THE CAROLINA SCIENTIFIC EDITORIAL BOARD
Get to know the team!
Editors in Chief
ISAAC HWANG
Editor in Chief
Isaac is a junior pursuing a BS in Biology and a BA in Chemistry. Isaac has worked on the writing team as a staff writer, copy editor, and associate editor for Carolina Scientific in the past two years. He is originally from Georgia but loves the cooler North Carolina weather.
He works as a research assistant in the Schisler Lab in the McAllister Heart Institute. He also spends his free time volunteering with pediatric oncology patients in the UNC Hospital System.
Aside from working at the magazine, he enjoys cooking (but can only cook soup), watching movies, and teaching.
SARAH GIANG
Editor in Chief
Sarah is a Junior from Belmont, North Carolina, pursuing a B.A. in Biology and Women and Gender Studies, with a Geography Minor. She has previously contributed to Carolina Scientific as a staff writer in Chemistry for the Spring 2022 edition.
On campus, Sarah is highly involved in many of UNC's theatre programs, as well as being an ongoing intern with Patio Social Networking. In the future, she hopes to pursue a PhD in Maternal and Child Health or Global Women's Health.
Outside of the academic world, Sarah enjoys (COVID-19 safe) traveling, playing with her pets, and reading thrillers.
Editorial Staff
MEITRA KAZEMI
MANAGING EDITOR
Meitra is a junior pursuing a B.S. in neuroscience and minors in data science and chemistry. She previously contributed to Carolina Scientific as a staff writer, copy editor and associate editor, and is excited to serve as the managing editor this year.
On campus, Meitra assists with research in a neurology lab studying epilepsy.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing the flute, basketball, and volleyball.
CORINNE DRABENSTOTT
COPY EDITOR
Corinne is a junior pursuing a major in biomedical engineering.
She started and currently leads the UNC iGEM team, an international synthetic biology competition. She also conducts research in the Sode Lab on light sensitive protein domains for biosensing applications and is a student OUR ambassador.
She plans on applying to both grad school and industry positions after graduation! In her free time, she enjoys spending time in the outdoors and kayaking.
CASSIE WAN
DESIGN CHAIR
Cassie is a Senior from Cary, North Carolina pursuing a B.S. in Biology. She has worked with Carolina Scientific as design editor since her freshman year.
On campus, Cassie serves as the President of Acts 2 Fellowship while also volunteering at food banks. In the future, she hopes to apply to dental school (hopefully UNC!).
Outside of the academic world, Cassie loves hiking, traveling, and spending quality time with friends, and is planning to run a half marathon on her birthday!
AMBIKA BHATT
TREASURER
Ambika is a senior pursuing a bachelor’s of public health with a major in biostatistics and minors in neuroscience and chemistry. She has been involved with Carolina Scientific as a copy editor for two years, and is excited to continue working with Carolina Scientific as Treasurer.
She is currently working as a research intern at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and at the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.
In her free time, Ambika loves cooking, trying new smoothie ideas, and getting pulled into new TV shows!
HARI PATEL
FUNDRAISING CHAIR
Hari is a sophomore planning to pursue a Bachelor’s in Public Health with a major in nutrition science and research.
He is currently conducting undergraduate research on global public health under Dr. Stephanie Martin discovering factors causing malnutrition and obesity in underserved youth populations within Kenya, in addition to implementing solutions to those problems. He aspires to become a physician, either a dermatologist or radiologist.
In his free time he loves playing ping pong, and recently started playing tennis!
HEIDI CAO
PUBLICITY CHAIR
Heidi is a senior pursuing a BSPH in Nutrition Science and Research and a minor in Neuroscience. Heidi has worked on the design team of Carolina Scientific and various other positions on the editorial board.
Heidi enjoys working as a Nursing assistant at UNC hospitals and examining the applications of precision medicine on discovering the impact of Aflatoxin1 on liver disease with the Sumner Lab at the Nutrition Research Institute.
Some other hobbies include traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends.
ANDREW PHAN
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Andrew is a Junior majoring in Neuroscience and Biology. He conducts research in the Mei Lab and Kabanov Lab, is a SHAC Volunteer, and is an OUR Ambassador.
He hopes to become a Physician-Scientist, and in his free time he loves lifting big weights!
KRUTI BHARGAV
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Kruti is a Junior majoring in Biology and Psychology.
She conducts pulmonary fibrosis research as part of the Hagood Lab and also works as a peer tutor in the Learning Center! She plans on applying to medical school and hopes to become a physician (pediatrics or OB/GYN)
Fun fact: She loves traveling and hopes to visit every country one day
JASMEET SINGH
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Jasmeet is a senior pursuing a B.S. in Biology and minor in Neuroscience. Jasmeet has previously worked with Carolina Scientific as a staff writer and copy editor and looks forward to serving as an associate editor this year.
On campus, Jasmeet is involved with neurodegenerative disease research at the Cohen lab. She also volunteers with ScienceDays, leading middle and elementary school students through fun science experiments, and volunteers at UNC Hospital.
In her spare time, Jasmeet loves to read, listen to music, go on long walks, and watch movies from around the world.
JULIA BOLTZ
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Julia is a Sophomore majoring in Quantitative Biology.
She is involved with research studying DNA Damage and Repair, as well as the organization Carolina For the Kids.
She hopes to become a Pediatrician and a fun fact about her is that she gets hiccups whenever she eats bagels!
SPRIHAA KOLANUKUDURU
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Sprihaa is a junior pursuing a major in Neuroscience.
She is a research assistant in the Eroglu Lab at Duke and hopes to become a physician scientist.
She loves to dance and has been dancing for 17 years!
ESHA AGARWAL
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Esha is a sophomore majoring in Environmental Health Science.
She is a volunteer at UNC Hospitals and is also interested in entrepreneurship as a part of Innovate Carolina!
She hopes to attend become a physician, and a fun fact about her is that she’s been to Antarctica before!
Sreya Upputuri
ONLINE CONTENT MANAGER
Sreya is a senior pursuing a bachelor’s in Public Health with a major in Environmental Health and minors in Biology and Chemistry. She worked on Carolina Scientific as a copy editor previously and is super excited to continue her role as the online content manager.
She is currently assisting on research investigating the access to gynecologic care within incarceration with the Knittel lab. She is also conducting research with the Brown lab at UNC looking into water treatment and water sanitation.
In her free time she enjoys reading, thrifting, and watching scary movies!
NATALIE DRUFFNER
SECRETARY
Natalie is a sophomore pursuing a BS in Chemistry and BA in Music.
On campus she is currently doing research synthesizing metal oxide nanomaterials for imaging and for aid in organic dye pollutant degradation experiments.
In the future she would love to work in Chemical Engineering with a focus in environmental sustainability.
Fun Fact: She also plays viola in the UNC Symphony Orchestra and volunteers with with Musical Empowerment teaching violin!