Laura grew up in North Carolina and studied chemistry and biology at UNC Chapel Hill. She is currently a graduate student studying chemical biology at Harvard University, jointly advised by Dr. Sara Buhrlage and Dr. Peter Sorger. Her research is focused primarily on the therapeutic potential of targeting deubiquitinating enzymes in breast cancer. Outside of lab, she likes spending time with friends, reading a good book, painting, and traveling. She is enthusiastic about encouraging students in the pursuit of science, so enjoys being involved with the JEI.

Michael grew up in Minneapolis and received a bachelor's degree in biology from Arizona State University, where he first discovered his passion for scientific research while studying leaf-cutter ant ecology and behavior. After graduating, he spent two years in a lab in Philadelphia investigating the genetic basis of human taste preferences. Currently he is a PhD student at Harvard Medical School in the lab of Dr. Rachel Wilson, studying how sensory information is encoded and processed by neural circuits.

Eileen is a PhD Candidate in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences program. She is a member of Dr. Karen Adelman’s lab (Harvard Medical School, Dept. of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology), and currently studies the dynamics of enhancer commissioning and decommissioning over cell differentiation, with a focus on the potential role(s) of enhancer transcription in these processes. After graduating from the College of William and Mary with degrees in Neuroscience and English, she jumped at the opportunity to combine these passions (along with a strong commitment to outreach and the encouragement of young scientists) in her current role as Copy Editor. In her free time, Eileen loves to dance (15 years of ballet/tap/jazz/ lyrical/hip hop experience!), read, volunteer with other outreach organizations, and unwind with her two cats.

Nico grew up in Germany and moved to Grand Rapids, MI when he was 8 years old. From there, he completed his undergraduate degrees in physics, astrophysics, and cellular & molecular biology at the University of Michigan in 2014. At Michigan, Nico got very involved in outreach for kids of all ages. Nico is currently a PhD candidate in the D’Souza lab studying the structure-function relationship of programmed ribosomal readthrough. Outside of lab, he enjoys traveling to new places.

Alexandra Mattei is a PhD candidate in Alexander Meissner's Lab at Harvard University, and currently a visiting scholar at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin. Alexandra is broadly interested in studying the transmission of information between cells, and from generation to generation. Her thesis work investigates the epigenetic regulation of mammalian development, with a specific focus on DNA methylation. She is passionate about teaching, outreach, and making molecular biology more approachable to the general public. Alexandra joined JEI to help bring scientific thinking to a broader audience and show young students that within each of them lies the ability to ask, rigorously test, and answer any question they like about the world around them. 

I’m Chuchu and I grew up in China. Spent some years in Hong Kong and some in San Francisco before Boston. My research focuses on internal organ sensations and in particular, the neuronal mechanisms of nausea perception. I joined JEI because it is fun to get more people to love science! Outside the lab, I do some yoga, rock climbing, cooking and knitting.

Elayne is a second year graduate student in the Biomedical and Biological Sciences program at HMS. Elayne grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and attended the University of Michigan, where she first discovered her passion for research and science writing. She has joined the Bernhardt lab in the Microbiology department at HMS. Her research interests are bacterial genetics and cell biology.

I'm a microbiologist by training.  As an undergrad at the University of Pittsburgh I majored in microbiology, and continued my training as a research technician in the lab of Christine Jacobs-Wagner at Yale.  As a grad student in David Rudner's lab at Harvard, my research focuses on the cell biology of bacteria - how bacterial cells grow and divide, and how understanding these processes can help us discover new ways to combat antibiotic resistance.  But, I'm not only interested in tiny things you can't see!  I also spend my days cooking and reading about cooking, jogging around Boston, and dreaming of getting a dog.  I joined JEI because I think it's important to support students' interest in science, and show more people how the scientific process actually works.  Nobody has to be intimidated by science, and I'm proud to be part of an organization like JEI, that helps make science fun, relevant, and accessible to everyone.

Ayano did her undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley and studied, Molecular and Cell Biology.  In her senior year, she became fascinated with the immune system after taking a introductory immunology course and decided to pursue a PhD in Immunology at Harvard University. During her graduate work, she looked at innate T lymphocytes and researched their role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, specifically in the adipose tissue. Amazingly, immune cells that typically help the body fight off pathogens are also critical for regulating body temperature and insulin sensitivity! Now, Ayano is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Genetics Department at Harvard, wanting to apply systems genetics approaches to continue studying the immune system.

