PrimordiaSci

President, Scientific Advisory Board
David Peña, PhD Cognition and Neuroscience

The President of the Scientific Advisory Board presides over the Board of Directors and serves as the principal steward of the journal’s academic integrity and long-term mission. This role ensures that PrimordiaSci operates in alignment with its charitable and educational purpose, maintains rigorous scientific standards, and upholds ethical publication practices.

Responsibilities include guiding board deliberations, appointing editorial leadership in collaboration with the Board, overseeing institutional strategy, and representing the journal in academic and professional contexts. The President does not manage day-to-day editorial operations but provides high-level oversight and continuity across publication cycles.

Editor-in-Chief
Tova Craig

The Editor-in-Chief serves as the chief student editorial authority for a single academic semester and is responsible for producing and releasing one complete issue of PrimordiaSci during that term.

This role oversees manuscript evaluation, peer-review decisions, editorial direction, and final publication approval. The Editor-in-Chief leads the Editorial & Operations Team, sets timelines for the semester’s issue, ensures adherence to journal policies, and maintains academic quality in collaboration with the Executive Editor and Scientific Advisory Board.

Executive Editor
Luke Bentley

The Executive Editor serves concurrently with the Editor-in-Chief and functions as the designated successor for the following semester. This role actively participates in manuscript review, editorial decision-making, and operational coordination while receiving structured mentorship from the current Editor-in-Chief.

The Executive Editor ensures continuity across publication cycles by documenting workflows, preserving institutional knowledge, and preparing to assume full editorial leadership in the subsequent semester. Upon Board confirmation, the Executive Editor transitions to Editor-in-Chief at the start of the next academic term.

Editorial Operations
Ariel Lee

The Director of Editorial Operations oversees the full lifecycle of manuscript submissions, from initial intake through peer review and final acceptance. This role is responsible for ensuring submissions meet journal standards, coordinating reviewer assignments, tracking revisions and deadlines, and maintaining a smooth, transparent editorial process in collaboration with the Executive Editor and Digital Publishing team.

Research Engagement
Maram Wawieh

The Director of Research Engagement serves as the primary liaison between the journal and faculty, research groups, and laboratories. This role promotes high-quality undergraduate research submissions, cultivates academic partnerships, and supports the journal’s scholarly credibility through sustained engagement with the research community.

Digital Publishing
Helen Bravo

The Director of Digital Publishing oversees the journal’s digital infrastructure, including the website, submission platform, and online publication process. This role is responsible for publishing issues, maintaining digital archives, and ensuring a reliable, accessible platform for authors, reviewers, and readers.

Student Outreach

Gabriel Graceffa

The Director of Student Outreach leads recruitment efforts for authors, editors, and reviewers, and builds awareness of the journal across student communities. This role focuses on outreach initiatives, information sessions, and partnerships that expand student participation and strengthen the journal’s undergraduate presence.

Marketing & Communications
Chesca Valdez

The Director of Marketing & Communications manages the journal’s external messaging, branding, and digital presence. Responsibilities include coordinating announcements, promoting calls for papers and published issues, managing social media strategy, and ensuring consistent, professional communication across all platforms.

Art & Visual Design
Vanessa Hernandez-Zavala

The Director of Art & Visual Design oversees the journal’s visual identity, including layout, graphics, and design standards. This role works closely with the editorial and publishing teams to enhance figures, graphical abstracts, and overall presentation, ensuring the journal maintains a polished and cohesive aesthetic.

Finance & Operations
Clancy Mata

The Director of Finance & Operations manages the journal’s financial planning and operational sustainability. Responsibilities include budgeting, funding strategy, expense tracking, and administrative coordination to support the journal’s long-term viability and efficient operation.