ABOUT US

Encompassing all areas of research in science and technology, JUST aims to provide an open-access platform for undergraduate students to share their research with UW-Madison and the Madison community at large.

  • JUST is dedicated to showcasing and disseminating undergraduate excellence in science and technology research.

    In strong support of the Wisconsin Idea, our mission is threefold:

    1. Make research and scientific achievement accessible to non-expert communities beyond academia.

    2. Foster continued support for exceptional undergraduate research.

    3. Garner appreciation and raise awareness of the contributions of outstanding undergraduate researchers.

  • JUST, the Journal of Undergraduate Science and Technology at UW-Madison is an interdisciplinary journal for the publication and dissemination of undergraduate research conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    Our mission is to publish and share undergraduate research in various science and technology fields. Since our establishment in May 2016, we have distributed over 3000 printed copies (as of Spring and Fall 2023). As part of one of the country's top research institutes, UW-Madison has many undergraduates engaged in research and JUST provides a platform for them to showcase and publish their work. Our dedicated staff editors review and edit the submitted scientific literature, ensuring high-quality publications.

    In May 2016, JUST debuted its inaugural issue featuring a diverse collection of peer-reviewed research reports, reviews, and editorials. Since release, over 2000 printed copies have been distributed campus-wide and the digital publication has been made accessible to the public online. Looking forward JUST will publish biannually during the academic years for the foreseeable future.

    In addition to publishing undergraduate research, JUST emphasizes science communication. Our staff writers craft short-form editorials to explain intriguing scientific concepts to non-technical audiences in the form of a new blog! These positions are open to all interested undergraduates. By doing so, we aim to make scientific achievements accessible to broader communities and promote exceptional undergraduate research.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

  • Ivy Raya

    Editor-in-Chief

    Hi! My name is Ivy Raya, and I joined JUST during the Fall semester of 2023. I am a junior getting a B.S in Biochemistry with a certificate in Political Science. I absolutely love to spend my free time traveling both within the US and internationally, a favorite memory of mine is my trip this summer to Japan.

  • Adina Shaikh

    Sr Director

    Hi! I’m Adina, the Editor-in-Chief and I've been part of JUST for 4 years. I’m a senior majoring in Neurobiology and Percussion Performance, with a certificate in Science Communication. I research zebrafish in the Ehrlich Lab and am a member of the First Wave Hip Hop and Urban Arts Scholarship Program.

  • Atharvan Srivastava

    Head Writer

    Hi, this is Atharvan! I'm a senior majoring in Mathematics with certificates in Game Design, and Science, Technology, and Society (STS). In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors in nature, perhaps catching a sunset or journaling about my day. I’m also a huge admirer of J-Pop and love going to concerts to see my favorite Japanese bands perform live!

  • Manal Aditi

    Head Writer

    Hi, I'm Manal, one of the Head Writers at JUST. I'm a junior studying computer science and data science. During my free time, I love to sketch with charcoal.

  • Dev Chatterjee

    Director of Finance

    Hey! I'm Dev Chatterjee, a Senior studying Economics here at UW. I joined JUST in September 2023.

  • Olive Haller

    Director of Design

    Hi! I’m Olive Haller, a sophomore who is currently undecided but applying to the J School this spring! I joined JUST during the Fall 2023 semester and cannot wait to get started. A fun fact about me is I have 3 dogs and 4 siblings, and in my free time, I love to get ice cream with my friends and family.

  • Sophie Liu

    Web Developer

    Hello! My name is Sophie, and I'm the Web Dev. I am a junior majoring in Computer Science. I love to watch movies and enjoy hiking in my free time.

  • Alexa Dreyfus

    Director of Marketing

    My name is Alexa Dreyfus and this is my third year in JUST! I am currently a junior majoring in Biology on a Pre-Medicine track. I love spending time with my friends and family in my free time!

WRITERS AND EDITORS

  • Halle Callahan

    Staff Writer

    Hello, I am Halle, a senior majoring in cartography and G.I.S! I joined JUST in Fall 2024. Some of my favorite activities include hiking, boxing, and reading.

  • Dhiv Iyer

    Staff Writer

    Hi! I'm Dhiv and I'm a freshman studying Astronomy-Physics and English. I joined JUST because I love writing and I love science, and I can explore both those interests here. I like climbing and reading :)

  • Angélica Zeppenfeldt

    Staff Writer

    Angelica I. Zeppenfeldt Cruz

    Freshman

    Biochemistry

    I love boating and everything related to the beach!

  • Allen Zhao

    Staff Writer

    Hi! I'm Allen, a sophomore studying Biochemistry and Philosophy at UW-Madison. I've been at JUST since my first semester here and have learned a lot about science communication through this org. In my free time, I like to do research and ride motorcycles.

  • Dhruv Aron

    Content Editor

    Dhruv, sophomore, CS major, just joined fall'25, like to read/watch murder mysteries and solve puzzles

  • LeAnn Aschkar

    Content Editor

    My name is LeAnn Aschkar and I am a junior. I am majoring in Biology with certificates in French and Health Policy. I joined JUST in the Fall semester of my freshman year (2023). A fun fact about myself is that I studied abroad in Singapore last summer with the Global Gateway Program.

  • Carmela De Leon

    Content Editor

    Hello! My name's Carmela De Leon and I am a junior majoring in Nursing with a Health and the Humanities certificate. I joined JUST as a content editor in the Fall semester of 2023. I love to travel a lot and have gone to various places around the world! but in my free time, I like to binge-watch shows, play my guitar, read or watch a good movie.

  • Khadijah Dhoondia

    Content Editor

    Hi I'm Khadijah, and I am a junior majoring in Biology and Global Health with Certificates in Life Science Communications and Biocore. I have been involved in JUST as a content writer since Fall 2022, and I am excited to be involved with the editing team this upcoming year! In my free time, I love spending time with friends and hiking.

  • Aaron Johnson

    Content Editor

    Hi! My name is Aaron Johnson, and I'm a sophomore majoring in biology. I joined JUST in 2025 as content editor, and in my free time I love to make music.

  • Walid Lakdari

    Content Editor

    Hi, I am Walid, Junior majoring in Biology and Global Health. I have been an editor with JUST since Fall 2023.

  • Raghvi Sethi

    Content Editor

    Hi, my name is Raghvi Sethi! I am a freshman majoring in Biochemistry and Data Science, and I joined JUST in the Fall 2025 semester as a Content Editor. In my free time, I love to thread friendship bracelets, watch plane crash documentaries, play tennis and pickeball, and travel the world.

  • Mackenzie Twomey

    Content Editor

    Hi! My name is Mackenzie and I am a junior studying Global Health and Microbiology with a certificate in Gender and Women Studies. I joined JUST in Fall 2023. In my free time, I love to hang out with my friends, watch new tv shows, and read!

  • Riley Erben

    Short-form Editor

    Hi!! My name is Riley and I am a sophomore majoring in neurobiology and getting a certificate in public health. I joined JUST as I’m very passionate about science in the media and wanted to be apart of an org that explores a variety of different STEM topics. In my free time, I love to play volleyball, do yoga, try out new coffee shops and travel!!

  • Arya Choudhury

    Short-Form Writer

    Hi! My name is Arya, I’m a freshman with plans to major in Neurobiology, Data Science, and Genetics. This is my first year with JUST, and I hope to stay with the writing staff for a long time. In my free time I can usually be found writing, organizing, photographing nature, analyzing media and napping.