The SBU Graduate Arts & Sciences Magazine, known as GradMag, marked the release of its second edition titled "The Four Seasons" with a reception on April 30. This edition includes 17 articles covering diverse topics such as scientific research and graduate student communities like the African Graduate Student Association. The magazine also features original poems and visual art.
Ava Nederlander, the founder and co-executive editor of GradMag, highlighted the growth of the student-led initiative since its inception in 2024. "When I founded GradMag in the fall of 2023, my motivation stemmed from a desire to integrate my academic and research passions in both the arts and sciences while simultaneously bridging the gap to communicate those disciplines to broader audiences," said Nederlander, who is pursuing a PhD in computer engineering.
Jennifer O’Connor, co-executive editor and a graduate student in neurobiology and behavior, expressed gratitude for the progress made by GradMag. She emphasized that each step of creating the magazine was a collaborative effort aimed at showcasing talent within the graduate community. O'Connor stated that "the beauty of our differences and the power of unity" are what make this magazine significant.
Earlier this year, Nederlander and O’Connor led the inaugural B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Cross-Departmental Graduate Research Conference featuring 63 graduate student poster presenters from over 20 departments. The event included an art show, film screening, workshops on career science communication, and a keynote address by Stony Brook Executive Vice President Carl W. Lejuez.
O’Connor shared plans to expand B.R.I.D.G.E.S., aiming to transform it into a space for sharing research and creating opportunities by collaborating with job recruiters across various industries.
Isobel Breheny-Schafer, assistant director of student media who advised GradMag, praised the efforts behind both the conference and magazine. She acknowledged how they have provided a sense of community on campus.
Nederlander concluded with optimism about future initiatives including another edition release and further development of B.R.I.D.G.E.S., all driven by volunteers committed to supporting an academic graduate student community.