NCBC Personal Consultations Fellows & Interns

Alexander V. Pham, Operation Intern, May 2026 - present

Alexander Pham studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he conducted research in immunology. During his time at CU, he also served as program chair and a board member for the Conference on World Affairs, helping to shape interdisciplinary dialogue and deepen public understanding of science and culture. He later received a bachelor’s in philosophy at Regis University, focusing on narrative medicine, phenomenology, and personalist thought. Alexander has also served in Vietnamese Catholic youth ministry. He is now pursuing a Master’s in Systematic Theology at the Catholic University of America. Outside of work, he enjoys music, exploring the mountains, and reading.

Theresa Williams, Operations Intern, May 2026 - present

Theresa Williams is a MA-PhD dual degree student of Theology and Health Care Ethics at the Aquinas Institute and St. Louis University. She graduated in May 2025 with a BA in Catholic Studies and Business of HealthCare from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Theresa has a particular interest in bioethics at the edges of life, including reproductive ethics and end-of-life care, and is pursuing a career as a clinical ethicist. Apart from her studies, Theresa enjoys hiking, camping, and country dancing!

Alyssa N. Montalbine, MS, Operations Intern, April 2026 - present

Alyssa Montalbine is currently a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow in Science Policy and a candidate for the MA in Bioethics at Emory University. She holds a MS in Biomedical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a BS in Chemistry with a specialization in Biochemistry from the University of Virginia. After 7 years in research, Alyssa felt the call to devote her vocation to Catholic bioethics, seeking to support communities in upholding the dignity of the human person in clinical care settings, disability ethics cases, biomedical research, and in the implementation of artificial intelligence on data of human subjects. She has served in practicum roles with Eli Lilly & Company’s Bioethics Team, CEIMIA (Center for International Expertise in Montreal on AI), and is devoted to freelance public speaking/teaching in bioethics, science education, science communication, Catholic Social Thought, and the Theology of the Body. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys singing, dancing, baking, meeting new people, and abiding with others through life's joys and struggles.

John McCullough, MS, MA, Ethics Intern, January 2026 - present

John McCullough serves at OSF HealthCare as Director of Mission Services for the Central Region.  John has over 13 years of experience as a hospital chaplain and has been board certified with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains since 2015.  That same year he earned a certificate in Palliative Care Chaplaincy from the CSU Institute for Palliative Care. In 2023, he completed the NCBC’s National Catholic Certification Program in Health Care Ethics. In 2026, he completed his MS in Bioethics from the University of Mary.  John served as chair of the ethics committee at Rush Oak Park Hospital for 3 years and currently sits on ethics committees at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois, OSF Divine Mercy Continuing Care Hospital, and OSF PACE.  John and his wife Bistra have an 11-year-old daughter, Lilyana.  In addition to enjoying Lilyana's gymnastics competitions and Bulgarian folk-dance recitals, the family find leisure in trips big and small to explore the beauty of God's creation.  John enjoys following his favorite soccer team, AC Milan, and any international soccer competitions.   

Blake Jaubert, MA, Ethics Intern, December 2025 - present

Blake Jaubert is a Catholic husband and father. Blake graduated from the University of Alabama with a double major in Psychology and Philosophy. After his undergraduate studies, he began working for the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham in various capacities as youth minister, director of religious education, and director of faith formation at different parishes. He pursued further studies and earned his MA in Theology with a concentration in Bioethics from Holy Apostles College and Seminary, while simultaneously completing the National Catholic Certification Program in Healthcare Ethics through the NCBC. He is currently the Director of Religious Education at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, his local parish. He enjoys spending time outside enjoying God’s creation with his wife and children, teaching about the faith, reading, and playing board games.

Madeline McKechnie, Operations Intern, September 2024 - present

Madeline McKechnie is studying theology at the John Paul II Institute in Washington, DC with a concentration in biotechnology and ethics. She also serves as an intern for the USCCB Pro-Life Secretariat. She is a proud alumna of Franciscan University, where she received her BA in philosophy and theology. Most fundamentally, she is a daughter of the Church. Madeline enjoys running long distances, unicycling, and befriending the saints.