Leadership

VOL. III (2020-2021)

Freddy Benning

Executive Editor

Freddy Benning is a postdoctoral fellow in Molecular Biology at MGH and HMS. She studies how molecular machines create essential features in cells. Freddy has a BSc and MSc degree in Interdisciplinary Sciences from ETH Zurich and a PhD in Structural Biology and Biophysics from the University of Basel. more

She served as an Associate Editor for Volume I and has been an Executive Editor with MIT SPR since then. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor adventures, specifically backcountry skiing, scuba diving, biking, sailing, as well as fencing, soccer, and playing the piano.

Elizabeth Bernhardt

Communications Director

Elizabeth Bernhardt is a graduate student in the Mechanical Engineering department at MIT. Her research investigates the integration of carbon capture with electrochemical conversion to produce value-added fuels and chemicals, and is funded by an NSF Graduate Research Program Fellowship. Outside of research, Elizabeth loves baking, watercolor painting, and exploring nature.

Soumya Kannan

Interviews Director

Soumya Kannan is a PhD candidate in Biological Engineering at MIT. Her research is focused on developing biotechnology tools from microbial systems in Feng Zhang’s lab at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and the McGovern Institute at MIT. more

Prior to becoming Interviews Director at the MIT Science Policy Review, Soumya previously contributed to SPR’s inaugural issue. In her spare time, she plays water polo and enjoys reading.

Grant Knappe

Editor-In-Chief

Grant Knappe is a chemical engineering Ph.D. candidate at MIT. His research is focused on developing chemical methods in DNA nanotechnology for applications in vaccine technology and nanomedicine under Dr. Mark Bathe in the Biological Engineering department. more

Before becoming Editor-in-Chief of the MIT Science Policy Review, Grant served as an author, Executive Editor, and Chief Executive Officer. In his free time, Grant enjoys reading, street photography, and music.

Tim Kostolansky

Co-Technology Director

Timothy Kostolansky is a Co-Technology Director of the MIT Science Policy Review. He is studying physics and computer science and is currently in his second year as an undergraduate. He participates on the MIT basketball team and performs research at LIGO. In his free time, Tim enjoys reading and the outdoors.

Julian Manyika

Co-Technology Director

Julian Manyika is a Co-Technology Director of the MIT Science Policy Review. He is a Bachelor of Science Candidate in Computer Science and a minor in Philosophy, currently in his third year at MIT. Outside of academics, Julian is a member of the MIT varsity basketball team, and enjoys reading and writing short stories.

Kevin McDermott

Executive Editor

Kevin McDermott is a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow serving as an Environment, Science, Technology, and Health Officer at the United States Department of State. Prior to the fellowship, he worked at The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. in Kendall Square as a systems engineer. Kevin served as an Associate Editor for Volume II of MIT SPR. more

He received his Ph.D. in experimental particle physics from Cornell University in 2019. Outside of work, Kevin enjoys cycling, kayaking, hiking, cooking, and video games.

Bertrand Neyhouse

Executive Editor

Bertrand Neyhouse is a PhD student in Chemical Engineering at MIT. His research broadly applies electrochemical engineering principles to advance the development of redox flow batteries with a focus on improving separation strategies for nonaqueous systems.more

Prior to becoming an Executive Editor for the MIT Science Policy Review, Bertrand was an Associate Editor for Volume II. In his free time, Bertrand enjoys nature, travel, cycling, and cooking.

Mahmoud Ramadan

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Mahmoud Ramadan is a mechanical engineering PhD student at MIT. His current research with Prof Ahmed Ghoniem focuses on the  intersection of the electrochemistry and thermochemistry of lithium-based batteries. more

Mahmoud has also participated in activities with the MIT Science Policy Initiative, including advocating for the federal increase of STEM research funding by meeting with congressional offices.

Arjav Shah

Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Arjav Shah is a PhD student in the Department of Chemical Engineering at MIT. Upon completing his doctorate, he will pursue an MBA at MIT Sloan. Currently, his research with Prof. Patrick Doyle and researchers at SMART CAMP is focused on nanopore fingerprinting of microbes to make cell therapies safer. more

In his spare time, Arjav enjoys classical music, nature, and playing cricket.

VOL. II (2020-2021)

Manraj Gill

Grant Knappe

Yana Petri

Jordan Harrod

Tim Kostolansky

Mahmoud Ramadan

Ethan Klein

Julian Manyika

VOL. I (2019-2020)

Hannah Contreras

Ethan Klein

Marla Evelyn Odell

Julian Manyika

Anthony Tabet

Jordan Harrod

Yana Petri