About Us
Founded in May 2019, Simply Neuroscience is an international, student-led nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering students' interdisciplinary interests in the brain, specifically through neuroscience and psychology education, outreach, and awareness.
Our aim is to empower youth to engage in brain-related fields through projects and initiatives on local, regional, national, and international levels.
Overall, we work to increase early neuroscience access by connecting students with free online resources, opportunities, events, mentorship, and more through our diverse array of 25 departmental initiatives.
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Pursuing the brain and unlocking the future -- one neuron at a time
Meet Our Initiatives & Leadership
Interested in having a Simply Neuroscience team member speak at an event? Email us at info@simplyneuroscience.org
Chinmayi Balusu, MPH
Chinmayi is a clinical stroke and brain injury researcher who is passionate about global health, neuroethics, and youth science communication. She is an alumna of Columbia University with undergraduate and graduate degrees in medical humanities and neuro-epidemiology.
In free time, Chinmayi enjoys practicing taekwondo, exploring nature trails, watching Telugu movies, and gardening.
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Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Sasha Tunsiricharoengul
Sasha is an undergraduate student in her third year at Harvard University studying Neurobiology and Comparative Literature. She is passionate about neurosurgery, raising disability awareness, biomedical research, and education. She also enjoys reading, working on graphic design projects, taking nature walks, watching movies, and playing the piano.
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Chief Operating Officer
Inchara Athreya
Inchara is an undergraduate student pursuing psychology and linguistics at the University of Warwick. She is very passionate about psychology and hopes to pursue a career in the field. She loves being around people, especially children. She is an avid reader and enjoys writing too. She hopes to raise more awareness about mental health issues through her writing and exploration of the interdisciplinary aspects of psychology.
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Board Vice President
Kaushik Patra
Kaushik is a 1st year college student from Ashoka University in India. He is fascinated by the fields of neuroendocrinology as well as behavioral neuroscience. In his free time he enjoys playing basketball, meditation, listening to podcasts, watching underrated documentaries and anime, as well as talking to his friends.
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Chief Financial Officer
April Yu
April is a freshman attending East Brunswick High school, who is passionate about the workings of the brain and how it affects human behavior. Her favorite parts of neuroscience include Behavioral neuroscience, social neuroscience, and biopsychology. In her free time, April enjoys exploring her creative side through writing, and loves to play the flute. April is also an avid runner who can also be found curled up around a good book.
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Board Secretary
Action Potential Advising Program (APAP)
​APAP virtually connects neuroscience students (“advisees”) with professionals (“advisors”) to provide free educational guidance and mentorship. The APAP team envisions creating an international, centralized space that goes beyond individual schools and colleges. We aim to help both STEM and STEM-adjacent brain enthusiasts develop their interest in neuroscience and provide a channel for inspiration from experts in the field through this flexible program
Max Feng
Max Feng is a driven and accomplished junior at Horace Mann School with a strong interest in neuroscience. His focus lies in psychiatry, the neuroscience of memory and law, and behavioral neuroscience. Alongside his academic pursuits, Max as a passion for figure skating, playing the piano, playing video games, which he pursues in his free time.
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Director
Awareness Content Creation
​The Awareness team aims to bring attention to the connection between mental health and neuroscience, with a specialization in destigmatizing neurological disorders in adolescent communities. We conduct research in order to create content guides as well as connect with experts in order to make the conversations about struggles with mental health easier to access in our communities.
Liza Tsepovatenko
Liza is a Year 12 student from Hatfield, England. She is particularly interested in Neurological/Neurodegenerative Diseases, neuroimaging, and cellular neuroscience. She enjoys spending her time with cross country, reading, cooking, and learning languages.
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Co-Director
Eleanor Wynne
Eleanor is a high school student attending Colorado Academy. The areas of neuroscience that most fascinate her are mental health awareness, criminal psychology, and the effects of psychedelic drugs on neuroscience. In her free time, Eleanor loves to play volleyball, paint, and listen to music.
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Co-Director
Brain Resource Creation
​The Brain Resource Creation Department’s goal is to create engaging educational content to help students of all levels learn about the brain and its interconnected fields. This includes creating and hosting workshops, video series, and providing resource databases.
Patrick Bloniasz
Patrick F. Bloniasz is a mathematical neuroscientist and educational reformer. Patrick is a PhD student at Boston University where he creates models of neural time series at different spatial scales (e.g., spike trains, ECoG, and EEG/MEG). He is currently using the anesthetic propofol to study stages of consciousness in humans and monkeys. He is also a Research Associate at Bowdoin college where he maps functional networks underlying human memory. Previously, Patrick served as the Director of Education at the non-profit Aeon for Ocean, as a researcher for the Maine Department of Education, as a national researcher for America’s Service Commissions, and as a Senior Interviewer at Bowdoin College. Outside of science, Patrick is a certified personal trainer, a coffee enthusiast, and avid runner. Find Patrick at his website (patrickbloniasz.com) or on Twitter (@PatrickBloniasz).
