Meet the Team!

Executive Board Members

Sonja Xie

FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

Hi! I’m Sonja Xie, the Founder and President of Brain Waves for Change. As an aspiring physician, I’ve personally witnessed the profound impact of neurological and mental health conditions, which inspired me to establish Brain Waves for Change. Our youth-led organiation is committed to providing accessible and engaging neuroscience education to the younger generation in our community. We’ve chosen to bridge this gap in knowlege using arts & crafts and graphic design, an approach we hope will convey complex topics in a child-friendly, simplified manner that is easily understood by all.

Beyond my involvement with BWC, I am passionate about painting, drawing, and psychiatric research. In my free time, I enjoy watching horror movies and TV shows, particularly The Vampire Diaries and Grey’s Anatomy. Through our work, I am to empower today’s youth to raise awareness about brain health using creative and communnity-driven initiatives!

Adrian Wang

CONTENT EDITOR

I’m Adrian, a Junior at Scarsdale High School and content editor for BWC. I’m looking to help educate the next generation with this program. I play volleyball… Learn More

Sarah Kobi

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Hi, I’m Sarah Kobi, a junior at Scarsdale High School. I am passionate about neuroscience and the complexities of the brain. As a Research Director in Brain Waves for Change,… Learn More

Daisy Bennett

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Hi, my name is Daisy Bennett and I am a Research Director for BWC. I am in 10th grade and currently researching pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia… Learn More

Noah Ng

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

My name is Noah Ng, and I’m a Junior at Scarsdale High School. I enjoy reading and exploring topics in science, and as the Social Media Director for BWC, I’m excited to… Learn More

Clara Liu

ART DIRECTOR

Hi!! My name is Clara Liu, I am the art director in the Brain Waves for Change organization. I am a 10th grader at Scarsdale High school. In my free time I like to create art, … Learn More

Ada Langford

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I’m Ada Langford and I am a Scarsdale High School junior and treasurer of Brain Waves for Change. In my free time, I enjoy coding AI projects and making robots… Learn More

BWC’s Research Team

  • Aniqa Delwara

    BWC RESEARCHER— New York, USA

    My name is Aniqa Delwara, and I'm a Sophomore at Al-Mamoor School in NYC. I'm particularly interested in Neuropsychiatry—my recent work included neuroimaging and its role in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in adolescents. I hope I can make a difference with my research in BWC, grow within this organization, and help it grow simultaneously! Outside of BWC, I love films/shows (Oldboy, Mob Pyscho 100, and the Grand Budapest Hotel are among my favs!), sports, video games, fashion, art, volunteering, and more!

  • Avantika Raj

    BWC RESEARCHER— Bangalore, India

    Hi! I’m Avantika, a 9th grader at Delhi Public School in Bangalore, India. I’m passionate about neuroscience and aspire to raise awareness about neurological disorders through BWC. I’m also a 4th-level guitarist from Trinity College London. I'm a fan of reading and writing thrillers, and in my free time, you can find me binge-watching sitcoms like Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Friends or crocheting.

  • Brandon Mabey

    BWC RESEARCHER— Pennsylvania, USA

    My name is Brandon Mabey and I am a freshman studying pre-medicine at Penn State Scranton, minoring in neuroscience. I am the CEO of Project PAND (Physiological Associations with Neurodevelopment) and work as a clinical assistant at The Center for Discovery’s Children's Specialty Hospital. I hope to grow BWC and inspire students into neuroscience.

  • Constance Huynh

    BWC RESEARCHER— California, USA

    Hi, I'm Constance Huynh, a high school student from Lowell High School in California. I'm fascinated by neuroscience and the power of the brain to shape our experiences and behaviors. I'm looking forward to exploring these topics further with BWC and contributing to the creation of engaging infographics. Outside of research, I love to travel, watch Modern Family, and journal!

  • Makayla Anderson

    BWC RESEARCHER— Minnesota, USA

    Hello! My name is Makayla, I am a junior in high school at Minnesota Connections Academy! I am from Rochester, Minnesota. I really look forward to helping spread the word about Brain Waves for Change, And learn more about the mind itself! Outside of BWC, I love to volunteer of course, I volunteer for the American Red Cross, etc. I am also currently working towards being a Nurse Assistant. I look forward to meeting you and I wish you the best in your journey!

  • Nimisha Sailesh

    BWC RESEARCHER— Bangalore, India

    Hi! I'm Nimisha Sailesh, an 11th grader residing in Bangalore, India. I am deeply passionate about neuroscience, psychology, biochemistry and cancer research, and i hope to spread knowledge on the wonders of the human brain through BWC! I enjoy baking, writing, badminton, fashion (and naps!). I'm a huge bookworm as well, and in my free time you would probably find me at my bedside mountain of books.

  • Suhada Rahman

    BWC RESEARCHER— Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Hi! My name is Suhada Rahman. I am currently in 11th grade. My hobbies include reading, writing, and listening to music. I love debates and like to maintain an open outlook to trying new things. I have always been interested in medicine and want to pursue a degree related to that in the future. I look forward to my journey with BWC.

  • Sukhmeet Kaler

    BWC RESEARCHER— Ontario, Canada

    Hi everyone! My name is Sukhmeet Kaler, and I’m currently in my third year of the Honours Health Sciences program at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. I’m deeply passionate about exploring the origins of brain diseases, particularly focusing on aspects like myelin sheath degeneration and blood-brain barrier permeation. Outside of my academic and research pursuits, I love spending quality time with family and friends, trying out new cuisines, and rewatching Modern Family whenever I get the chance!

  • Zinia Sajjad

    BWC RESEARCHER— New York, USA

    Hi my name is Zinia Sajjad and I am in 11th grade at The Ursuline School. I am from Westchester, New York. I am interested in learning more about how specific neurological disorders affect the brain and behavior and I am looking to spread more awareness and improve literacy concerning neurological conditions through BWC. Some things I enjoy doing in my free time are playing volleyball, baking, and painting.