Mission & Staff

photo by Abigail Wang

WHO WE ARE

The Pitt Pulse was founded in 2010. Initially, The Pitt Pulse catered primarily to pre-­health undergraduates. The publication provided advice on academics, clinical experiences, and standardized testing from a student perspective. However, over time, we aspired to share scientific information with the general public and explore the intersection of science and the humanities. Therefore, The Pitt Pulse has shifted its focus towards covering intriguing and relevant science and medical issues through a multidisciplinary lens, from fascinating Neuroscience research on Pitt’s campus, to physics concepts involved in baseball, to virtual reality as a treatment for vestibular balance disorders.

Over the past 12 years, The Pitt Pulse has made efforts to promote the intersection of art and science. With the implementation of a thorough editing and design process, The Pitt Pulse has produced high-quality writing with an infusion of artistic creativity.

Today, The Pitt Pulse is no longer just a magazine. The creation of The Pitt Pulse Podcast has allowed The Pitt Pulse to become Pitt’s one and only student-run science multi-media platform, including our podcast, Infographic Initiative, and more. This website was created to bring all of these forms of media together: We invite you to read our latest articles and listen to lively discussions of science topics.

OUR MISSION

  • Providing a platform for individuals to explore and share health, science, and medical topics that they are passionate about
  • Fostering professional growth by allowing students to learn scientific concepts, teach science to others through their own research and writing, and connect with professionals and faculty from around the world
  • Breaking barriers between science and the public by sharing accessible news on local, national, and global scales
  • Promoting the fusion of art and science by integrating creative and engaging magazine spreads with high-quality science writing
  • Explore science and medical topics with a multidisciplinary approach

OUR STUDENT LEADERS

President/Publisher: Sarah Lindley

Editors-in-Chief: Ore Fawole & Maddie Verhagen

The Pitt Pulse is comprised of the following departments: Editorial, Art and Design, Podcast, Public Relations, Infographic Initiative, Fundraising, and Distribution. Departments work both individually and cohesively to produce a high quality publication.

The Editorial Department includes Assistant Editors and writers. Writers compose articles on a health, medical, or science topic, especially in the context of the humanities and other multidisciplinary fields. Assistant Editors edit articles and provide composition guidance to their assigned writers under guidance from the Editor-In-Chief and President/Publisher.

The Podcast Department hosts engaging talks about various STEM and medical-related topics. This involves interviewing, podcast writing, audio editing, and hosting. Our podcast team is lead by the Podcast Producer: Tanisha Pagadala, and Assistant Podcast Producer: Pravan Balamurugan.

The Design Department crafts magazine spreads/layouts, web graphics, advertising materials, flyers, and logos. This department is led by the Art Directors: Shirin Kaye and Amy Zhang.

The Infographic Initiative produces creative, visual infographics for use in social media and monthly newsletters. These infographics highlight current events in science and medical breakthroughs with the goal of minimizing the spread of misinformation and educating the general public in an accessible manner. This department is led by: Anya Shah.

The Public Relations Department publicizes all aspects of The Pitt Pulse through presentations and social media. This department is led by the PR Coordinator: Anya Shah, Recruitment Chair: Grace Hercik, and Webmaster: Amy Zhang.

The Fundraising Department raises funds for the printing of the magazine and costs of events. This department is led by the Business Manager: Pravan Balamurugan.

The Distribution Department coordinates the distribution of hard copies of The Pitt Pulse to various locations on and off campus. This department is led by the Distribution Chair: Grace Hercik.