My name is Madalyn McFarland and I am a Ph.D. Student in Barbara Burleigh’s laboratory at the Harvard School of Public Health. We investigate host-parasite interactions with the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. I joined JEI so I could learn more about the editorial role in publishing and help other students to do the same!

Olivia is a 6th year PhD student in the Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program at Harvard Medical School. She works in the Goessling Laboratory where she studies embryogenesis and organ formation using the zebrafish model. Her primary goal is to evaluate how fetal stress, especially prenatal alcohol exposure, disrupts development and predisposes individuals to chronic adolescent and adult disease, including obesity and the metabolic syndrome.

I obtained my Ph.D. from Harvard University in 2017. During my graduate research, I developed a zebrafish model that permits cross-species cell transplantation. Currently a research fellow in Medical Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, I am studying how glucocorticoids can be used to modulate response to cancer immunotherapy. I joined JEI to promote passionate scientific endeavors by middle school and high school students! Outside of the lab, I am a home chef, a kindle addict, and love watching capybaras chewing watermelons on YouTube.

Radhika grew up in Indiana and received double Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Biochemistry from Indiana University, where she also minored in mathematics and Spanish. She is currently an MD/PhD student at Harvard Medical School in the laboratory of Jon and Christine Seidman, where she studies the genetics of heart muscle disease using stem cell derived cardiomyocytes. Radhika enjoys science writing and is passionate about helping young investigators become effective science communicators. In her free time, Radhika enjoys hiking trails around the world, sailing on the Charles River, and experimenting in the kitchen with her Instant Pot cooker.

Roya Huang grew up California and studied chemistry and biology at Williams College (’17). She is currently a second year graduate student in the Harvard MCO Ph.D. program in the lab of Sharad Ramanathan. Her work combines cell biology, developmental geometry, and engineering to study stem cell differentiation and lineage commitment. In her free time, she enjoys backpacking, snowboarding, and classical music.

I am a fifth-year PhD student studying Chemical Biology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, specifically investigating the regulation of cell death and how it can be corrupted in cancer. I wanted to be a part of JEI because I know that early engagement in the real scientific process is the best way to train young students to become awesome scientists! I am constantly impressed by the science that I see submitted and published in our journal and I’m extremely proud to help make it happen. I love to be active by riding my bike or playing volleyball, and I am a big sports fan of my hometown teams from Philadelphia, PA!

Zainab is a graduate student in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences PhD program, and is interested in studying the development and use of small molecule inhibitors and degraders to further understand what drives cancer cell signaling and metastasis. Before that, she graduated from Johns Hopkins in 2014 with degrees in biology and statistics, and is interested in exploring the intersection of these fields as she finishes her PhD.  In her free time, she loves to cook (and eat!) good food and cheer for Boston sports teams!

Kiana is a PhD student at Harvard Medical School, completing her graduate work in the lab of Dr. Michael Talkowski in the Center for Genomic Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Broad Institute. Her thesis work focuses on using CRISPR-based genome editing in iPS-derived neural cell models to better understand molecular mechanisms contributing to autism. Having benefitted from outstanding mentors throughout her academic career, Kiana is very passionate about science outreach and excited to share her love of science with others.

David completed his undergraduate studies in Biological Sciences and Psychology at Cornell University. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Harvard University in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. He works in the laboratory of Daniel Kahne and studies outer membrane biogenesis in Gram-negative bacteria.

I obtained my Bachelor's of Science degree in cell biology and biochemistry from Bucknell University. I am now a 3rd year PhD candidate in Athar Chishti's lab at Tufts Medical School. The focus of my thesis is to identify novel mechanisms of malaria-infected red blood cell adhesion to vascular endothelium. This pathobiology is responsible for the majority of malaria-related deaths. I have a passion for teaching and mentorship which led me to join JEI, and I hope to contribute to the inspiration of the next generation of scientists. Outside of lab I enjoy experimenting with new recipes, playing my guitar, and hiking mountains in New Hampshire.

Kathryn is a 3rd year graduate student at the Tufts University School of Medicine, pursuing her doctorate in neuroscience. She joined the JEI Tufts Chapter as a Senior Associate Editor this year and is thrilled to be working with young student investigators. In her free time, Kathryn enjoys freestyle dancing and exploring Boston.

Kyle grew up in New Jersey and completed his undergraduate degree at Yale University. He did his graduate research in the lab of Dr. Mitzi I. Kuroda at Harvard Medical School, characterizing chromatin-associated proteins involved with dosage compensation in Drosophila. He now works in Dr. Stephen M. Fuchs’ lab at Tufts University investigating the interplay between chromatin and cell membrane voltage. Kyle has been an editor with JEI since 2016.

