Meet JGH

Introducing the Columbia University-based, Spring 2013 JGH Executive Team

Editor-in-Chief
Amit Saha is a Columbia College junior majoring in biology. His interests range from developmental genetics and immunology to the challenges of building sustainable care-delivery infrastructure in developing nations. As Editor-in-Chief, Amit oversees the major operations of both the print publication and the WiGH? podcast; in addition, he seeks to foster greater cross-curricular dialogue through JGH’s operations in the global health community. Outside of JGH, Amit, a former debater, coaches underserved New York City high school students with Youth for Debate and has a history of research experience at both Columbia and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. In his spare time, Amit regularly endeavors to indulge his interests in East and South Asian cultures, Russian literature, and classical piano.

Managing Editor, Editorial Review Board (ERB)
Dana Neugut is a Columbia College junior majoring in Neuroscience & Behavior and concentrating in Statistics. She is especially interested in healthcare disparities and epidemiology. In addition to editing for JGH, Dana works in Dr. Tory Higgins’ lab investigating the effects of shared reality on perception. She is also involved in the Columbia/Barnard Hillel, where she is an editor for Amud: Columbia Undergraduate Journal of Torah, and volunteers for Souper Troopers, delivering care packages to sick students. In her spare time, Dana enjoys playing chess and crocheting hats.

Managing Editor, JGH Online
Connie Chen is a Columbia College junior majoring in Biology. Her global health interests include traditional and complementary medicine and science education and journalism. As Managing Editor of JGH Online, Connie seeks to maximize the accessibility of JGH Online’s content and interface. Her interest in science communications and love for NPR led her to help conceptualize JGH’s podcast project WiGH?, for which she serves as a creative director. Outside of JGH, Connie’s experience includes research in epigenetic gene regulation and cancer biology and volunteer work at the Ophthalmology Clinic of St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan. In her spare time she enjoys visiting art museums, practicing Chinese, and DJ’ing classical music programs at Columbia’s radio station, WKCR-FM. She is originally from Davis, California.

Executive Editor, Editorial Review Board (ERB)
Frances Cho is a Columbia College sophomore pursuing a major in Neuroscience & Behavior. She is interested in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, examining bioethical issues and studying the role of science in seemingly unrelated fields. Frances has previously conducted research at the Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering, Korea Institute of Science and Technology and the University of California-Los Angeles. She is currently a part of the Student Neurosurgical Team at the Columbia University Medical Center. In addition to JGH, she is the Co-President of the Columbia Neuroscience Society, and gives campus science tours as a part of the Undergraduate Recruitment Committee. In her free time Frances enjoys Zumba and playing the jangoo, a Korean Drum.

Executive Editor, JGH Online
Karen Gambina is a Columbia College junior pursuing a major in Neuroscience and Behavior along with a concentration in Linguistics. She is very interested in the contemporary use of traditional medicine as well as the neural basis of language development. As an Executive Editor of JGH Online, Karen is involved in the management of the production of WiGH? podcasts. Outside of JGH, Karen serves as Secretary of the Columbia Science Review. Karen enjoys learning new languages and making origami in her spare time.

Executive Editor, JGH Online
Cynthia Li is a freshman at Columbia College studying biology. Her interests include bioethics, the effect of globalization on global health, as well as genetics and epidemiology and the interdisciplinary aspects of science research. As an Executive Editor of JGH Online, Cynthia is involved in managing the creation of WiGH? podcasts. Outside of JGH, she is a board member of Columbia University’s Multicultural Business Association and mentors local high school students; she also works in biology lab, researching the role of mRNA regulation in stem cells. In her free time, Cynthia enjoys playing volleyball, watching movies, Chinese painting, and exploring NYC.

Creative Director, JGH Online
Kevin Xu is a junior at Columbia University studying biology and anthropology. He has a background in molecular biology and social theory, and his interests lie at the intersection of biomedicine and social science. Kevin was a founding member of the Journal and served as Editor-in-Chief for the Spring 2012 and Fall 2012 publication cycles. Under Kevin’s leadership, the Journal experienced enormous growth in becoming Columbia’s largest undergraduate-run academic publication, amassing a readership representing over 70 institutions in 25 countries spanning 5 continents. Outside of JGH, Kevin serves as a volunteer coordinator at Queens’ Elmhurst Hospital Center, where he plays cello for patients and works at the adolescent psychiatric ward. Kevin’s other interests include long-distance running, Virginia Woolf novels, and piano.

Senior Editor, Editorial Review Board (ERB)
Kelsey Roberts is a Columbia College sophomore studying biochemistry. She is especially interested in bioethics and epidemiology. Outside of JGH, Kelsey conducts research in recombineering and the genetic basis of biofilm formation at the laboratory of David Figurski at Columbia University Medical Center. She is also involved in Scientists and Engineers for a Better Society’s community outreach movement and volunteers as an art teacher at a local public school. In her free time, Kelsey enjoys reading and painting.

