Meet the Team

Editor-in-Chief

Meenakshi Ambati

Meenakshi Ambati is a junior majoring in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and is a Hahn and Global Health Studies scholar. As Editor-in-Chief of the Yale Undergraduate Research Journal, Meenakshi oversees all aspects of the journal including the editorial process, student outreach, finances, and final publication/distribution.

Together with the YURJ team, she hopes to expand the platform for undergraduate researchers at Yale and beyond to share their work and engage in meaningful scholarly activities. In her free time, she enjoys making pottery, painting landscapes, performing research in immunology and corporate sustainability, and encouraging scientific curiosity and engagement among young students.

Administrative Team

Andrew Beingessner

Managing Editor - Social Sciences
Andrew is a junior studying Ethics, Politics, & Economics. Originally from Calgary, Canada, he is broadly interested in the social sciences, with emphases in political economy, behaviour, and methodology. To those ends, he has served as a research assistant at Yale and other institutions. Andrew is pleased to work with student researchers in any of the social-scientific disciplines to publish rigorous, innovative, and impactful research.
Areeb Gani

Managing Editor - STEM
Hi! My name is Areeb, and I'm a sophomore at Yale University pursuing a CS + Applied Math double major. I'm deeply passionate about computer science, machine learning, and medicine, which I've explored through research experiences at the intersection of these fields. I'm currently the managing editor of the STEM group at YURJ. In my spare time, I love to play/follow soccer (I even have a few signed jerseys) and watch movies (especially Shutter Island).
Alistair Lam

Managing Editor - Humanities
Alistair Lam is a sophomore majoring in Cognitive Science from Hong Kong. As Managing Editor for Humanities of the Yale Undergraduate Research Journal, Alistair oversees the editorial process, from obtaining submissions and finding reviewers to selecting and revising papers for publication. In working with the team of Associate Editors, he hopes to bring original scholarship by undergraduates to a wider audience and inspire new research ideas. Outside of YURJ, Alistair conducts genetics research in the Cooley Lab at the Yale School of Medicine, sings in the Yale Glee Club, and writes poetry.
Gabriella Nanjo

Co-Production Editor
I'm Gabriella Umboradak Nanjo, a junior in Benjamin Franklin College. I'm from Sunyani, Ghana. I'm studying Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and getting certificates in Data Science and Spanish. I'm very excited to be working on the YURJ board this year to contribute to the research community at Yale.
Sarah Jeddy

Co-Production Editor
Sarah Jeddy is a sophomore at Yale College majoring in Humanities, with certificates in Food, Agriculture, and Climate Change, and Advanced Spanish Language. Through her role at the Yale Undergraduate Research Journal, Sarah engages with interdisciplinary scholarship, deepening her exploration of the intersections between culture, environment, and sustainability. Her academic work centers on how agricultural practices shape communities and contribute to sustainable climate solutions. Dedicated to impactful storytelling and research, Sarah’s studies reflect her commitment to fostering environmental advocacy, promoting sustainable development, and advancing meaningful cultural understanding in a rapidly changing world.
Reagan Labert

Secretary
Reagan Labert is excited to serve as the 2024-25 Secretary for the Yale Undergraduate Research Journal (YURJ). She is a first-year student in Branford College with plans to pursue a B.S. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. In the lab, Reagan has previously conducted research in the fields of reproductive science, female fertility, and mRNA therapeutics, while her journalistic interests span topics ranging from the Classics to the sciences. As Secretary, Reagan is eager to learn more about YURJ and hopes to strengthen communication between committees, ensuring smooth collaboration throughout the year.
Rishi Sankhe

Treasurer
Rishi Sankhe is a student in Jonathan Edwards College at Yale University, pursuing a prospective major in Economics and Computer Science. As the Treasurer of YURJ, Rishi is passionate about advancing the role of student-driven research at Yale. With a deep commitment to academic exploration, he aims to expand YURJ’s outreach and impact, helping the journal grow as a platform for innovative research across disciplines. Rishi is dedicated to creating accessible publishing opportunities for fellow students, hoping to inspire and support others in sharing their research with the broader academic community. Outside of YURJ, Rishi is involved in TedEx, YES and is also an avid soccer fan!
Kenny Cheng

Website Manager
Kenny is a sophomore ('27) studying Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and holds the positions of Website Manager and a STEM Associate Editor in YURJ. Outside of YURJ, he is a senior staff writer for the Yale Scientific Magazine, an Editorial Associate for the Yale School of Medicine, and carries out RNA research in the Breaker lab. Kenny is also a member of Club Swimming and loves to stay active.