Editor-in-Chief. Kayal is a second year medical student at UMass Med. She studied Medical Humanities and Politics at Baylor University, then pursued a fellowship in Theology, Medicine, and Culture at Duke Divinity School. She remains passionate particularly about the the intersection of the humanities, writing, and medicine, and found a home at the Interstitium. She hopes to create a place where creativity and storytelling can be available to those in the medical school.

Editor-in-Chief. Evan Sirls is a third-year medical student at UMass Chan Medical School. He majored in English at the University of Michigan and has experience working on newspapers since high school. He is passionate about writing and wanted to continue pursuing this interest during medical school. He therefore joined The Interstitium to help create a space for the UMass community to reflect on and share their experiences through the humanities.

Creative Editor. Abby is a second-year medical student originally from Spokane, WA. During undergrad at Trinity University, she minored in creative writing and worked as a freelancer for her school’s marketing department. In part, she was drawn to medicine due to her love for stories, especially those that center on the patient experience. Abby is excited to be part of The Interstitium team and empower fellow classmates and community members to share their stories and insights on their path to medicine.

Arts & Design Editor. Maya is a second-year medical student at UMass Chan Medical School. She is drawn to narrative and photography as a way to deepen connections with others. She studied Neuroscience at Pomona College, and was the co-Editor-in-Chief of Young Minds for Mental Health, a student-run online publication about mental health topics, before attending UMass Chan Medical School. She is excited to help build The Interstitium into a space of creation and contemplation for the broader community.

Social Media Editor. A lover of Calvin & Hobbes and Peanuts comic strips, Jaein is fascinated by the power of art to connect people through storytelling. Although her passion for medicine and accessible healthcare is stronger, she strives to incorporate the humanities wherever she goes. Jaein studied Anthropology and Global Health & Health Policy at Princeton before becoming a medical student at UMass Chan Medical School and an excited member of The Interstitium.

Outreach & Communications Editor. Rahi is a second-year medical student at UMass Chan Medical School. She majored in Anthropology and Health Science at the University of Florida. She is very passionate about exploring the intersection between medicine and the humanities and wanted to continue to pursue this throughout medical school. As an avid reader and someone who loves to write, she joined The Interstitium to be a part of a space that supports the sharing of human stories.