Curriculum vitae
Internships and Research
Research Intern
May 2025 - August 2025​​​​​​​
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC San Francisco
State Lab
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run by Dr. Matthew State, Department Chair, investigating the genetics of developmental neuropsychiatric disorders
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employed hands-on molecular cloning, cell culture, transfection, qPCR, immunocytochemistry, and 3D brain organoid models to study Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Tourette Disorder (TD)
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presented findings in lab meetings and literature research in journal clubs with principal investigators, postdoc scholars, graduate students, and undergraduate students from the Willsey and State labs
May 2024 - Apr 2025​​​​​​​
Willsey Lab
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run by Dr. Helen Willsey, focused on investigating Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and comorbid disorders using Xenopus tropicalis and/or microscopy
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overexpressed autism risk genes (PTEN, SCN2A, KMT5B) in HEK293T cells to study effects on cell division
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utilized cell culturing, transfections, antibody staining, confocal microscopy, and R analysis
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found SCN2A and KMT5B significantly increased mitotic activity, revealing the underexplored biological roles of these genes in ASD
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presented findings in lab meetings and literature research in journal clubs with principal investigators, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and undergraduate students from Willsey and State labs
May 2023 - Oct 2023​​​​​​​
State Lab
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worked under Dr. Belinda Wang to investigate correlations between high-confidence autism risk genes and canonical cilia markers using human single-cell RNA sequencing datasets and computation (using R programming language)
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correlated over 160 autism-associated genes with cilia markers in epithelial cell and neuron datasets; uncovered potential roles of autism genes in ciliary function and signaling
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co-authored research paper for the Nature Neuroscience journal (see Honors and Awards)
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presented results in lab meetings with principal investigators, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and undergraduate students from the Willsey and State labs
Research Assistant
Jan 2022 - Mar 2023
UC Riverside, UC Los Angeles, and UC San Francisco
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created film documenting the UCSF Dyslexia Phenotype Project—neurological, psychological, and cognitive evaluations investigating the differences in brain functioning between dyslexic and non-dyslexic patients—to explain project to future participants and their families
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worked with Dr. Lisa Fortuna, Dr. Michelle Porche and the UCSF Dyslexia Center as an experiment control subject
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alongside Change SF interns and artist Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, created mental health PSA based on Marvel comic character La Borinqueña
Research Assistant
Aug 2023 - Present
UC Riverside, UC Los Angeles, and UC San Francisco
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Paid Research Assistant conducting qualitative research on youth mental health with UCR Psychiatry Chair Dr. Lisa Fortuna and Dr. Michelle Porche
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code focus group data to identify key youth mental health needs and resource gaps
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contribute to development of student-focused mental health app based on research insights
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collaborate with UC Riverside, UC Los Angeles, and UC San Francisco professors to advocate for and represent the youth perspective in interpreting and applying qualitative research
Extracurricular Activities
Nominated Member
Oct 2025 - Present
Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Youth Task Force
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only student selected by MVHS Principal
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under Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga's office
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represent community in discussions of mental health and peer-to-peer counseling
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program roll-outs as a direct liaison between school administration and the County Supervisor
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working in collaboration with healthcare officials, counselors, and other experts in the field to create action
Student Founder
Feb 2025 - Present
Table for Everyone, Mountain View High School
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initiated and organized 60 student volunteers for student-led program providing a room where students without peers to eat with can find new friends and community
Mental Health Committee
Aug 2024 - Present​​​​​​​
Ambassadors, Mountain View High School
Mental Health Committee Lead and Executive Board Member
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elected by peers to lead 6-person Mental Health Committee within MVHS 50+ member student leadership organization
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organized, led Mental Health Awareness Week: student mental health panels, district-wide Unity Walk, lunchtime activities engaging 2,000+ students in campus-wide mental health initiatives
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created, led Peers Supporting Peers Workshop with presenters from Stanford and allcove (free youth mental health centers) attended by hundreds of MVHS students
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collaborated on 30+ cross-Ambassador committee events to promote inclusivity, mental health awareness, and a stronger sense of school-wide community
Aug 2023 - Jun 2024​​​​​​​
Mental Health Committee Member
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contributed to planning and running 10+ campus-wide mental health events
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helped execute initiatives including Mental Health Awareness Week and the Out of Darkness Walk, reaching 2,000+ students
Student Founder
Sep 2022 - Present
Peer Counseling, Mountain View High School
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after months of research and consulting with university programs, worked directly with the Assistant Principal to propose a sustainable student support program to provide peer-to-peer mental health guidance and connection that launched Spring of 2024
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supported the certification and recruitment of 30+ student peer counselors
Award Winning Documentarian
C-SPAN StudentCam Documentary Competition
