Meet the Team - Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory

SCYNA Homepage

Meet the Team!

SCYNA Board 2022-2023

board of directors/strategy team

Avery Mizrahi, Co-President

Avery Mizrahi is a senior at Orange County School of the Arts in the Integrated Arts conservatory. She is incredibly passionate about all parts of neuroscience but especially enjoys studying neurodegenerative pathology, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and under researched ways to make diagnosis accessible. Avery is excited to spread the reach of this wonderful organization by creating outreach opportunities through social media and using members' passions to create a meaningful community of neuro-lovers. Outside of SCYNA, Avery enjoys dancing and touring with the Hall Method International Dance Ensemble, acting, creative writing, making short films, and making science accessible for everyone.

Jay Parikh, Co-President

Jay Parikh is a senior at Northwood High School in Irvine. Jay was first introduced to neuroscience in 8th grade at UCI CNLM’s Brain Camp. Since then, he has fallen in love with neuroscience research and brain-related advocacy. He is particularly interested in learning and memory. He is also passionate about advancing research on rare neurological conditions. Along with neuroscience, Jay is an avid Varisty tennis player and a huge sports fan.

Arya Suresh, Director of Events

Arya Suresh is a senior at Arnold O. Beckman High School in Southern California. The topic of neuroscience first peaked her interest after she watched the TV show “Defending Jacob,” which is about a teenage boy who turns out to be a sociopath. After watching this TV show, she developed a passion for neuroscience and began taking neuroscience courses. She especially enjoys research aspects of neuroscience, such as free will and decision-making. Aside from neuroscience, Arya enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching interesting TV shows, and reading!

Sumunaa Gnanashanmugam, Director of Internal Operations

Sumunaa Gnanashanmugam is a senior at University High School in Irvine, CA. Sumunaa began her journey with neuroscience after taking a psychology course and wanting to learn more about the brain from a biological standpoint. Some areas of neuroscience which she would love to further explore include developmental neuroscience, molecular and cellular neuroscience, and neurogenetics. Her goal is to reach out to younger students in Southern California and to make it accessible for them explore their curiosity and passion for neuroscience. Outside of SCYNA, Sumunaa loves to dance, sing, and read.

Sarvesh Thirumalai, Director of Outreach

Sarvesh Thirumalai is a junior in Cerritos highschool, and was first introduced to SCYNA in 2020and since has been actively participating in all events. His first interaction with neuroscience was at the CHOC and watching a small presentation on neuroscience and the brain in the 7th grade. He is really exited about learning and expanding his knowledge about neuroscience at all times. Outside of school and neuroscience he loves to hike and go camping, and loves the beach. In his free time he like to read books, ride his bike, and play video games.

operations team

Muhanad Hilal, Web/Media Coordinator

Muhanad Hilal is a Junior at Northwood High School in Irvine, California. His interest in neuroscience began in middle school, and he enjoys studying neurodegenerative diseases and advancements in their medical treatments. Being part of this organization allows him to spark a similar interest in neuroscience in younger students and help build a community of individuals with similar interests. Outside of neuroscience, Muhanad enjoys reading, traveling, and watching medical dramas.

Eshika Abbaraju, Special Initiatives Coordinator

Eshika Abbaraju is a junior attending Irvine High School. She joined SCYNA her freshman year to explore neuroscience and potential career options within the field. One aspect of neuroscience she discovered that she especially loved to learn about is behavioral neuroscience. By being one of the Special Projects Coordinators this year, she hopes to help other fellow students gain more exposure to this fascinating field of science. Eshika's other interests include singing, playing the classical guitar, playing tennis, and volunteering in her free time.

Ayati Mishra, Special Initiatives Coordinator

Ayati Mishra is a junior at Tesoro High School with a love for learning. She is very interested in how the brain works, specifically in the areas of learning and cognitive function. She also loves helping others, and she hopes to spark an interest in neuroscience in as many students as she can through SCYNA initiatives. In her free time, Ayati enjoys reading books, playing piano, drawing, and baking.

Joel Philip, Outreach Coordinator

Joel Philip is a junior at Centennial High School in Riverside County. He has developed a vehement passion in medicine and has discovered a fascination in neurology. The study of the brain's complex functions for memory, interorgan coordination, and informational processing, as well as the tremendous detriment of disorders and other issues of the nervous system has enthralled him. He is excited to coordinate outreach plans to help Southern California’s youth gain more exposure to the field of neuroscience. He plays soccer competitively, enjoys road trips with family and friends, and playing the piano and guitar.

