Our History

Duke Vertices is Duke University's premier undergraduate research journal and online science magazine. Established in the early 1980s, we're proud to continue a tradition of science journalism.​ Since the organization's revival in 2018, we've expanded to a hybrid model of science writing and undergraduate academic publishing.

2022-2023 Team

Executive

Julia Davis
President & Editor-in-Chief of Undergraduate Research Journal

Julia (Trinity '24) is a neuroscience major with a minor in Chemistry and a certificate in Science and Society. She is drawn to Vertices because of her passion for scientific communication, which she has enjoyed exploring through basic and clinical research at Duke, as well as the Huang Fellows Program. So far, she has loved working with the peer review team to critically evaluate research manuscripts, while also unpacking the ways medicine, research, and policy are disseminated to broad audiences.

Reed Lessing
Editor-in-Chief of Science Magazine

Reed (Trinity '25) is a sophomore from New York with plans to major in Neuroscience and a certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Outside of Vertices, she coordinates events for NeuroCare (Duke's mental health advocacy group), volunteers as a debate coach in Durham high schools, and serves as a crash cushion for airborne toddlers as a ski instructor.

Sage Cooley
Website Director

Sage (Pratt '25) is a sophomore from Raleigh, North Carolina majoring in mechanical / aerospace engineering. Outside of Vertices, you'll find her working on rocketry with Duke's AERO society, spending time with friends, or going on a nature walk!

AJ Kochuba
Artistic Director

AJ (Trinity ‘25) is a sophomore 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.

Gabrielle Floyd
Social Media & Outreach Director

Gabrielle (Trinity ’25) is a sophomore from Nashville, TN, 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.

Daniel Sul
Treasurer

Daniel (Trinity '24) is a junior majoring in biology on the pre-med track. Daniel was raised in Seoul, South Korea and all over the state of California. On campus, He is involved in clinical volunteering, dream fulfillment for hospice patients, campus ministries and science journalism.

Undergraduate Research Journal

Sasha Bacot
Senior Editor of Undergraduate 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)!

Kaeden Hill
Senior Editor of Undergraduate 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 that it causes. Outside of academics, he loves to hike, travel, ski, scuba dive, collect minerals, and make jewelry.

Science Magazine

Lydia Cox
Senior Editor of Science Magazine

Lydia (Trinity '25) is a sophomore from Charleston, SC, majoring in Biology. She enjoys nature photography, arts and crafts, and game/movie nights with friends!

Katherine Long
Senior Editor of Science Magazine

Katherine (Trinity ‘24) is a junior majoring in biology and chemistry with a concentration in cell and molecular biology. She is passionate about scientific communication and research and is excited to contribute to Vertices as a staff writer and peer reviewer. When she’s not in the lab or doing homework, she loves to paint, hike, and hang out with the Duke cat.

Cathy Xiang
Staff Writer

Cathy (Trinity '25) is a sophomore from Plainsboro, New Jersey hoping 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!

Abby Hjelmstad
Staff Writer

Abby (Trinity '25) is a sophomore majoring in chemistry. When not doing science, she's either dancing ballet, baking, or exploring North Carolina's many hiking trails.