Senior Editor, Editorial Review Board (ERB)
David Gabriel is a sophomore in Columbia College, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior and has specific interests in genetic neurologic disorders and public mental health care. David has worked with JGH for the entirety of his time at Columbia and works with the ERB to help edit, revise and finalize manuscripts for publication. David also works at Columbia’s Department of Psychology, where he studies the neurologic basis of paternal behavior in mice. He is also a coordinator for Advocacy Coalition, helping lead the group’s public assistance efforts in local food pantries. David also enjoys playing tennis, reading and following the Cleveland Browns, Indians and Cavaliers.

Senior Editor, Editorial Review Board (ERB)
Jason Kang is a Columbia Engineering freshman studying Biomedical Engineering with a particular interest in developing treatments for cancers and diseases. He has previously worked with omega-3 fatty acids at the Laboratory for Lipid Medicine and Technology, Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital, and is currently investigating cell communication at the Sia Lab, Columbia University. In addition to editing for JGH, Jason serves as Philanthropy Chair for Lambda Phi Epsilon and Organizational Committee Member for Chinese Students Club. In his free time, Jason enjoys running and playing guitar.

Executive Web Editor, JGH Online
Veronica Li is a Columbia Engineering sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering and minoring in Earth & Environmental Engineering. As Executive Web Editor, she oversees JGH’s web design and development, and fixes the website when it suddenly crashes. Other than JGH, Veronica has participated in Columbia’s Emerging Leaders Program, and currently works at the Columbia clean room as a lab assistant, volunteers for Emerging Leaders in Technology and Engineering, and is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineer’s Columbia chapter. She likes to read, complete puzzles, and listen unabashedly to Korean pop in her free time.

Executive Web Editor, JGH Online
Ponni Vel is a junior at Columbia University majoring in Operations Research: Financial Engineering. As an Executive Web Editor, she is responsible for updating, troubleshooting technical issues, and improving the JGH website’s interface. Beyond JGH, Ponni is an active member of the Barnard-Columbia Flute Choir. Ponni also enjoys cooking, playing board games, learning languages, and watching movies.

Executive Director, Business & Communications Board
Grant King is a sophomore in Columbia College majoring in Biology, and his academic interests lie at the intersection of virology, immunology, and epidemiology. In overseeing the operations of the Business & Communications Board Grant is responsible for securing funding from New York City-based businesses, universities, and nonprofits. Outside of JGH, he works at Columbia University Medical Center, where he studies how the human protein PDZD8 impacts the development of an HIV capsid. Grant also plays tenor saxophone in the Columbia University Marching Band and is an active member of the Columbia Democrats. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and watching Jersey Shore.

Deputy Director, Business & Communications Board
Katherine Jin is a freshman in Columbia College majoring Biology and Political Science. Outside of JGH, she is an intern at Harlem Hospital Center’s emergency department and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital’s trauma center. In addition, Katherine is an active member of Health Leads, Columbia’s Undergraduate Recruitment Committee, Youth for Debate, and the Journal of Politics and Society at Columbia, for which she serves as an Associate Editor. In her free time, Katherine enjoys playing piano and watching Star Trek.

Executive Design Editor
Kay Lodge is a junior in the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) joint program with Columbia University’s School of General Studies. She is majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior at Columbia and Modern Jewish Studies at JTS. As Executive Design Editor, Kay seeks to conceptualize and develop ways to improve JGH’s aesthetic appeal and readability. In addition to her involvement with JGH, Kay is the Executive Design Manager of TEDxColumbiaEngineering. In her spare time, Kay likes to hike and draw.

Executive Design Editor
Casey Tolan is a Columbia College sophomore majoring in Urban Studies. As Executive Design Editor, Casey oversees JGH’s manuscript layout process, conceptualizes each issue’s visual style, and oversees the operations of JGH’s Design and Layout team. In addition to JGH, Casey serves as City News Editor for the Columbia Daily Spectator. A Wisconsin native, Casey enjoys following politics, taking long bike rides, and exploring New York City in his free time.

Executive Design Editor
Esther Jung is a Barnard College sophomore majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior with a minor in Economics. Her interest in global health was stimulated after a recent trip to Peru, where she had volunteered in a rural clinic. As Executive Design Editor, Esther is responsible for advising the JGH Executive Team on the aesthetic and visual appeal of JGH’s website and print issue. Outside of JGH, Esther serves as the blog and photo director of Hoot Magazine, Columbia University’s fashion publication. In her free time, Esther enjoys trying cuisines of different countries, going to art museums, and taking photos.

Executive Publication Strategist
Noah Chodos is a Columbia College sophomore pursuing a major in Biochemistry. His interests include research into the human genome and its applications in the etiology of cancer and various degenerative diseases. Additionally, Noah is interested in the use of genetically modified organisms, such as golden rice, to combat hunger and malnourishment in underdeveloped nations. As Executive Publication Strategist, he focuses on external communication projects and hopes to help JGH reach a broader audience. Outside of JGH, Noah is a member of the cross country/track & field teams at Columbia and the webmaster for Columbia University’s Scientists and Engineers for a Better Society (SEBS) chapter. When he is not in lab or working on a problem set, Noah enjoys playing tennis and venturing outside of Morningside Heights to explore other parts of New York City.