South
Samad Ashraf
University of Texas, Austin
Samad is a fourth-year undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin studying Biochemistry. Ever since researching Alzheimer’s Disease in high school, Samad has developed a passion for helping treat neurodegenerative diseases. As President of the UT Chapter, Samad hopes to further establish the organization as well as prove more opportunities for students to help those afflicted by neurological disorders.
Vivek Kumar
Vanderbilt University
Vivek Kumar is a sophomore at Vanderbilt University majoring in Neuroscience and Economics. The Brain Exercise Initiative piqued his interest by offering practical cognitive therapies to Alzheimer's patients that also develop intergenerational relationships. His passion for interdisciplinary medicine has led him to participate in neurotrauma research as well as work towards developing solutions for deteriorating healthcare infrastructures in developing countries.
Selena Xue
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Selena Xue is a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Computer Science. Selena co-founded a nonprofit chapter called Hack4Impact UTK that develops software for social good and has worked in a plant research lab studying nucleus movement. She has been interning at Genesis Neuroscience Clinic where she developed an interest in helping patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Tim Torres
Midwestern State University
Tim Torres is pursing his Master’s in Biology at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, with research interests surrounding the biochemistry and physiology of the Monarch butterfly. He currently works as a medical scribe in a private practice Neurology clinic. This experience has provided him inspiration and cultivated his skills in working with patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Dhruv Patel
University of Florida
Co-President
Dhruv Patel is a Junior at the University of Florida majoring in Biology on the pre-med track. He has a passion for medicine and dedicates his time towards research at the College of Dentistry at UF and the Florida Museum. He was inspired by BEI as it gave him the opportunity to practically apply research done on Alzheimer's to help the local community.
Adithy Hassan
University of Texas at Dallas
Adithy is a Junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in Biomedical Engineering on the pre-med track. She is a 2x published first author highlighting her work on the positive effects of yoga on Alzheimer’s Disease on a molecular level. This led her to start and lead UTD's chapter of BEI as she consistently works to find more opportunities to implement basic therapies that improve the cognitive function of AD patients.
Jainika Patel
Nova Southeastern University
Jainika Patel is a junior at Nova Southeastern University majoring in psychology and enrolled in the Osteopathic Medicine Dual Admission Program. Jainika works as a medical scribe where she first ran across treating dementia patients. With being a part of BEI, she wishes to be involved more in the Alzheimer’s community and implement a successful chapter for volunteers in South Florida. Jainika also participates in cardiac research at a Laboratory for the Study of Neurohormonal Control of Circulation working on how to decrease the numbers of cardiac fibrosis in post-op patients.
Divya Reddy
Duke University
Divya Reddy is a junior at Duke University majoring in Biology and minoring in Neuroscience. She is currently working in a research lab studying Alzheimer’s disease, specifically analyzing the impact exercise could have on slowing cognitive decline, as well as the influence menopause may play in the pathology of this disease. Additionally, she volunteers for Crisis
Text Line, a mental health texting service.
Sonia Okekenwa
Fisk University
Sonia Okekenwa is a rising senior majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Fisk University. She came across BEI when she participated in the UCLA-HBCU Neuroscience Pathways Program during the summer of 2019, where her work focused on Huntington’s disease. She has always been interested in neurodegenerative diseases and wanted to be a part of this program so she could make an impact in the Nashville community while doing what she loves.
Abhishek Kamath
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Abhi Kamath is a junior in the Early Medical School Acceptance Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he majors in Neuroscience. At UAB, Abhi conducts research with the Day Lab, where he studies mechanisms of memory and addiction. Following his own grandmother’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, Abhi hopes to integrate BEI into the UAB Hospital to assist patients diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s in Alabama.
Stephanie Hayes
University of Georgia
Stephanie Hayes is a senior at the University of Georgia, double majoring in Biology and Psychology with a Pre-Medical Intent. She has always had a passion for neurodegenerative diseases after her grandmother was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2016. Stephanie enjoys volunteering at her local hospital and forming connections with patients, and hopes to continue forming meaningful, healthy relationships with senior citizens through the BEI. She was an undergraduate research assistant in the Psychology Health and Developmental Lab at UGA and is currently applying to medical school.
Cynthia Zou
Emory University
Cynthia Zou is a senior at Emory University studying Biology on the pre-medical track. Through being involved with the Brain Exercise Initiative, she hopes to raise awareness about neurodegenerative diseases in the Atlanta community and expand BEI to other retirement homes across Georgia. Cynthia is also a member of Dr. Kulshreshtha’s lab at the Emory School of Medicine, where she conducts research on the effect of lifestyle interventions on cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairment. She is currently applying to medical schools in hopes of becoming a primary care physician.
Khadeja Ahmed
Florida State University
Khadeja Ahmed is an Honors Medical Scholar at Florida State University. Her free book and research with FSU are grounded in how we can sustainably address disparities in health and food access while respecting cultural differences. Her interest in the clear value of preventative care led her to the Brain Exercise Initiative and by bringing it to FSU, she is excited for the opportunity to cultivate a long-lasting program that can spread wellness and make meaningful connections with at-risk Dementia patients in and around Leon County.
