Team

Paula Croxson, PhD, is a neuroscientist and award-winning science communicator with expertise in both academic and nonprofit spaces. She holds an MA from the University of Cambridge, and an MSc and PhD from the University of Oxford.

Before joining Stellate, she was an Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director at Columbia University, and Director at the Dana Foundation. She has been published in prestigious journals—such as Nature Neuroscience, Science, and Neuron—and her accolades include numerous federal grants and awards recognizing her research, scientific contributions, and public engagement efforts.'

Paula is passionate about communicating science in meaningful ways, and fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Her strengths span across strategy, scientific and grant writing, public speaking, storytelling, and program development. She is a frequent guest on podcasts, science and storytelling shows, and is a senior producer and elected President of the Board of Directors for The Story Collider. In Paula’s spare time, she is a musician and a long-distance open-water swimmer.

Lauren Selikoff is a strategic communications professional with more than 20 years of experience helping life sciences, healthcare, and professional services organizations navigate high-stakes moments, from FDA decisions and product launches to restructures and crises. At Syneos Health, she advised leadership teams at companies including Pfizer, Regeneron, and CRISPR Therapeutics on corporate communications, executive visibility, and storytelling. As Chief Marketing Officer at two global PR agencies, she built strategies that elevated executive profiles and positioned both firms for their next stage of growth. A Colgate University graduate, Lauren is based in New Jersey.

Angie Voyles Askham is a former journalist and neuroscientist with a talent for turning complex research into clear, compelling stories.

Before joining Stellate, Angie was a Senior Reporter at The Transmitter covering neuroscience and autism research, with a specific focus on U.S. federal science funding and policy. Her previous experience also includes production, writing, and communications roles in radio journalism and scientific publishing.

She earned her PhD in neural science from New York University, where she studied the development of form vision in non-human primates, and her BA in neuroscience from Vanderbilt University.

In her spare time, Angie enjoys reading fiction and going for walks with her husband and three daughters. She is based in New Jersey.

Dr. Deb Joye (they/she) is a neuroscientist and senior science communicator based in Sacramento, California. Deb joined Stellate in 2021 and specializes in making complex, highly technical work clear, accurate, and accessible. They earned their PhD in Neuroscience from Marquette University and a BS in Psychology/Behavioral Neuroscience from UC San Diego, with research focused on circadian neural circuitry. Their background includes collaborations with UC San Diego’s BioClock Studio and editorial work with BrainPost.

At Stellate, Deb partners closely with academic researchers and science-driven organizations to develop innovative, tailored narratives that translate cutting-edge science for both expert and public audiences. Outside of work, Deb enjoys listening to music, reading, spending time with friends, and spending time with her partner and their cats.

Clare Reynell, PhD, is a neuroscientist with over 13 years of research and academic administration experience. She has worked in several competitive labs internationally and across multiple disciplines, including the University College London, University of Montreal, Cedars-Sinai, and Caltech. As a scientist, she has spent most of her career preoccupied with astrocytes–investigating their role in neurovascular coupling, synaptic plasticity, and injury repair.

Beyond the bench, Clare has played a key role in establishing and scaling multiple labs through expert management, grantsmanship, and relationship development. At Stellate, she partners with academic and foundation clients, leveraging her broad technical knowledge to tailor materials and drive impactful communication strategies.

Clare is based in Pasadena, where she lives with her wife, daughter, and dog. Outside of science, she enjoys hiking, swimming, and book clubs.

Stefania Cerisano, PhD is a cognitive scientist specializing in working memory, divided attention, and psychological indices of cognitive effort. At Stellate Communications, she aims to use her research and leadership experience to help others achieve their science communication and professional goals.

Stefania completed her PhD in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour at McMaster University, where she studied the complex relationship between listening in noise, dual-task demands, and cognitive effort. While at McMaster, Stefania had the opportunity to lead two student groups focused on community engagement, science communication, and the promotion of equity in science and academic study.

Beyond Stellate, Stefania loves baking, hiking in the waterfall capital of the world, and playing flute with a concert band of talented local musicians.

Rhien Hare, MPH, is an experienced science communicator and social media strategy specialist with a passion for making complex scientific topics accessible and engaging. As an Account Executive and three-year team member at Stellate, she brings strategic insight and creativity to digital science storytelling, helping both investigator and organizational clients craft compelling narratives and connect with their audiences.

With a background in biochemical and public health research, Rhien combines her strong academic foundation with a practical understanding of how to mobilize knowledge effectively, particularly in online spaces. She holds a BSc. Hons. in molecular biology and Master of Public Health with a specialization in knowledge mobilization from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada.

In her spare time, Rhien loves exploring the beautiful province of BC, crafting, and caring for her ever-growing collection of houseplants.

Jessa Alexander, MPH, is a science communicator and program strategist with 10 years of experience in academic research and project management. She helps clients translate complex concepts into accessible terms, develop long-term strategic plans, and craft compelling grant proposals to fund their work. She brings a passion for designing resilient programs and amplifying the impact of scientific findings for public benefit.

Jessa completed her MPH at UC Berkeley, where she studied the relationship between urban built environments and community well-being. Previously, Jessa coordinated the research program at the Center for Advanced Circuit Therapeutics (C-ACT) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and acted as lab manager for the Director of the Chen Institute for Neuroscience at Caltech.

Outside of her scientific work, Jessa serves as a writing coach for New York teens and a member of the Berkeley Public Health Alumni Association (PHAA) Board of Directors. She enjoys gardening and exploring small towns in the Hudson Valley of New York with her spouse and dog.

Bailey C. Sarka, PhD joins the Stellate team with a passion for making science both fun and accessible. She enjoys using creative visuals and analogies to break down complex ideas to bridge the gap between scientific and non-scientific communities.

Bailey received her PhD in behavioral neuroscience at the Medical College of Wisconsin where she studied the comorbidity of neuropathic pain and drug-seeking behavior. She earned her BA in biology from Adrian College where she played collegiate soccer.

During her doctoral program, she was deeply involved in wellness initiatives and promoting inclusivity. She co-led the conception and implementation of the first-ever Wellness Lounge at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Outside of science, Bailey enjoys co-ed soccer, weightlifting, hanging out with her dogs Olive and Pickle, and tackling a good DIY project.

Maria Kalambokidis, PhD is an evolutionary biologist and science writer passionate about translating scientific complexity into compelling narratives. Maria brings to Stellate a decade of experience developing accessible STEM education programs and a deep curiosity about the many processes that shape life on Earth.

With a PhD in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Minnesota and a B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Maria’s prior work has brought her around the globe – from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean to Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert to the last six years running molecular and microbial evolution experiments in the lab. Her PhD and postdoctoral research explored the evolution of biological innovation, including the origins of life itself and the emergence of eukaryotic and multicellular life.

Maria currently resides in Madison, Wisconsin with her spouse. Outside of work, she enjoys reading fantasy and sci-fi novels, creative writing, biking, and spending time in, on, or around the nearest body of water.