The Team
Who We Are
Ishani Bakshi
Founder & Editor in Chief
Ishani Bakshi is a current freshman at Edison High STEM, and is interested in exploring the crossroads of STEM and humanities, which can be seen in her participation in an array of clubs (Model UN, NHD, Math Team, etc.). Outside of ScienceNow, she is a tutor/team lead at Schoolhouse.world, a member of Frank Pallone Youth Advisory Council, and a founder of a non-profit which aims to empower female professionals. In her free time, she likes to pour over books, with her favorites being "Normal People," "The Catcher in the Rye," and "Legendborn."
Aayushi Juthani
Founder & Editor in Chief
Aayushi Juthani is currently a freshman at JP Stevens High School and co-founder of Science Now. She is involved in clubs like Model UN, Hawkeye, Quiz Bowl, and Junior State of America. Outside of school, she is almost always listening to Taylor Swift, gushing over a 90s romantic comedy, or attempting to haphazardly follow along with a baking tutorial!
Berkay Yilmaz
Director of Outreach
Berkay is a writer in the astrophysics section and a freshman at John P Stevens High School. He has been fascinated by STEM since a young age and outside of school runs track, participates in various clubs, and loves making and listening to music.
Nainika Majumdar
Director of Social Media
Nainika Majumdar is one of our interview writers at Science Now. As one of the student officers at her school's Model United Nations club, she loves public speaking and studying current events. With a clear passion for leadership as well as the visual arts, Nainika also enjoys teaching young dancers at her dance studio where she dances as a member of the pre-professional dance company, Dance Reflections. Aside from that, Nainika describes herself as an avid Grey's Anatomy fan, Pinterest addict, and music lover.
Reyna Robinson
Director of Layout
Reyna Robinson is currently a Sciences Staff Writer and joined the Science Now team in 2022. Aside from writing for the newspaper, Reyna is heavily involved in clubs such as Model United Nations, Mock Trials, Junior State of America, and Student Council. In her freetime, she enjoys reading and traveling to new places.
Sai Bura
Director of Communications
Sai Bura is freshman at JP Stevens High School, who hopes to combine his interests through his work at Science Now. When not researching behind his laptop, Sai can be found reading a good book, cooking for his family, debating in Model UN, or practicing his flute.
Dhruhi Patel
Staff Writer
Dhruhi Patel is a freshman at J.P Stevens High School and she seeks to pursue environmental engineering in college. She loves spending time in nature and cycling in her free time.
Sanjana Veludandi
Staff Writer
Sanjana is currently a junior at John. P Stevens Highschool who's working toward establishing a medical career. She enjoys learning about new scientific discoveries and is truly excited to contribute to this newspaper.
Mia Zhong
Staff Writer
Mia Zhong is a current writer for Science Now and a junior at John P Stevens High School. She enjoys participating in the school newspaper (Hawkeye), Science Olympiad, HOSA, and the band, as well as drawing and spending time with her dog.
Anushmita Dey
Staff Writer
Anushmita Dey is a current writer for Science Now and a junior at John P. Stevens High School. At school, she is involved in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), HOSA, and is an active member in the band program. In her free time she enjoys playing the flute, dancing and reading.
HONG CHENG
Staff Writer
Hong Cheng is currently a junior at JP Stevens. He is thoroughly interested in psychology and is willing to commit to the cognitive science department of Science Now!
NIKHI KAMARAJUGADDA
Staff Writer
Nikhi is a freshman at Woodbridge Academy Magnet School and is very passionate about biology and psychology. Her hobbies include music (specifically singing), crocheting, and taekwondo.
AAKASH GUNTUMADUGU
Staff Writer
Aakash Guntumadugu is currently a sophomore at John P Stevens High School and a writer for the Science Now newsletter. He is a member of the John P Stevens marching/concert band, HOSA, and key club. He also enjoys playing volleyball and has played for the freshman team.
Ainie Syed
Staff Writer
Ainie Syed is a staff writer in the Biochemistry section of ScienceNow, and a freshman at Edison High STEM. When not in the lab, Ainie can be found playing volleyball or running the track. Outside of sports, she enjoys participating in Model UN.
DEEPESH CHINTA
Staff Writer
Deepesh Chinta is a writer, producer, and speaker based in Edison, New Jersey. From childhood he was always intrigued by shows like "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" and many of Washington D.C.'s famous National Geographic museums, but also enjoys other forms of science like tech and physics. As a member of ScienceNow, Deepesh hopes to spread his love for space and astrophysics through his writing and passionate messages. While he is currently a writer for ScienceNow, he's also a keen saxophonist, debater, and loves to look back upon the Earth's many monumental accomplishments.
