The Catalyst was founded in 1994 by Frans Johansson '95. It was Frans' hope to create a magazine which would cross disciplines and bring science to the Brown community and beyond. Although Frans was not at Brown long enough to bring all of his visions to fruition, he took an important first step in guiding The Catalyst (then known simply as Catalyst) through its first semester. His inspiration lived on as the magazine continued to grow and evolve.

Under the leadership of Andrew Norden '98, the magazine became a more interdisciplinary publication, reaching out to more people. Andrew's vision and dedication moved the magazine away from its original function as a forum for scientific work at Brown and propelled it in a new direction where science was the unifying theme, not the sole issue. The 1996-97 school year brought two new issues of The Catalyst , making it the first year that the magazine came out on a semesterly basis.

With a strong Spring '97 issue behind him, Andrew turned over the reins to Lisa Onaga '00 and Corinna Riginos '00. Lisa and Corinna headed the production of four issues in the '97-'98 and '98-'99 academic years and introduced the first Catalyst web site (originally constructed by Corinna during the summer of '97 and now in its third incarnation). Together, they brought several improvements and greater organization to the magazine. Lisa took charge of the productions end of things and guided a talented group of artists and creative layout and design staffers in order to render The Catalyst a more aesthetically pleasing and accessible publication. Corinna supervised the content of the magazine, attempting to create a more diverse, interesting, and readable production. By the end of the '97-'98 year, there were numerous new editorial positions, including Layout and Design, Art, Proof, and Copy editors as well as a Publicity Manager. The '98-'99 school year brought continued improvements, including the introduction of the Graphics and Web Site editorial positions, greater organization in the publication, and a doubling in the number of staff working on the magazine.

TODAY

Now, at the end of the '98-'99 academic year, Lisa and Corinna turned the magazine over to the capable hands of Rebecca Sadun '02 and Gary Schmirer '01. Gary has worked for The Catalyst for three semesters and has been Layout and Design Editor for two semesters. Rebecca has worked on the magazine for two semesters and has been a Copy Editor for one semester. Both talented and dedicated, Gary and Rebecca are backed by an equally talented and dedicated core editorial staff and numerous other staffers who make this publication possible.

With the Spring '99 issue, The Catalyst says goodbye to one of its most dedicated editors, David Block '99. David worked on all but the first issue of the magazine; he was a part of The Catalyst all four years of college. David began by writing and doing some layout, and in the Fall of '97 he became Proof Editor. David pioneered this job and served enthusiastically on the editorial board for the '97-'98 and '98-'99 school years. His many contributions to the magazine and his presence as an individual will be sorely missed in the coming year.

FUTURE

Although The Catalyst has come a long way in the past couple of years, we are in no way complacent. It is our continuing goal to expand and improve the magazine, covering more topics and reaching a broader and greater audience. This new and improved web site — extending the art and writing of The Catalyst beyond the limitations (and cost) of paper — is one move in that direction. With The Catalyst, we hope to show the importance and relevance science has to the world as well as to instill in others an appreciation for the sheer beauty of science. Especially in a world where environmental concerns play an increasingly great role, science and interdisciplinary thought are of paramount importance for all. It is our hope that The Catalyst takes a step toward promoting these ends.