by Helmut Eppich
Continuing with his richly imagined Star Trek saga, Helmut Eppich revisits the volatile tensions between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Set against the backdrop of earlier series episodes like “Errand of Mercy”, “The Trouble with Tribbles”, and “Day of the Dove”, this new installment explores another heated encounter – one of many unresolved flareups left in the wake of the Organian peace intervention. True to form, Helmut brings his deep knowledge of the Star Trek universe, a vivid narrative style and his simple yet splendid art to this second chapter in The Reunion of Old Friends.
Read part one here: Star Trek: The Reunion of Old Friends - Part One
Cover Image: Alternate Possibilities, drawing by Helmut Eppich.
Interview conducted by Natalia Biani, Lucia Fuentes and Roman Senkov
In this thoughtful and wide-ranging interview, Dr. Maria Entezari shares her journey from a curious student in Iran to a pioneering researcher and transformative educator at LaGuardia. Dr. Entezari reflects on the formative power of early scientific inspiration, the challenges of navigating immigration and language barriers, and her groundbreaking work on gender differences in medical research. She also discusses her role in shaping student-centered initiatives like the NIH Bridges program and research-based biology curricula. At once personal and visionary, this conversation reveals how resilience, mentorship, and love for science continue to guide her contributions to both research and education.
This research carried out by several students led by Dr. Richa Gupta addresses one of the world’s most persistent public health threats: multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Through an integrative approach combining literature review, molecular and computational genetics, the authors evaluate the therapeutic potential of emerging drug candidates – Bedaquiline, Delamanid, and Linezolid. Their findings not only highlight promising strategies for treating MDR-TB but also explore how targeted therapies may minimize side effects by sparing beneficial gut bacteria. A timely and insightful investigation into the future of antibiotic development.
This student-led study supervised by Dr. John Nobleman explores the extraction and analysis of limonene from orange peels using steam distillation. Techniques such as TLC, FTIR, and NMR – supported by Gaussian computational modeling – were used to assess purity, confirm structure, and investigate acid-base behavior. The project showcases the intersection of classical lab techniques and modern analytical tools in natural product chemistry.
LaGuardia student Dalia Perez, under the supervision of Dr. Claudette Davis, explores the potential of two understudied genes – CG14305 and CG9222 – in Drosophila melanogaster as models for understanding male reproduction and neurological behavior. Through sequence comparisons across species of fruit flies and using the NCBI-BLAST tool, the researchers compared alignments with human TSSK2 and TSSK4. The study investigates the evolutionary conservation and functional significance of these serine/threonine kinase–containing genes. This project sheds light on the genetic foundations of fertility and brain function in fruit flies.
LaGuardia Honors students Bibi Valenzuela and Joan Velasquez explore the physics behind rocket propulsion through the lens of the Tsiolkovsky Rocket Equation. Starting from basic momentum conservation and extending to gravitational and time-dependent effects, their analysis sheds light on how fuel consumption drives velocity and altitude gains. With real-world comparisons of NASA’s SLS, SpaceX’s Falcon 9, and ULA’s Atlas V, this article brings classical physics into conversation with modern aerospace engineering.
Cover Image: https://www.astronomicalreturns.com
by Danielle Fisher
In this creative assignment for a Developmental Psychology course, LaGuardia student Danielle Fisher steps into the life and mind of pioneering neuropsychologist Donald O. Hebb. Writing from Hebb's perspective, she explores his contributions to the study of learning and memory – while also reflecting on the personal losses he endured and the resilience that shaped his career. The exercise challenged Danielle to move beyond her comfort zone, blending biography, empathy, and critical insight to bring Hebb’s legacy to life.
Cover Image: https://www.cdnmedhall.ca
Edited by Natalia Biani
Building on the 2022 Ad Astra feature on global wedding customs, this new collection turns the lens to student traditions surrounding education, particularly at moments of graduation and academic transition. Drawing from personal and cultural experiences in Argentina, Iran, Russia, and beyond, the authors explore how rituals – both formal and informal – shape student identity, foster community, and mark achievement. Through these diverse accounts, the article reveals the deep emotional and cultural resonance of student life around the world.
Cover Image: https://wanaen.com
This logical challenge invites you to decode words written in a little-known cipher used by Malay speakers in the early 20th century. No knowledge of Malay is needed – just a sharp eye for patterns and a willingness to think like a historical linguist. The puzzle is inspired by a rare script documented by Dutch scholar R.A. Kern in 1908, used for confidential communication during a period of colonial and cultural transition in Southeast Asia. Dive in and see if you can unravel the hidden message.
★ A solution for the previous puzzle is posted at the end of this article. Check it out!
Cover Image: “A Malay Cipher Alphabet” by R. A. Kern.
