For our Spring issue, we're thrilled to have the opportunity to spotlight our Notation in Cultural Rhetorics and 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 PWR Director Adam Banks, NCR Coordinator Harriett Jernigan, and NSC Coordinator Kevin C. Moore.
This year's Notations cohort was our largest ever, with 5 students graduating in the NCR and 33 students graduating in the NSC. Students in the NCR received a certificate, a fabulous NCR pin, and a copy of A People’s Future of the United States, an acclaimed collection of speculative fiction by 25 authors, including Hugo Award-winning author N.K. Jemison. NSC students also received a certificate, an equally fabulous NSC pin, and a copy of the photo-documentary Seeing Silicon Valley: Life Inside a Fraying America, by Mary Beth Meehan and Stanford's own Fred Turner. Professor Turner generously signed the book for our NSC students.
Make sure to check out our archive showcasing our students' impressive ePortfolios, including work from this year's class, and read below to learn more about these incredible students, their future plans, and their experience in PWR's Notations!
Notation in Cultural Rhetorics
Imgard Bonheur is graduating with a BS in Design. After graduation, she hopes to work as a product designer. About her time in the NCR, Imgard writes, “I appreciate the support and representation being in the Cultural Rhetorics program. And special kudos to Dr. Jernigan and Dr. Banks for their support and encouragement.”
Hannah Cha is graduating with a BS in Symbolic Systems, with a Minor in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity as well as a Minor in Art Practice. Next year, she will be completing her coterminal MS in Computer Science.
Megan Di Russo is graduating with a BA in Sociology. Next year, she will begin a PhD program in Criminology and Justice Policy at Northeastern University.
Dora Plascencia-Macias is graduating in Sociology, with Minors in Human Rights and Spanish. Next year, she will be taking a gap year before starting law school. She writes, “Every class for the Notation in Cultural Rhetorics was a safe space to talk about whatever issue was on your mind. Dr.J taught me that it was okay to be frustrated and angry at things going on at the world and expressing them through my own perspective. Every class became a story in my head that created a bond between me and the Notation because it was a space to be who I truly am and got the opportunity to share it with other people who were similar to me.”
Saimary Velazquez Carrasquillo is graduating with a BA in Anthropology and Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity. After graduation, they plan to take a gap year, work, and apply to a PhD program, most likely in Anthropology or Ethnomusicology.
Notation in Science Communication
Maria Albuquerque is a senior graduating with a BS in Materials Science and Engineering with a Minor in Creative Writing. Next year, she will be working at Tandem PV, a solar energy startup. She writes, regarding her time in the NSC, “This experience was not only about creating a portfolio and learning about how to communicate science but learning about who I am as a scientist. I have learned about the issues I care about and how to reach the audience as well as understood the importance of storytelling and emotional connection to achieve a more sustainable future with people that care about the environment.”
Lily Amaturo is graduating with a BS in Human Biology and a Minor in Theater and Performance Studies. Next year, she will be pursuing her MS in Epidemiology and Clinical Research.
Leo Andrade is graduating with a BS in Human Biology.
Aya Aziz is graduating with a BS in Human Biology. During her gap year before medical school, she’ll be doing research investigating chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology in California’s medically underserved Central Valley, where she calls home. She writes of her time in the NSC, “My favorite class that I took for the NSC was PWR 194BR with Dr. Becky Richardson. It was such a wonderful full-circle moment to take a course with Becky as a Senior since I took ESF with her my Freshman fall! Her class was spectacular and I've never loved the readings for my courses more. I also made another wonderful friend Mark. :)”
Joanna Baker is graduating with a BS in Biology and a Minor in Art Studio. After graduation, she plans to take a gap year to travel and work before applying to PhD programs in biology (comparative zoology). Regarding her time in the NSC, Joanna writes, “The Notation was a fantastic program that allowed me to explore my interests and share my work in ways that felt authentic, and in doing so, to hone a wide range of communication skills across media. This program pushed me to strengthen my ability to articulate the scientific concepts driving my professional interests. It also gave me a basis to present my interdisciplinary creative skills as transferable strengths. In this way the NSC has been very personally meaningful to me, for how it facilitated once-disparate areas of my life to now be constructive and mutually beneficial for one another.”
