Laura is a Junior majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology and is pursuing a minor in Food Science. She is very excited to showcase the new volume and hopes to expand the journal to new horizons. Aside from working on the journal, she is an assistant researcher in the Robinson Lab, is an MCB leader, an Orientation Leader, a member of Bioscience Journal club, and an executive board member of the Undergraduate Neuroscience Society. Fiza is a Junior majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology on the pre-med track. In addition to her involvement in the Neuroscience Journal Committee, she has communicated her Illinois experience by being a former UIUC admissions blogger and enjoys science through volunteering at a local free clinic and doing research at Vet Med. She is thrilled to promote a neuroscience dialogue on campus! Chief Editor Assistant Chief Editor Julia Gainski is a junior majoring in Integrative Biology with a minor in German. She is the Public Relations Chair and a writer for Brain Matters. She is a research assistant at the Control & Network Connectivity Team (CONNECTlab) at the Beckman Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, where she assists with an EEG procedure in a concurrent EEG-fMRI study. Additionally, she is a personal assistant for students with physical disabilities at Beckwith Residential Support Services at Nugent Hall on campus, the secretary and a mentor of the Pre-Physician Assistant Club, and a member of the Illini Club Tennis team. Public Relations Chair Brain Matters Board 24Brain Matters・Volume V Issue ii Br ai n M at te rs B oa rd Carolyn is a junior majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology and is currently conducting research in neurochemistry in Dr. Jonathan V. Sweedler’s lab. Outside of academics, she is passionate about IlliniThon, the University of Illinois’ Dance Mara- thon program that fundraises for St. John’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. She is excited to collaborate with the other students behind “Brain Matters” and promote brain awareness on campus. Samantha is a junior majoring in Journalism with a minor in Astronomy. Outside of academics, Samantha photographs and models for The Fashion Network. She is excited about mixing her skills of writing and photography to promote brain awareness and neuroscience knowledge on campus. Eva is a junior majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology and minoring in Creative Writing. Aside from her passion for mental health and neuroscience awareness, she enjoys writing and dancing, and is a proud member of UIUC’s Legend Dance Company. She is so excited to work with her fellow students to expand our campus’s appreciation for neuroscience through Brain Matters! Editors Rajvi Javeri is a Sophomore pursuing a major in Psychology with a Concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience and a minor in Music. Apart from being a part of the Undergraduate Neuroscience Society, she helps out as a research assistant at the Cognitive Neuroimaging Laboratory at the Beckman Institute. In her free time. she likes to practice guitar and sing. She also loves drinking infused teas and reading books whenever she can. She loves going on treks and any outdoor activities in general and is also a part of the UIUC archery club! 25 Sarah is a Junior majoring in Biochemistry and Intradisciplinary Psychology. In addition to editing for Brain Matters, Sarah works in Dr. Auinash Kalsotra’s biochemistry lab as a research assistant and in Dr. Kara Federmeier’s cognitive neuroscience lab. In the future, Sarah hopes to pursue an MD-PhD in Biochemistry to study the mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders. In her free time, Sarah loves to play soccer, go hiking, watch television, and spend time with friends. Design Board* Manan is a Junior majoring in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and is pursuing a minor in Chemistry. Apart from being a pre-dental student, Manan has previously been an Orientation Leader at UIUC. Last summer, Manan worked with people of determination and designed thinking modules for underprivileged students in India. Outside of class, Manan is deeply interested in reading books that pertain to cognitive psychology and productivity, engaging in insightful scientific dialogue and community service. He looks forward to making Brain Matters an inclusive and engaging scientific committee on campus Zainab Hashmi is a sophomore pursuing a dual degree in Psychology and Information Science with a minor in computer science. Previously a writer for Brain Matters, she joined the Design board in 2022. She’s involved in research at the Adaptive Cognition and Interaction Design Lab at UIUC, is a UX designer for Design Innovation, Design Chair of Muslim Student Association, and also works as a graphic designer at Spurlock Museum on campus. She is excited to be a part of the journal and to make the vast topics of neuroscience more accessible to everyone. Katy Simmons is an MCB major pursuing a certificate in neuroscience! Her interests include cellular neuroscience and neuroimmunology. She is involved in Brain Matters as a design team member, editor, and former writer. Her favorite thing about being a part of the journal is meeting and engaging with others that are passionate about neuroscience. Apart from her role in Brain Matters, she is a research assistant in the Physical Activity and Neurocognitive Health Lab, as well as the Evolutionary Immunology and Genomics Laboratory. After undergrad, she plans to attend grad school to conduct her own research in cellular neuroscience! 26Brain Matters・Volume V Issue ii Br ai n M at te rs B oa rd 27 Apil is a sophomore majoring in Molecular and Cellular biology with interests in Neuroscience Research. Outside of studying biology, he volunteers at both Riverside hospital and Riverside Senior Life Center where he works with Alzheimer patients. His other hobbies include playing basketball and soccer. Jade is a third year undergraduate in Cognitive Science with a concentration in Linguistics. She is passionate about voice technology and its effects on human behavior. In her free time she sings, plays guitar and piano, and loves trying new foods. She also enjoys traveling and immersing herself in other cultures. Her love of writing and editing is shown through her work for the Illinimedia Company and article written for SoundHound Inc’s Speech-to-Meaning blog. She is happy to be editing and designing for the “Brain Matters” journal. *Due to publishing delays, Volume V issue ii was designed by the Design Board from the 2022-2023 academic year