OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Editor in Chief

Shawn Babitsky ‘25 is a junior from Los Angeles and is eager to join the effort of making scientific innovation accessible to the public. Shawn is pursuing a major in Neuroscience and Behavior a minor in Russian studies. Outside of Grey Matters, Shawn can be found volunteering as an EMT or conducting neuroscience research trying to figure out what drives social behavior. In his free time he enjoys iced lattes, walking aimlessly around campus, and playing nonogram on his phone.

Senior Managing Editor

Frank Ryan ’24 is a senior from Chicago, majoring in Biochemistry with a correlate in Mathematics. He started editing in lay review and is excited to be working hands-on with all editing divisions. Outside of Grey Matters, Frank works in Professor Newman’s Neuroscience Lab, volunteers as an EMT at Vassar, and competes on Vassar’s Fencing Team. When not at Vassar, Frank is in New York City with Fordham’s ROTC Program.

Co-Senior Managing Editor & Production Manager

Anshuman Das ‘25 is a junior from Lawrenceville, NJ, majoring in Cognitive Science and pursuing a premedical track. Outside of Grey Matters, Anshu can be found doing research in Dr. Newman’s cognitive neuroscience laboratory or planning different events for the on-campus art museum, the Loeb. In his free time, Anshu enjoys experimenting with cooking new dishes and going for long bike rides on one of the many trails near Vassar.

Senior Editor - Lay Review Division

Julia Vitale ‘25 is a Junior from South Orange, New Jersey majoring in Biology with a focus in neurobiology. Her passion for science communications as a tool for public health is what brought her to Grey Matters. Outside of GMJ, Julia is involved in cognitive neuroscience research and theater lighting for student productions. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, drinking iced coffee, and going for walks at the Vassar Farm.

Treasurer & Senior Editor - Lay Review Division

Eve Andersen ‘25 is a junior from San Francisco, CA. She is majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior with a possible correlate in Philosophy. She is passionate about public health. She volunteers as an EMT and works to shape drug policy on campus as part of Students for Sensible Drug Policy. She can also be found practicing for Quizbowl, learning the piano, or running around our beautiful campus.

Senior Editor - General Editing Division

Jaclyn Narleski '24 is a senior environmental studies major from Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Her passions for writing, editing, and exploring interdisciplinary research drew her to Grey Matters, which also opened up opportunities for her to provide an environmental perspective to the journal's content. Outside of Grey Matters, Jaclyn is a member of the Vassar field hockey team, a rower for the Vassar crew team, and a DJ for Vassar College Sound Systems. She can often be found by Sunset Lake or by the streams that run through campus, taking samples or simply admiring the sites.

Senior Editor- General Editing Division

Frederica von Siemens ‘25 is a junior from Los Angeles, California. She is pursuing a Drama major, along with correlates in Philosophy and German. She has always had an interest in neuroscience and a love of writing and editing, which is why she joined Grey Matters to help make neuroscience accessible to everyone. Outside of GMJ, Freddie can be found acting in productions on campus, leading sailing club outings, editing for Contrast magazine, and dancing whenever she can. Freddie loves iced coffee, early 00s rock music, and the New York Times daily mini crossword puzzle.

Senior Editor- Scientific Review Division

Ainsley Smith '24 is a senior from Raleigh, NC, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior. She is passionate about all thing neuroscience and loves encouraging a broader audience to learn more about their own minds. Outside of Grey Matters, Ainsley can be found conducting research in a neuroscience lab, listening to true crime podcasts, and trying to learn how to paint.

Senior Editor — Scientific Review Division

Rileigh Chinn '25 is a junior from Vancouver, Washington double majoring in biochemistry and Hispanic studies. She is passionate about making science accessible to a wide range of people, which drew her to Grey Matters in her freshman year. In her free time, Rileigh enjoys old woman hobbies like crocheting, doing crosswords and cryptograms, and spending time with her crusty white dog.

Art Executive

Iona Duncan ‘24 is a senior from Seattle, WA, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior. She became involved in Grey Matters as an artist and really enjoyed working with the authors and the other artists as a team. In her free time, she loves making and seeing art, reading (preferably thrillers), and befriending local birds. You can also find her singing in Vassar Women’s Chorus, making more Spotify playlists, or watching Jeopardy with her roommates.

Outreach Coordinator

Alexis Earp ’26 is a sophomore from Marblehead, Massachusetts, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior. She joined Grey Matters because of her interest in neuroscience and her passion for sharing science with others. In addition to Grey Matters, Alexis volunteers with the Vassar English Language Learners Outreach Program. When not working on articles or assignments, she enjoys crafting, reading, and listening to music.

Assistant Outreach Coordinator

Evelynn Bagade ‘26 is a sophomore from Old Tappan, NJ and a prospective Neuroscience & Behavior and Mathematics double major on the pre-med track. She was inspired to join Grey Matters due to her interest in making topics about neuroscience and medicine accessible and is very excited to be conducting outreach for the journal! Outside of Grey Matters, Evelynn is interested in the intersections between the life sciences and mathematics and is currently involved in math research. On campus, she can be found studying next to the stained glass windows in the library, spending time with friends in Jewett House, or making a cup of tea at the Retreat. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing, and playing guitar.

Layout & Website Executive

Max Freedman 24’ is a senior from Bethesda, Maryland, double majoring in Biology and STS. He was attracted to Grey Matters by its interdisciplinary mission of blending art and design with neuroscience. In his free time, Max enjoys going on walks, drawing, and listening to music.

Assistant Graphic Designer & Website Executive

Sophia Sklar ‘26 is a sophomore from Westchester, NY, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior and pursuing a premedical track. Her passion for merging art, design, and science to create accessible learning drew her to Grey Matters. In her free time, Sophia can be found conducting research in Dr. Zupan’s laboratory, watching movies with her friends in the Cushing House MPR, and solving sudoku and word puzzles.

Social Media Manager

Brooke Berbeco is a first year student from Scottsdale, Arziona. In addition to serving as the Social Media Executive, she is actively involved in writing for the spring 2024 term, aiming to enhance accessibility to neuroscience. Brooke is pursuing a double major in Biology and English, reflecting her passion for both scientific inquiry and literary expression. Outside Grey Matters she is on the Vassar Women’s Tennis Team and is Vice-President and Social Media head of a mental health organization called Calming Couch. Her dream after college is to go to medical school and become a neurosurgeon!

Grad Student Executive

Daniella Lorman graduated in Vassar’s Class of ’22 with majors in Neuroscience & Behavior, and Russian Studies. She conducts research within the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain at Columbia University Medical Center. A staunch advocate for accessible science communication, Daniella has previously served as both Editor in Chief of the VC chapter and Chair of the national Journal council. In her free time, Daniella enjoys mixing new DJ sets, spending time with her sheepdog, and adding clay to her wardrobe in the ceramics studio.

Grad Student Executive

Alex Kaye '24 is a recent graduate from Vassar with a major in Biology and a correlate sequence in Educational Studies. While at Vassar he embraced his diverse passions for biology by serving as a research assistant in the Ecological Preserve, teaching science lessons to K–12 students, and volunteering at GenSpace, a community biology lab in NYC. Alex is currently completing adolescent teaching certification in the area of biology and spends his free time exploring his interests in educational psychology and molecular neuroscience.