Emma D’cessare
Editor-in-Chief
Hey everyone! My name is Emma and I am a fourth-year studying Neuroscience and pursuing medicine as my career, specifically hoping to specialize in surgery. I am currently a clinical researcher at Seattle Children’s Hospital studying minimally invasive surgical techniques, and at the Khaing Lab studying neuroregenerative therapies for spinal cord injury. Outside of school, I love composing instrumental music, volunteering in my community, and fangirling over the MCU (Infinity Saga only!)
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me:
When I first learned about Grey Matters, it instantly became the club I was most eager to become involved with. After all, neuroscience was my major, and I wanted to learn more about the field. Throughout the past few years, I have explored almost everything Grey Matters has to offer. From being an author and editor, production manager and event coordinator, and traveling to Washington DC for my first professional conference, my love for Grey Matters has grown exponentially. Further, these experiences have shown me the kind of people Grey Matters attracts - the most driven, intelligent, and compassionate individuals I have the pleasure of knowing. Thus, my wish to simply learn more about neuroscience evolved into a deeper and more meaningful mission - to spread knowledge of this hugely interdisciplinary and fascinating field to the public while fostering an environment of inclusivity and friendship.
Ashley Sciocchetti
Senior Editor
Heya! I’m a junior majoring in Neuroscience and Biochemistry and minoring in Spanish! I am pursuing a combined MD/PhD to become a clinician-researcher with a specialty in neurodegenerative diseases. I conduct research for the Kow Lab at the VA Hospital in Beacon Hill, and my main project this year is investigating how genes involved in sphingolipid metabolism contribute to neurodegeneration.
Outside of my research and work with GM, I also help run a youth/college-aged dementia advocacy group within the Alzheimer’s Association called the Purple Ambassadors. Our main goal is to increase youth engagement with dementia care/support efforts, but we also have events directly volunteering with those living with dementia. I am also a passionate vegan and animal rights advocate and lead a club called Viable Veganism at UW. I believe veganism does not have to be at odds with medical research and that respectful communication between both groups of people can help improve the lives of animals in research and also continue to allow for medical advancements. In my free time I enjoy exploring vegan eats in Seattle, reading and playing with my bunny Muffin!
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: Like many others, I fell in love with Grey Matters because I find meaning in working to make neuroscience and STEM education in general more accessible for the public. You don’t have to be a neuroscientist to appreciate the intricacies of our wonderful brains, something I aim to prove through my work with the organization. I have had a blast helping to pioneer a neuroscience-tied haunted house and carnival to show how even horror has a neurological basis, and look forward to seeing the event grow in coming years. As Senior Editor, I work with the production team to coordinate production of issues, Snippets, podcasts, translations and more. I am glad to say most of my friendships started as Grey Matters relationships, and hope that can be true for you, as well.
Eric Shiu
Head of Operations
Vladislav Baglaev
Snippet Manager
Hello! My name isVladislav and I am a third-year student majoring in neuroscience. I am an undergraduate researcher at a laboratory studying brain-based pathogenesis and treatments for obesity and diabetes, focusing on hypothalamic inflammation and glial cell activation and proliferation. I am also assisting the clinical studies of life support extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiothoracic patients at UWMC. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and spending time outside.
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: Through my time at UW, I became interested in neuroscience and neurology research literature. When my friend notified me about Grey Matters Journal and their work in furthering the accessibility and neuroscience education, I realized that it was a perfect opportunity to pursue my interest in neuroscience research and passion for reading and writing. I first joined Grey Matters Journal as an author during my second-year and continued this role for two quarters. I now continue my contribution to Grey Matters Journal by working as a core editor, snippet manager, and helping with the translation initiative.
Aleksandra Cholewinska
Editing Coordinator
Hello! My name is Aleksandra, and I am a junior double majoring in physiology and neuroscience as well as minoring in chemistry. I am on the pre-med track, and I’m currently most interested in radiology. Outside of classes, I work as a Medical Assistant – Phlebotomist at a women’s clinic in Seattle, I serve as the Operations Director for the UW Hall Health Student Advisory Board, and I volunteer at Seattle Children’s Hospital through Project Sunshine. In my free time, I enjoy exploring new cafes, hiking, and going to concerts with friends!