I am very interested in host-parasite interactions and obtained a PhD in parasitology from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. For my dissertation, I studied the role of molecular chaperone HSP90 in Leishmania stage differentiation. I am currently a postdoctoral scholar in the Molecular Helminthology Laboratory at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Here, I am working on characterizing enzymes on the surface of the blood fluke Schistosoma to determine how these worms evade host recognition. I joined JEI because love helping young scientists become passionate about research and their future in the field. In my free time, I enjoy hiking with my husband and dog and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

Samantha grew up in California and studied neuroscience at University of Southern California. She is currently a neuroscience PhD candidate in Dr. Dong Kong's lab at Tufts University. Her work includes investigating the neural circuits of energy balance using CRISPR-mediated gene editing. Outside of lab she enjoys crossfit, volleyball, and science outreach that inspires young students to fearlessly pursue STEM careers.

Alyssa is a PhD student in the Maguire Lab at Tufts School of Medicine studying the role GABAA receptors in the basolateral amygdala in alcohol use. The lab generally studies inhibition in the brain in states like epilepsy, depression, and alcohol addiction. Alyssa enjoys science writing and outreach that will help inspire the next generation of scientists.

Marie studied Biology at the University Tuebingen, Germany, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and afterwards with a Master of Science in Biology with focus on Neurobiology. During her PhD at the Tuebingen Hearing Research Center and the University of Tuebingen, she studied the role of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor and stress on the auditory system and its adaptation to noise exposure. Now, Marie works as a postdoctoral fellow at Tufts University in the Neuroscience Department in the Group of Michele Jacob. She is studying the pathophysiological changes that underlie intellectual disabilities and autism in different mutant mouse models with abnormal level of beta-catenin and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). During her studies Marie already supervised younger students during internships or practical courses in the lab and helped them to find their way into science. Besides research, Marie loves to watch movies and create new costumes for the next comic convention.

I am a WASH specialist, with focus on water and sanitation for emergency contexts, and waste management in low and middle-income countries. I hold a MSc and a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering. I have worked as environmental engineer in the public and private sector in international cooperation, as researcher, trainer, consultant and field engineer. I am currently postdoc at Tufts University. Outside of research, I am passionate of art in its different forms.

Yamin grew up in China and received his doctoral degree in Chemistry from the University of Science & Technology of China. He joined the Xu lab in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Tufts University as a Postdoctoral Scholar. His research interests are lipid and polymer-based biomaterials, drug delivery and nanomedicine.

Naomi is a PhD student in the Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department at the University of Virginia. She works in Dr. Yuh-Hwa Wang's lab, focusing on the role of environmental exposures on DNA fragility as it relates to promoting the formation of oncogenic chromosomal abnormalities. From a young age she has loved reading and science, which has now led to a growing passion for helping other scientists refine their writing and tell interesting stories.

Adrienne is a PhD candidate in the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Virginia. She works in the Multiscale Muscle Mechanophysiology lab, focusing on the role of non-uniform strains during movement in the progression of muscle damage in lower limbs in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. She especially enjoys encountering new science and learning about different fields of research with each JEI manuscript she reviews.

Xin is in his fourth year of Ph.D. study in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Virginia, and he works in the Rotating Machinery and Controls (ROMAC) laboratory. Proficient knowledge on the modeling of fluid film bearings, such as Thermo-Elasto-Hydrodynamic (TEHD) modeling and analysis of axial thrust bearings. His research is focused on focusing on oil and water lubricated thrust bearing: one and two equation turbulence mixed modeling using Thermo-Elasto-Hydrodynamic methods.

I'm a PhD student in Neuroscience at Emory University, where I study rare genetic disorders and their contribution to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. I joined JEI because (1) I love mentoring students and giving feedback on writing, (2) it's always nice to take a break from reading literature specific to my field and to read another fascinating study, and (3) I want to inspire the next generation of scientists and motivate them to start early. Outside of lab, I enjoy reading and writing—I'm currently working on a memoir—tennis, hip-hop, and trying new things. I'm trying to be a Renaissance learner!

Kate is a PhD student in the Neuroscience Program at Emory University. Her research uses electrophysiology and optogenetics to better understand neural network dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. Outside of the lab, she loves cooking and taking care of her growing collection of plants.

