Stanford Neurodiversity Project - Research, Education, and Advocacy Camp for High Schoolers (SNP-REACH)
2024 Faculty, Guests Speakers, and Camp Leaders will be updated around March 2024
Recruiting college students to serve as camp leaders!
2023 Faculty
Lawrence Fung, M.D., Ph.D. is the Director of the Stanford Neurodiversity Project and Organizer of SNP-REACH. Dr. Fung specializes in the phenomenology, neurobiology and novel interventions of autism spectrum condition. Dr. Fung is the editor of "Neurodiversity: From Phenomenology to Neurobiology and Enhancing Technologies" with American Psychiatric Association Publishing. He serves as Director of the Neurodiversity Clinic, and Associate Professor (University Medical Line) in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. He is also the father of a teenager on the spectrum.
Rabia Belt, J.D., Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Law and Professor (by courtesy) of History at Stanford. She is a legal historian whose scholarship focuses on disability and citizenship. Her scholarship ranges from cultural analysis of disability in media, to contemporary issues facing voters with disability, to the historical treatment of disabled Americans. She is currently writing a book titled, “Disabling Democracy in America: Mental Incompetence, Citizenship, Suffrage, and the Law, 1819-1920” that is forthcoming with in the Studies in Legal History Series with Cambridge University Press. In 2015, the American Society of Legal History named her a Kathryn T. Preyer Scholar for her paper, “Ballots for Bullets? The Disenfranchisement of Civil War Veterans.”
Dr. Karen Parker is the inaugural Truong-Tan Broadcom Endowed Professor, Chair of the Major Laboratories Steering Committee, and Associate Chair for Research Strategy and Oversight, in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine. She is also Professor, by courtesy, of Comparative Medicine at Stanford University. Dr. Parker directs the Social Neurosciences Research Program, which seeks to advance understanding of the biological basis of social functioning across a range of species, and to translate these fundamental insights to drive diagnostic and treatment advances for patients with social impairment. Her core research interests include: oxytocin and vasopressin signaling pathways, development of valid animal models for streamlined translation and clinical impact, and biomarker discovery and therapeutic testing in children with autism spectrum disorder.
Marci Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D. is an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. In the SNP, Dr. Schwartz contributes to teaching the PSYC229 series (Topics in Neurodiversity: Introduction and Advocacy). She is also the founder of Thrive College Counseling where she works with students with unique learning profiles to find the right college fit. Dr. Schwartz received her Ph.D. in clinical social work from NYU and her certificate in college counseling from UCLA.
Thuc-Quyen Nguyen, M.D. is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. She is a psychiatrist in the Adult Neurodevelopment Clinic and Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic. She received her BS in Bioengineering at UC Berkeley and MD at UC San Francisco. She completed her Psychiatry Residency Training at the Harvard Longwood Program, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Stanford.
2023 Guest Speakers
Beth Grady, M.D., F.A.A.P. is a pediatrician who has been caring for low income children and teens in San Mateo County, California for over 25 years. Her professional interests include promoting a strengths-based neurodiversity model for pediatric primary care and making neurodiversity-positive resources and supports accessible to low income and non-English speaking patients and families. She is particularly interested in the intersection between neurodiversity and trauma. Since 2015, Dr. Grady has led the San Mateo Medical Center’s effort to implement Trauma Informed Care, including participating in the Center for Care Innovation’s Resilient Beginnings Collaborative https://www.careinnovations.org/programs/resilience/.
Olenka Villarreal is the founder of Magical Bridge Playground in Palo Alto and Magical Bridge Foundation and a former Silicon Valley leader. In 2008, Olenka brought together an effective team of experts, city officials, and volunteers to design and develop the groundbreaking Magical Bridge Playground in Palo Alto, CA. Olenka holds a B.A. in Economics and Public Policy from Pomona College and M.B.A. in Marketing from Golden Gate University.
