Events and News
May 2025
We had the largest cohort of students graduate this year from our Notation programs! Five from the Notation in Cultural Rhetorics and thirty three from the Notation in Science Communication. We wish the following Notation graduates a warm "congratulations" for all of their excellent work!
Notation in Cultural Rhetorics Graduates
- Imgard Bonheur, BS in Design
- Hannah Cha, BS in Symbolic Systems, Minor in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity, Minor in Art Practice
- Megan Di Russo, BA in Sociology
- Dora Plascencia-Macias, BA in Sociology, Minors in Human Rights and Spanish
- Saimary Velazquez Carrasquillo, BA in Anthropology & BA in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity
Notation in Science Communication Graduates
- Maria Albuquerque, BS in Materials Science, Minor in Creative Writing
- Lily Amaturo, BS in Human Biology, Minor in Theater and Performance Studies
- Leo Andrade, BS in Human Biology
- Aya Aziz, BS in Human Biology
- Joanna Baker, BS in Biology, Minor in Art Studio
- Diego Bustamante, BS in Chemical Engineering
- Kimberly Cheung, BS in Biology
- Muhammad Dhafer, BA in Economics, Minor in Data Science & MS in Computer Science
- Katie Dimock, BS in Human Biology
- Lizzie Drelichman, BS in Human Biology
- Koree French, BS in Human Biology, Minor in Creative Writing
- Alyssa Fong, BS in Biomedical Computation, Minor in Informatics
- Lucien Gandarias, BS in Physics
- Kalissa Greene, BA in Data Science and Social Systems & BA in Political Science
- Maya Green, BS in Biology with Honors
- Kamdin Gutierrez, BS in Physics (astrophysics) & BA in Comparative Literature (traditional lore and natural philosophy)
- Emma Klemperer, BS in Biology, with a focus on ecology and evolution, and BA in Archaeology
- Anastazja Krostenko, BS in Earth Systems, Biosphere track
- Ryann Neushul, BS in Human Biology, Minor in Spanish
- Maya Passmore, BS in Biology with Honors
- Giannka Picache, BS & MS in Mechanical Engineering
- Anika Quon, BS in Earth Systems, Minor in Data Science
- Shreya Ramachandran, BS in Human Biology
- Angelica Ramirez, BS in Human Biology
- Lauren Rose Reyes, BS in Human Biology with Honors
- Elena Sierra, BS in Electrical Engineering & MS in Computer Science
- Brydie Sigg, BS in Earth Systems
- Kevin Song, BS & MS in Computer Science
- Sofia Tosoni, BS in Bioengineering
- Maryam Tsegaye, BS in Symbolic Systems, Minor in Music
- Noelle Villanueva, BS in Science Technology and Society
- Devy Weir, BS in Earth Systems
- Maya Xu, BS in Biology with Honors, Minor in Education
We celebrated our students at a graduation ceremony on May 16th. You can view short videos of their ePortfolios in this playlist on YouTube.
April 2025
Writing a History of US Mental Health Diagnoses - With or Without the NIH: A Discussion with Dr. Lisa Mendelman
April 8, 2025 | 3:30PM-5:00PM | CERAS 101
How have the rapidly changing realities of scientific research in the US impacted science-adjacent work in the health humanities? Dr. Lisa Mendelman is at work on her second book, about the intersectional histories of popular mental health diagnoses in the early twentieth-century US. She is Associate Professor of English and Digital Humanities at Menlo College, a recent applicant for NIH funding, and a former recipient of NEH and NSF funding for this project. A combined NSC and NCR event. Free and open to the public.
March 2025
NSC Alumni Panel: March 5, 2025 | 4:30-6:00 PM | Zoom
What do a journalist at the Bay Nature Institute, a PhD student and Communication Fellow in MIT’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, and a MD/PhD student in the UCLA-Caltech Medical Science Training Program have in common? They all graduated with a Notation in Science Communication! Join us for our annual NSC alumni panel! We've invited several recent Stanford grads to tell us how they use science communication skills they developed in the NSC to build successful real-world careers. Email notationsc@stanford.edu for Zoom link.