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Co-Director
Campus Brain Ambassador Network (CBAN)
The Campus Brain Ambassador Network works to bridge the gap between neuroscience and psychology opportunities present at grassroots through global scales. Each Ambassador has the opportunity to interact with fellow students in the network from around the world to collaborate in hosting events, amplifying resources, and more.
Sevinch Rakhmonova
Bio Coming Soon!
(she/her)
Co-Lead
Events
​The Events Planning department ideates and organizes events such as Simply Neurocon, Synaptic Hacks, Neuroethics Student Championship, workshops, fireside chats, and much more to encourage involvement and foster curiosity amongst youth within the neuroscience community. From devising themes, to acquiring speakers and sponsorships, to logistics and wrapping up, the department is responsible for the organization and execution of all Simply Neuroscience’s much-awaited events!
Vishnu Swarup Kadaba
Vishnu is a high school senior from the Oxford Independent Pre-University College. His favorite domains of Neuroscience comprise of Computational Neuroscience, and Neural Engineering. Vishnu's hobbies involve the Classical Dance of Bharatanatyam, listening to music(especially Lauv), and contemplating the future and the past.
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Co-Director
Inchara Athreya
Inchara is an undergraduate student pursuing psychology and linguistics at the University of Warwick. She is very passionate about psychology and hopes to pursue a career in the field. She loves being around people, especially children. She is an avid reader and enjoys writing too. She hopes to raise more awareness about mental health issues through her writing and exploration of the interdisciplinary aspects of psychology.
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Co-Director
Ria Kamat
Ria is a highschool sophomore in New Jersey. She got interested in science from a young age and since then she wanted to deepen her knowledge in all fields of science. She continuously takes part in science fairs and is currently doing biology research at her highschool. Ria hopes to work in orthopedics or neuroscience in the future and continously learn more about the various fields of science. In her free time, Ria loves to listen to science podcasts, solve puzzles, hang out with her friends, and play board games!
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Logistics Lead
Editing
​The Editing department works to revise and provide feedback on materials written or created by individuals in any of Simply Neurosciences’ departments or initiatives. Editors seek to transform written material into pieces that are relevant, professional, free from errors, and easily readable for all audiences. All our pieces are published on the Simply Neuroscience website, and past topics have included anything from neurotech startups tackling big issues to psychological analysis of parasocial relationships
Nadia Hall
Nadia Hall is the Director of Editing here at Simply Neuroscience. She graduated college with a bachelor's degree from UCLA. Her favorite areas of Neuroscience/Psychology
include Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Psycho Linguistics. In her spare time, Nadia enjoys reading and playing the flute.
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Director
Engagement
The Engagement team organizes welcome calls, social gatherings, and more for SN team members!
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Human Resources (HR)
​The HR team coordinates the volunteer application, interview, and onboarding process. HR members gather feedback from the broader team and work to support Simply Neuroscience’s team culture behind the scenes.
April Yu
April is a freshman attending East Brunswick High school, who is passionate about the workings of the brain and how it affects human behavior. Her favorite parts of neuroscience include Behavioral neuroscience, social neuroscience, and biopsychology. In her free time, April enjoys exploring her creative side through writing, and loves to play the flute. April is also an avid runner who can also be found curled up around a good book.
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Director
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Humans of Neuroscience (HoN)
​HoN is devoted to empowering neuroscience aspirants by sharing the stories of individuals in neuroscience. Our aim is to inspire students by showcasing the extent of diversity and opportunities in neuroscience and psychology
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Suhani Modha
Suhani is a High School student from New Jersey. The sections of Neuroscience that interests her the most are Neuroengineering, computational neuroscience, and neurogenetics. In her spare time, Suhani enjoys tennis, traveling, and bike riding.
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Co-Lead
Shreya Vogety
Bio Coming Soon...
Co-Lead
Marketing
The marketing team works to maintain strong ties to our middle, high school, university and professional audiences by designing content (graphics, takeovers, etc.) for our various social media channels as well as regular newsletters. Our goal is to expand our online presence by spreading the word about Simply Neuroscience's initiatives, as well as establishing a positive relationship with the larger SN community
Lina Chihoub
Lina is an undergraduate student pursuing neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania. She is fascinated by the intersection between neuroscience, computer science, and marketing, with a particular interest in how technology can be used to treat behavioral/psychiatric disorders. In her free time, she loves graphic design, creative writing, baking, meeting new people, and traveling! Lina is also actively involved with her community by volunteering at her local hospital and Special Olympics!
