Welcome to the Brain Explorer Academy
Hello Orange County Families,
For years, UCI Brain Camp participants have asked us for a way to keep the experience going year-round. I’m thrilled to share that we’re finally making it happen with the Brain Explorer Academy, a program designed to bring neuroscience learning, mentorship, and community to Orange County high school students throughout the school year.
For the first time ever, Orange County teens have the opportunity to experience neuroscience on a college campus. Throughout the school year, students will engage with UC Irvine scientists, complete neuroscience experiments, explore real labs, and join a community of future scientists.
Applications are now open — don’t miss your chance to be part of the very first cohort of Brain Explorers. Click here to apply today!
We look forward to working with you in January!
Sincerely,
Dr. Manuella Oliveira Yassa
Founder, Brain Explorer Academy
What is the Brain Explorer Academy?
The Brain Explorer Academy is the CNLM's flagship educational program for high school students. Founded by Dr. Manuella Yassa, Director of Outreach and Education, and run by the Center's Office of Outreach and Education team. Over 10 weeks, students explore neuroscience through:
- Interactive lectures with UC Irvine neuroscientists
- Hands-on experiments and demonstrations
- Behind-the-scenes lab tours on a real research campus
Designed for curious high schoolers preparing for college, this program helps students build knowledge, skills, and confidence for future studies in neuroscience, biology, psychology, engineering, medicine and more!
Winter 2026 will feature the Brain Explorer Academy - Intro to the Brain curriculum.
Program Details - Winter 2026
Dates: January 13 – March 19
Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:30 – 6:00 PM
Location: UC Irvine Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Tuition: $2445 for the 10-week program (20 sessions). The application includes an opportunity to apply for a scholarship, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Why join the Brain Explorer Academy?
- Explore brain science in action
- Boost your college application with unique research experience
- Learn directly from UC Irvine scientists
- Join a community of future scientists like you
Ready to Explore?
Applications are now open! Spots are limited and fill fast.
PRIORITY DEADLINE: OCTOBER 15!
Questions about Brain Explorer Academy?
Please email the Office of Outreach and Education at explorethebrain@uci.edu
Meet the Team
Manuella Oliveira Yassa, Ph.D.
Director
Ph.D and M.S., University of California, Irvine
B.A., Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Manuella Oliveira Yassa earned her Bachelor's Degree in Neuroscience from The Johns Hopkins University and her Master's and Doctoral Degrees in Social Ecology with a focus on science education at UC Irvine. Prior to joining UCI as Director of Outreach and Education, Manuella taught middle school science in Baltimore City where she fell in love with neuroscience education. In addition to her roles at UCI, Manuella serves on the Education Advisory Committee for the Irvine Unified School District and co-director of the USA Brain Bee.
Morgan Coburn, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Office of Outreach and Education
Ph.D and M.S., University of California, Irvine
B.A., Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley
Dr. Morgan Coburn earned her Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and Behavior at Mount Holyoke College. She then returned to Southern California to complete her Master's and Doctorate degrees in Biological Sciences at UCI. Her doctoral research focused on human microglial dynamics in Alzheimer's Disease. Morgan then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Virginia before returning to the CNLM as our Outreach and Education Fellow and Assistant Director of UCI Brain Camp. In her role, she works to advance the Outreach and Education mission of the CNLM to create accessible, equitable, and high-quality learning experiences in partnership with communities.
Erin M. Purvis Conway, Ph.D.
Civic Science Fellow
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
B.S., University of California, Santa Barbara
Dr. Conway completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biopsychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara and her Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania. Her doctoral work in neural engineering focused on developing regenerative medicine strategies for neuronal redirection and replacement following traumatic brain injury. As a Civic Science Fellow at the CNLM, she is working to strengthen mutually beneficial partnerships between UCI researchers and the local community.