Leo Toake - Chairperson

Hi everyone! My name is Leo Toake (AMST ‘27), and I’m honored to serve as the Board’s Chairperson this year! It’s a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated team, and I’m proud to guide the Board in making this year’s Challenge our strongest yet! Looking forward to seeing all of the incredible research projects you’ll create!

Fun fact: I am currently slowly making my way through Breaking Bad!

Emily Amoss - Director of Operations 

Hi! My name is Emily Amoss and I’m a junior in the medical academy at BCA! I have been involved in helping organize Bergen Sci since my freshman year, and have seen many great projects during these years. I’m very excited this year to be the Director of Operations and help our fair run smoothly. I can’t wait to see what everyone has to show us this year! 

Fun fact: I’ve recently been learning about entomology! Right now one of my favorite insects is the shining ball scarab beetle.

Nisha Evangelista - Operations Associate

Hey everyone! I’m Nisha Evangelista, a sophomore in AMST, and I’m excited to be Bergen Sci’s Operations Associate this year! I was involved with Bergen Sci since my freshman year, and I’m thrilled to work with both new and familiar faces this year. I can’t wait to help bring this fair to life, and I’m really excited to see what everyone creates!

Fun Fact: I love photobooths.

Delancey Van Meir - Director of Safety & Registration

Hey BergenSci! I'm Delancey, a junior from the Academy of Medical Science Technology, and I am so proud to be the Director of the Safety Committee for this year’s SciChallenge! I am deeply passionate about scientific research and am constantly inspired to push the arbitrary boundaries of what's possible. Because of my devotion to innovation, I am committed to making this year's BergenSci Challenge an excellent opportunity for gifted, young scientists to show off their talents and ideas. 

Fun Fact: I love Mixed Martial Arts, and I’ve been training Muay Thai (a Thai kickboxing martial art) for 8 years!

Aidan Kwon - Safety & Registration Associate

Hi, my name is Aidan Kwon and I am a sophomore in the Academy of Medical and Science Technology. I am thrilled to be a part of BergenSci Challenge this year, as the Associate of the Safety Committee. As safety is a large part of the application processes in many other research competitions as well, I will be more than happy to help out with the process in our very own BergenSci Challenge! I look forward to working with you all!

Fun Fact: I suck at a lot of video games.

Rachel Lee - Co-Director of Mentorship

Hey everyone, my name is Rachel Lee, and I’m a junior in AMST! I’ll be serving as this year’s Co-Director of Mentorship. I’ve been part of the BergenSci Challenge since last year, and I’m so grateful to have the chance to work with an amazing executive board. I hope to bring my passion for research into our Mentorship Program, and help guide middle school students as they develop ideas for this year’s Fair.

Fun fact: I love to crochet :)

Jeremiah Markose - Co-Director of Mentorship

Hi, my name is Jeremiah Markose (AAST ‘27), and I will be helping lead the mentorship committee this year. Mentors are crucial for researchers young and old, and I am extremely grateful to help train and match BCA student mentors with middle school students interested in STEM, to encourage them to pursue discovery and innovation in the future. 

Fun fact: I am currently watching Suits.

Isabella Joa-Scerbo - Mentorship Associate

I’m Isabella Joa-Scerbo (AMST ‘28) and I’m this year’s Mentorship Associate. It was so much fun volunteering at Bergen SciChallenge last year, so I’m elated to be back helping competitors through the mentorship program. 

Fun fact: I’m really passionate about empowering other students to pursue STEM research. I founded my own organization, New Jersey Research Initiative (NJRI), that runs free STEM events throughout NJ and connects a network of nearly 100 student researchers! 

Lanamaria Mehetarian - Webmaster & Director of Media 

Hi everyone! My name is Lana Mehetarian, a junior in AMST, and I am this year's web designer/director of media! As someone interested in science from a young age, I have felt strongly committed to making STEM opportunities more accessible to other like-minded and passionate students. Through my participation in BergenSci, I hope to ensure that everyone has the chance to turn their innovative ideas into realities!

Fun fact: I participate in Armenian cultural dancing.

Srujan Jummaladinne - Media & Webmaster Associate 

Hello, my name is Srujan Jummaladinne, and I am a student at the Academy of Medical Science and Technology. I am excited to be involved with the Bergen SciChallenge committee, working as the Associate Web/Media director. Being a part of this committee last year as a freshman was amazing, and I am thrilled to be a part of it again! I hope my part in this committee can help others further their goals and aspirations in STEM!

Fun fact: I am double-jointed and have hitchhiker’s thumb on my left thumb.