Our Mission
Established in the early 1980s, Vertices is Duke University’s premier student-run science magazine and semesterly undergraduate research journal (read our earliest issues here: Fall 1984, Spring 1985). Our organization aims to spotlight innovative scientific research and news at Duke and beyond. With a diverse team of writers, editors, peer reviewers, artists, website designers, social media managers, and more, we are committed to making science engaging and accessible to all. We hope you join our community of over 100 students and hundreds of international subscribers as we share stories in science that inspire and inform.
2024-2025 Team
Executive Board
President & Editor-in-Chief of Science Magazine
Reed (Trinity ’25) is from New York and is majoring in Neuroscience with a certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Outside of Vertices, she studies neuroimmunology in the Eroglu Lab and coordinates events for NeuroCare (Duke's mental health advocacy group). In her free time, she enjoys hiking at Eno, rating new restaurants on Beli, and serving as a crash cushion for airborne toddlers as a ski instructor.
Co-Editor-in-Chief of Research Journal
Sasha (Trinity ’25) is from South Carolina and plans to major in biology. She loves being a Vertices peer reviewer because it allows her to delve deeper into what she's most passionate about: scientific research! Outside of her work with Vertices, Sasha loves to figure skate, listen to music, and try out all the cool restaurants in Durham (especially for boba)!
Co-Editor-in-Chief of Research Journal
Kaeden (Trinity ’25) is from Atlanta, Georgia and is majoring in biology with a concentration in molecular and cell biology. He is specifically interested in DNA tumor viruses and how their “cellular hijacking” can drive cells towards cancer, and he is a member of the Luftig Lab, studying Epstein-Barr virus and the cancers it causes. Outside of academics, he loves hiking, traveling, skiing, scuba diving, collecting minerals, and making jewelry.
Artistic Director
AJ (Trinity ’25) is from Cary, North Carolina, studying neuroscience, psychology, and visual arts on the pre-med track. AJ is particularly interested in humanities-based approaches to medical practice and research and hopes to enrich the symbiotic relationship between the fields of science and arts. Outside of Vertices, AJ can be found hosting arts- and identity-focused events, competing on the pickleball courts, and performing in dance showcases.
Website Director
Zishen (Trinity ’27) is from Xi’an, Shaanxi, China, planning on majoring in biology and minoring in visual arts on the pre-med track. Zishen is interested in science communication as well as how art and science can be combined. Outside of Vertices, she is a part of the TIRTL Lab studying the immune responses to transplants. She also enjoys volunteering with Help Desk, acting with Duke Chinese Theater, playing ball sports, and exploring new things!
Outreach Director & Staff Writer of Science Magazine
Will (Trinity ’27) is originally from San Jose, California and plans on majoring in Biology. In his free time, he enjoys collecting keychains, playing basketball, and going on walks.
Treasurer & Senior Editor of Research Journal
Eric (Trinity ’26) is from Jacksonville, Florida and is majoring in computer science. Eric is particularly interested in the intersections of computer science with psychiatric medical research. Outside of Vertices, Eric enjoys playing ping-pong, practicing the piano, singing with friends, and playing Mario Kart.
Social Media Director
Gabrielle (Trinity ’25) is from Nashville, TN and is majoring in Public Policy with a Sociology minor and a Markets and Management certificate. Outside of Vertices, she is involved with Duke University Union’s marketing and special events planning. She enjoys playing tennis, nature walks, and collecting keychains.
Community Events Director
Daliya (Trinity ’27) is studying biochemistry and applied ethics on the premed track. Outside of Vertices, she is passionate about music, research, reading, and running track.
Undergraduate Research Journal
Senior Editor
Vishruth (Trinity ’27) is from Allentown, Pennsylvania and plans to major in neuroscience. He loves doing research in the lab, and he joined Vertices because he can read other people’s work and help them publish the best possible version of their projects. Outside of Vertices, Vishruth also loves to play basketball and try new foods!
