Communications Team

Bridging the gap.

SMAHRT’s communications team aims to bridge the gap between science and the general public. The goal of our communications work is to share information regarding SMAHRT, such as new research findings, insights and our youth-focused programs, with our audiences.

Communication interns execute campaigns from start to finish.

SMAHRT’s communications internship provides an immersive experience for undergraduate students interested in health or science communications. Team members work together to brainstorm content ideas that align with SMAHRT’s audience and brand, create content calendars, provide and receive thoughtful feedback, and collaborate with other SMAHRT staff and research interns.

As a communications team we work through strategy, creation, edits, publishing, and monitoring to reach our goal of bridging the gap between science and the public.


Our favorite campaigns

Written by: Garrett Waterman A recently published article, “In the Mood for Music: Listening to Music and Other Smartphone Uses
I still clearly remember the excitement I felt when I saw the communications intern position at SMAHRT on my school’s
Written by: Meisi Li Through an interdisciplinary research approach and collaboration with multiple critical stakeholders, the Social Media and Adolescent
By: Natasha Matta, TAM YAB Member Suicide is a leading public health issue. It is the tenth leading cause of
Problematic internet usage (PIU) is defined as internet use that is risky, excessive or impulsive in nature leading to adverse
January is national mentoring month, and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to highlight a few of SMAHRT’s mentoring relationships.
The University of Wisconsin – Madison offers upwards of 120 undergraduate majors – a long-term advantage and short-term reason of
By: Maggie Bushman with input from SMAHRTeam members Our world is facing many monumental challenges and there are so many

Hear from communication interns

For about six months now, I have been interning with Maggie on the SMAHRT communications team. Under Maggie’s mentorship, I have learned an incredible amount about what it takes to manage the social media and public image of a brand. I have learned about the importance of consistency, creativity, and compelling writing. I have so enjoyed my internship thus far, and I look forward to my future with the SMAHRT team! 

– Arohi Gadagkar

SMAHRT’s flat hierarchy is present in every aspect of the team, and the communications team illuminates such an environment with collaborative and respectful thought and work. Blogs, social media, research dissemination, and campaigns are four strong suits of just one team. My favorite campaign has become an annual one in which we celebrate women in science and acknowledge their work both personally and professionally.  My time with the communications team revealed layers to research I had not previously known whilst nurturing my creative mind and expanding my knowledge of communications.

– Grainne McDonagh


Meet our team

Current team members

Maggie Cooper
Communications Lead
Maggie graduated from UW-Madison, with a major in Strategic Communications in 2019. She began as SMAHRT's Communications Intern in January 2017, but returned as staff in July of 2019. She joined SMAHRT because she is passionate about health communications and bridging the gap between science and the general public. She enjoys working with communication interns to creatively talk about SMAHRT's work and share about advances in the field of social media and adolescent health research.
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Isabel Garlough-Shah
Research Specialist
Isabel Garlough-Shah is a communications intern that joined the SMAHRT Team in 2022. Isabel majored in Journalism and Mass Communications and Gender and Women Studies. She is interested in studying social media research, strategic communication, and feminist theory.
Matt Gatland
Communications Intern
Matt is a communications intern that joined the team in 2024. Matt is majoring in Journalism and Data Science. He is also interested in studying psychology and environmental studies.
Joelle Leigland
Communications Intern
Joelle is a communications intern that joined the team in 2024. Joelle is majoring in journalism and strategic communication. She is interested in exploring the intersection of social media usage and mental health, along with enhancing comunication between researchers and the broader community.

Alumni team members

Aleenah Ansari
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: 2017 - 2018
Meranda Clausen
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: 2014 - 2015
Eleanor Cummins
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: 2014 - 2015 Communications Staff: 2015 - 2016
Arohi Gadagkar
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: 2021 - 2022
Elise Goldstein
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: 2020 - 2021
Allison Hall
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: 2017 - 2018
Sabine Hansen
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: Summer 2021
Haley Johnson
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: 2016 - 2017
Sara Klunk
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: 2010 - 2012
Meisi Li
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: 2021-2023
Jeremy Litman
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: 2014 - 2015
Grainne McDonagh
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: 2020 - 2021
Izzy Pompeo
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: Summer 2020
Katie Raynes
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: Summer 2021
Sydney Friend Sifferman
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: 2015 - 2016
John Ventura
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: 2019 - 2020
Garrett Waterman
Communications Intern
Communications Intern: 2022-2023