic studies. In addition, Vincent studied abroad in Berlin, Germany where he was able to travel across much of Europe. Originally from Long Island, New York, Vincent has gained both architectural and construction experience working on a number of commercial and residential projects in the New York metro area involving both design and management. Vincent plans to one day join his father’s business as a licensed architect to convert the already successful general contracting company into a design/build firm.

Ed Napierkowski is a graduate student of Architecture at RWU. Originally from the state of New York, Ed grew up spending time around New England and came to Rhode Island in 2008 to begin his architectural education. In 2011, Ed relocated to Europe and spent several months studying Architecture and Art History in Italy, Spain, France, and Holland. Ed received his BA in 2012 and when not in session at the University, he has held an internship position for several years at the firm of Faesy + Smith Architects in Connecticut. Ed has been passionate about architecture from a very early age and hopes to fulfill his goals of pursuing a career in the field, after school, possibly on the West Coast of the United States or beyond.

Elyssa Roketenetz is a junior Graphic Design major from Woburn, MA working towards a Marketing and Web Development double minor and a core concentration in Music here at RWU. Elyssa loved growing up in Woburn because she was only 15 minutes away from the great city of Boston. As much as she loved the city atmosphere, she has always loved quiet towns and large bodies of water more. This made Bristol and Roger Williams the perfect fit for her academic career. Elyssa has always had a love of the arts and enjoys being around art fairs, live music, and theater performances as often as she can be. Upon earning her Bachelor degree in Graphic Design, Elyssa plans to move out west to settle down in a culturally active suburb and start her own design firm.

Jorge Saenz is a freshman in the Architecture B.S. /M.S. dual degree program. As transfer student he previously studied at Bristol Community College and obtained an A.S. degree in Civil Technology as well as certificates in both Computer Aided Design and Surveying. He is from Guatemala and currently resides in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Apart from his background in architecture and engineering, Jorge is also passionate about music, art and culture. Upon earning his Master degree in Architecture, he is interested in furthering his career in sustainable design and technology. Whether he is stationed in the United States or anywhere across the globe, Jorge plans to use his education to help others.

Meghan Spratt is a graduate student in the Architecture B.S/M.S dual degree program.  She will have a minor in Construction Management and a core concentration in Art History.  She is originally from Cold Spring, NY.  Apart from being a student, Meghan loves to take part in rebuild projects and is involved with Habitat Project when she can find time.  Upon earning both Bachelor and Master degrees in Architecture, she is interested in going into either the design field or the project management field of work, and is interested in seeking employment in New York City. Whether it is designing, managing, or teaching, Meghan plans on keeping architecture in her life and plans on using her skills to give back to the community as well.

Christopher Usler is a senior in the Historic Preservation B.S./M.S. dual degree program. A junior transfer, he previously was an art student majoring in both studio and art history. He is from Warwick, Rhode Island and grew up in the Providence area. Apart from a background in the fine arts, Chris is also passionate about history, philosophy, and the humanities. Upon earning both Bachelor and Master degrees in Historic Preservation, he is interested in furthering his education in museum management. Wherever he lands, Chris plans to have a career surrounded by what fulfills him.

Jacob Wheeler is a junior in the Architecture B.S degree program. He is from Winslow, Maine and enjoyed growing up in the small, rural town. In addition to enjoying architecture, Jake finds passion in the construction of buildings and is pursuing a minor in Construction Management and a core concentration in Art and Architecture History in order to further his architectural and construction knowledge. Upon earning both Bachelor and Master degrees in Architecture, he is interested in becoming part of a successful Architecture firm in New England. He has hopes of one day returning to Maine and pursuing a long career in the Architecture industry.

Christopher Winkler is a 5^th year Architecture student in the M.Arch degree program.  He is from Bolton, MA and has grown up in New England loving the outdoors.  Apart from being passionate about architecture and design, Chris is also interested in surfing, making music, traveling, and photographing his experiences.  After completing his degree, Chris plans on pursuing a career with an architecture firm specializing in educational and community works.  Ultimately, he wishes to start his own practice.  He also hopes to visit Australia one day.