Stephanie completed her BS and MS in Biological Sciences at Drexel University in Philadelphia. She is currently a PhD Candidate in the Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Developmental Biology program at Emory University where she studies intercellular adhesion in the context of skin disease. After completing her PhD, Stephanie plans to start in career in scientific writing. Outside of lab, Stephanie enjoys hiking, crafting, and writing.

I am a second-year doctoral student in biomedical engineering at Rutgers University, where I am investigating how to make brain implants more biocompatible so that they work for a longer time in treatments for Parkinson's, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders. I graduated from Princeton University with a bachelor's in chemical engineering in 2017. I joined JEI because, as both a professional graphic designer and a scientist, I feel that it is my mission to help people communicate their scientific work better and to help them present their work in the best possible way. Outside of lab, I do freelance graphic design work and enjoy hiking, learning taekwondo, and playing video games.

Alex received her PhD in Psychology from Harvard University in 2018, where she studied young children's social learning and teaching skills. She is currently a postdoctoral scholar at Villanova University and originally joined JEI as an editor in 2015.

I am a PhD student at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and I focus on improving CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. Cas9 genome editing has revolutionized medicine, but there are many obstacles before it can help patients. Originally from Iran, I grew up in the United Arab Emirates and moved to the US for my higher education. When I am not in the lab, I like to play tennis and soccer, or read books on economics.

Chung-ha is a PhD student in the Neurosciences Program at Stanford University. Chung-ha joined JEI because he loves science and wants to help young people start their own scientific journeys. He enjoys hiking, playing the drums, and reading.

Claire Meaders studied evolution and development in the Aquilegia flower for her PhD at Harvard University and now works as a postdoctoral associate at Cornell University doing biology education research focusing on the transition from high school to college in STEM classes. She joined JEI as an associate editor in 2015 because she was really excited about helping to broaden scientific communication and research at the K-12 levels. Outside the lab, Claire loves baking, baking competition shows, and is prepping for her 9th marathon this fall!

Deepti performed her thesis research on women’s cancers in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and was recently conferred her PhD by Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, New York. Deepti’s avid interest in Science Communication and Policy drew her to explore different aspect of scientific implementation in settings as diverse as underserved public school classrooms, juvenile detention centers, publishing platforms, immigrant teen mentorship programs, and the swanky world of healthcare advertising. With this eclectic bent, it comes as no surprise that Deepti’s favorite part of being a JEI Copy Editor is getting to read and discover a completely new area of science with every piece she reviews. JEI’s mission resonated with her after several experiences judging Science Fairs where eminently worthy student research by high schoolers hit dead ends, in the absence of a platform equipped to publish their work.

Hechen is a postdoctoral fellow at California Institute of Technology who studies quantum materials with novel electronic properties. She graduated from Harvard University in 2018 with a Ph.D. in physics. Hechen joined JEI in 2017 as an editor because she believed that publishing one’s own scientific research is one of the best training students can receive at an early stage and that JEI is a great platform to offer that. Besides research, she loves to read science fiction and engage in outreach activities to promote science.

After receiving my bachelors degree in chemistry from Williams College, I spent a year working as a research assistant at Hopkins Memorial Forest studying how local forests have geochemically rebounded from damage from acid rain following the passage of the Clean Air Act. While pursuing my masters degree in Earth and Planetary Science at Harvard, I got involved in editing for JEI. After attaining my graduate degree from Harvard, I now work at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and serve on the faculty at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. At NASA, I am a member of the MSL Curiosity Rover team and manage the stable isotope facilities in the Planetary Environments Laboratory Group. I am currently using much of my outside-of-lab time pursuing a master in environmental law at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey Law School. When I am not studying law or doing science, I also enjoy spending time outdoors whether backpacking, hiking, kayaking, or skiing.

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. After enjoying the sun at UC Berkeley and UC San Diego, while doing chemical engineering on the side, I moved to Boston where I am now a postdoc at MIT. My research interest sit at the interface of soft materials and device fabrication for applications in energy, human health, and environmental sustainability. Outside of the lab, I enjoyed bringing chemistry and fancy gadgets into the kitchen and spending time on the beach.

Maiko Kitaoka is a PhD candidate in Rebecca Heald's lab at the University of California, Berkeley after receiving her bachelor's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is currently studying the process of chromosome segregation in cell division using Xenopus frog species, and is broadly interested the cell cycle and cell division in various contexts, such as a developing embryo. Maiko is passionate about improving scientific communication, both within the science community and to the general public and the next generation, as well as rigor and reproducibility in the scientific method. She joined JEI as an associate editor to support young STEM students and improve scientific literacy and communication.

