Editors
Dvita Bhattacharya
Dvita is a current junior at Kent Place School
and is passionate about studying the ethics of
modern scientific innovation and research. As
a member of her school’s Ethics Bowl Team
and a Bioethics Scholar, she aims to continue
these crucial conversations through her work
at JESTI.
Catherine Chun
A senior at Ardsley High School, Catherine is
passionate about the intersections of biology,
technology, and global health. Through
JESTI, she’s inspired to explore scientific
advancement from societal and ethical lenses.
In her free time, Catherine also enjoys playing
the violin and skiing.
Sharis Hsu
A senior at Valley Christian High School,
Sharis values using scientific knowledge as a
tool for social activism. Exploring the
intersection between social issues and
scientific inquiry has allowed her to make a
positive impact within her community. Sharis
also spends her time on underwater robotics,
competitive dance, and writing.
Sai Pranav Kota
A senior at Cedar Falls High School, Pranav
desires to understand and navigate the ethical
implications of health technologies, primarily
with inequities. As a future medical
professional, he aspires to reform healthcare
towards inclusive care. Pranav also enjoys
patient advocating, speech, and baking with
his sister.
Sheldon Liu
A senior at Stuyvesant High School, Sheldon
strives to apply ethics principles to the medical
field, specifically concerning physician-assisted
suicide. He hopes to reform the current US
healthcare system by addressing inequities in
care. Sheldon spends his free time playing
tennis, cooking, and weightlifting.
Rohan Suri
A current senior at the Ladue Horton Watkins
High School, Rohan is a chemistry enthusiast
who loves to bake and try new foods. In his free
time, he uses robotics to spread STEM within
his community and plays basketball.
Elaine Zhang
A current junior at Jericho High School, Elaine
is passionate about ethics, especially through the
lens of science and technology. As her school’s
debate team president, she frequently discusses
ethics using philosophy and current events.
Elaine enjoys playing with her dog and doing her
nails in her free time!
Selina Zhang
Selina is a current senior at North Hunterdon
High School. Selina is passionate about all
things science, especially in the field of biology,
and learning about the latest innovations. She
enjoys reading/writing sci-fi and taking in
nature’s wonders through photography.
Founders
Maytal Chelst is a co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Ethics in Scientific and Technological Innovation (JESTI). She is passionate about the intersection of international diplomacy, medicine, and the ethical dilemmas resulting therefrom. After co-authoring various bills, resolutions and proposals regarding setting parameters on new scientific innovations and improving education accessibility to shrink the current socioeconomic gap in her Model UN, Model Congress, and debate competitions, Maytal is excited to continue to expand her knowledge of ethical scientific quandries through her position at JESI. Maytal’s other passions include traveling, learning about different cultures (and foods), and learning languages. In her free time, she loves reading, trying to cook, eating biscotti, drawing, and spending time with her friends and family!
Konnie Duan is a co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Ethics in Scientific and Technological Innovation (JESTI). She has had a long-standing passion for the technicalities of chemistry, math, physics, and other sciences in the classroom. However, she often finds herself struggling but fascinated by ethical decisions scientists in the real world must make. After better understanding and exploring her stances on dilemmas through online resources and other activities she participates in, Konnie is inspired to share and expand her knowledge through her EIC role in JESI. In addition to science, Konnie adores math, fencing, and dance (predominantly trained in ballet and contemporary dance). In her free time, she enjoys traveling, skiing, watching Youtube videos, cooking, playing ultimate frisbee, and hanging out with friends. A fun fact about her is that she can do the over splits on both sides!
Navya Gautam is a co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Ethics in Scientific and Technological Innovation (JESTI). She has been a member of her school’s ethics bowl debate team for 4 years. She is fascinated by the many ethical dilemmas that people normally never consider in their daily lives. Now, she is excited to bring her ethical debate knowledge and combine it with ethical issues found in the science research field, another one of her interests. This is why she eagerly took on the role of editor of JESI to further learn about the many ethical problems in the sciences and help other people learn them as well. Navya’s other interests include drawing and painting, playing the clarinet and alto sax, and to many peoples surprise playing tennis. In her free time she likes to sleep, eat sweets, binge TV shows, go shopping and be with her friends:)
Advisors
Jessica Hofflich
Jessica Hofflich is a PhD student in the Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering at Stony Brook University. Jess received her B.E. and M.S. from Stony Brook in Chemical and Molecular Engineering, and also currently serves as Graduate Assistant for the Stony Brook University Honors College and Garcia Research programs.
Dr. Brooke Ellison
On September 4th of 1990, when she was 11 years old, Brooke Ellison hit by a car: an accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a ventilator. In 2000, Brooke graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University. In 2002, Brooke published a book, Miracles Happen, which subsequently was made into a movie, directed by Christopher Reeve. Brooke continued her education by graduating from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government with a Master’s degree in Public Policy. In 2006, Brooke ran for New York State Senate. Brooke Ellison is a PhD and an Associate Professor at Stony Brook University. In 2011, Dr. Ellison was granted an honorary degree from Rutgers University, and, in 2014, was chosen to be a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. In 2017, Brooke joined the Board of Directors of the New York Civil Liberties Union. In 2018, Brooke was chosen to be a Truman National Security Project Political Partner. In 2020, Brooke was appointed to the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission. Dr. Ellison passed away at the age of 45 on Feburary 4th 2024. The second volume of JESTI is dedicated in her memory.
Dr. Miriam Rafailovich
Dr. Miriam Rafailovich is a distinguished professor in the Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering at Stony Brook University and serves as the faculty advisor for JUCER. Contact for inquiries relating to the journal or submission of articles.