Who We Are
Welcome to the Amherst STEM Network, a student-run, online magazine about STEM at Amherst College! Here, you can find updates about on-campus research, science events, as well as fun information about campus. If you're interested in joining the Amherst STEM Network or would like to nominate a person, project, or event to be reported on, send us a message in the Get In Touch section!
Aditi Nayak '23, Editor-in-Chief
Majors: Neuroscience & Math
Aditi is fascinated by why the world works the way it does: why people think the way they do, how inanimate molecules "know" how to interact, and how humans go about finding these answers. This curiosity led her to found the Amherst STEM Network to showcase the scientific questions answered by the Amherst College community and the resources that could enable our audience to answer questions of their own.
Outside of ASN, she enjoys listening to podcasts, experimental cooking, and adding to her list of dream food tour locations.
Grace Geeganage '23, Media Coordinator
Julia Zabinska '22, Finance Director
Major: Neuroscience
Julia hopes to interact with other research groups on campus and provide a platform for all students at Amherst to explore the happenings of the STEM community through her involvement with the Amherst STEM Network. She also hopes to bring a little bit of the campus to all the students who are currently studying remotely during the COVID-19 period!
She enjoys brewing french press coffee, running the rail trail, swimming (back when the pool was open!) and reading books by Oliver Sacks.
Amritha Anup '22, Webmaster
Major: Biochemistry/ Biophysics & Engineering
Amritha joined the Amherst STEM Network to be involved in spreading awareness about the many interesting things happening in the Amherst STEM community. She is excited to see one of ASN's newest projects, the podcast, unfold!
In her free time, Amritha enjoys going on morning runs, painting nature scenes, listening to audiobooks, and spending time with her little sister.
Joy Won '23, Creative Director
Major: English and Pre-Nursing Track
Joy was really excited to work and lead our graphics team without much graphic design experience myself. It’s been a super fun challenge to work on so many new and different projects, and she's thrilled to welcome more people to the ASN!
Joy is also actively involved in the ACF and likes to play with her kitten and listen to songs on repeat when she's not zooming from meeting to meeting!
Joy was really excited to work and lead our graphics team without much graphic design experience myself. It’s been a super fun challenge to work on so many new and different projects, and she's thrilled to welcome more people to the ASN!
Joy is also actively involved in the ACF and likes to play with her kitten and listen to songs on repeat when she's not zooming from meeting to meeting!
Chloe Kim '23, Arts Editor
Major: Biochemistry/ Biophysics
Chloe always loved science and art together, so she wanted to participate in the magazine by working on the graphics.
She likes singing, playing the guitar and drawing in her free time.
Angela Li '23, Arts Editor
Prospective Major: Biochemistry
Angela is excited to document her progress as a developing researcher and learn about the cool research going on around campus.
She enjoys traveling and and eating southeast Asian food :P
Joanna Idrovo '23, BCBP Dept. Correspondent
Majors: BCBP, Spanish
Joanna is a sophomore from Connecticut and a journalist for the Amherst STEM Network. Her other activities include being on the Association for Women in STEM e-board.
She finds that the Amherst STEM Network provides an outlet both for formal and informal writing as well as for exploring various aspects of science, and hopes to provide a similar experience to those who wish to become involved in or learn more about Amherst’s STEM community.
When not writing articles or studying, Joanna can be seen playing video games, making crafts, or going on bike rides.
William Balmer '21, Astronomy Dept. Correspondent
Majors: Astronomy, Physics
William has a passion for science communication and is honored to write for the STEM network. They hope to make astronomy sound as cool and approachable as possible.
William has a variety of hobbies, the most palatable of which include reading, listening to podcasts, and biking.
Jeanyna Garcia '23, Diversity in STEM Correspondent
Major: Environmental Studies
Jeanyna is excited to join ASN after collaborating with them as a summer reporter! She is thrilled to talk more about the intersections of racism and climate change and engage students into combating racism within Amherst and beyond.
When not on Zoom, Jeanyna enjoys birdwatching, reading Webtoons, singing, listening to K-pop, cooking or eating yummy food, and being in the moment.
Phyllis Oduor '23, Chemistry Dept. Correspondent
Prospecive Major: Neuroscience
Phyllis joined ASN to connect with the Amherst STEM community, and in her free time she enjoys dancing, crocheting, cooking.
Hope Tsai '23, Computer Science Dept. Corresponedent
Major: Computer Science
Hope has always been interested in the humanities, especially in seeing how abstract ideas affect real people and how they survive and thrive in this complicatedly beautiful world. Her love for STEM came afterwards, and now intersects with her love for the humanities! She joined the STEM Network to share it. STEM plays a big role in humans’ daily lives, just as stories, economics, and culture do, but it can be hard to understand. Thus, she wants to help lower that barrier and is excited to see more people get curious about STEM, just like she has!
In her free time, Hope enjoys reading, writing, and (badly)/singing and dancing.
Douglas Appenzeller '22, Writer
Majors: Biology and Political Science
Doug is excited to combine his interests in science and writing, and learning how to communicate about science in a clear and accessible manner.
When he is not in school, he enjoys running and reading, and has worked the past two summers on an organic vegetable farm.
Carl Soderstrom '24, Writer
Majors: BCBP and French
Carl is very excited about writing articles on the new and interesting research studies.
His interests include biology, linguistics, and rowing.
Alan Li '24, Writer
Prospective majors: Math/Physics/Computer Science
Alan joined the Amherst STEM Network because of his fascination with mathematics and the sciences. He wants to share his passion with everyone else from all kinds of backgrounds and interests. Alan also believes that it is very important for the Amherst community to be connected with the work and achievements of Amherst scientists and mathematicians.
In his spare time, Alan likes to read, play chess, hold political discussions, play the piano (very mediocrely), play sports (very very mediocrely), and finally just spending time with family and friends.
Brandon Kwon '23, Mathematics & Statistics Dept. Correspondent
Majors: Statistics/Music
Brandon joined the Amherst STEM Network to immerse himself in the diverse varieties of STEM subjects with the collaboration of other people. He hopes to encourage others to become more involved in STEM-related fields due to their importance to real-world society.
Brandon loves to golf, watch Korean Dramas, and eat different foods.
Victor Pou '23, Writer
Major: Computer Science
Victor joined ASN to expand his exploration of STEM and learn more about how STEM is interconnected while sharing his interest in science with others.
Victor enjoys skiing and playing guitar in his free time.