Santosh is a Ph.D. candidate at Johns Hopkins University. His current research efforts are directed towards application of Raman spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis to develop novel quantitative approaches for addressing unmet needs in the molecular study of cancers. Prior to commencing doctoral study at Johns Hopkins, Santosh graduated from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Aerospace Engineering. Outside the lab, Santosh enjoys swimming, playing badminton, and cooking healthy recipes.

Małgorzata grew up in Krakow, Poland and studied biology at Jagiellonian University. She is currently a graduate student looking for genetic basis of traits important for avian evolution at CIBIO, University of Porto, Portugal, advised by Dr. Miguel Carneiro. Her research is focused primarily on integrating population genetics, genomics, and linkage mapping approaches to answer evolutionary questions. Outside of lab, she enjoys travelling, dancing tango argentino, scuba diving and meeting new people. She performed her first research project in high school and is very enthusiastic about giving students an opportunity to dive into academic world and start own adventure with relevant support and mentoring, therefore she is excited to be a part of editors team for the JEI.

Lincoln Pasquina, Ph.D., began working with JEI at its inception while he was in graduate school. Lincoln has held the positions of Editor and Editor in Chief, and now serves as a member of the Board. Through his time with JEI, he has remained impressed and inspired by all the insightful, inquisitive manuscripts submitted by so many driven young scientists. Lincoln now works for a company that profiles tumor biopsies to help them and their doctors better understand what treatments should be most beneficial.

Curious and investigative by nature, Sarah has always been a lover of all things science. Sarah received her B.S. in biology from Ga Tech and her PhD in microbiology and immunobiology from Harvard University. Sarah is one of the founders and the board chairman of the Journal of Emerging Investigators. She is also an assistant professor of biology at Oxford College of Emory University where she shares her thrill and passion for science with her students. Both in her professional and personal life Sarah advocates for effective and clear communication of science with the public.

The genesis of Seth's interest in science was a 10th grade biology experiment with sulfur bacteria. After earning his undergraduate degree in biotechnology from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2004, he embarked on a career that has seen him at work running solvent extractions, sweating in a mobile laboratory at an algae farm in the desert, and trying to develop better processes for vaccine manufacturing, among many other things. Seth started at JEI as a volunteer copy editor late in 2012 and joined the board of directors a year later. These days he also works as a scientist in upstream process development at a small company in Boston.

Bette Phimister, Ph.D., is a Deputy Editor of The New England Journal of Medicine, based in Boston. She evaluates manuscripts describing advances in genetic and genomic research. She writes and gives talks about translational science, and is a former Editor-in-Chief of the journal Nature Genetics. She enjoys learning about cool new scientific discoveries, making jam and spending time with her daughter.

Melodie Knowlton, Senior Director of Community Affairs & Global Head of STEAM Education at Vertex, is a strategic thinker, dynamic speaker and visionary leader who moves with excellence, creativity, urgency and purpose. She uses her background as a scientist, educator, people leader and community partner to maximize the benefit of corporate social responsibility initiatives and corporate giving for both the community and industry stakeholders. Melodie currently leads Vertex’s STEAM Education function and drives the strategy and execution of the outreach activities. Since joining Vertex in 2016, Melodie has transformed the Learning Lab into a global outreach program that impacts the communities in Boston, San Diego and Oxford through the creation and expansion of STEM opportunities to students who have not always had access to hands-on and paid science experiences. Prior to Vertex, Melodie was a teacher and department chair at The Cambridge School of Weston. She also was an instructor at Harvard’s Extension School and did postdoctoral research at Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research. Melodie earned her PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology from Harvard University and holds a BS in Biology from The Ohio State University.

Bill Artzerounian joined the JEI Board in 2020. Professionally, he serves as a financial planner and tax preparer for Integer Wealth Advisors Group in the Philadelphia area. He works with clients to help implement and achieve their household financial goals. Bill has previously volunteered with Spark Philadelphia, a mentorship program that matches middle school students with local professionals.

April M. Phillips, APR, is an Accredited public relations and certified marketing professional in the metro Atlanta area. She has spent her career developing strategic communications programs for nonprofits – including the national American Red Cross Biomedical Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, as well as other nonprofits with which she has volunteered. She believes one of the most important things we can do for youth is to foster curiosity. JEI does that by giving students an opportunity to submit original research and publish their findings, inspiring critical thinking and examination for the potential breakthroughs of tomorrow.