Diego Bustamante is graduating with a BS in Chemical Engineering. Next year, he will be finishing a coterminal MS in Computer Science at Stanford.
Kimberly Cheung is graduating with a BS in Biology. Next year, she will finish her coterminal MS in Bioengineering at Stanford. She writes, “The Notation encouraged me to see the interconnections between the work I have done at Stanford and reflect on how I have engaged with different modes of science communication! The program also built a steadfast community rooted in friendship and mentorship. I am excited to bring forward what I have learned as I pursue future work connecting human and environmental health.”
Muhammad Dhafer bin Muhammad Faishal Khan Surattee is graduating with a BA in Economics and a minor in Data Science, as well as a coterminal MS in Computer Science. Upon graduation, he will be working for the Signapore civil service. About his time in the NSC, Dhafer writes, “I've learned a great deal in the Notation particularly from the community it has cultivated. From working in peers during the different stages of the Notation to learning from PWR instructors in introductory, elective and portfolio preparation classes, I have found many sources of inspiration and feedback along the way. It has been wonderful seeing the applications of science communication in various fields and seeing the growth of the batch across the years!”
Katherine Dimock is graduating with a BS in Human Biology. Next year, she will be teaching as an A-side Course Associate for the HumBio core. She writes, “I'm deeply grateful for all the opportunities, learning experiences, friends, and mentors that have come to me through the NSC. It's an honor to share this cohort with such brilliant and lovely people!”
Elizabeth Drelichman is graduating with a BS in Human Biology. She writes, “The Notation in Science Communication provided an incredible opportunity to reflect on my growth as a science communicator. Through exploring a range of genres and communication styles, I strengthened my ability to translate complex scientific information into impactful narratives. As I continue my career in public health, I am confident that the skills and perspective I gained through the Notation will remain essential to effectively advancing health equity.”
Koree French is graduating in Human Biology with a Minor in Creative Writing. Regarding her time in the NSC, Koree writes, “I really enjoyed looking back on some of my old assignments and projects that I have worked on throughout my entire four years here at Stanford. I realized how similar the topics where in some of my projects and how they could all be brought together to make my ePortfolio.”
Alyssa Fong is graduating with a BS in Biomedical Computation with a Minor in Informatics.
Lucien Gandarias is graduating with a BS in Physics. After graduating, he will continue his work in quantum computing research and plans to apply to PhD programs in quantum information theory. Regarding his time in the NSC, Lucien writes, “The NSC, more than any other program I've encountered at Stanford, truly feels like family. This is largely thanks to Kevin Moore, the program director, who has been a gracious mentor to me and so many others in the notation. Last summer, I became very frustrated with the lack of blind friendly document formats in academic research, and had the crazy idea to write an Op Ed about it. I immediately emailed Kevin with this random seeming project idea, and he agreed to work with me on it. This was in spite of the fact that it was summer break, and he had no academic or personal obligation to help me. He just wanted me to succeed in my personal science communication endeavors.”
Maya Green is graduating with a BS in Biology with Honors. Next year, she will beginning a PhD program in zoology at the University of British Columbia. Regarding the NSC, she writes, “The NSC is such a special community. It provides a unique space for young scientists from tons of different disciplines (many of whom wouldn't interact otherwise) to come together and think about what it means to be good communicators within our fields. I'm so grateful for the many friends and mentors I met through this program.”
Kalissa Greene is graduating with a BA in Data Science and Social Systems as well as a BA in Political Science. Reflecting on her work in the NSC, she wrote, “The NSC coursework empowered me to use verbal and written communication to help vulnerable communities.”
Kamdin Gutierrez is graduating with a BS in Physics (astrophysics) and a BA in Comparative Literature (traditional lore and natural philosophy). After graduation, he plans to explore graduate school possibilities and develop future educational models. He writes, “The encouragement from the NSC staff to continue pushing back against normative structures was immeasurably helpful for me to develop the confidence to continue questioning the dominant approach to education. Without the folks at the NSC, I wouldn't be on the path I am today.”
Emma Klemperer is graduating with a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Archaeology. After graduation, they will be working in environmental sciences in the National Park Service. They write, “I really appreciate the NSC for helping me develop a love for science communication. I hope that I can go on to use the skills I have learned here in my future career.”
