OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Editor-in-Chief

Julia Fallon ‘28 is from Mansfield, Massachusetts, and is pursuing a major in Neuroscience & Behavior on the pre-med track. She is passionate about accessibility in scientific research and communication, which first drew her to Grey Matters Journal. Julia hopes to inspire others with the journal’s mission to make complex neuroscience both engaging and understandable for a wide audience. Outside of GMJ, Julia can be found exercising in the gym, giving a tour to prospective students, studying in a quiet corner, or soaking up the sun while listening to music. After Vassar, Julia hopes to go to medical school to continue her career in Neuroscience.

Senior Managing Editor & Treasurer

Ren Nicolau ‘27 is from Elizabeth, NJ and is a Biology and Drama double major, studying chronic disease and lighting technology and design. They were drawn to Grey Matters’ mission of making science accessible, and hopes to continue this mission through her medical career. On campus, Ren can be found in the Powerhouse or Martel Theaters directing the hanging and focusing of lights, fixing up bikes and dirtying her hands in the bike shop, or in Professor Esteban’s lab working on her thesis. After Vassar, she hopes to go to an MD/PhD program to continue her work in chronic disease, aspiring to become a neurologist that specifically works with fibromyalgia, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, and small fiber neuropathy.

Senior Managing Editor

Lucy Gaffneyboro ‘27 is from Brooklyn, NY and is a Neuroscience & Behavior major. She wrote about her interest in Grey Matters Journal in her application to Vassar College and has been a part of the journal since her sophomore year. During that time, she worked as a Senior Editor of the Lay division and wrote an article about febrile seizures for the journal. She is extremely excited for the upcoming year!

Senior Lay Editor

Alex Astalos '27 is from Los Angeles, California, and is pursuing a double major in Neuroscience & Behavior and English. She aspires to enter the research field and help unlock some of the mysteries of how our brain circuitry functions. Grey Matters combines her passions of science, writing, and accessibility, and she loves talking about the importance of this wonderful organization to anyone who will listen! When not working in Professor Lori Newman’s lab, you can find Alex crocheting, reading, baking, or indulging in a similar variety of grandma-esque hobbies.

Senior Lay Editor

Eli Kanetsky ‘27 is from New York, NY and is pursuing a major in Neuroscience and Behavior with a correlate in Analytic Philosophy. Eli joined Grey Matters to further explore his interest in the brain, and because he shares the journal’s strong belief in making science accessible to everyone. On campus, Eli can also be found advocating for general accessibility through Vassar Access and their position at the office of Accessibility and Educational Opportunity. In his free time, he enjoys reading, playing the drums, and trying new food. 

Senior General Editor

Lea Repovic ‘28 is from Seattle, WA, and is pursuing a Biochemistry major with a Geography correlate on the pre-med track. An interest in neuroscience and a love of grammar led her to join Grey Matters as a freshman, and she loves editing articles to make challenging concepts more accessible to the general public. When she isn’t working as a human Grammarly, Lea can be found conducting research in the Aitken Lab or rowing for Vassar Crew. Outside of extracurriculars, she spends her time learning languages, running, and doing the New York Times crosswords. 

Senior General Editor

Jacqueline (Jackie) Rosenblum '28 is from Albany, NY, and is pursuing a double major in Neuroscience & Behavior and Sociology. Jackie fell in love with Grey Matters the moment she stepped foot on the Vassar campus, driven by her passion for the complex wonders of the human brain and her desire to share scientific knowledge in an accessible way with a wider audience. If you can’t find Jackie working in Newman Lab or somewhere else in Olmsted, she is likely planning events with the Cushing House Team, soaking up the sun in the nircle, or taking advantage of the AFC.

Senior Scientific Editor

Paige King '27 is from Colrain, Massachusetts, and is pursuing a Biochemistry Major with a correlate in Applied Math. She was drawn to Grey Matters during her Sophomore year because of her love of science and desire to make it accessible to others who are passionate about learning neuroscience! On campus, Paige works as an intern for the Chemistry Department and as a grader for the Math Department. Outside of Grey Matters, you can find Paige working on research in Dr. Kennell's Lab, reading on the quad with friends, and watching Gilmore Girls.