Nadia P. Williams has dedicated her career to supporting education. She started as a middle school English teacher before becoming the district-wide Digital Learning Coordinator for the Cobb County School District, located in the Metropolitan Atlanta area. She brings her expertise in instruction and education through a variety of media to her service at JEI. Nadia has had the honor of serving as a speaker and panelist at conferences such as SXSWedu, the Hawaii International Conference on Education, as well as the Georgia Educational Technology Conference (GaETC) on the various ways student instruction, teacher efficacy, and technology intersect. Nadia also volunteers throughout her community through her work with the Junior League. She currently works in the private sector, supporting the growth of teacher impact and efficacy.

Gavin Smith is an educator, and Assistant Principal in Boston Public Schools. He is the former runner up for Teacher of the Year in Massachusetts where he taught Biology for 7 years. Gavin is of Jamaican origin spending the majority of his childhood between Jamaica, West Indies and Long Island, New York. He has worked at a variety of schools in Boston including alternative high schools, charter high schools, and exam schools. Gavin is a firm believer in education being a means of social change, and an advocate for children as a member of the mentoring group Minds Matter Boston. He is the co-founder of YMOC (Young Men of Color), a group designed to create safe space for intergenerational conversation and community building amongst men of color in the Boston area. One of his biggest goals is to diversify the workforce particularly within the STEM field. Gavin holds degrees from Northeastern University, Simmons University, and Boston College. He is an avid runner, Knicks fan and lover of all things black.

Hemai Parthasarathy leads a team at X, the Moonshot Factory, which probes the horizons of scientific and engineering excellence to create groundbreaking technological opportunities. Before joining X, she was Scientific Director of the Thiel Foundation, where she co-created Breakout Labs, a philanthropic program to support bold scientist-entrepreneurs. She was also CSO and Founding Partner in Breakout Ventures. Hemai was previously North American editor for Nature and a founding editor of PLOS. She holds a Ph.D. in Brain and Cognitive Sciences from M.I.T. and a B.A. in Biophysics from The Johns Hopkins University.

Jarrett Ellis is the Associate Director of Georgia Tech’s Office of Corporate and International Contracting. In this role, Jarrett leads negotiations for complex industry-sponsored research agreements, manages strategic relationships with enterprise-level sponsors, and supervises industry contracts administration and support. Before joining Georgia Tech, Jarrett practiced law at Alston & Bird, LLP. There, he represented and advised corporate clients in in large technology-related transactions, including technology sales and licensing, tech mergers and acquisitions, data privacy and security, and internet commerce.

Mr. Anderson is a bioengineer, entrepreneur and investor who has founded or co-founded seven venture backed biotech companies in the last 20 years including Adimab, Compass Therapeutics, Alloy Therapeutics, Alector, Arsanis and Avitide. He is the founder and CEO of Ulysses Diversified Holdings, where he supports entrepreneurially-minded people building for-profit companies that make the world a better place, with a heavy focus on biotech, healthcare services and health IT.

Mr. Anderson started his career in venture capital at Lehman Brothers Venture Capital and worked briefly at Bristol-Myers Squibb in marketing. He received his MBA from the Tuck School of Business where he graduated as a Tuck Scholar. He studied Bioengineering as a graduate student at the Thayer School of Engineering and received his AB in Economics from Dartmouth College. He is the vice chairman of Major League Rugby and an owner of the Boston-based New England Free Jacks professional rugby club.

Erika Ebbel Angle received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 2012 from Boston University School of Medicine. She holds a B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 2002 Erika founded Science from Scientists, an award-winning National nonprofit focused on improving Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) attitudes and aptitudes for children aged 9-13. She is CEO and co-founder of Ixcela, a biotechnology company aimed at developing tests and interventions to improve gut microbiome efficacy and health. Outside of work, Erika enjoys SCUBA diving, skiing and, a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, continues her lifelong passion for classical piano.

Jason Tse is Head of Strategic Partnerships and Acquisitions in Informa’s Pharma Intelligence portfolio where he leads the structuring of commercial relationships with other industry leaders to progress how healthcare is utilized and delivered globally. Additionally, Jason is responsible to sourcing and executing key strategic acquisitions on behalf of Informa in the life science insights, analytics, and consulting space. Jason is also a board member at JEI and works closely with JEI’s fund raising team. Prior to joining the Informa team, Jason most recently co-founded a syndicated market research and analytics provider focused on helping life science companies understand, monitor, and implement value-based reimbursement contracts for branded drugs in the United States. Jason was also a senior member of Indus Growth Partners’ investment team and led corporate strategy and mergers and acquisition initiatives at Decision Resources Group. Additionally, over the past 9 years, Jason led a variety of different roles that include new product development, brand management, technology development of scalable digital content platforms, and real world evidence analytics.