February 2025
Downloadathon 2025: February 18, 2025 | 4:30 - 6:30 PM | Thornton 210
Come learn how to archive the web content that matters to you and your communities at Stanford and beyond! At this joint NCR and NSC event, we'll talk about the incredible tools of the Internet Archive and Wayback Machine (with our Notation ePortfolios in mind), and practice preserving at-risk digital materials. Pizza and baked goods provided!
November 2024
Two Workshops with Lauren Oakes: November 6, 2024 | 1:30PM and 5:00PM | Bldg 300-300 and O'Donohue Ed Farm
Please join us for a very special pair of Notation in Science Communication workshops with scientist and writer Dr. Lauren E. Oakes, to mark the release of her latest book Treekeepers: The Race for a Forested Future! Details and RSVP info.
October 2024
The Digication Scholars podcast interviewed Brittany Linus, a recent graduate from the Notation in Cultural Rhetorics program. She talks about her journey as a student and the role of ePortfolios in her education and scholarship. Watch the interview on Youtube.
September 2024
September 24, 2024 | 4:30 - 6:00 PM | East Oval Grove
Notations Pizza Party! Join us for our annual welcome back to campus party for both Notation in Cultural Rhetorics and Notation in Science Communication students. Come hungry and ready to share / listen to some good stories! We'll be meeting in the picnic tables between the Oval and Lathrop.
June 2024
Nineteen students graduated this year from Notation programs. Six from the Notation in Cultural Rhetoric, our first graduating cohort, and thirteen from the Notation in Science Communication. We wish the following Notation graduates a warm "congratulations" for all of their excellent work!
Notation in Cultural Rhetorics Graduates
- “Temi” Temiloluwa Babalola, BSH in Science, Technology, and Society and a Minor in Global Studies
- Ashton Berg, BA in Communication
- Susan Lee,BA in Political Science
- Briana Maytee García, B.A.H. and M.A. in English
- Brittany Ozioma (“Ozi”) Linus, BAH in African & African American Studies and a Minor in Digital Humanities
- Emily Rodriguez, BA in Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity
Notation in Science Communication Graduates
- Mia Celeste Cano, BS in Engineering Physics
- Brianna Gamble, BS in Human Biology
- Shreya Garg, BS in Bioengineering
- Emily Gurwitz, BS in Biology
- Dylan Hyun, BS in Biology
- Tatum La, BS in Human Biology
- Megan Loh, BS in Physics with Honors
- Ivy Manna, BA with Honors in Economics and Psychology and a Minor in Data Science and Master of Arts in Public Policy with a concentration in International & National Security Policy
- Ella Norman, BA in Human Biology
- Annie Ostojic, BS in Electrical & Biomedical Engineering and Entrepreneurship (Individually Designed Major in Engineering) and an MS in Electrical Engineering
- Aiyana Washington, BS in Earth Systems and a Minor in Theater and Performance Studies
- Valeria Alejandra Vega Yañez, BS in Earth Systems
- Sarah Yribarren, BS in Chemical Engineering
Read more about all of the graduates in the June 2024 Student Spotlight.
May 2024
May 29, 2024
From NSC students and managing editors Tanvi Dutta Gupta and Aiyana Washington: "We're so excited to invite you to the LAUNCH of the second (!!!) volume of Fronds, our Stanford anthology of EJ storytelling! We've gathered work from 24 fabulous storytellers and artists from the Stanford community, across generations, schools, and disciplines, but all building beautiful, heart-stopping narratives of what an environmentally just future could look like. We're so excited to share the published book that collects their creations, and we want to celebrate their art with you. Join us at the O'Donohue Family Farm, Wednesday, May 29, at 6 PM for an evening of storytelling, music, and delicious food - as well as the chance to get your very own copies of the anthology. Contributors from Fronds will be sharing their pieces and there'll also be an open mic for anyone who wants to join in the art-making!
May 23, 2024
In a world where multi-national factories may move anywhere while workers remain stuck, what happens when women in Tijuana fight back? It is with great excitement that we invite you to the screening of Maquilapolis, an especially personal and fascinatingly styled documentary about the terrible conditions of people who work in the factories belonging to multinationals on the Mexican-American border. This screening will include free food, interactive activities, and a panel discussion with the filmmaker and voices from our Stanford community.