Shreeya Phadke
Staff Writer
Hi! My name is Shreeya Phadke, and I'm a Current News Writer. I am a writer with the JPS Hawkeye and a member of HOSA and the Research Society. In my spare time, enjoy playing the piano and the flute and I am an avid reader.
DIYA RANJAN
Staff Writer
Hello, my name is Diya and I am a freshman in high school. I have a big interest in research and medical law and also competitively fence. I love writing for this newsletter as it provides me a way to research and learn more about topics that fascinate me, and also use them further. I also love listening to music and dancing.
Magaly Mendoza
Staff Writer
Hi! My name is Magaly Mendoza and I am currently a junior at Midwood High School. I am interested in biology, chemistry and environmental science. I have a keen interest in academia and scientific research. I enjoy volunteering at multiple nonprofits and being a member of the Environmental Conservation and BioMed Society at my school. In my free time I enjoy listening to Taylor Swift, reading and baking some delicious treats!
Tom Catuosco
Staff Writer
Tom Catuosco is currently a sophomore at Middlesex County Academy in Edison, New Jersey. He is a member of several clubs, such as Science Olympiad, Quiz Bowl, and FBLA. He enjoys drawing, walking, and reading about current events in his free time. He is fascinated by research in multiple fields, including the sciences, and is thrilled to work with the ScienceNow team.
Brialis Phan
Staff Writer
Brialis Phan is currently a junior at Toms River High School North. She is involved in many different extracurricular activities (Medical Club, Active Minds, Student Council, etc.) and loves keeping busy! She is excited to delve into her love of STEM deeper through being a part of ScienceNow. When Brialis is not busy staying after school or studying for school, she is either playing video games, reading, writing, or trying to learn how to crochet or play guitar.
Pragya Adupa
Staff Writer
Pragya Adupa is a staff writer in the Biochemistry section of ScienceNow and joined in 2023. She loves cats, reading, and learning about the human body. Pragya enjoys baking, archery, and laughing at memes in her free time. At school, she participates in Latin Club, Fiber Arts Alliance, and Project Sunshine.
Elizabeth Wagasky
Staff Writer
Elizabeth Wagasky is a currently homeschooled sophomore. She hopes to find a way to combine her interests in political science and STEM in a way that will allow her to positively impact others. Her recent extracurriculars include participating in the Virtual NSLI-Y Winter 2023 Turkish program and volunteering at her local library. In her free time she loves to crochet, read books, write letters to her penpals, or take her new puppy on walks. An avid lover of learning languages, she is currently learning Korean, Spanish, and Turkish and hopes to study abroad someday.
Alexa Seltzer
Staff Writer
I am Alexa Seltzer, a sophomore in high school living in New York City. I am very interested in psychology and neuroscience. I enjoy solving puzzles, playing sodoku, and playing soccer. I am very intrigued by books and like learning new things.
Jade Firlie
Staff Writer
Hi! I am a junior at Pine View School and a staff writer in the Biochemistry section of ScienceNow. I am extremely passionate about mathematics and science research. I am treasuer of my class' student council, as well as a member of HOSA, Chemistry Olympiad, Science Olympiad, and Math Modeling. In my free time, I enjoy painting, reading, and running cross-country!
Meenakshi Viswanadha
Staff Writer
I am aspiring healthcare professional aiming to mitigate misinformation, bridge the gap between information and comprehensibility, and serve my community and expand my impact through my involvement in this initiative!
Shannon Zhang
Staff Writer
Freshman at JPS
Preetham Sridhara
Staff Writer
Preetham Sridhara is a freshman at JP Stevens High School and is passionate about technology, and the advancements that have been made, are yet to be made to improve the lives of many. When he is not stressing about Biology or Math, he spends most of his time watching tv, playing chess or soccer, and occasionally reading a few books.
Devang Jain
Staff Writer
Hi, my name is Devang Jain and I am currently a freshmen at Woodbridge Academy Magnet School. Some of my hobbies are reading, dancing, cooking, and hanging out with friends and family. I am very passionate about topics in science and I want to pursue them in the future as a career. I enjoy to play video games whenever I have time and always make sure to have time to talk to friends and family throughout my week.
Darshita Gowda
Staff Writer
Darshita is currently a sophomore at Ryan International School, India whose deeply passionate for STEM, focusing on Health, Medicine and Sustainability. Being a student at daytime, and a writer by night time has allowed her to combine her academic pursuits with her hobby of writing. When not indulged in STEM, she spends her time playing the guitar, playing badminton, working out and participating in MUN conferences.