Anastazja Krostenko is graduating with a BS in Earth Systems (Biosphere track). Next year, she will pursue her MS in Earth Systems. Reflecting on her time in the NSC, she writes, “The Notation has offered me a structured opportunity to flex the ever-important muscles of science communication. It has had the effect of centering all my work at Stanford--allowing me to pull together the final products I've produced in myriad different classes into one piece, the portfolio. I have individually and collectively reflected through the notation, developing nuanced expertise and wisdom I wholeheartedly believe I would not have otherwise.”
Ryann Neushul is graduating with a BS in Human Biology and a minor in Spanish. After graduation, she plans to take a gap year as she prepares for medical school. Regarding her time in the NSC, she writes, “I am grateful for all the wonderful peers and faculty I’ve learned from and with throughout my time in the NSC! I am excited to reach more audiences with science communication.”
Maya Passmore is graduating with a BS in Earth System with Honors. Next year, she will be completing her coterminal MS in Earth Systems.
Giannka Picache is graduating with a BS and a coterminal MS in Mechanical Engineering.
Anika Quon is graduating with a BS in Earth Systems with a minor in Data Science. Next year, she will be finishing her coterminal MS in Earth Systems at Stanford.
Shreya Ramachandran is graduating with a BS in Human Biology. Next year, she will complete her coterm in Sustainability Science and Practice. Regarding the NSC, she writes, “I joined the Notation in Science Communication in my freshman year, and it has been a powerful undercurrent to my Stanford experience. In high school, I designed and conducted my own research projects and it was through presenting my research at science fairs like the International Science and Engineering Fair that I first discovered my love for science communication The NSC has helped me explore the breadth of science communication and empowered me with tools to meaningfully engage in this work. Furthermore, in order to build artifacts for the final portfolio, I found myself looking for opportunities to include science communication into the work I did for other classes, finding interdisciplinary connections everywhere I looked I am grateful for the community that the NSC has offered me, and for incredible support offered by professors like Dr. Kevin Moore and Dr. Emily Polk.”
Angelica Ramirez is graduating with a BS in Human Biology. Next year, she will be completing a Master's in Public Health at Emory University and applying for med school.
Lauren Reyes is graduating with a BS in Human Biology with Honors. Next year, she will work as a research assistant during a gap year as she applies to medical school. About the NSC, she writes, “I deeply appreciate the opportunity within the NSC to synthesize my work that I've created at Stanford and to reflect on what made it meaningful to me as well as the connections between works.”
Elena Sierra is graduating with a BS in Electrical Engineering as well as a coterminal MS in Computer Science. Next year, she will begin a PhD program in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she will research machine learning for sustainability.
Brydie Sigg is graduating with a BS in Earth Systems. Next year, she will be returning to Stanford to complete her coterminal MS in Computer Science. She writes, “The NSC has given me the opportunity to work with so many wonderful, caring, and inspiring faculty members and to meet incredible peers. I am so grateful for everyone I have met through this program!”
Kevin Song is graduating with a BS and a coterminal MS in Computer Science.
Sofia Tosoni is graduating with a BS in Bioengineering.
Maryam Tsegaye is graduating with a BS in Symbolic Systems with a Minor in Music. Her plans for next year involve “catching up on doodling, hiking, and playing pretend. And perhaps a master's too.”
Noelle Villanueva is graduating with a BS in Science, Technology, and Society. Next year, she plans to complete her coterminal master’s degree in Sustainability. She writes, “The Notation gave me an opportunity to showcase the work I've created throughout my time at Stanford, and allowed me to reflect on how science communication impacts and shapes lives, including my own. The work we do should be recognized and celebrated, especially as we prepare to go out and share science with the world.”
Devy Weir is graduating with a BS in Earth Systems. Next year, she will be completing a coterminal master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering (Energy track) at Stanford.
Maya Xu is graduating with a BS in Biology with Honors, and a Minor in Education. Next year, she will be completing her coterminal MS. Writing about her time in the NSC, Maya says, “I'm so grateful to the NSC for introducing me to such a vibrant, caring group of science enthusiasts who've truly become some of my best friends at Stanford. Thank you to the incredible professors who have supported us throughout our journey to become more confident, versatile science communicators. And a special thank you to my NSC advisor Dr. Jenne Stonaker, who originally inspired me to join the NSC, and who has guided me with unfailing care and enthusiasm throughout my Stanford career.”