May 9, 2024
What does it mean to move from The Fam to The Farm, to seek out new homes and foundations, and then to leave even those behind? What are the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of Stanford students who live at multiple intersections? Seniors tell true stories live on the theme "Changing Places" at the NCR's second annual Senior Story Jam! Nitara Connally, Kyla Figueroa, and inaugural NCR grads Ashton Berg and Briana Maytee Garcia will take to the stage. Students can put their name in the hat for a chance to tell their stories as well.
April 2024
April 17th
In this dynamic workshop, participants practiced the skills and mindsets that fuel effective collaboration and communication. These included: listening, building on the ideas of others, turning mistakes into new opportunities, trusting our ideas, and using storytelling as effective communication.
The workshop was led by Collective Capital, a change and innovation consultancy based in San Francisco and New York City, facilitated by Austin Meyer and Zoe Novic. Austin is a Stanford graduate and documentary filmmaker who has reported on planetary health issues around the world, and Zoe is a public health advocate working with California hospitals.
April 9th
NSC student Aya Aziz published an article in The Stanford Daily about Stanford doctors developing the first FDA-approved gene-editing treatment. Aya first worked on this article for her public audience text in Meg Formato's Intro to Science Communication course. Congrats to Aya and Meg!
December 2023
December 31st
NSC coordinator Emily Polk, along with her PWR colleagues Christine Alfano and Jennifer Stonaker, published an article on the NSC titled "Science Communication across Disciplines: Reflecting on STEM Identity Building through Notation in Science Communication ePortfolios." Read the open access article.
December 7th
The NSC, along with the Environmental Justice Working Group, Stanford Storytelling Project, and Notation in Cultural Rhetorics hosted a night of EJ storytelling to celebrate the release of Fronds: a Stanford EJ Anthology. Dinner, warm beverages, community and cozy vibes were provided.
October 2023
October 16th
The NSC with Dr. Kevin Moore and the PWR99A ePortfolio class hosted Dr. Monica Gandhi for a guest talk and book reading. Dr. Gandhi is a renowned professor of medicine and associate division chief of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine at UCSF and a prolific writer. She talked about her new book, ENDEMIC, and shared some of her experiences on the frontlines of science communication. Lane History Corner, Room 200-034
October 5th
An opening reception was held for the exhibit, Embodied Knowledge: Women and Science Before Silicon Valley. From the website: "This exhibit explores the long history of women pursuing scientific, medical, and technical knowledge from the Middle Ages through the mid-twentieth century. It showcases Stanford’s considerable holdings for this subject, including the role of our own university in this history." Former NSC coordinator Dr. Meg Shields Formato and several NSC students collaborated on this project. Dr. Formato and NSC student Maryam Tsegaye are pictured below, along with a 17th century book of poems on atomism that Maryam studied and wrote the label for. Also pictured is Mia Cano's contribution to the exhibit catalog, a survey of women in science and engineering at Stanford from 1891 - 1905.
June 2023
June 18
Sixteen students graduated this spring with their Notation in Science Communication. We wish the following NSC graduates a warm "congratulations" for all of their excellent work!
- Namitha Alexander, B.S. in Biology
- Evan Baldonado will be conferring his degrees next year with anMS and BS in Computer Science, a Minor in Environmental Justice, and a Minor in Human Rights
- Trevor Cambron, B.C. in Earth Systems
- Kelly Dunn, B.S. and M.S. in Earth Systems
- Tanvi Dutta Gupta, B.S. in Biology and a Minor in Computer Science
- Sonja Hansen, B.S. in Earth Systems
- Alana Hernandez, B.A. in Human Biology and Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity
- Jackie Lu, B.S. in Human Biology
- David Ludeke, M.S. in Computer Science and a B.S. in Environmental Systems Engineering
- Aisling Murran, B.S. in Biology (Ecology and Evolution track) with Honors and a Minor in Computer Science
- Sarah Olmstead, B.S. with Honors in Human Biology
- Hayden Frank Reynoso, B.S. in (neuro)Biology
- Brendan Sorrell, B.S. in Computer Science
- Lexi Straube, B.S. with Honors in Human Biology: Neurobiology, Behavior, and Health
- Aspen Stuart-Cunningham, B.S. in Physics
- Nadin Tamer, B.S. in Computer Science and a Minor in Education
Read more about the graduates in the June 2023 Student Spotlight.