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Co-Director
Mei Yano
Mei is a high school Senior who is deeply fascinated by neuroscience. Her favorite parts of Neuroscience include, but not limited to, neuroanatomy, neurological diseases, neurobiology. In her free time, Mei enjoys swimming and traveling.
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Co-Director
Presynaptic Project
The Presynaptic Project is an international, student-led initiative devoted to inspiring students across the world to pursue neuroscience through diverse integrations and introductions of interdisciplinary neuroscience into early education-by creating unique lesson plans and hosting international workshops and summer camps/competitions.
Divya Venkataraman
Divya is a high school senior at Monta Vista High School. She is especially interested in neurological/neurodegenerative diseases. She loves Research (especially in the field of Neuroscience), Piano, Dance (Indian Classical Dance: Bharatanatyam), Science Olympiad, Public Speaking, Tutoring, and Advocating for mental health!
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Co-Lead
Elizabeth Yang
Elizabeth Yang is a college freshmen at Northwestern University. She is passionate about mental health advocacy and has always been fascinated with the science behind dreaming. She became specifically interested in neuroscience and psychology after learning about neurologic music therapy and its application to sensory and cognitive dysfunctions. Outside of neuroscience, she enjoys reading, playing the piano, as well as making mini clay art
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Co-Lead
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Simply Neural Network
The Simply Neural Network is a global coalition of nonprofits, clubs, and initiatives centered around neuroscience, psychology, mental health, disability advocacy, and other related interdisciplinary themes. Through this network, nonprofits gain access to an unparalleled host of collaboration opportunities, media amplification, and logistical support by-students-for-students
Technology
The Technology team works on website and app development. Website development focuses on coding and creating the layout, design, and functionality of Simply Neuroscience's website. App development focuses on creating and designing the Simply Neuroscience app.
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Meghana Hebbar
Meghana is currently a Sophomore in High School. She enjoys Coding, Graphic Design, and Web Design. Her favorite areas of Neuroscience include Computational Neuroscience and Neurobiology. In her free time, Meghana enjoys drawing, reading, listening to music, and going on runs.
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Director
"The Synapse" Podcast
Our team has established series including the College Neuro Network, Every Kind of Mind, and Neuron Y Parle under The Synapse Podcast. Our teammates are involved in contacting guests, hosting speakers, editing, marketing, and transcript writing.
Sanya Saxena
Sanya is a 12th grade student from American Embassy School in New Delhi. Her favorite branches of neuroscience include Neurobiology, behavioural science, and Neuroanatomy. In her free time, Sanya enjoys Reading, listening to music and watching shows.
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Co-Director
Sophie Cohen
Sophie is a 12th-grade student at Aragon High School. She is passionate about cognitive neuroscience, mental health, and neurodevelopmental disorders. In her free time, Sophie enjoys playing percussion, singing, and biking with family.
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Marketing Lead
Translation
The Translation team’s goal is to bridge the language barriers and work to make Simply Neuroscience’s educational content and resources more accessible by translating them into multiple languages outside of English.
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Jun Kyoung Kim
Jun is a Freshman at The University of Pittsburgh. She is fascinated by behavioral, psychiatry, and cognitive neuroscience. Her hobbies include working out, hiking, and yoga.
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Project Lead
Undergraduate Research Fellowship (concluded)
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We partnered with Erevna and dcyphr to connect undergraduate students and mentors through virtual independent research projects.
Wellness Week (concluded)
The Wellness Week initiative aims to promote mental health awareness and well-being in schools and communities around the world starting at the local level by young adults seeking to make a difference.
Writing
The writing department consists from writers from all over the world to publish pieces on the Simply Neuroscience blog that inform and entertain readers on many disciplines of neuroscience. Our aim is to create a space in which neuroscience can be accessible to everyone, regardless of prior knowledge. Topics have ranged from parasocial relationships to interviews with respected individuals in the field. The writing department works closely with the editing department as all the pieces will go through a traditional writing process, with every aspect of the process done by members of the SN community.
Kaushik Patra
Kaushik is a 1st year college student from Ashoka University in India. He is fascinated by the fields of neuroendocrinology as well as behavioral neuroscience. In his free time he enjoys playing basketball, meditation, listening to podcasts, watching underrated documentaries and anime, as well as talking to his friends.
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Co-Director
