Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, mass can neither be created nor destroyed, and one of our editors called 9-1-1 for the first time after her dad fainted from low blood pressure.

In undergraduate education, the sciences and humanities are treated as disparate fields, and we are led to focus on the former aspects of science far more than the latter. In reality, scientists, engineers, and researchers all work towards improving human lives and often need to tap into the vast resources of human creativity and empathy to do so.

Art and creative writing allow us to consider these implications with an expressive freedom not afforded by lectures and laboratories. We believe that exploration of the intersection of sciences and humanities is just as crucial to scientific knowledge as concrete theories and research. We intend for Atrium to be a space that humanizes the sciences through the sharing of creative student reflections on these subjects. As such, if you’re a STEM student, we warmly welcome you to submit work that reflects on the human aspects of your career aspirations and extracurricular experience. On the other hand, our magazine is open to all students with a story to share, regardless of major and career plans.

Editing Department

Kelly Zhou

Editor-in-Chief

Kelly studies English and Education while balancing her time between literary, visual, and performing arts. Ask her anything about baking bread or her belated obsession with Spring Awakening.

Caitlin Tran

Art Editor

Caitlin Tran is a third year studying Physics and Astrophysics. Having been in Atrium since her freshman spring semester, she loves the small, wholesome community that Atrium fosters. In her free time, she likes to listen to music, bake, play video games, sew, and draw.

Katie Chung

Art Editor

Katie is majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology. She loves to use art to convey and spread scientific information to a wider audience.

Cheryl Li

Writing Editor

Cheryl is majoring in Chemical Biology. As a writer, she enjoys novel writing and world-building, and is currently looking for book recs of any genre, so feel free to bring any titles up! Outside of that, she loves personality tests, cats, and trying weird foods.

Victoria Shao

Writing Editor

Victoria is a sophomore majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology and minoring in Education. In her free time, she loves reading thriller novels, discovering new music, playing tennis, and gaming!

Vena Echegaray

Layout Editor

Writing Department

Asha Federico

Asha is a first-year student majoring in English. She enjoys skiing, playing piano, beading, and stitching together unlikely ideas through poetry. Her favorite dessert is crème brûlée!

Charlotte Bisson

Charlotte is majoring in Nutrition & Metabolic Biology and on the pre-health track. She loves leg day at the gym, chocolate and raspberries, and rainy days.

Chelsea Miao

Plan A: Graduate from Berkeley with a B.A. in Neuroscience
Plan B: Become an eclectic murder-mystery writer in an off-the-grid, renovated, solar-punk cottage—living off coffee grounds and psychedelics

Crystal Chavez-Barragan

Crystal is a second year pursing majors in English and Political Science. She loves all things sci-fi and holds a special place in her heart for Star Wars. In her free time, she loves to play video games and read web novels.

Isole Kim

Isole is a first-year planning to double major in L&S. She loves to write and thinks zines are the coolest thing.

Kristen Li

Kristen is pursuing a major in statistics. She enjoys dancing, drawing, reading, and watching penguin videos. Her favorite foods are cherry tomatoes and blackberries.

Melody Shen

Melody is majoring in Statistics. She enjoys creative journalism, fantasy novels, and math problems. When she’s not playing with numbers or writing, she’s cheering on Manchester City and McLaren F1.

Mia Fuentes

Mia is majoring in Philosophy on the pre-med track. She enjoys writing about psychological, medical, and philosophical topics. Outside of writing, she loves anything beach-related, traveling, music, and generally just going with the flow.

Niveditha Sukesh

Niveditha (she/her) intends to major in MCB and Public Health. She loves reading all genres and binge-watching TV shows on the weekends. Her favorite drink is chai!

Prajanya Kannan

Prajanya Kannan is a Bioengineering major and Design Innovation Certificate student. Skilled in research, design, problem-solving, writing, and public speaking, she aims to address healthcare challenges through innovative solutions. She enjoys freestyle dancing and volunteering for fun. She seeks to inspire change through her projects.

Quinn/Amber Aftab

Quinn is a first-year student studying Chemistry & Comparative Literature. They are passionate about expressing life in different forms of art, and advocating for fellow students with disabilities.

Shriya Perumal

Shriya is a first year planning to double major in Neuroscience and English. She enjoys reading, writing (novels and short stories), and dancing in her free time.

Tiffany Yu

Tiffany is an MCB major who enjoys sketching on her math notes in her free time. She lives on Spotify and plans to tackle every roller coaster at Magic Mountain one day.

Art Department

Abby Matsuda

2nd year majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology. I like to draw, play piano, do martial arts, and play video games! I enjoy listening to a bunch of different music genres (J-Pop, rock, classical, shoegaze, etc.), so any recommendations are welcome!

Alexander Tangpan

Alex is a first year majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology. In his free time, he likes to make ink sketches and digital paintings, binge watch shows and anime, and listen to music.

Arjun Garg

An enthusiastic mathematician, artist, reader, and hiker!

Celia Ruiz

Celia is a senior, majoring in Society & Environment. They are interested in all things magical realism, like to write lots of poetry and are obsessed with adding commas everywhere.

Chloe Tong

Chloe is currently a freshman intending to declare as a cogsci major on a pre-health pathway. She’s interested in making arts in any traditional medium.

Danielle Gomez

Danielle is a fourth year majoring in Integrative Biology. She has a passion for art and science and loves to play basketball, run along the beach, and play piano.

Hema Rajendran

My name is Hema Rajendran and I am currently studying MCB. Art allows me to escape reality and exhibit my emotions. I am excited to express my love for science through my unique artistic expression.

Kieran Jeffcoat

Kieran is a first year pre-med intended Integrative Biology major. She loves painting and sketching, and thinks that art is essential for a career in STEM (and sanity). Besides art, in her free time she enjoys reading, hiking, and teaching.

Lisa Sun

Lisa is a first-year planning to major in Integrative Biology and Art Practice. In their free time they enjoy watching documentaries, making art, and spending time with their cats.

Mia Edmondson

Mia intends to major in physics and math. Besides art she loves reading, animals, sewing, knitting, and nature.

Sophia Jenkinson

Sophia is a freshman undergraduate studying molecular and cell biology. She is passionate about studying organisms and how their diverse genetic makeup can contribute to the development of new medicines and biomedical innovations. She is also interested in environmental justice and examining how science, health, and environmental inequities intersect within communities. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors crafting, reading, and drawing.

Layout Department

Johanna Liu

Johanna is a sophomore studying Environmental Sciences. She is desperately trying to find time in between school work and midterms to maintain her feeble status as a self proclaimed writer and artist.

Xiangru (Echo) Huang

Echo is a sophomore on exchange, majoring in CS. She's a full-time sportaholic and a part-time basketball player.