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: I joined Grey Matters because I love writing and wanted to combine my writing skills with science. I wrote three articles before joining production, and my favorite part of the process was learning about how neuroscience relates to random things like spice tolerance and musical training. Through Grey Matters, I’ve also gotten to participate in outreach events in local schools and the GM Cultural Show, which have been wonderful opportunities to share neuroscience with people outside of STEM. Grey Matters has given me an amazing community with the kindest, most supportive people, and I’m excited to continue my involvement in production.
Sarah D’Souza
Events Coordinator
Hi! My name is Sarah and I am a sophomore majoring in neuroscience and philosophy. I’m a research assistant at the Genetic Risk and Neurodevelopment Lab on campus where I work with structural MRI scans and use software to investigate and optimize grey matter segmentation. In my free time I love to be outside, read, and explore Seattle with friends!
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: Through my time at UW, especially as I’ve gotten involved in research, I’ve realized that important research shouldn’t exist in isolation, but it often does. I love that Grey Matters works to bridge the communication gap between research and society. I started with Grey Matters at the start of my first year as an editor for the journal and became more involved as the year went on. This organization has helped hone my passion for bettering science communication and allowed me to pursue rewarding work alongside dedicated people.
Isabel Halperin
Event Coordinator
Hi! My name is Isabel and I am a junior intending on majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology. I plan to get my PhD in Neuroscience and continue doing research. Currently, I am researching the intersection of social interaction and pain perception. Outside of academics I love hanging out with my friends, hiking, reading and exploring all Seattle has to offer!
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: I joined Grey Matters Journal my freshman year because I'm passionate about Neuroscience and wanted to help make scientific knowledge more accessible and engaging. Grey Matters has given me the chance to connect with an amazing group of like-minded people who share my interests and enthusiasm. One of the most fulfilling aspects for me is knowing that our work helps educate and inspire others about the wonders of the brain, especially during events like an Evening with Neuroscience.
Leah Travis
Small Events Coordinator
Hi!! My name is Leah Travis and I am a rising second-year. I intend on majoring in Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology with a minor in Global Health. My academic interests are the intersection of the nervous system with other body systems, brain injuries, and degenerative disorders. In the fall, I will start working in the Nolan lab to investigate the effect of traumatic brain injuries on brain anatomy. I also volunteer at Virginia Mason Hospital and am working towards an MA-phlebotomy certification. Outside of academia, I spend my time watching documentaries, enjoying live music, and trying new restaurants with friends.
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: Coming into college, I wanted to find at least one club where I would be surrounded by passionate and curious individuals. I was able to talk to some members of Grey Matters during a club fair and decided to try out its journal section. Unfortunately for me, I had a chemistry lab during their meeting time, so I decided to apply for outreach to get my foot in the door. As I attended outreach events, I found people who loved what they did and cared about STEM accessibility. Learning and relaying neuroscience to K-12 students gave me a sleuth of ideas on how to increase access and give beneficial impressions on science to a variety of people. With Grey Matters, I know I will be able to explore my own passions in accessibility and truly help others in their journey through neuroscience.
Prithivi Srinivasan
Production Manager
Hello everyone! I’m Prithivi, a production manager here at Grey Matters. I am in the Class of 2026 with a major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Being on the pre-med track has led me to explore many interesting opportunities, such as volunteering in hospitals and working in research! Outside of rigorous STEM classes and long hours of studying, I like to read books, play volleyball, and watch movies with my brother!
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: When I first learned about Grey Matters in the Dawg Daze event, I was immediately hooked. Their mission of informing the public, spreading advanced neuroscience research in simplified and elegant ways, and advocating for increased awareness of scientific topics in high schools really appealed to me. The Grey Matters mission resonated with my heart, as I strive to reach those ideals in my own community. To be able to contribute to Grey Matters as a production manager is a dream come true!
