• Skip to main content

Brain and Spine Scholars

Free Science Education for Middle and High School Students with a Focus on Neuroscience.

  • Home
  • Curriculum
  • Apply
  • FAQ
  • New York University
  • Johns Hopkins
  • University of Iowa
  • Team
  • Contact Us

Team

Mac MacKay (he/him)
President and Co-founder
Yllka Valdez (she/her)
Co-founder & JHU Chapter Lead
Brahm Agnihotri (he/him)
NYU Chapter Lead Instructor
Jackie Shan (she/her)
NYU Chapter Lead Instructor
Elizabeth Abraham (she/her)
Co-founder
Dylan Messineo (he/him)
West Coast Initiative Lead
Suhyeon (Sue) Lim (she/her)
Head Coordinator
Sophia Lopez (she/her)
Coordinator
Michael Mugerwa (he/him)
JHU Med Student Volunteer
Mallika Khullar (she/her)
Coordinator

Troi Rutherford (she/her)
Member

Jeremiah Miller (he/they)
Member
Noor Naheed (she/her)
Member

2024 Speakers

Yu-Chieh David Chen (PhD)
Postdoc, Desplan Lab,
NYU Department of Biology

Dr. Chen studies Drosophila melanogaster to explore how sensory systems, particularly vision, develop and function. His research aims to uncover the processes underlying primary senses like vision, touch, hearing, taste, and smell.

Keith Crawford (MD/PhD)

Director of Clinical Trials, Prostate Health Education Network

Dr. Crawford completed his PhD in stem cell and immunology research at Harvard University. He currently directs clinical trials, focusing on advancements in prostate health and disease treatment.
Michael A. Long (PhD)

Principal Investigator, Long Lab, NYU Neuroscience Institute

Dr. Long’s research explores the neural circuits behind complex behaviors, with a particular focus on interactive speech. His lab studies model organisms like zebra finches, parrots, and singing mice, along with human subjects, to understand the cellular and network properties involved in vocalization. In addition to leading his lab, he serves as a professor and vice chair of research at the Neuroscience Institute, NYU School of Medicine.
Dimitris G. Placantonakis (MD/PhD)
Neurosurgeon and NYU Principal Investigator of the Placantonakis Lab
NYU Neuroscience Institute

Dr. Placantonakis specializes in brain tumor surgery and researches glioblastoma’s mechanisms of oncogenesis. His NIH-funded lab focuses on tumor biology and developing new therapeutic strategies for brain tumors.
Kelvin Quiñones-Laracuente (MD/PhD)
Postdoc at the Froemke Lab and Research Assistant Professor at
NYU’s Department of Neuroscience and Physiology and Psychiatry

Dr. Quiñones-Laracuente studies the neural pathways involved in pro-social behaviors like socialization and maternal instincts. His research provides insights into psychiatric illnesses that impair social function.

Our 2024 Collaborator: College and Career Lab (CCL)

We extend our deepest gratitude to the outreach program College and Career Lab and specifically DeeSoul Carson, Tariq Thompson, and Autumn Bush for their instrumental support in the day-to-day operations of the program. Their invaluable assistance was crucial in organizing and bringing this event to life.

Special thank you to Katie Schneider-Paolantonio, Justin Blau, and Laura Weineret-Kendt for supporting the program!

Katie Schneider-Paolantonio (PhD)
Clinical Professor of Biology

The content of her NYU course, ‘The Science of Teaching,’ which included active learning, engagement techniques, and fostering a growth mindset, was instrumental in the successful execution of the program.

Justin Blau (PhD)

Professor of Biology and Neural Science

Dr. Blau provided invaluable support to the program from its inception, helping guide its development and direction. He guided us to the right people and resources, ensuring we had the support needed to turn our vision into a reality.

Laura Weinert-Kendt

Clinical Associate Professor in the Expository Writing Program

Her NYU course, ‘Writing in Community,’ offered insights into bridging writing and community service, directly shaping aspects of the program. For example, during the course, it became clear that many high school students found scientific texts challenging to navigate, which led to the creation of a talk in our program focused on breaking down abstracts and papers.

  • Home
  • Curriculum
  • Apply
  • FAQ
  • New York University
  • Johns Hopkins
  • University of Iowa
  • Team
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2026 · Altitude Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in