USF students have joined interdisciplinary forces to establish a new student-based health humanities journal, “The Capsule.”
Students hosted a successful Volume 1 exhibition and release event at the Marshall Student Center. (Photo courtesy of Serena Bhaskar)
The journal’s target audience, according to founder and editor-in-chief Serena Bhaskar,
who is also a USF biomedical sciences student minoring in creative writing, are readers
impacted by “health—individuals dealing with health issues themselves or as caregivers/family
members, aspiring health professionals, public health advocates, or just individuals
with a general interest in emerging health technologies and public health initiatives.”
She adds that the journal combines health and humanities by providing a platform where
authors and artists can also explore and encapsulate their thoughts and experiences
regarding public health, personal health, and health care through prose, poetry, and
the visual arts.
The fully student-operated journal was founded in the fall of 2023 with Volume 1 released
April 2024.
“Volume 1’s exhibition and release event was a successful evening celebrating authentic
and impactful student work that shed light on the human experience, featuring readings
by our contributors. In addition, we had the privilege of hosting and spotlighting
several noteworthy clubs combatting health disparities in the Tampa Bay community,”
said Bhaskar.
Volume 1 can be viewed for reading via Issuu or via paper copies available at volume release
events, Bhaskar added.
“The Capsule is very much an interdisciplinary effort when analyzing health, medicine,
and the sciences with a humanities lens,” Bhaskar said. “The contributors and E-board
each had their strengths in their own fields of storytelling through various creative
fields such as graphic design, photography, studio art, poetry, and nonfiction writing.
The Capsule would not be possible without the diverse skills and collaborative efforts
of these talented individuals.”
Last year's Volume 1 and Masthead included students Serena Bhaskar (Founder and Editor-in-Chief),
Karla Evangelista De La Rosa (Managing Editor), Amreen Naveen (Design Editor), Daniela
Abaquita (Promotions Director), Archana Rao (Editor), Summer Degenhardt (Promotions
Designer), Yashvi Purohit (Journal Designer) and Priya Desai (Finance Director).
Printed copies of “The Capsule” are available at all volume release events. (Photo courtesy of Serena Bhaskar)
“We hope The Capsule continues to serve as a platform for sharing authentic and impactful work to promote reflection, awareness, empathy, and meaningful dialogue surrounding health from a personal to global scale. By championing the voices of patients, caregivers, activists, and professionals, we aim to enrich public health practices and build human connection,” Bhaskar said.
Volume 2’s editorial team will soon accept submissions for its second volume, with
the goal to release in spring 2025. There will be two rounds of submissions with fall
submissions closing in December and spring submissions closing in February.
“Together, we are forging new narratives in health and celebrating the power of storytelling,”
Bhaskar said. “If you are interested in contributing to Volume 2, make sure to connect
with us on BullsConnect or Instagram @thecapsule_usf.”