Senior Editor
Eliza (Trinity ’26) is from New York and is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Global Health. She is interested in clinical and social psychology, specifically the intersections and variance of psychopathology among differing backgrounds and experiences. At Duke, she is the Lab Manager for the Culture Lab and a Research Assistant for the Zucker Lab. Outside of research, she enjoys biking, reading, and spending time with her friends.
Science Magazine
Senior Editor
Lydia (Trinity ’25) is from Charleston, SC and is majoring in Biology. She enjoys nature photography, arts and crafts, and game/movie nights with friends!
Senior Editor
Ashleigh (Trinity ’26) is from North Carolina and is majoring in Neuroscience. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, baking, reading, and painting pottery.
Senior Editor
Grace (Trinity ’26) is from Minneapolis, MN and majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Spanish. Outside of Vertices, Grace studies astrocytes in the Eroglu Lab, plans events for the Duke Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, and enjoys watching movies, exploring Durham, and spending time with her friends.
Staff Writer
Cathy (Trinity ’25) is from Plainsboro, New Jersey and hopes to major in Global Health and Biology on the pre-med track. She is excited to help provide an accessible platform on science news and research through Vertices!
Staff Writer
Carlota (Trinity ’27) is from Barcelona, Spain and majoring in physics and mathematics with a minor in political science. Outside of class, she is interested in a variety of sports, watching good documentaries, and going to the beach.
Staff Writer
Ainsley (Trinity ’26) is from New York, NY and majoring in Biology with a concentration in Cell & Molecular Biology. Beyond her interest in scientific writing, Ainsley researches starvation resistance and metabolism in C. elegans in the Baugh Lab and loves to try Wilson workout classes and visit the Arts Annex with her friends.
Staff Writer
Michelle (Trinity ’27) is from Rockville, MD and majoring in Biology on the pre-med track. Outside of Vertices, Michelle researches the implications of IL-33 in HER2+ breast cancer metastasis in the Cancer Initiation and Cancer Cell Behavior Lab. In her free time, she enjoys running, biking, and hiking, as well as trying out new restaurants in the Triangle!
Staff Writer
Sophia (Trinity ’27) is from New Jersey, majoring in Biology with a Decision Sciences certificate and a Computational Biology minor. Beyond Vertices, Sophia studies biomaterial platforms in the Collier Lab. Outside of class, she loves watching movies and helps projects them for DUU.
Staff Writer
Gage (Trinity ’28) is from Austin, Texas and is majoring in neuroscience with minors in art history and chemistry. Outside of Vertices, he studies optogenetics in the Mooney neurobiology lab and eating disorders in the Duke Center for Eating Disorders Lab. He also organizes events for Duke's National Alliance on Mental Illness as its Executive Publicity Officer. In his free time, he enjoys thrifting at local stores, collecting vinyl, ranking cafes, and writing art descriptions and visual analyses for incarcerated artists' works through the local Impartial non-profit.
Staff Writer
Arjun Saha Choudhury (Pratt '28) is from New Jersey and is majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science. Outside of Vertices, he likes to play piano, listen to music, and play table tennis with friends.
Staff Writer
Harry (Trinity ’27) is from New York City and is pursuing the field of medicine while majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. He enjoys engaging with science through Vertices and through research at the Sanders Lab in the Department of Neurology. He also enjoys practicing and performing music and playing sports with friends.
Staff Writer
Jaemin (Trinity '28) is originally from New York City and plans on majoring in Mathematics with a certificate in Health Policy. Beyond his interest in scientific writing, Jaemin researches antibiotic resistance and bacterial community dynamics in the You Lab and loves to sing and play Among Us with his friends.
Staff Writer
Ruth (Trinity ’28) is from Mooresville, North Carolina and plans on majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and Music on the pre-med track. Outside of class, Ruth enjoys playing piano, scrapbooking, listening to music, and hanging out with friends.