Welcome to the Brain Explorer Academy
Hello Orange County Families,
For years, our families have asked for a way to engage in neuroscience throughout the year. I’m thrilled to share that the Brain Explorer Academy (BEA) makes that possible. The Brain Explorer Academy is a one-of-a-kind program that brings hands-on neuroscience learning, mentorship, and community to Southern California high school students throughout the school year.
Students in the Brain Explorer Academy explore real neuroscience on a college campus. They engage with UC Irvine scientists, participate in interactive lectures, conduct hands-on experiments, tour research labs, and join a supportive community of future scientists.
Brain Explorer Academy is open to all motivated high school students in Orange County who are curious about the brain and excited to explore science in action.
We can’t wait to welcome the next cohort of Brain Explorers.
Sincerely,
Dr. Manuella Oliveira Yassa
Founder, Brain Explorer Academy
Applications now open!
Deadline: October 5, 2026
What is the Brain Explorer Academy?
The Brain Explorer Academy is a selective, semester-long neuroscience academy for high school students who are ready to go beyond the classroom. The program was founded by Dr. Manuella Yassa, Director of Outreach and Education at the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, and run by the Center's Office of Outreach and Education team. Over 15 weeks, students explore neuroscience through:
- Interactive lectures with UC Irvine neuroscientists
- Hands-on experiments and authentic research experiences
- Behind-the-scenes lab tours on a real research campus
Designed for students interested in neuroscience, psychology, medicine, biomedical engineering, and the life sciences, the Academy provides a rigorous and engaging introduction to one of the fastest-growing fields in science.
Why join the Brain Explorer Academy?
- Explore brain science in action
- Boost your college application with unique neuroscience experiences
- Learn directly from UC Irvine scientists
- Join a community of future scientists like you
Through discovery, collaboration, and authentic exploration, students leave with more than knowledge; they leave with confidence, community, and a deeper understanding of the remarkable organ that shapes who we are.
Program Details
Program Dates: February 9 - May 20, 2027
Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays | 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Location: In-Person at the UC Irvine Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Program Fee: $3,995 (Includes the full 15-week (30-session) program)
Scholarships are available for eligible students. Scholarships can be requested as part of the application.
Application Information
Application Deadline: October 5, 2026
Applicants will be notified of their admission status by November 20, 2026.
Refund Policy
Refunds will be accepted up until 30 days before the first day of the program, minus a 20% processing fee. Refunds requested within 30 days before the first day of the program will be granted a 50% refund. No refunds will be granted within 14 days before the first day of the program, unless a replacement can be found in which case a refund will be granted minus a 20% processing fee.
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 of Academic Programs
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 Purvis Conway, Ph.D.
Assistant Director of Community Engagement
Office of Outreach and Education
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 the Assistant Director of Community Engagement at the CNLM, she is working to strengthen mutually beneficial partnerships between UCI researchers and the local community.