Brindha Muniappan is the Director of Education and Public Programs at the MIT Museum. She actively produces programs for the public, including educational workshops for middle and high school students, speed-geeking science programs for adults, and hands-on explorations of engineering and technology for people of all ages. Brindha passion for science communication led her from the research bench (doing environmental engineering and biological engineering at MIT) to the field of informal science education. She is delighted to assist the JEI team in widening its efforts to connect with, and support, young scientists.

Mark is an Associate at Vida Ventures (a life science venture capital firm in Boston, MA), as well as a long-time supporter of JEI. He joined JEI as an Outreach volunteer in 2012 and held a number of roles over the years, including Executive Director from 2016 to 2019.

Mark grew up in southern New Jersey and received his bachelor’s degree from Williams College, where he studied biology and neuroscience.  He was a PhD student at Harvard Medical School in the lab of Dr. David Ginty, where he studies neural circuits underlying the sense of touch. Having benefited from influential mentors throughout his education in science, Mark is passionate about STEM outreach and mentorship. Through JEI, he hopes to ensure that all students have access to professional scientific mentors.

I aspire to become a physician scientist who advances medicine through medical research and clinical care. Currently, I am completing a Biochemistry B.S. at Saint Vincent College (Class of 2021). My JEI experience in high school was foundational for me to pursue an Allegheny Health Network medical research internship in college which led me to realize I want to be a physician scientist. I am excited to contribute to the Student Advisory Board and help innovate the JEI experience for other rising scientists since JEI has been deeply impactful in my own professional journey.

A lifelong learner, I am a student who loves venturing into new realms of studies and taking part in myriad opportunities. From the sciences to the arts, I take interest in learning new ideas, be it a foreign language, programming, photography, calculus, or even the ukulele. I wish to participate in undergraduate research opportunities and immerse myself into various such experiences to enrich my knowledge and curiosity. My research experience with sustainable ocean-cleanup models has been the gateway to my love for exploring, and that's what I am going to keep doing - explore.

I am a 16-year-old Junior at Medford High School. So far, I have published two papers both of which were on bacteria but I aspire to publish many more to help enrich the scientific field. I am grateful for being a part of JEI and being lucky enough to have learned how to publish a manuscript. With my position in the student advisory board, I hope to help improve and give feedback to JEI, so many more students can gain the opportunity to not only experience the process of publishing once but also return back to it to ultimately advance science as a whole.

George Hasnah is a high school student at Bishop Montgomery High School located in Los Angeles, California. He is heavily involved in research and hopes to pursue a career in microbiology in the future. Recently, he has worked with various university labs and museums to perform novel research regarding climate change and its adverse effects on ecosystems. In his free time, George enjoys discussing politics and is a dedicated activist for clime change. He also plays club volleyball and frequently surfs along the strand of Manhattan Beach.

Allie became involved with JEI as a high school junior when researching the health effects of herbicide residues in American household food products. She is taking a gap year before studying Human Biology and History at Stanford University next fall to work as a clinical research assistant at their Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research. With interests at the intersection of scientific understanding and social policy, Allie has also been active in The Atlantic’s COVID Tracking Project, peer education for HIV/AIDS awareness, and California’s 33rd Congressional District’s Youth Advisory Council.

Shivani is a second-year student at Emory University studying business and political science. Shivani is a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform, as well as a plethora of other social and political issues. She presides over 4 Justice, Emory’s justice reform organization, serves as an executive board member for Donate Life @ Emory, writes for the newspaper, The Emory Wheel, and conducts research for publication in political science. In her free time, she enjoys painting, learning new languages, spending time with her wonderful friends and family, and attempting to rap like Eminem. Fun fact: Shivani is a second degree black belt in Taekwondo.

Anav is a Junior at Cupertino High School. He is a USACO gold competitor, plays video games and chess, and likes to code apps focusing on teaching and learning via games. He is active in his scout troop as a Senior Patrol Leader and is almost an Eagle Scout. He is a certified advanced scuba diver, has earned a black belt in Taekwondo, and completed six half marathons and one full marathon to raise money for his family’s non-profit Grameen Pragati. Anav wants to mentor young scientists with what he learned and was guided by in science competitions.