Dani Bowman—who is on the autism spectrum founded her company, DaniMation Entertainment, at age 14 in 2009 and launched DaniMation UK in 2019. She graduated with a BFA in Animation in 2018 and an MBA in Global Strategy and Leadership in 2020. Dani has premiered 10 animated short films, a PSA, and a music video at San Diego Comic Con. Over the next 12 years, Dani has led summer animation camps and around the country, initially with Joey Travolta's Inclusion Films, and then expanding out on her own, adding programs at the University of South Florida and Plymouth University in England, teaching over 2000 youth with autism and other different abilities. In 2020, Dani pivoted to teaching animation from in-person to online with 1-Week Animation Workshops and One-on-One classes. In addition to teaching animation, Dani works with her students as a role model and mentor, encouraging them to follow their dreams. In 2021, Dani and her team participated in the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, where she won for “Best Editor” with her film “The Home Office”. Dani is currently working on getting a Ph.D with thesis on how much the impact her program has had in the autism community.
Dr. Yu Sun is an associate professor of Computer Science at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Dr. Sun has extensive work, research, and entrepreneurial experience in software engineering, mobile communications, cloud computing, and Internet applications. He currently serves as director of Software Engineering, Cloud and Mobile Computing Lab (SotCom Lab), and guides student research and entrepreneurship projects. At the same time, Dr. Sun is also the founder of Coding Minds, an technology educational startup that promotes Computer Science education for K-12 students. Prior to founding Coding Minds, Dr. Sun also co-founded Ziiio, an indoor navigation startup based on mobile technology. Dr. Sun also worked as a software engineer at Amazon and participated in the development of Amazon Silk, the world's first cloud-based mobile web browser.
Tingting Chen is a Professor of Computer Science at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, conducting active research in deep learning in medical applications, AI model security and privacy. Dr. Chen founded Code the Spectrum in 2021, a non-profit organization, aiming to help bridge the digital divide between neurotypical and neurodiverse people in the Technology world.
2024 Camp Counselors
Anna is a 3rd year at UCSB studying Psych & Brain Sciences and Applied Psychology. She was an SNP-REACH counselor in 2023 and works on research and outreach initiatives related to neurodiversity under Dr. Fung. Being neurodivergent herself, she is very passionate about fostering acceptance and awareness of neurodiversity in her community. In her freetime she enjoys hiking, slacklining, and origami!
Cai Zhen is a graduate of Stanford University majoring in Psychology and Philosophy. She is currently a lab assistant working on the DIVERSE project along with the Stanford Diversity Project team and hopes to further explore the connection between neurodiversity and other intersectional identities to empower her community.
Cassidy Miller is a rising Senior at UC Santa Barbara, majoring in Biopsychology and minoring in both Applied Psychology and Poverty, Inequality, and Social Justice. She is passionate about public health and healthcare equity, with a particular interest in mental health. She is involved in research that examines positive psychology interventions (PPIs) in psychotherapy, and hopes to conduct her own research examining the effects of PPIs in neurodiverse populations in the near future. In her free time, Cassidy enjoys playing Spikeball, hanging out with her cats, and spending time in the sunshine.
Ellie Peterson is a senior at University of California, San Diego, majoring in biochemistry with a minor in biology. She is looking forward to sharing her experiences through challenges as a neurodiverse individual, and encouraging others to achieve their goals during their high school and college years. She is excited to learn more about how to advocate for neurodiverse individuals through SNP-REACH. She is also interested in research focused on genetic testing for mental health-related medications, and how the body metabolizes these types of medications. She has volunteered for three years at Hoag Memorial Hospital and is excited to pursue a career in psychiatry, working to help neurodiverse individuals like herself. In her free time, she enjoys running, biking, and anything outdoors.
