Spring 2025 Staff
Faculty Advisor
Paul Gibbons
A founding member of the UC Merced Writing Studies Program, Paul Gibbons is a full teaching professor, with experience in science writing, creative writing, rhetorical theory, grammar, multidisciplinary writing, and first-year writing. Recently he has specialized in creative writing pedagogy, writing about writing in academic contexts, translingual approaches to writing, and songwriting. He has been at UC Merced since 2007.
Editor-in-Chief
Mya Starr
Mya Starr is a fourth-year student at UC Merced, majoring in Writing Studies. They joined the URJ to encourage more undergraduates to submit and participate in undergraduate research. Mya’s research interests include the perception of disability in horror, the sexualization of women in video games, and neurodivergence in women. Their plans involve becoming a screenwriter and educator in horror scriptwriting, as well as creating more accessible stories for neurodivergent children.
Executive Editor of Operations
Alyssa Alvarado
As a first-year aerospace engineering major, Alyssa joined the URJ to become more involved in the UC Merced community. Although they’re in the STEM field, they enjoy working with formatting, organization, and creativity. Her future career goals post graduation consist of landing an internship in the aviation field, gaining more experience in different work environments, and continuing school to achieve a PhD.
Director of Campus Outreach & Promotion
Sonia Valdez-Guzman
Sonia is a third-year writing major with a minor in Management and Business Economics. She enjoys writing poetry and creative pieces in her free time. Her plans include getting into publishing and having one of her own pieces published. She also enjoys music and attending concerts in her free time.
Digital & Web Operations Director | Editorial Data & Workflow
Paolo Nogueda
Paolo Nogueda is a third year Writing Studies major at UC Merced. He joined the Undergrad Research Journal team to be involved and understand how teams work and collaborates in spaces like this. He is still uncertain in what he wants to pursue. He enjoys writing creative pieces and screenwriting.
Jay Yonemoto
Jay Yonemoto is a 2nd year at UC Merced, majoring in Psychology, who joined the URJ to bring attention to how authentic editing in today’s day and age is still vital to understand for undergraduate research. His primary focus is to continue into graduate school and expand on career opportunities within the scope of therapy work. Can be found on campus.
Editorial Training Coordinator
Mikias Adem
Mikias Adem is a 3rd year at UC Merced, majoring in Writing Studies. He enjoys walks and playing video games. Mikias hopes to one day become a screenwriter for movies and television.
Managing Editor of Outreach
Samajeé Latin
Samajeé Latin is a third year Writing Studies major at UC Merced. She joined the Undergrad Research Journal team for further involvement on campus at UC Merced. Being the Editor of Outreach, Samajeé is responsible for managing outreach, events, & social media for the URJ in alignment with the journal’s ethos. Additionally, Samajeé also connects with other UC Merced clubs and organizations to share and promote events to strengthen the URJ’s relationships on campus. Aside from her position as the URJ’s Editor of Outreach, Events, & Social Media, Samajeé is also involved in an independent study group responsible for producing episodes for UC Merced’s “What’s Your Problem?” podcast. Post grad, Samajeé aims to attend grad school and pursue a career in copyediting.
Lead Copy Editor
Angelina De Vivo
Angelina De Vivo is a fourth-year Writing Studies major researching the intersections of Disability and Queer Studies. She plans to attend graduate school with a concentration in Rhetorical Theory and joined the URJ to advocate for accessibility and strengthen research opportunities for undergraduates.
Art Director
Angel Perez
Hi, I’m Angel Perez, a 2nd-year student at UC Merced who is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Writing Studies. I enjoy the uniqueness of our human psyche, but I recently found my love for writing more. I am not sure what I want to do in life, maybe something along the lines of journalism with an incorporation of trauma. But on my path, I look forward to the time I will have with the URJ.
Section Editors
STEM Section Editor, Natural Sciences
Angelina De Vivo
STEM Section Editor, Engineering
Mya Starr