Zoe Thomas
Production Manager
Hi everyone! My name is Zoe, and I am a sophomore intending to major in neuroscience and minor in bioethics. I am currently a research assistant for the ENRICH Lab whose goal is to identify and address the barriers that dementia family-caregivers face in seeking formalized services, and a research associate at the Neumaier Lab that investigates the effects of opioids, utilizing rat and mouse models. Outside of class, I also work as a student assistant for the Neurodegenerative-Team at the UWMC Department of Neurology where I process blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples for clinical research studies. In my free time, I love listening and singing along to music, walking around UW’s beautiful campus (especially during cherry blossom season) and spending time with family and friends!
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: As a neuroscience enthusiast, I joined Grey Matters my freshman fall quarter as an editor, with the hopes of getting to explore more topics in the field and meet other like-minded students. After spending several quarters working on journal production and one as part of the podcast team, Grey Matters has met and even exceeded those initial expectations. I have gained lots of experience reading and summarizing research articles for a general audience, which has proven incredibly helpful when conducting literature reviews or abstract screenings for my lab. Additionally, I love the emphasis on displaying student work and ideas, because it gives students the freedom to really think outside-the-box and delve into areas of neuroscience that spark their curiosity the most!
Di Mao
Art Director
Hi, I’m a fourth-year studying computer science! Academically, I’m interested in using computational methods to build biomedical imaging tools. In my spare time, I listen to a lot of music, mostly kpop, and I love to create art, especially using oil paints!
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: Before UW, art was one of my most loved hobbies! Furthermore, I was always interested in the life sciences, but never explored neuroscience. Therefore, upon hearing about potentially being a Grey Matters artist, I was extremely interested in joining! Since then, it has been an extremely fun and productive way to continue a hobby of mine, make new friends, and learn more about neuroscience. For instance, I’ve learned how imaging the brain leads to large amounts of/big data. Storing and analyzing that big data is a continuing problem in neuroscience that interests me!
Esha Patel
Marketing Officer
Hello! My name is Esha Patel and I am a junior at the UW studying Neuroscience and minoring in Bioethics. I contribute to Pediatric Bioethics research at Seattle Children’s as well as the Clelland Lab at UCSF which is creating CRISPR gene editing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. My interests within the Neuroscience field are in early brain development and neuroethics, but the field continues to surprise me with its different applications and research! Neuroscience beautifully integrates medicine and humanities and personally uncovers a new appreciation for human thought and behavior. I am grateful to be constantly learning and growing from my mentors in labs, classes and the Grey Matters team. In my spare time, you will find me practicing photography, exploring new parts of the city, and trying new breakfast spots!
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: My first interaction with Grey Matters was as an attendee at a journal club meeting. I vividly remember feeling clueless about the content and nervous about what I would say if the presenter called on me to answer a question. However, I walked away feeling very welcomed into the Neuroscience community on campus and curious to learn more despite the intimidating nature of many research topics. For me, Grey Matters serves as a close-knit community where I can openly ask questions free of judgment, discover new interests and build scientific writing skills, and most importantly build quality relationships with peers who share similar goals and values. I look forward to writing and editing more articles for the Grey Matters Journal and leading fun marketing projects. I am so happy to be on this wonderful team and excited for all that is to come!
Amy Bosch
Social Media Director
Hi! I’m Amy Bosch and I am a junior studying Physiology with a minor in Data Science. As of now, I am on the pre-med route but am currently exploring other careers within health. My freshman year, I took an intro to psych class which eventually led to a developing interest in neuroscience, particularly behavioral neuroscience. I soon discovered Grey Matters at UW and eventually the supportive environment that comprises it.
Outside of class, I enjoy exploring Seattle (rain or shine), baking, and trying new foods! (Include grade level, major, what are your interests, what do you do in your spare time)
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: Through Grey Matters, I’ve been able to connect with other students that share similar interests as me in a collaborative and encouraging environment. While I initially joined as an editor, I wanted to become more involved with the club which led me to joining the social media team. While social media is adaptive, it has continued to maintain its integral role in promotion and outreach. I’ve found that being part of this team has challenged me to explore my interests further and I am continually inspired by the other interests and experiences of past and current members. I am looking forward to becoming more involved within the club this year :))
Angele Boulanger
Store Manager
Hi everyone! My name is Angele and I am a second year student intending to major in neuroscience. What interests me most about the brain is drug addiction and human behavior. My interests led me to conduct undergraduate research at the Basso Lab. This helped me learn so many cool things such as immunostaining, brain slicing, viewing surgeries, and constructing MRIs for brain reconstructions. A future project that we’re planning is establishing a chemogenetic method along with non-human primates to study neural circuits involved in decision making. When I’m not studying or in the lab, I love spending my time with my friends and family.
