People

Anika Zaman
President and Editor in Chief
Carpino Lab
Research Area: Host-pathogen interactions, immunology
SciComm Interests: Microbiology, Immunology, Science Policy
Anika is a PhD candidate in Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology and member of the Facilitating Career Awareness for Scientists (FACES) planning committee. Her research focuses on the immune response to Staphylococcus aureus, and how it can be altered. She’s interested in making science more transparent, accessible, and digestible to the public and aid in evidence-based public policy and decision making.

Nina Cintron Pregosin
Vice President
Mallipattu Lab
Research Area: Cell-cell communication in kidney disease
SciComm Interests: Bioengineering, organ transplantation, regenerative medicine
Nina is a PhD candidate at Stony Brook University. Her research uses innovative model systems such as kidney organoids and 3D bioprinting to understand how specialized cells communicate within the kidneys. Nina’s goal is to bring science to a wider audience by translating primary scientific literature into a more accessible and enjoyable format.

Marie Millares
Secretary
Takeuchi-Marschilok Lab
Research Area: Developing battery materials with applications for electric vehicles and grid storage.
SciComm Interests: Batteries, Electric Vehicles, Micro-grid systems, and Climate change
Marie is a PhD student in the Materials Science and Engineering department. Her research focuses on studying new battery materials to address the rising demands for supporting an electric future. She tackles issues such as the humanitarian crisis with rare metal mining and safety concerns of Li-ion batteries by studying alternative materials. Marie’s goal is to help bridge the gap between researchers and the general public by sharing science news in a refreshing and palatable way.

Yasharah Raza
Founder and Writer
President & Editor-in-Chief of Pharm SciComm Society (Sep 2021-Nov 2022)
The Lipid Cancer Lab (Luberto Lab)
Research Area: Sphingolipid Metabolism in Hematopoiesis and Leukemia
SciComm Interests: Featuring recent research, interviewing talented faculty and students

Jamie Hsing-Ming Chang
Writer
Demple Lab
Research Area: Environmental toxicology, cell biology, and DNA repair
SciComm Interests: Experimental techniques, pollution in the environment, and clinical experience
I am Jamie, a Pharmacology PhD candidate studying the threat of lunar dust to astronauts exploring our only satellite. Because of my research area, I cared about how the exposure to toxic chemicals can harm our body chronically –– in a way we are not aware of. As a Taiwanese, it is typical for us to become bubble tea lovers and democracy movement advocates (especially for the huge and aggressive neighbor). Sometimes I can become workaholic –– only after having some good food, good trip or some good movies.

Dr. Holly Colognato
Faculty Advisor
Colognato Lab
Professor, Department of Pharmacological Sciences
Director, Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Ph.D. Graduate Program
Research Area: Extracellular matrix in the brain: roles during development and during neurodegeneration
Alumni

Vanessa Athena Carter
President, Editor 2022-2023

Dr. Lara F. Tshering
Vice President, Editor 2021-2022

Dr. Danielle Cervasio
Writer 2021-2023