ISSUE 11

EDITOR’S NOTE
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In a world where we are constantly inundated by flashing headlines, phones buzzing with notifications, and an endless stream of social media posts, it can feel overwhelming to wade through the sheer amount of information that surrounds us. Attempting to find reliable scientific news online often feels futile: a simple Google search might return links to academic publications filled with complicated terminology, inaccurate social media posts, or politicized news articles that undermine the integrity of scientific research — everything but a clear explanation. Grey Matters Journal at Vassar College aims to cut through the noise by remaining dedicated to our mission of providing our readers with reliable scientific articles that are approachable for readers of all backgrounds. 

Throughout my first publication cycle as Editor-in-Chief, I have been endlessly inspired by the efforts of the GMJvc team to make neuroscience accessible. I have watched the articles of Issue 11 truly come to life over the past semester, growing from proposals to fully developed pieces that are creatively crafted and rigorously researched. Each article reflects the collaborative effort of students who came together to engage in meaningful conversations about science with the intention of opening the world of neuroscience to the public. Witnessing these conversations encourages me to continue pursuing the goal that motivated me to join GMJvc in the first place — making scientific research accessible to every reader — and makes me feel optimistic about our generation’s commitment to accessibility within science.

I am honored to have had the opportunity to lead our incredible team this semester, and am beyond excited to turn Issue 11 over to our readers. Upon opening this newest issue, you can expect to find a variety of articles that span the breadth of the neuroscientific field. I invite you to learn about neuroscientific breakthroughs, such as the growing neurological applications of GLP-1 drugs in ‘Beyond the Billboards: Uncovering the Hidden Potential of GLP-1 Medications’ or the use of virtual reality in neurorehabilitation in ‘Picture Perfect: The New Reality of Rehabilitation is Virtual’. Readers can also discover the neuroscientific basis of issues such as work-related burnout or lack of sleep in  ‘From Dean’s List to Drained List: The Brain Science of Burnout’ or ‘Wake-Up Call: The Disastrous Consequences of Sleep Deprivation’. 

Upon publishing Issue 11, I am immensely proud of how much GMJvc has grown as an initiative, and would like to thank our readers for enabling our journal to flourish. Thank you for your support, and I hope you enjoy reading Issue 11 as much as we have enjoyed working on it.

Sincerely, 

Evelynn Bagade

Editor-in-Chief