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: Last year, I joined Grey Matters to surround myself with people who have similar interests as me. Pushing myself onto the leadership team helped me stay engaged and keep up with new things! Grey Matters Journal offers so many positions to grow and learn new things along with hosting many volunteer opportunities. I can’t wait to grow as a student along with Grey Matters. What I love most is how we welcome any majors who are interested in the large world of neuroscience. You don’t have to be a STEM major to enjoy some fun facts about the brain! I’m especially excited for EWN this upcoming May, which hosts many interactive neuroscience activities for every student to explore.
Kyvalya Reddy
Art Officer
Hi! I'm Kyvalya, and I'm a junior majoring in Computer Science. I'm interested in computational biology and I'm currently working in a lab that focuses on molecular engineering. In my free time, I enjoy creating art, reading, and listening to music.
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: I joined Grey Matters because I've always been passionate about art, and at UW I've had the opportunity to explore my interest in biology and medicine. The Grey Matters journal lies at the intersection of my interests, and I enjoy being able to contribute to accessible science communication through art. At Grey Matters, I've had the pleasure of working with many different people through production, leadership, and events, and I love being part of this community!
Eden McPeek
Journal Club Coordinator, Website Director
Hello, I’m Eden, a freshman intending to major in psychology with an interest in cognitive science. I’m fascinated by the biological approach and therefore love all the nitty-gritty details about the brain—particularly, I’m interested in substance use, addiction recovery, and neurodivergency. This year, I hope to get involved in research on campus related to these topics. In my spare time, I enjoy reading research, as well as books about non-fiction, sc-fi, fantasy, memoirs, and the human experience. Most other times I can be found laboring away at digital art commissions, strategizing my weekly schedule, or quietly raving to music that’s between 160-200 BPM.
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: After attending Grey Matters’ 2023 Dawg Daze event, which included a live human brain dissection, I was incredibly intrigued. The club’s core mission of democratizing neuroscience to the public in a digestible and artistic format further appealed to me, so I joined as an editor on the journal production team. I also wanted to find a community of people passionate about research, and being involved in Journal Club seemed like the perfect fit to find like-minded students!
Richard Li
YouTube Content Manager
Hey this is Richard. I’m a sophomore majoring in chemistry/studying pre-med. Neuroscience has been my most passionate field of interest entering UW. I love learning about neurosurgery and neurotechnology to see how the unknown mystery of the brain is decoded. I’m currently working in a behavioral science lab focusing on ADHD research using lab rats. In my spare time, I spend a lot of time producing my own music with a bunch of friends, playing tennis and going on road trips. I also run a virtual trucking company through which we make donations to cancer society via organizing convoys in simulation games.
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: I’ve been working with Grey Matters for almost a year now and it undoubtedly has become an important part of my college life. I enjoy connecting with inspiring individuals on campus from different backgrounds and randomly talk about neuroscience together. Being a content creator in the first place allowed me to contribute my videography experience and learn more about the social media environment for academic topics. Participating in events like EWN, ECC, and the haunted house encouraged me to see neuroscience everywhere in life. I look forward to sharing my passion and curiosity with our audience through future contents and I hope to develop an open-minded team.
Kathya Chamakuri
Podcast Officer
Hey everyone! My name is Kathya. I am a second-year student intending to major in Neuroscience on the premed track. Currently, I work as a research assistant at the Giacani Lab, where our focus is on developing new therapies and vaccines to combat Treponema pallidum. In my free time, I enjoy exploring new places, reading, and rewatching my comfort movies.