Fanheng Ye is a graduate of the University of Chicago, with a B.A. in Psychology and minor in Neuroscience, aspiring to pursue further studies in clinical psychology. Fan is an advocate of all things mental health, with particular interests in comprehensive and interdisciplinary approaches to psychiatric treatment and research. She spent her undergraduate years involved in advocacy for increased diversity and accessibility of campus mental health resources and hosted conferences focused on jumpstarting conversations surrounding the cultural nuances of mental health treatment and conceptualization. In addition to campus advocacy, Fan worked with students from underprivileged communities in South Side Chicago to help them succeed in their educational goals, and spent the rest of her time engaged in clinical research exploring the effects of sleep deprivation in inpatient wards. She is fascinated in sleep disorders and disturbances because sleep is such an essential aspect of life and cognitive function with high predictiveness of mental health disorders and quality of life, but so little is known of its mechanisms and function despite devastating societal costs in health and productivity when sleep is disturbed. In her free time, she can be found mired in artistic pursuits like fine arts and music composition, or deep in exploration of the philosophy of spirituality and how the metaphysical can integrate with empirical science to better approach the big, terrifying existential questions of our lives.
Grace Peterson is a rising senior at University of California, Irvine, majoring in chemistry with a minor in biology. Her interest in neurodiversity began with her own diagnosis of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). With a twin sister who is also neurodivergent, Grace has grown up developing skills for the challenges she has faced as a neurodivergent individual. Grace is passionate about sharing her skills with other neurodivergent individuals and is motivated to make sure neurodivergent individuals feel supported to accomplish their goals, as a neurotypical individual would. Her extensive experience involved with patient care as a volunteer through Hoag Memorial Hospital has inspired her to pursue a career in the medical field to study neurobiology and how it relates to the development of psychiatric disorders. In her free time, she enjoys running/hiking on local trails and spending time with friends and family.
Julia Zielke (she/they) graduated this spring from Stanford University, with a B.A.. in Psychology with Honors and a minor in Music. Particularly as a neurodiverse person themself, they are passionate about disability advocacy and dismantling institutionalized ableism. Some of their current research investigates the gender differences in neurodiversity presentation and how these intersect with underdiagnosis of neurodiverse conditions. Their research, including their senior honors thesis, also spans the intersection of emotions, communication, and mental health more broadly. In their natural habitat, they can be found playing the flute and piano, listening to music, writing poetry, analyzing their favorite characters from media, or stargazing. They’re looking forward to meeting you all—and they’re very excited to learn about your hyperfixations, special interests, and passions!
Lydia Yaiser is an academic researcher with Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She is currently working to develop sleep toolkits for patients on the Autism Spectrum with the SNORE research team and will be joining The Stanford Neurodiversity Project as a Camp Counselor.
In addition to Neurodiversity, Lydia’s research focuses include: childhood neglect + resiliency, socioeconomic barriers to healing, and evaluating how long-term psychological duress affects health outcomes. Finding the most effective ways for both physicians and mental health care providers to leverage this knowledge to better treat patients is of priority to her.
Lydia was recently awarded the Pathway to Equity Scholarship from Stanford Medical School, an award for students showcasing significant work in belonging, advocacy, support and diversity education. Aside from the medical school realm, Stanford University has additionally named Lydia as a merit grant awardee for three consecutive years running in support of her undergraduate education.
Hi everyone! My name is Mary Zheng, and I am a Master's student at Stanford studying science education. As a family member of an Autistic child, I aspire to increase awareness and opportunities for people with Autism that support them in their unique ways. I plan to continue sustaining and advocating for those in the neurodivergent community. I enjoy various activities involved in the arts (painting, crocheting, playing instruments), reading, and spending time with my family in my free time.
Maya Oralevich is from Palo Alto, California, and she is an incoming freshman at the University of California, Davis, where she plans to study Neurobiology and Anatomy. Maya grew up in a home with 3 neurodiverse siblings, and her passion for neurodiversity and the strength based approach sparked when she was diagnosed with Dyslexia in her sophomore year of high school. After her diagnosis, Maya became a camper of SNP-REACH in 2022, where she worked with her fellow campers to create a website to support undiagnosed neurodiverse students. Over the years, she has used her skills in universal design to volunteer with special needs and foster children, as well as to teach swim lessons to both neurodiverse and neurotypical children. In her free time, Maya enjoys swimming, running, traveling, and learning new languages! Feel free to reach out to Maya at moralevich@ucdavis.edu if you have any questions.
