For our Spring issue, we're thrilled to have the opportunity to spotlight our Notation in Science Communication seniors, who completed their Notation coursework and ePortfolios. These students were honored at an in-person Showcase and Conferral Ceremony in mid-May led by NSC Coordinator Emily Polk. Read below to learn more about these incredible students and their future plans!
Namitha Alexander will be graduating with a B.S. in Biology, and will be heading to medical school at Northwestern next year.
Evan Baldonado will be conferring his degrees next year with an M.S. in Computer Science, B.S. in Computer Science, a Minor in Environmental Justice, and a Minor in Human Rights.He says, “I am so grateful for the amazing NSC community! The professors and students are all incredibly welcoming and supportive people.”
Trevor Cambron is graduating with a B.C. in Earth Systems and will be pursuing his PhD in ecology at MIT. He says, “It’s inspiring to look at how far my science communication abilities have come in these past few years.”
Kelly Dunn is graduating with a B.S. and M.S. in Earth Systems and will be going to Yale School of Medicine for Physician Associate Studies. She says, “The Notation really encouraged me to practice different methodologies for communication. In the process of doing this, I had enough work where I could start working as a scientific illustrator professionally, and have since been able to work with UCSB and Stanford PhD environmental scientists, educational non-profits, and private companies like Google X!”
Tanvi Dutta Gupta is graduating with a B.S. in Biology and a Minor in Computer Science. This summer she is planning to work in DC at Science as an intern at their news desk, before returning to Stanford to complete a coterm in Earth Systems. She says, “The NSC has created an essential space for me at Stanford to not only cultivate critical and wide-reaching skills, but also to reflect on how to best apply those skills to create meaningful impact."
Sonja Hansen is graduating with a B.S. in Earth Systems. In September, she will take a grad trip with friends to Southeast Asia. In the fall, she plans on moving close to New York City to pursue opportunities in creative writing and the performing arts that address the climate crisis and feature empowering stories of environmental justice. She says, “I was so touched and humbled by the support that my fabulous mentors gave me. Eldon Pe, Suki Hoagland and Emily Polk built me up so much and imbued my work with so much compassion and humility. I am also very grateful to all my friends and family who supported me throughout the creation process.”
Alana Hernandez is graduating with a B.A. in Human Biology and Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity. She will be coterming in Community Health and Prevention Research Program. She says, “The NSC was a great way to explore the versatility of science communication. It was really enjoyable to be able to be reminded of why I fell in love with science in the first place–because it's fun and interesting for me! By rediscovering this deep enjoyment, I was inspired to learn how to better communicate the things I love to learn about to people who are not specialists in scientific fields, or who may not be very involved in the scientific world at all. I believe it's very important that there is equitable access to scientific information so that people can make the most informed decisions if there is a scientific component involved (e.g., healthcare).”
Jackie Lu is graduating with a B.S. in Human Biology. She wil be working as a CA for the Human Biology Core and teaching while staying on campus for another year. She says, “I think the NSC has enabled me to reflect more deeply on the impact of the various projects I have completed while at Stanford. I have thought about not only the wider impact of my work on different audiences, but also my personal motivations for pursuing each of these projects. Exploring how I can communicate science through different mediums (such as video and graphic design) through NSC electives and required courses has been a memorable part of my time at Stanford.”
David Ludeke is graduating with an M.S. in Computer Science and a B.S. in Environmental Systems Engineering. He is hoping to apply what he learned from his degrees by working somewhere at the intersection of technology and environment. He says, “Something I appreciated about the Notation was how it concretely reflected my development as a scholar over my time in college. It was gratifying seeing the types of artifacts I was including in my ePortfolio at the beginning (Autumn quarter sophomore year) compared to the artifacts I included in the final ePortfolio.”
Aisling Murran is graduating with a B.S. in Biology Ecology and Evolution track with Honors and Minor in Computer Science. She’s working towards an M.S. in Environmental Communications in the Earth Systems program at Stanford University. “The Notation was an opportunity for me to make space in my mind and my schedule for a collaboration between my science persona and my inner performing artist. My future career is based upon the world I craved out here, and I'm deeply grateful.”
Sarah Olmstead is graduating with a B.S. with Honors in Human Biology. She will be at Vanderbilt University doing cancer genetics research at the Savona Lab. She says, “While I have been very STEM-oriented throughout my Stanford career, the Notation has been a creative outlet for me that I otherwise would not have had. Every Notation class I took allowed me to explore my passions further and overall, were a ton of fun!”
Hayden Frank Reynoso is graduating with a B.S. in (neuro)Biology. He completed his Notation under the guidance of Professor Joe Nation in Public Policy and Dr. Shay Brawn.
Brendan Sorrell is graduating with a B.S. in Computer Science. He says he is going to try to find a job, work on music, and try to finish some poems he started a while ago. “I think everybody I met in the Notation was influential. I didn't expect that I would have such a great time in the NSC. It was somewhat of a split-second decision that I made in my Junior year after hearing about it for the first time. I've learned far more about science communication, and communication in a broader sense, than I would have had I not decided in that moment that it couldn't hurt to apply (as I always do). I'm very fortunate to have been accepted into the Notation and to have received so much support and encouragement along the way.”
Lexi Straube is graduating with a B.S. with Honors in Human Biology: Neurobiology, Behavior, and Health. Next up for her is Medical School! She says, “Without communication, science is unavailing! Participating in the NSC program was like looking through a keyhole at the world we are fighting for. Seeing the works produced by the brilliant NSC science communicators fills me with enthusiasm for our future. I am so grateful to have experienced the thoughtful mentorship of Dr. Emily Polk, Dr. Jenne Stonaker, and Dr. Shay Brawn!
Aspen Stuart-Cunningham is graduating with a B.S. in Physics. While her immediate next steps are unconfirmed right now, she does plan to get a job in science communication! She says, “ I've loved the NSC so much, it really helped me develop my passion for science communication and realize that this is what I want to do in my career. I want to give a big thanks to Jenne, who has been such a great instructor and mentor to me throughout my time in the Notation!"
Nadin Tamer graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science and a Minor in Education. She’ll be moving to San Francisco and working at Figma as a software engineer! She says, “The Notation was an amazing opportunity to experiment with different genres of science communication like the personal essay or public speaking!”