June 3
Students from PWR 91JSA: Communicating Science in Public Spaces presented the exhibition they've developed on the history, plants, and caretakers of the Arizona Cactus Garden.
May 2023
The Notation in Cultural Rhetorics was profiled in the Stanford Report. Read the article here!
March 2023
Alumni from the Notation in Science Communication program spoke to current students and Stanford community members at a panel on March 1st. They spoke about how they use the science communication skills they cultivated in the NSC to build successful careers in public service, environmental communication, healthcare, and educational technology. View a recording of the event.
February 2023
February 23rd
NSC senior Sonja Hansen performed an hour long stand-up set for her Earth Systems Capstone on young adulthood and the climate crisis titled "Swimming in my Grandmother."
February 15th
On February 15th, the Notation in Science Communication co-hosted "Writing the Mountains, Trees and Air.” The event featured Stanford scientist-authors Rob Jackson, Lauren E. Oakes, and Richard Nevle, who shared their books, poems, and more.
February 14-15th
NCR student Briana Garcia hosted poet Jimmy Santiago Baca for a series of events including a film screening, poetry workshop, and poetry reading.
NSC student Tanvi Dutta Gupta published an op-ed in The Stanford Daily titled "Why Stanford's sustainability school needs environmental justice art."
February 2nd
On February 2nd, from 6:00-7:30PM, the Notation in Cultural Rhetorics hosted "The Long Game," a special symposium on student-athlete culture and identity. The event featured former student athletes: William Broussard, PhD, Deborah Bjonerud, Alex Massialas, Racine Davis, and Ben Williams. NCR Coordinator Dr. Harriett Jernigan moderated.
View a recording of the symposium.
January 2023
NSC graduate Vrinda Suresh co-authored a blog post on ocean science policy, titled "What the BBNJ negotiations could mean for the ocean’s ‘twilight zone’" that was published on the Environmental Defense Fund's website.
December 2022
The SF Chronicle published NSC student Annie Ostojic's op-ed on December 15, 2022. The article, titled “Medical Deepfake Disinformation is Coming. We Aren’t Ready,” is based on work Annie conducted for her PWR 2 RBA in Kevin Moore's Propaganda and Rhetoric class. In the article, Annie discusses the implications of the potential loss of the “epistemic backstop” in biomedicine.
November 2022
November 11: Music at the Farm: A Conversation with Okaidja Afroso
Please join us for an informal gathering of community at Stanford’s magical O’Donohue Family Farm to meet Ghanaian musician and composer Okaidja Afroso. The Portland-based artist draws from the ecological knowledge of the Indigenous Gadangme fishermen of Ghana’s Atlantic Gulf of Guinea to grapple with what it means to commune with the spirits of the sea in the face of climate change and modernization.
This event is co-presented by the Environmental Justice Working Group, the Notations in Science Communication and Cultural Rhetorics, the Center for African Studies, and Stanford Live.
October 2022
October 3 - 28: Application Open for NCR and NSC
Applications for both the NCR and NSC are due no later than October 28th by 5 PM.
September 2022
September 28: Notations Pizza Party
The Notation in Cultural Rhetorics and the Notation in Science Communication had a joint pizza party to kick off the new year on September 28th. Thanks to all the students and other supporters of the notations who stopped by to say hello!
June 2022
Seven students graduated this spring with their Notation in Science Communication. We wish the following NSC graduates a warm "congratulations" for all of their excellent work!
- May Aye, Environmental Systems Engineering (awarded Notation with Distinction)
- Citlali Blanco, Human Biology (awarded Notation with Distinction)
- Joshua Buchi, Human Biology
- Natalie Cross, Earth Systems
- Trudie Grattan, Human Biology B.S. and Earth Systems M.A.
- Vrinda Suresh, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (awarded Notation with Distinction)
- Nuzhah Tarsoo, Earth Systems
Read more about the graduates in the June 2022 Student Spotlight.