My name is Akshya Mahadevan. I am a freshman at Richard Montgomery High School in Maryland, USA. I published a paper on the effects of EM radiation on plants in August of this year. I am very interested in biology and psychology. I plan to pursue a career in scientific research in at least one of those fields. Some of my hobbies include karate, dance, and listening to good music.

I am a senior at Quarry Lane High School in Dublin, California. Over the year, I have conducted organic and medicinal chemistry research through the Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program. Specifically, I have been part of collaborations surrounding the synthesis of novel HIV and Fat Mass and Obesity gene inhibitors, as well as computational studies surrounding Sars-CoV-2. Some of my hobbies include playing and watching basketball and football.

My name is Prarthana Prashanth and I am a high school senior from Aurora, Illinois attending the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. I became involved in JEI in 2018 and have published two articles, one individually and one with a team. My past research includes studying the effects of antioxidants on fruit flies exposed to toxins and attempting to create an antibacterial paper towel using organic material. I am really interested in the biological sciences and hope to become a doctor someday. Outside of science, I enjoy Bharatanatyam (Indian Classical Dance), playing the piano, and singing!

My name is Elton Vargas. I'm a 20-year-old sophomore college student that is studying Economics and Finance. I'm interested in behavioral economics and altruism research. Born in Mexico, I'm passionate about investigating the economic behaviors of Latin people."

My name is Jeslyn Wu, and I’m currently a junior in the Bay Area. I’m mainly interested in chemistry, and subfields including orgo, medchem, and biochem. In my spare time, I’m often listening to music, reading and journaling, or watching baking competitions.

I am a second-year student studying biomedical engineering at the Johns Hopkins University. While a student at the Center for Medical Sciences at Godwin High School, I published a paper in JEI. In my free time, I enjoy working on design projects, reading nonfiction and historical fiction, and hiking.

My name is Angela Zhu and I'm a junior from Jericho Senior High School. Ever since 7th grade I have been pursuing science research, and I have continued to do so throughout high school. Some of my hobbies include writing poetry, playing badminton, and drawing digital art.

German, American, Mexican aspiring Chemical Engineer with a passion for interdisciplinary approaches, implementing a humanitarian aspect to Engineering, sustainability and alternative forms of energy. Multi-lingual having lived all over the world and alternating between public and private institutions for my educational journey.

Sarah Tang (she/her) is a freshman at Columbia University studying computer science and operations research. She is passionate about astronomy and intelligent systems, and in her free time, she enjoys hiking and hanging out with her pet bunny.

Mohamed is a 2nd-year student in the Health Sciences program at Dalhousie University, where he studies diagnostic medical sonography. Originally from Dubai, he moved to Canada at the age of 15 with his parents for a better education. He is currently involved in two research projects that revolve around the biogenetics of various anti-freeze proteins. Outside the lab, Mohamed enjoys playing soccer with his friends.

I’m Srish, a first-year Bioengineering major at the University of Pennsylvania, interested specifically in medical devices, tissue engineering, and public/global health. I initially became involved in JEI through the process of drafting a research manuscript about my studies on protein-folding dynamics at the UPenn Perelman School of Medicine. Currently, along with my involvement in other school clubs, I am an associate editor of the Penn Bioethics Journal and I conduct orthopaedics research on degenerative disc disease at HSS/Weill Cornell Medicine. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis and biking, rewatching my favorite shows, and gaining new experiences through travel and food.

Harrish Ganesh is a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, VA. He’s a committed student researcher in the areas of virology, neuroscience, and CRISPR technology. He is the founder of The Future Brighter, a non-profit organization focused on early STEM education and STEM outreach. He serves as the STEM Ambassador for the US Army Educational Outreach Program (USAEOP) and also serves as the Secretary, Virginia Junior Academy of Science. Harrish loves to play basketball, participate in TED-style talks, and play guitar.

Krithikaa Premnath is a junior at Dougherty Valley High School who loves the sciences and the arts. She is the co-founder and executive director of the Future Surgeons Journal Club, a journal club made up of attending surgeons dedicated to teaching high school, premed and medical students how to read and analyze surgical literature. She is also an avid researcher through the Fremont-based Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program, primarily working on the chemical synthesis, mechanistic studies, and anti-cancer activity of novel dihydropyrimidine compounds and the partial syntheses of epimeric cyclic pentadepsipeptides. Outside of science, Krithi is very passionate about the arts and music and plays the cello, ukulele, guitar. Some of her favorite hobbies include binging TV shows, karaoke, and learning other languages.