Senior Scientific Editor

Talia Mohideen ‘28 is from Potsdam, NY, and is majoring in Biochemistry. She joined Grey Matters because of her passion for science and mental health. Outside of GMJ, Talia works in Professor Jennifer Kennell’s lab, researching genetics in fruit flies. She enjoys baking, going to the gym, listening to music, and spending time with her friends.

Senior Art Executive

Alexandra Adsit '27 comes from sunny San Diego, California, and is pursuing a major in Neuroscience and Behavior. She joined Grey Matters as an artist to help make neuroscience more engaging and accessible to everyone, because sometimes the brain understands best when words and visuals work together. Outside of Grey Matters, Alexandra loves to read everything from psychological thrillers and mysteries to fantasy worlds. If not reading, you’ll likely find her soaking up the sun at the beach in the summer or hiking somewhere with a view. After Vassar, Alexandra hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in surgery.

Layout Executive & Website Manager

Olivia Pocat '27 is from Saratoga, California and majoring in Mathematics & Statistics. She is passionate about website design and learning about science, leading her to join the Grey Matters layout & website team. Outside Grey Matters, Olivia is on the Women’s Golf Team and can often be found out on the quad on a nice, sunny day!

Social Media & Outreach Coordinator

Erica Langlais '29 is from Danvers, Massachusetts and is majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior. As a science lover and artist, she joined Grey Matters because she resonated with its interdisciplinary model and mission to make neuroscience more accessible. Outside of GMJ, she loves painting, nature walks, cooking, and doing all of the above while listening to an audiobook. 

Social Media & Outreach Coordinator

Jaron Ezekiel ‘28 is from Seattle, Washington and studies autonomous robotics and biomechanics through the Cognitive Science, Computer Science, and Mathematics departments. He joined Grey Matters to share his curiosity with others who are fascinated by neuroscience and its implications on agency, free will, and the mind. Outside of GMJ, Jaron can be found producing music, sketching landscapes, and searching for spiders.

Graduate Student Executive

Laurel Obermueller graduated from Vassar in 2026 with a double major in Neuroscience & Behavior and Drama. Laurel began contributing to Grey Matters her freshman year, where she discovered her passion for science and especially getting to talk about it with others. She served as the Senior Editor of the General Editing division before becoming the Senior Managing Editor her senior year. Laurel is now a Research Associate at the Icahn School of Medicine in the Elahi lab, where she investigates the contributions of the vasculature on neurodegenerative diseases. Beyond the lab, Laurel takes any opportunity to see a show, buy a cupcake, or reread her favorite books.

Graduate Student Executive

Daniella Lorman graduated from Vassar College in 2022 with majors in Neuroscience & Behavior and Russian Studies and is now a second-year medical student at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. She has several years of neuroscience research experience spanning cognition, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and traumatic brain injury, with her current work increasingly focused on clinical neuroscience, particularly stroke and cerebrovascular disease. At Stony Brook, Daniella holds leadership roles in the Neurology and Neurosurgery Interest Groups and is involved in neuroscience research, mentorship, and medical education. She also serves as Mentorship Lead for National and In-Person Events on the international Women in Neurosurgery Medical Student Committee. A staunch advocate for accessible science communication, Daniella founded Grey Matters Journal at Vassar College and served as its Editor-in-Chief. She later served as Chair of the national Grey Matters Journal Council. In her free time, Daniella enjoys spending time with her Old English Sheepdog, Alfie, and adding clay to her wardrobe in the ceramics studio.

Graduate Student Executive

Alexis Earp, Vassar Class of 2026, majored in Neruoscience & Behavior and French & Francophone Studies. She joined GMJ the first semester of her freshman year as a lay editor and outreach coordinator. Working on the journal supplemented what she learned in class and sparked a stronger sense of scientific curiosity. After returning from her junior year abroad, Alexis served as the senior managing editor. Alexis now lives in New York City and is exploring scientific and francophone organizations to continue pursuing her academic passions. Since graduating, she has spent her free time crafting, hanging out with friends, and trying to meet her yearly reading goal.