May 2022
May 9 - May 23: NSC Spring Application Cycle
Applications to join the Notation in Science Communication are due by 5PM on May 23rd. After the 23rd, you can continue to apply on a rolling basis. See the NSC Application Process page for more information.
April 2022
April 22, 2022 - Teach 2022 Conference Plenary
Join the NSC Class of 2022 and NSC Coordinator Emily Polk for a plenary panel discussion at the Teach 2022 Sustainable Teaching and Learning conference on April 22, 2022.
April 4 - April 18: NCR Spring Application Cycle
Applications to join the Notation in Cultural Rhetorics are due by 5PM on April 18th. After the 18th, you can continue to apply on a rolling basis. See the NCR Application Process page for more information.
March 2022
Notation student Evan Baldonado was featured in a Stanford Report article about the new environmental justice minor offered by the Earth Systems Program and the new Earth school focused on climate and sustainability.
Image Credit: Omar Baldonado
February 2022
February 25th - Dimensions of Asian and Asian American Rhetorics
Presented by the Notation in Cultural Rhetorics, the Program in Writing and Rhetoric, and the Asian American Activities Center (A3C), this panel discussion explores what the study of rhetoric looks like in the context of Asian and Asian American experiences. PWR Faculty Director Adam Banks will be joined by Professors Haivan Hoang, Rory Ong, and Jennifer Sano-Franchini.
February 23rd - NSC Alumni Panel
Join us for our first NSC Alumni Panel (over Zoom) on February 23rd from 5:30-7 p.m. PST! Former NSC students will share what they did after graduation, how science communication informs their lives and their advice and guidance for current students.
If you'd like to view a recording of the event, please email the NSC coordinator at notationsc@stanford.edu.
November 2021
Join us as we officially kickoff the Notation in Cultural Rhetorics program with a special panel and discussion on Dimensions of Mexican American Rhetoric on Friday, November 5th at 1:00. PWR Faculty Director Adam Banks will be joined by Professors Gabriela Rios from University of Colorado Boulder, Aja Martinez from University of North Texas, and Jaime Mejia from Texas State University.
June 2021
Eight students graduated this spring with their Notation in Science Communication. We wish the following NSC graduates a warm "congratulations" for all of their excellent work!
- Margot Bellon, Biology and Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (awarded Notation with Distinction)
- Alan Brantley, Engineering | Product Design
- Wajih Chaudhry, History
- Osanna Drake, Earth Systems
- Jordan Ferre, Earth Systems
- Kate LeBlanc, Biology (awarded Notation with Distinction)
- Ilham Osman, Human Biology
- Noam Ringach, Mathematics (awarded Notation with Distinction)
Read more about the graduates in the June 2021 Student Spotlight.
June 2020
Seventeen students graduated this spring with their Notation in Science Communication. We wish the following NSC graduates a warm "congratulations" for all of their excellent work!
- Rachel Anders, Human Biology (awarded Notation with Distinction)
- Laura Anderson, Biology (awarded Notation with Distinction)
- Lea Bourgade, Human Biology (awarded Notation with Distinction)
- Mikaela Brewer, Human Biology and Minor in Creative Writing
- Jordan Brinn, Environmental Systems Engineering
- Alexandre Bucquet, Mathematical and Computational Science (awarded Notation with Distinction)
- Niza Contreras, Earth Systems (awarded Notation with Distinction)
- Robel Daniel, Computer Science and Political Science
- Audrey Elliot, Human Biology (awarded Notation with Distinction)
- Soraya Fereydooni, Biology
- Redeat Gebeyehu, Human Biology
- Rebecca Nelson, Biology (awarded Notation with Distinction)
- Mailo Numazu, Human Biology (awarded Notation with Distinction)
- Nana Peterson, Biology (awarded Notation with Distinction)
- Amelia Traylor, Biomechanical Engineering (awarded Notation with Distinction)
- Jenny M. Vo-Phamhi, BAH in Classics and BS in Computer Science
- Zheng Yan, Computer Science
Read more about the graduates in the June 2020 Student Spotlight.
Continue reading about events and news from 2015-2019 in the Events and News Archive.