My name is Zack Mordecai. I am a rising sophomore at The University of Vermont studying biology on the Pre-Med track and pursuing a psychology minor. I am interested in neurodiversity as I had many friends who were neurodiverse growing up, and I want to help provide opportunities that they never had. My Hobbies include hiking, weightlifting, and rowing. I am currently a member of the men's rowing team at UVM.
Rohan Upadhyay is from Sacramento, California. He is currently a rising junior at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology and minoring in Psychology. He has personal experience with neurodiversity in his family, loves tutoring, and is always looking to find new ways in which people learn best. He loves to read, listen, and hear stories. He is super excited to be a camp counselor at SNP-REACH, and is very thankful for this opportunity. He can’t wait to meet you this summer!
Hi! I'm Sowmya, a sophomore at Stanford who is dedicated to helping others through neuroscience and engineering, especially those affected by addiction and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Srishti Thapar is a rising junior at UCSB, double majoring in Psychology and Data Science. As a returning counselor in the Stanford Neurodiversity Project, she hopes to spread awareness and promote education about neurodiversity to create a more understanding world. She also wants to learn as much as she can about neurodiversity to become a better advocate. She is particularly interested in promoting mental health awareness and teaching emotional skills in K-12 schools and hopes to become a therapist eventually. In her free time, she loves to make watercolor paintings, draw, attend workout classes, write poetry, and eat yummy food. She also tries to meditate every day!
Victoria Raha Sigaroudi is a dedicated individual who has pursued her master's degree in Medicine at the University of Southern Denmark. Alongside her academic pursuits, she is deeply involved in mental health advocacy, demonstrating her commitment to social causes. Her journey into advocacy and activism was deeply influenced by her personal experiences growing up with a loved one diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Witnessing the challenges and obstacles faced by her family member throughout their childhood and upbringing ignited a strong desire within her to promote awareness for the issue and create more inclusive environments, particularly within educational settings, to support neurodiverse students facing similar challenges. During her time as a student, Victoria has been involved in various extracurricular activities, including participation in the INSOFU project with the Zambia National Students Union focused on developing a toolkit for academic freedom, as well as active participation in human rights advocacy through her involvement with Amnesty International. She eagerly looks forward to the opportunity of meeting you all!
Rishi Upadhyay is an incoming freshman at Stanford University from Sacramento, California. He attended SNP-REACH in 2021, where his group’s project was integrating strengths-based learning into their respective schools; throughout the course of high school, he has tutored individuals from all backgrounds through the strengths-based model of preferred learning styles. He served on the Stanford Network for K-12 Neurodiversity Education and Advocacy (NNEA) as a Public Relations subcommittee member and founded the Hispanic Initiatives Subcommittee in 2022. He served as advisor for the Hispanic Initiatives subcommittee and as the NNEA co-chair for the 2023 - 2024 academic term. In his free time, he enjoys writing, playing the piano, and riding his bike.
Zoe is a cheerful student in the high school graduating class of 24’. Born and raised in Beijing, she is very familiar with Chinese culture and traditions. Since seven years old however, she’s grown up in Irvine, in sunny Southern California, where she has gathered most of her bright personality. She hopes to attend medical school, studying neuroscience during her undergraduate years. As one of the more recent campers of SNP-REACH, she returns to inspire campers, returning the favor of her experience in 2023. In her free time, she loves playing piano, tennis, weightlifting, and video games occasionally.
Erica Detemmerman the camp coordinator for SNP-REACH, and the administrative associate for the Stanford Neurodiversity Project and Center for Sleep in Autism Spectrum Disorder. After completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago, she became a pre-kindergarten teacher’s assistant and also started part-time work as a research assistant at the Goldin-Meadow lab at the University of Chicago studying non-verbal communication. Desiring to focus on autism, she started work at Soaring Eagle Academy’s therapeutic day school where she supported students with very different profiles and support needs using the Developmental Interpersonal Relationship model. She likes visiting her homeland, Switzerland, and baking pastries.