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

  • Adina Shaikh

    Editor-in-Chief

    Hi! I’m Adina, the Editor-in-Chief and I've been part of JUST for 3 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.

  • Trang Pham

    Sr Managing Editor

    Hi, I’m Trang, and I am the Senior Managing Editor at JUST. I am a senior majoring in both Molecular Biology and Economics. I enjoy playing soccer, hiking, and traveling!

  • Amy Li

    Sr Head Writer

    Hi, I’m Amy, the Senior Head Writer at JUST! I’m a senior at UW-Madison majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology with a certificate in Data Science. In my free time, I like reading books and playing tennis and games!

  • Quinn Ruzicka

    Lead Designer

    Hey, my name is Quinn Ruzicka, and I am the Lead Designer for JUST! I am currently a senior at Madison studying Life Sciences Communication and Biology. I absolutely love spending time outside, especially time spent golfing or skiing, and I am always up for a creative project!

  • Olive Haller

    Design Assistant

    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.

  • Shreyanshu Dekate

    Lead Web Developer

    Hi all, I’m Shrey, the Lead Web Developer at JUST! I’m a senior double majoring in Computer Science and Data Science. In my free time, I enjoy NYT games, walks during golden hour, or listening to music.

  • Sophie Liu

    Web Development Assistant

    Hello! My name is Sophie, and I'm the Web Dev Assistant. I am a sophomore majoring in Computer Science. I love to watch movies and enjoy cute guinea pig videos in my free time.

  • Dev Chatterjee

    Finance and Outreach Chair

    Hello! I’m Dev Chatterjee, a junior pursuing a BS in Economics at UW-Madison. I joined JUST during the Fall 2023 semester and act as the Finance and Outreach Chair. I love music and in my free time I enjoy making acoustic covers of old retro Bollywood songs.

  • Alexa Dreyfus

    Marketing Assistant

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

  • Annalise Coon

    Managing Editor

    My name is Analise Coon, and I am a senior Molecular and Cell Biology major. This is my second year in JUST. In my free time, I study regenerative worms in the Newmark/Issigonis Lab, and I enjoy playing viola.

  • Zane Brinnington

    Head Writer

    Hi, my name is Zane Brinnington and I am a senior food science major and JUST head writer. I joined JUST as a staff writer as a sophomore because I enjoy writing as much as science and wanted a way for me to engage in my passion for writing while connecting it to my field of study. In my free time, I love to read, watch movies, write, and bike.

WRITERS AND EDITORS

  • Kaashvi Agarwwal

    Staff Writer

    Hello, my name is Kaashvi Agarwwal and I am a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry with a certificate in Life Sciences Communications. I joined JUST in the Fall of 2023 and I am a staff writer. My favorite book is The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.

  • Adrian Sieck

    Staff Writer

    Hi, my name is Adrian Sieck. I'm a sophomore and a Soil Science major. This is my second year writing for JUST. In my free time, I play the bassoon.

  • Manal Aditi

    Staff Writer

    My name is Manal Aditi, and I'm a computer science and data science major. This is my second year at JUST as a staff writer. One fun fact about me is that I've visited twenty national parks, my favorite being Zion National Park.

  • Walid Lakdari

    Content Editor

    Hi, I am Walid, a sophomore majoring in Biology. It is my second year at JUST, and I love reading about unheard-of topics in my free time.

  • Ivy Raya

    Content Editor

    Hey, my name is Ivy Raya. I am a sophomore in L&S school getting a B.S in Biochemistry. I joined JUST during the Fall semester of 2023. Something I love to do in my free time is travel.

  • Daniel Del Carpio

    Short-form Writer

    My name is Daniel Del Carpio. I am a senior majoring in Biochemistry, and I became a member of JUST in the Fall of 2023. In my free time, I like to go on hikes and spend time with friends.

  • Alex (Alexandra) Wong

    Content Editor

    My name is Alex and I'm studying Data Science. This is my second year in JUST. In my free time, I enjoy going on trail runs to the Arboretum, cooking with friends, and thrifting. A fun fact about me is that I make my own kimchi and enjoyed eating copious amounts of it this past summer.

  • Dannah Altiti

    Short-form Editor

    Hi, my name is Dannah Altiti! I'm a senior majoring in Microbiology with certificates in Middle Eastern Studies and Global Health. I joined JUST in the Fall of 2023 as a Short-Form Editor. A little fun fact is I am terrified of all animals from a rat to an elephant.

  • 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.

  • LeAnn Aschkar

    Content Editor

    My name is LeAnn and I'm a Biology major with a minor in Health and The Humanities. I'm in the class of 2027, and I joined JUST in the Fall of 2023 as an editor. I love reading African contemporary literature and experiencing new cultures through food, music, and literary works.

  • Mahathi Karthikeyan

    Short-form Writer

    Hello, my name is Mahathi Karthikeyan and I am a junior majoring in Biomedical Engineering. I joined JUST during the Fall 2023 semester. I enjoy reading in my free time.

  • Sean Hugelmeyer

    Short-form Writer

    Hello! My name is Sean, and I am a sophomore, second-year short form writer for JUST! I am an Economics major and will be getting a certificate in Digital Cinema Production. As you might be able to guess from my choice in certificates, I love movies! I am part of the WUD Film Committee on campus and play Club Ultimate Frisbee too.

  • Daniel Molina

    Staff Writer

    Hi, my name is Daniel and I'm a senior double majoring in Economics with Math EMphasis and Italian. I joined JUST in the Spring of 2022 and have enjoyed it so much. In my free time, I like to be active playing golf, soccer, and tennis, as well as reading, knitting, and hanging out with my friends.

  • Vedaa Vandavasi

    Staff Writer

    My name is Vedaa Vandavasi and I am a sophomore at UW Madison, pursuing Biological Systems Engineering. I joined just in Fall 2023 and it has been super fun. I am an avid reader and I'm always up for a long walk/picnic any time of the day!

  • Mackenzie Twomey

    Content Editor

    My name is Mackenzie Twomey and I am a sophomore who joined JUST during the Fall of 2023. I am majoring in Global Health and Microbiology with a certificate in Gender and Women’s Studies. A fun fact about me is that I love going to concerts and I have seen Dolly Parton in person.

  • Harvey Chen

    Short-form Editor

    Hi, my name is Harvey, and I'm a freshman majoring in Global Health. I joined JUST in Spring 2024 as a short-form editor. During my free time, I enjoy going to near West Field for soccer.

  • 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.

  • Ayah Amer

    Short-form Editor

    My name is Ayah Amer and I am a senior majoring in Neurobiology and Psychology, with a certificate in African studies. I joined JUST this Fall 2023 semester as a short-form editor. Something I enjoy doing in my free time is going to concerts.