Our Team
Executive Team
Ashley Moses (she/her): Founder & CEO
Ashley is a Neurosciences PhD Candidate at Stanford University. She founded The Civilian with the goal of enabling as many people as possible to learn about anything. After almost ten years of reading scientific research papers, she was struck by the fact that her grandma, mother, brother, and friends likely could not understand any of these scientific publications. But then how can people be inspired by science if they can’t understand it? How can they trust scientists more than inaccurate sources on social media? How can we ensure a greater diversity of future scientists if we aren’t sharing this information with as many people as possible? Ashley knew scientists could do better. They had to do better. This led to the creation of The Civilian - an organization working to make scientific discoveries accessible to everyone and to build connection and conversation between scientists and the public. We do science for the people of this world. We need to share it with them.
Travis Roberts (he/him): Director of Operations
Travis is a non-academic professional passionate about bridging the gap between scientists and the general public. With a longstanding interest in science, he recognized the challenge many, including himself, face in understanding scientific literature, which inspired him to join The Civilian. His goal is to cultivate a closer relationship between scientists and the public, facilitating greater trust and support for scientific endeavors and advancements. By advocating for accessible knowledge, Travis aims to empower non-academics to engage with scientific concepts independently, encouraging more individuals to pursue careers, education, and hobbies in science without feeling discouraged by perceived barriers.
Dr. Julieta Gomez-Frittelli (she/her): Director of Editing
Julieta is a Scientific Writer at UMass Chan Medical School in Massachusetts. She received her PhD in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University. Julieta has always been passionate about words and joined The Civilian’s team to ensure that scientists wield them responsibly. She cares about helping researchers develop communication skills that will transcend their work with The Civilian. Communication skills go beyond a research summary. They are carried into conversations with loved ones, mentoring trainees, and any academic presentation. Science is complicated, but complicated does not have to mean confusing. Through her work at The Civilian she engages with scientists and editors in order to bring scientific research to as many people as possible while also educating researchers in accessible writing. She hopes that her work at The Civilian helps researchers write and speak clearly and builds a world where everyone can understand their science.
Board of Directors
Dr. Erin Gibson (she/her)
Dr. Gibson is an Assistant Professor at Stanford University studying the biological mechanisms that influence glia, the non-neuronal cells that make up half of all cells in the brain. In addition to her work as a professor, she is a strong advocate for supporting early-career researchers, engaging the public in the scientific process, and fostering belonging in academia. Additionally, as a leading member of Stanford’s Pathways to Neurosciences program, she works to increase connection for historically underrepresented trainees in neuroscience. Dr. Gibson encourages members of academia to engage with the public and disseminate their findings to a broader audience and is excited by the way The Civilian is tackling this disconnect between academic science and the general population.
Dr. Jesse Isaacman-Beck (he/him)
Dr. Isaacman-Beck is the Assistant Director of Policy Initiatives at the National Institute of Health (NIH). In his role at the NIH, Dr. Isaacman-Beck works to integrate responsible conduct, bioethics, and public engagement throughout the biomedical research and innovation pipeline. He is also passionate about ensuring scientists are equipped with skills to work towards a more equitable society. Towards this goal, he founded the Certificate in Critical Consciousness and Anti-Oppressive Praxis (CCC&AOP) Program during his postdoctoral work at Stanford University. This program trains scientists in understanding identities, recognizing historically oppressive systems, and developing measures for transformative change. Dr. Isaacman-Beck also emphasizes that availability of research products is necessary, but not sufficient, for science to be accessible or understandable. He calls scientists to make research (and its products) accessible to all and looks forward to the way The Civilian will democratize this public good.
Dr. Sabah Ul-Hasan (they/them)
Dr. Ul-Hasan is a Senior Bioinformatics Scientist at Hologic, Inc focused on bringing the best quality diagnostics in healthcare to the forefront and being a kinder human than yesterday. In this highly collaborative role, Dr. Ul-Hasan specializes in mutation monitoring, software development, and database curation. Prior to a career in medical technology, Dr. Ul-Hasan was recognized in their academic career as an Outstanding Alumni from the University of Utah and received the Legacy Award from University of California Merced while studying as a Eugene Cota-Robles Fellow. During their graduate studies, Dr. Ul-Hasan established the emerging field of venom microbiomics and put forth The Biota Project for science education and outreach for empowering diverse audiences to claim agency of science communication in their communities. Dr. Ul-Hasan is an advocate for historically excluded voices and questioning current paradigms in science and looks forward to the ways The Civilian will promote accessibility and connectivity.
Dr. Duncan McElfresh (he/him)
Dr. McElfresh is a Senior Data Engineer at Stanford Health Care, where he develops AI and machine learning systems to support health care operations. As a postdoctoral fellow and graduate student, Dr. McElfresh studied the ethical implications of AI and machine learning in healthcare. He is passionate about learning in unconventional ways, and in exploring cross-disciplinary ideas that reach outside the traditional solis of academia. Dr. McElfresh looks forward to the way The Civilian will be an educational tool that reaches an audience that is under-served by academia, and using methods that create an engaging and inspiring learning experience.
Kevin Fedor (he/him)
Kevin is a Marketing Entrepreneur who specializes in digital marketing, brand management, and business leadership. Kevin is passionate about connecting people with purpose and telling an organization’s story. He likes to focus on an organization's goals and target audience in order to ensure it not only achieves results but more importantly achieves impact. Kevin hopes The Civilian is able to welcome you in and invite you to participate in the incredible process of learning. He hopes The Civilian is able to leave a lasting impact in your educational journey. The Civilian’s story is one of discovery and curiosity, and it has the potential to reshape the way society views academic research.