Nikhita Kaushik, Founder

Nikhita Kaushik is a 1st year undergraduate student studying Cognitive Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. She has been very interested in neuroscience since middle school, and enjoys understanding how the brain learns, remembers, and processes information. She is passionate about research areas that demystify the root causes of various neurodegenerative disorders and their prevention. The idea for this youth neuroscience group came from Nikhita's desire to spread neuroscience in the community, engage curious young minds, and spark a passion for scientific discovery. In addition to neuroscience, Nikhita has a deep interest in music. She plays violin and is part of her school's Chamber Orchestra, and also plays the Indian Classical violin. She is an avid reader, and loves to do calligraphy and graphic design for fun.

SCYNA Advisory Board

Michael Yassa, Ph.D. Director of CNLM

SCYNA Advisory Board Member: Sunil Gandhi

Sunil Gandhi, Ph.D. Associate Director of CNLM

SCYNA Advisory Board Member: Manuella Yassa

Manuella Yassa, B.A. Director of Outreach and Education of CNLM

Manuella was born in Brazil and raised in the Bay Area. She completed undergraduate studies in neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University, followed by advanced training at JHU’s School of Education. She then worked as a middle school science teacher in Baltimore’s impoverished inner city public school system. This experience was a major influence that motivated Manuella to take on the role of leading the CNLM’s outreach and education programs.

SCYNA Advisory Board Member: Diana Lofflin

Diana Lofflin, B.A. Director of Strategic Communications of CNLM

Prior to joining the CNLM team, Diana served as the Director of Communications in the UCI Office of the Provost where she worked on many cross-disciplinary projects and community engagement initiatives. She specializes in leveraging technology and design to make complex concepts accessible to a general audience. Her diverse skillset -- including strategic planning, graphic design, website development, and social media strategy -- will be instrumental in bringing the important work happening at the CNLM to a larger audience.

SCYNA Past Board Members

Diya Nadig, VP of Outreach

Diya Nadig is a senior at Portola High School in Irvine. Diya was first introduced to neuroscience in 9th grade and enjoys learning about various neuroscience experiments, specifically about the brain's relationship with other organs as well as progressive brain disorders. Diya’s goal is to engage the younger generation in neuroscience and spread awareness about neurodegenerative diseases throughout our community. Aside from neuroscience, Diya plays flute for the Southern California Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. She also enjoys art, dance, and lacrosse.

Anish Sasanur, VP of Events

Anish Sasanur is a senior at Portola High School who likes to explore and look at discoveries within the fields of neuroscience as research and knowledge on the topic continues to grow. He is excited to spark a passion for neuroscience in others as well as expanding his own knowledge in it as well. Outside of neuroscience, he plays tennis as a hobby and enjoys watching detective shows, playing adventure-style video games and playing board games with friends.

Lavanya Gupta, VP of Internal Operations

Lavanya Gupta is a senior at Portola High School. She loves to learn about the overall organization of the brain as well as the unique vital functions of each part of the brain. She especially enjoys learning about memory and the parts of the brain that control it such as the hippocampus, cerebellum, and amygdala. Lavanya believes that creating an organization like this that reaches to younger learners would make more people interested and share a passion in neuroscience (one of the most intriguing scientific fields). In her free time, Lavanya enjoys playing basketball as well as the flute.

Ashley Kwon, Director of Web Operations

Ashley Kwon is a senior at Portola High School. Ashley enjoys all aspects of neuroscience, but she's specifically interested in psychology and the effect of the brain function on emotion. Ashley is excited to engage others in neuroscience and inform the younger community about various facts and studies. Apart from neuroscience, Ashley enjoys painting, playing the flute, and watching science documentaries.

Ria Achuthan, Secretary

Ria Achuthan is a senior, currently attending Northwood High School. From a young age, she has developed a passion for science. Once she started learning about the cognitive aspects of artificial intelligence, a subject she really enjoys, she realized how closely related it is to neuroscience. Being a part of this organization allows her to study neuroscience in depth and spread it throughout the youth in the community. Aside from neuroscience, Ria is part of the tennis team at her school, plays piano, and performs Indian classical dance.

Fiona Fang, Director of Finance and Analytics

Fiona Fang is a junior at Arnold O. Beckman High School. She has always been incredibly intrigued in neuroscience, especially the psychology aspect of it. She loves to read and learn about the broad and rapidly growing field of neuroscience. Fiona wants to spread her fascination for neuroscience with as many other students as possible. Fiona is also very interested in finance, and data analytics, which is why she chose to be the Director of Finance and Analytics in this organization. Apart from neuroscience, Fiona has a deep passion for the arts, especially music and dance. She plays flute and piccolo in her school’s marching band and wind ensemble. She loves to spend time with friends and family and is constantly trying to learn something new.

SCYNA Homepage