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national competition with 3,000 submissions from students in all 50 states, US territories and internationally
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brainstormed, planned, wrote, filmed, edited, and directed four films​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
2023 - 2024
2nd Place for High Schools, Mentally Educated
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about national mental health education in schools
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interviewed Dr. Stephen Hinshaw of UC Berkeley, Dr. Matthew State of UC San Francisco, Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, California Assemblymember Marc Berman, and Merve Lapus of Common Sense Media
2022 - 2023
2nd Place for High Schools, The Peer-to-Peer Movement: Students Saving Lives
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advocated for peer-to-peer programs in schools nationwide
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interviewed mental health experts Dr. Steven Adelsheim of Stanford, Dr. Lisa Fortuna of UC Riverside, Dr. Michelle Porche of UC Riverside, Mayra Alvarez of The Children’s Partnership, and Melissa Stafford Jones of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative
2021 - 2022
1st Place for Middle Schools, Stigma-Free Nation: Pathway to Parity
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advocated for improvements in the Mental Health Parity Act and destigmatization of mental health
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interviewed Dr. Stephen Hinshaw of UC Berkeley, Alex Briscoe of the California Children’s Trust, Joanna Carson-Young of Pacific Clinics, and Eliot Fishman of Families USA
2020 - 2021
Honorable Mention, Power to Save a Life
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about the impact of social media on teen mental health and the importance of teaching digital citizenship
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interviewed psychologist Dr. Laura Kauffman and former Mountain View High School academic counselor (now Assistant Principal) Marti McGuirk
Founder and President
Aug 2023 - Jun 2024
Neuroscience Club, Mountain View High School
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generated curriculum and activities, recruited for 15+ member club with 5-member board
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trained members for the international Neuroscience Bee
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researched and presented neuroscience opportunities and internships to encourage and develop interest in the field
Member
Aug 2023 - Present
National Honors Society, Mountain View High School
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applied and selected for community service and academic accomplishments
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completed over 50+ service hours and chapter and committee projects: collaborated with other members to create campaigns to provide children in Africa with books; partnered with community organizations to customize lunch bags; prepared meals for those in need
Freshman Class President
Aug 2022 - Jun 2023
Associated Student Body, Mountain View High School
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elected by the Associated Student Body Council to represent 500+ freshman in class meetings, activities, and rallies
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initiated and managed events including movie nights to create community between freshmen and sophomores
Founder and President
March 2021 - May 2022
Empathizers Club, Graham Middle School
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peer-to-peer, anti-stigma club to promote mental health awareness, including through regular PSAs during morning announcements for 900+ students
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developed a sustainability/succession plan for the first and only student-run club at my former middle school
Broadcasting Team Director and Anchor
September 2020 - May 2022
Graham Middle School Television
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anchor and director for one of the five morning broadcasting announcements teams
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led 7 to 10 of my peers to write scripts, record, edit, and broadcast live, without missing a day. We went on to win the “Top Broadcasting Team” award from the school in my 8th grade year.
Community Service
Founder
Jun 2025 - Present
Zoom to Breathe
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developing an online, public peer-to-peer counseling program to give students access to regular, facilitated anonymous peer conversations to express their emotions and experiences
Youth Advisory Committee
Aug 2024 - Present
California Partners Project
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endorsed by Stanford Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing and selected among 90+ state-wide teens for 12-member board for organization utilizing film to edit youth-led social media campaigns to educate adults about how to support teens through their social media experience
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led qualitative focus group research to investigate the needs of teens in diverse communities across the state
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proposed state-wide initiatives to the First Partner, California First Lady Jennifer Siebel Newsom, to increase teen engagement in California programs at parks and libraries
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provided youth perspective on state-wide initiatives for child wellbeing led by the California Partners Project such as California for All Kids
Creator and Teacher
Oct 2024 - Present
Advocacy in Film, Graham Middle School
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teach 20+ students film/editing skills and mentor students about how to submit to contests including C-SPAN StudentCam through weekly meetings; advised by broadcasting teacher for the TV program I directed and anchored while in middle school
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training students in high-level editing software programs including Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere Pro to produce films advocating for global solutions
Student Advisory Board
August 2024 - Present
Superintendent's Office, Mountain View Los Altos High School District
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selected among students from the three high schools within the Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District to serve on a board of 30 students that advises the District Superintendent
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advocated for and presented proposal for district-wide grading equity
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influenced district-wide decision-making through conversations with the Superintendent to advocate for the youth voice in improved mental health practices for student-led events
Chapter President and Advisory Board Member
2022 - Present
Bring Change to Mind
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Club President and Founder, MVHS Bring Change to Mind Chapter
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initiated and lead club of 25+ members and 3-5 board members, creating community to promote mental health awareness
