Our Current Writers:
Iarina Murasan
Contributing Writer (2023-Present)
Iarina is a U3 Pharmacology student interested in sustainability and new technologies, ethical implications of progress, and everyday drugs (like caffeine and alcohol). Her hobbies (outside of science) include pottery, reading, playing the kalimba, and flower pressing.
Jacob Van Oorschot
Contributing Writer (2024-Present)
Jacob is a Biology graduate student mildly obsessed with evolution and disease. He otherwise enjoys sports and music composition.
Quinnlyn Boyle
Contributing Writer (2024-Present)
Quinnlyn is a U1 Environment student with a concentration in biodiversity and conservation. Outside of class she can be found hiking or studying at a cafe.
Isla Stiff
Contributing Writer (2025-Present)
Isla is a U1 Arts and Science student majoring in Biology and English literature. She is interested in science media and policy, exploring how science is commicated to the public. In her free time she checks out different coffee spots and hangs out with friends.
Lauren Millar
Contributing Writer (2025-Present)
Lauren is a U2 Environment student with a minor in Mathematics. She is passionate about the role of science in environmental policy and communication. In her free time, you can find her strolling around downtown with a friend, trying a new recipe, or hiding out in the library.
Becca Carballal
Contributing Writer (2025-Present)
Becca is a first year student on the Biomedical, Biological, and LIfe Sciences track with a specific interest in molecular biology and genetics. When she’s not busy studying or doing her homework, she spends as much time outside as possible- backpacking, skiing, or just going for a walk.
Sagit Yessim
Contributing Writer (2025-Present)
Sagit is a first-year student majoring in Life Sciences with an interest in everything science-related. Obsessed with soccer and books, they also enjoy writing fiction, poems, and playing chess in their free time.
Flore Devernay
Contributing Writer (2025-Present)
Flore is a U1 Math and Biology student, intertested in math and psychology. In her free time, you can find her painting, looking at pictures of her cats, and testing out the best maple syrup lattes in Montréal.
Parmida Talebi
Contributing Writer (2025-Present)
Parmida is a U1 Anatomy and Cell Biology student, interested in biochemistry and the intersection of science with history. She loves listening to music (especially jazz!), drinking tea, and watching TV shows.
Previous Years’ Contributing Writers
Iarina Murasan
Contributing Writer
U1 Pharmacology
Iarina is a U1 Pharmacology student interested in sustainability and new technologies, ethical implications of progress, and everyday drugs (like caffeine). Hobbies (outside of science): pottery, reading, flower pressing.
Daniela Padres
Contributing Writer
U3 Physiology
Daniela is a U3 student in physiology! She finds everything interesting – the human body is cool – but particularly metabolism, circadian rhythms and cortical plasticity. Has a passion for making science accessible and providing trustworthy information to the public. Loves to bake cookies during exams.
Yolande Smith-Hanson
Contributing Writer
U3 Cognitive Science and Art Hist.
Yolande is a U3 student studying Cognitive Science and Art History interested in the intersections of psychiatry, medical ethics, anthropology, and how our cultural and historical contexts shape how we understand health and disease. Hobbies: piano, reading, running.
Ojas Srivastava
Contributing Writer
U1 Mathematics and Computer Science
Interested in Mathematical Computing, Computer Vision, Networking and all things Computer Science. Ojas’s hobbies include film and reading.
Andrei Li
Contributing Writer
U0 Physics
Andrei Li is a U0 student at McGill. He enjoys cooking, hiking, and reading. His work aims to make science more accessible and enjoyable to all.
Louise Durand
Contributing Writer
U4 Comp Sci
Louise Durand is a U4 student in Comp Sci and biology with an interest in computational genetics and biomedicine. My hobbies include reading, crocheting, and boxing.
Nicole Downar
Contributing Writer
U3 Biology
U3 Biology student interested in the mind-body connection, psychedelic renaissance, neuroscience, bioethics, genetics. Hobbies outside of science; reading, yoga, cooking.
Rama Al Malah
Contributing Writer
U1 Neuroscience
U1 student in Neuroscience.I am interested in politics, history, psychopathology, and behavioural and cognitive neuroscience.
Clementine Ruiz
Contributing Writer
U2 Bioengineering
U2 Bioengineering student with a minor in computer science. I love all things related to biomimetics, point of care diagnostics, data science and mathematics and am generally always excited to explore new topics!
Audrey-Anne Beaudry
Contributing Writer
U2 Neuroscience
Audrey-Anne is a U2 Neuroscience student interested in medical research, psychiatry, computational and behavioural neuroscience, and astronomy. Hobbies: soccer, tennis, reading.
Maria Lagakos
Contributing Writer
U2 Cognitive Science
U2 Cognitive Science student, specializing in neuroscience with a minor in anthropology. Academic interests involve neurophilosophy and evolutionary neuroscience. Also, has a lot of love for all things nature and animals!
Barbara Osypa
Contributing Writer
U2 Immunology
Barbara is a U2 Immunology and Microbiology student with a minor in biotechnology. She is avidly interested in all-things pathology related and how new technologies (such as artificial intelligence) can be integrated effectively and ethically into scientific industries. In her free time, she can be found reading a good book or going to the gym with friends.
Sacha Mitchell
Contributing Writer
U3 Pharmacology
U3 pharmacology student! My research interests include the gut microbiota, IBD, cancer and basically anything related to the gastrointestinal tract. I also dabble into some history and philosophy of science! When I’m not in the lab (all the way up at MCMED…), I’m probably still doing lab things. I love teaching, and look forward to popularizing some current topics!
Nina Anastasia Zevgolis
Contributing Writer
U1 Environment and GIS
Nina is a U1 Environment and GIS student, specializing in Ecological Determinants of Health in Society. Her interests include entomology, ethology, and endocrine disruptor compounds. She’s enthusiastic about exploring micro-terrestrial networks and looks forward to sharing her passion with fellow McGill students. In her free time, you’ll find Nina looking for bugs, reading and playing the cello.
Adam Farhat
Contributing Writer
U1 Physical Therapy
I am a U1 Physical Therapy student who has worked in cell biology, genetics, and evolution labs but am now more interested in methods of rehabilitation, understanding referred pain, and increasing strength and athleticism through movement. Outside of science I like to play basketball, stay in shape, and do some reading.
Note to Previous Contributing Writers
Dear past Contributing Writers, we would like to thank you again for your contributions to our pop-sci blog. If you would like to add, change, or remove your portrait or writer profile visible on this page, we would be happy to do so. Please email msurj.media@gmail.com to inquire about this.
Thank you on behalf of MSURJ and The Abstract‘s team!
The Abstract 