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me:
Grey Matters' commitment to spreading more knowledge about Neuroscience in innovative ways was what attracted me to the club. Neuroscience is rapidly pushing its boundaries, and Grey Matters serves as a platform for making this information accessible to the public in easily understandable formats. I admire the RSO's dedication to making neuroscience information available through various media channels, especially through podcasts. I'm excited to be part of a group of like-minded students who are passionate about Neuroscience and eager to find new ways to share this knowledge!
Sahana Subramanian
Production Manager
Hi! My name is Sahana, and I'm a sophomore at UW majoring in bioengineering and biochemistry. I am currently in the Zheng lab at UW, and do I work in tissue engineering. Currently I am working on making a representative in vitro model of a heart lumen. I love research, and I hope to continue doing it post-grad when I (hopefully) go to medical school. In my free time I love reading, going to the gym, and exploring Seattle with friends!
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: I joined Grey Matters fall quarter of my sophomore year as an editor in order to explore what the production process was like, and eventually became an author in winter quarter. I think being able to give and receive feedback in a productive manner is essential, and Grey Matters has allowed me to learn about giving feedback effectively. In addition, I've always been interested in the brain, and Grey Matters has given me an excuse to explore a wide variety of disorders and facts.
Arikta Trivedi
Design Officer
Hi! I'm a sophomore double majoring in Biology:Physiology and Public Health on the pre-med track. I'm currently working in the Schwartz Lab at UW Medicine which aims to research hypothalamic and neuroendocrine control of energy balance and glucose metabolism. Outside of school I enjoy photography and baking!
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: I joined Grey Matters because I had previous experience with designing for a newspaper and it was something I enjoyed and wanted to continue. When I learned about the neuroscience journal it seemed like the perfect combination between my interest in neuroscience/health and designing.
Tanvi Kale
Marketing Officer
Hi! My name is Tanvi and I’m a sophomore intending to major in biology with a concentration in physiology. After undergrad, I plan to go to medical school and eventually specialize in cardiology, anesthesiology, or gastroenterology. I’m currently a research assistant in a GI lab that studies Inflammatory Bowel Disease, where I am researching the impacts of menopause on IBD. I also volunteer at Swedish and am a volunteer texter for Crisis Text Line. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, photography, and trying new tea places!
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: I joined Grey Matters to explore neuroscience more, while also improving my writing skills. I’m interested in making neuroscience easier to understand and am passionate about making the field more accessible. Grey Matters offered many diverse opportunities, including writing, editing, and participating in events such as Journal Club and Evening with Neuroscience, which allowed me to explore different areas of neuroscience in an informative and engaging way.
Chloe Jin
Journal Club Coordinator
Hello! My name is Chloe Jin, and I am currently a second year student in neuroscience, planning to double major in AMATH. I am currently working at Dr. Darvas lab that studies Neuropathology and Alzheimer’s disease. I am also volunteering at the Brain Exercise Initiative to assist the recovery of Alzheimer’s seniors. In my free time, I enjoy folding papers and doing origami. I’ve also joined the Chinese Theatre Club doing cameo roles in their new play this winter.
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: I joined Grey Matters in winter quarter during my freshman year. Through three quarters with Grey Matters, I’ve tried different roles: author, core editor and now Journal Club officer. I learned a lot about neuroscience with Grey Matters. In fact, I found my current lab through writing an article that is related to the research direction of the lab. It is an amazing experience working with different peoples and generating cool articles. I’ve also developed writing, editing and reading skills.
Anthony (Phat) Luong
Social Media Officer
Hello guys! My name is Anthony, I am a junior majoring in Biochemistry. I am on the pre-med route of becoming a surgeon, hopefully. Currently, I am working in the Merz lab researching bacterial pathogenesis and their subcellular mechanism. Out of school, I really like going out to eat and traveling, ice skating and getting boba to drink.
Why I joined Grey Matters/what Grey Matters has done for me: I joined Grey Matter to explore another side of medicine that I haven’t gotten exposed to a lot which is the brain. Hopefully with future meetings, I get to participate and explore many branches within neuroscience. Additionally, my goal through this club is to expand my connection and share a passion with like-minded people. I really love interacting with social media, that is why I decided to become a social media officer. It would be a fun role for me to be a part of while getting my mind off of school.