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developed Scream Day, engaging students campus-wide to scream over the course of a minute, releasing stress prior to finals
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organize bi-weekly school-wide and club-wide events, activities, and campaigns
2022 - 2025
Teen Advisory Board Member
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selected by Bring Change to Mind regional program managers to provide feedback to the national Bring Change to Mind organization and raise the youth voice about mental health and wellness through film, research, and community outreach
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presented to Bring Change to Mind representatives and networked with other club chapters to support the organization’s student movement
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volunteered at the Revels and Revelations charity event for the national organization, honoring youth champions including Amy Poehler, Billy Eichner, Wayne Brady, and Chase Stokes
Youth Strategy Advisor
June 2022 - Present
Stanford University
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invited by former Senior Vice President and Chief Government Relations Officer of Stanford’s Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Sherri Sager, to partner with Stanford Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing’s Strength In Youth program to develop a state-wide mental health peer support guide
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interpret and conceptualize qualitative research (surveys, interviews, focus groups, etc.) from 60+ California youth about mental health needs and resources
Youth Advisory Board Member
Mar 2022 - Jan 2025
California Children's Trust
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invited by Principal of the California Children’s Trust, Alex Briscoe, to advise the organization through legislative advocacy for health equity in family and youth state healthcare systems
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partnered with the California Department of Healthcare Services to provide feedback and perspective in developing a youth mental health app
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in partnership with the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, the National Center for Youth Law, the National Health Law and others, supported and advocated for passage of California AB 665 (ensuring health equity for youth aged 12 and older under MediCal)
Peer-to-Peer Advisory Board Member
Aug 2023 - Sep 2024
The Children's Partnership
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invited by the California Children’s Trust and selected by the Children’s Partnership to help guide the Children’s Partnership’s utilization of a $10M state grant to implement peer-to-peer pilot programs in eight different schools
Teen Advisory Council Member
Sep 2021 - Oct 2022
Community Health and Awareness Council
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selected by the former Director of the Social and Emotional Learning Skills Program of the MV Community Health and Awareness Council (now named Pacific Clinics) to collaborate with 10 teens to create a mental health library resource section for youth and online campaigns
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advised the broader organization about their financial sliding scale mental health programs for families and youth
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presenter for several community panels to advocate for the youth voice in mental health
Worldreader Champion
Feb 2019 - Aug 2022
Worldreader
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partnered with the international Worldreader organization to raise $3000 for an Anganwadi school in India to grant access to a digital library of 500 books and for teacher education
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donated all proceeds from the two novels I wrote (see “Publications/Honors/Awards” section)
Awards
mPower Award
2025
Mental Health America
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nominated by my middle school district’s Wellness Coordinator and the only student selected by the national Mental Health America organization among hundreds of nominees across the nation
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chosen for “innovation, leadership, personal experience, and promise” of my mental health advocacy at a national level
Co-Author
2025
"Youth and Caregiver Perspectives Informing App Development to Address High School Stressors"
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under review for publication in the Springer journal
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utilized qualitative research methods with adult and adolescent focus group data to build youth mental health app resource
Co-Author
2025
"Convergence of autism proteins at the cilium"
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under review for publication in the Nature Neuroscience journal
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utilized computational biology from RNA sequencing to provide evidence for the correlations between ASD and cilia
2nd Place and State Qualifier
2025
Synopsys Santa Clara Valley Science & Engineering Fair, Qualified for California State Science and Engineering Fair
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one of top 24 students in the state for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for independent research and presentation of Enhanced Cell Proliferation Driven by Overexpression of Autism-Linked Genes SCN2A and KMT5B out of 400+ biology submissions
National Merit Commended
2025
College Board
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recognized for an NMSQT PSAT score among students across the state and nation
School Recognition Award
2025
College Board
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recognized as a nationally top performing student from PSAT scores, AP scores, and GPA
Letter of Recognition
2024
United States Senate
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from Senator Laphonza Butler in recognition of C-SPAN StudentCam and mental health advocacy
Certificate of Recognition
2024
California State Assembly
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in recognition of C-SPAN StudentCam and mental health advocacy
Student Representative
2024
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
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selected by MVHS teachers and administration to be interviewed during school evaluations
Certificate of Recognition
2023
Santa Clara County Supervisor
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in recognition of C-SPAN StudentCam and mental health advocacy
Mental Health Proclamation
2022
Mountain View City
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for those doing “tremendous work in their communities for mental health”
Silver and Bronze Key Awards
September 2021 - October 2022
Scholastic Writing Awards
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Two silver keys and two gold keys for four various pieces of my books and poems
Education
High School Student
Mountain View High School
August 2022-Present