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Our Team
Meet the executive team
Founder
Sophia Yang
Sophia is a high schooler from Georgia with aspirations of pursuing a career in computational neuroscience. Her current research involves using machine learning and electronic health records to identify new symptoms that help predict those at risk for underresearched dementias. In her free time, catch her arranging her favorite songs on piano or perfecting her strawberry cake recipe. She founded The STEM Spectrum ago in hopes of increasing access to STEM resources - free to reach out to her and the team via email at thestemspectrum@gmail.com to provide any suggestions!
Media Director
Lexi Caraus
Lexi is a natural creative and collaborator hailing from Northern Virginia. She is a current freshman at Virginia Tech majoring in Biochemistry, and has dedicated her time to biology and bioinformatics research through her participation in GMU’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program and the Talaria Summer Institute. When she’s not tackling biology’s most pressing questions, you can find Lexi reading from her never-ending book tower, channeling her creative energy into art, or exploring the cutest cafes in her area. You can reach her via email at lexicaraus02@gmail.com!
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Editorial Director
Ashley Farokhrouz
Ashley Farokhrouz is a graduate from Baylor University with a Bachelor's degree in Health Science Studies. Ashley is currently applying to medical schools in the US. Ashley’s research focuses on the relationship between race and cardiovascular disease and she is working on getting a manuscript published. In her free time, Ashley enjoys cooking and trying new foods. Feel free to reach out to Ashley via email: ashleyfarokhrouz@gmail.com
Editorial Director
Aurélien Flatman
Aurélien, a UK scientist, studied Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University Of Reading. He is passionate about longevity research and has participated in an undergraduate research project analysing potential molecules to reduce L-DOPA required for Parkinson's disease treatment. Lastly, he enjoys finding ways to combine his love for science & art to break down advanced topics, so they are more accessible to wider audiences. Feel free to contact Aurélien by email at: aurelienflatman@gmail.com
Meet the editorial team
Senior Editor, Podcast Lead
Henry Jacqmotte
Henry (He/Him) is an aspiring research scientist who is based in Washington state. As a rising freshman at the University of California, Berkeley, Henry has written and published a scientific review as well as started his own non-profit to increase the accessibility of science research to high school students. In his free time Henry likes to hike, go skiing, read, and spend time at the beach. Feel free to reach out to Henry at hswjacqmotte@gmail.com or via Instagram at henry_jacqmotete.
Senior Editor
Maria Marcelino
Maria is a science lover and student at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in European Languages and Literature. She is loves learning and is passionate about medicine, research, writing, animals, and sonny angels. She is a published author at the Berkley Undergraduate Journal in psycholinguistics. You can contact Maria via email at mariacalundergrad@gmail.com.
Editor
Khue Nguyen Le Uyen
Khue is a rising freshman at the University of Toronto based in Singapore. She is an aspiring chemical engineering/biochemistry major and runs a club at school aimed to promote a community of scientists in learning new biochem knowledge and conducting their own research. In her free time she can be found at spin class, online shopping, and eating out with friends. You can contact her @khuee.n on instagram and khuenlu@gmail.com via email.
Editor
Khadija Khan
Khadija is an aspiring astrophysicist with a strong passion for scientific exploration. She has pursued research on black holes and singularities. Prior to becoming an editor, her writing has been published in The STEM Spectrum, and she have received other recognition, such as a Gold Award in the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (2023) and second place in the Young Authors Award (2022-2023), a national writing competition in Pakistan. She was also honored with the High Achievers Award at EducationUSA’s 2024 ceremony. She is passionate about making education more accessible and encouraging creativity in STEM, as she herself discovered my passion for astrophysics through my love for literature and writing.
Editor
Swanish Baweja
Swanish is a high school sophomore from Ontario, Canada who is passionate about STEM. In his free time, he enjoys playing badminton, solving math problems, and working on his science fair project. He is particularly interested in using machine learning to address global challenges and aspire to become a Mechanical Engineer. Feel free to contact him via email at swanishbaweja@gmail.com or on Instagram @swanisb1.
Editor
Anjani Chakka
Anjani Chakka is a 15 year old from Arizona. She is in her junior year of high school and one of her favorite pastimes is reading, which is why she is so excited to be an Editor for The STEM Spectrum's journal!
