CHINMAYI BALUSU
UNITED STATES, 19
She/Her
Project: Simply Neuroscience
In middle school, Chinmayi became intrigued with the brain. As she explored the Internet, it was challenging to find neuroscience resources that weren’t exclusively for university students or experts. In May 2019, Chinmayi founded Simply Neuroscience – a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering students' interdisciplinary interests in the brain. They catalyze early and equitable neuroscience and psychology education by providing students with free online resources, opportunities, events, mentorship and 25 diverse departmental initiatives. Simply Neuroscience’s education, outreach and awareness initiatives include “The Synapse” Podcast, which highlights real-world applications of neuroscience; the Action Potential Advising Program, which connects students to mentors for career guidance; and the Synaptic Hacks hackathon, which unites youth for innovative problem-solving. All of the initiatives create a welcoming atmosphere where students can learn about neuroscience. Since 2019, Simply Neuroscience has grown into an international team of 350 volunteers, built a global coalition of 95+ organizations, and directly impacted 25,000+ students across 119 countries. In 2022, Simply Neuroscience will partner with grassroots initiatives so students can apply neuroscience to make meaningful impact in their communities. They will also expand their multilingual translation efforts for greater accessibility and connect with educators worldwide to enhance high school curricula with neuroscience materials. Chinmayi is on a mission to revolutionize the world of early neuroscience education and create a world where students can pursue their curiosity and passion for the brain, regardless of their location, age, identity or background.