News Editor
Akishai Sabaratnasarma
Akishai is an aspiring engineer and machine learning enthusiast from Canada. He is a maker who loves tinkering and creating innovative projects that help solve problems utilizing programming. He has organized Data Science Hackathons and has done research in tissue engineering and drug delivery in the Shoichet Lab at the University of Toronto. In his free time, you can find him creating projects, playing sports and going on adventures with his friends. He aspires to pursue Software Engineering at the University of Waterloo and after university move to New York City to pursue his career. Feel free to reach out to Akishai at akishais18@gmail.com or via Instagram @akishai_18.
News Editor
Shiena Fernando
Shiena Fernando is a rising senior studying in Dubai. Amongst her enthusiastic interest in obstetrics and neonatal health, you will most likely find her baking the biggest cake that can fit in her fridge, taking photos of her food or on the rink - figure skating. After publishing magazines centered around food health she aspires to advocate for supporting LEDC's in their chase for a more educated wellness system. Feel free to reach out at @shienaannfernado@gmail.com or on Instagram: @shienafernando
Meet the media team
Media Manager
Divyansha Nashine
Divyansha Nashine (she/her) is a passionate advocate for women in STEM and a rising freshman at the University of Pennsylvania. As the co-founder of G.I.R.L.S. (Generation of Innovators, Researchers, and Leaders in STEM), she has empowered over 5,000 girls across 12 states and 7 countries. Divyansha has conducted advanced quantum materials research at Princeton University under Dr. Nan Yao and authored a 186-page coding manuscript that teaches programming through interactive lessons and real-world examples. Divyansha is excited to continue her work in research and science with The STEM Spectrum. Feel free to reach her at divynashine@gmail.com.
Media Manager
Manasvini Sai
Manasvini Sai is a rising high school junior from Pennsylvania. She is an aspiring clinical neuropsychologist, and is passionate about biology, psychology, and environmental science. She is currently working with non-profit run schools in underprivileged areas internationally to implement new biology curriculums for young children. She shadows at her local hospital, observing physical and speech therapy. In her free time, she likes to read, listen to music, spend time in nature, and volunteer at an animal shelter. You can contact her at manasvini.sai@gmail.com!
Media Manager
Chloe Dela Merced
Chloe Dela Merced is currently a high school student based in the Philippines. With a passion for Biology and Chemistry, she deepens her love for the STEM field through her role on the STEM Spectrum Media Manager Outreach Staff. Her curiosity about the infinite scientific world fuels her dedication and enthusiasm. In her free time, Chloe can often be found hanging out with friends, or even studying for an upcoming exam; when she's not, she's out traveling and exploring the world. Email her at chloejdm87@gmail.com.
Media Manager
Mirella Janssen
Mirella is a high school senior and aspiring pre-dental student from Minnesota. With a passion for global and public health combined with technology, Mirella dedicates a lot of her time to teaching technology in local senior homes, providing one-on-one support to over 40 seniors, and expanding her school’s Letters of Love chapter dedicated to sending messages of encouragement to children in hospitals. In Mirella’s free time, you can often find her spending time with friends and family, dabbling in elements of photography, baking and cooking new recipes, and listening to 80s top hits. Feel free to contact her via Instagram (@mirellajanssen_)!!
Magazine Designer
Shannen San Juan
Shannen is a nineteen-year-old Philippine-based hobbyist designer with a long to-do list for her art account. She currently majors in biology at Ateneo de Manila University. Her research interests include microbiology and biomedical science, while her advocacies span from proper youth education to accessible healthcare resources for Filipina women. Beyond STEM-related activities, she loves to photograph plants, write fanfiction, and watch anime. She is reachable through Instagram at @sanjuanshannen or Discord at @antimarleyan.
Magazine Designer
Aditi Shah
Aditi Shah (she/her) is from North Carolina and is currently in high school. She aspires to pursue her dreams in the medical field. In her free time, you can find her getting lost in sketching, painting and reading. Her interest in art and designing led her to become a graphic designer intern for STEM Spectrum which has allowed her to grow in numerous ways. You can contact her through her email: adspring428@gmail.com or Instagram at: aditii.shahh
Magazine Designer
Hadeel Antar
Hadeel is a political philosophy enthusiast from Michigan. She is majoring in both Political Science and Economics at the University of Michigan- Dearborn. In Hadeel’s free time, you can often find her grabbing coffee with friends, reading the same classics over and over, or video editing. Although not aspiring to a career in STEM, Hadeel is deeply passionate about protecting the creations of engineers, artists, and other innovators in the legal field; this passion has driven her ambition to become an intellectual property lawyer. Contact her at hadeelantar0@gmail.com, or via Instagram @hadeelant.