About Us

NeuraHope is a 501 (c) 3 youth organization that aims to spread awareness about Neural Tube Defects. We post frequently on our website/social media platforms and fundraise to support mothers who may not have access to the supplements needed for folic acid fortification. Additionally, we conduct interviews with CDC professionals, organize drives and events, conduct webinars, and share stories from those with NTDs.

Meet our Co-Presidents!

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Naysa Srivastava

I am in charge of redesigning our website and project management and was previously in the Marketing Director role with Ishnita! Being in charge of the writing and design team, handling posts and blogs has been a huge part of my work. It has been fulfilling to contribute to the workshops and book project, and I am excited to take this forward by increasing our reach and curating information on our sites well!

Ishnita Agarwal

Ishnita Agarwal is one of the CEOs of NeuraHope. She has published a book on neural tube defects (available on Amazon Kindle!) and is working on research at Baylor College of Medicine related to neural tube closure. She is head of the Research Writing and Design departments at NeuraHope, hoping to push forward the boundaries of knowledge and pioneer new technologies to advance healthcare.

Ayanna Jaboin

Ayanna is a high school senior located in Oklahoma City. An avid literary critic, she loves dissecting intersectional stories, hoping to adopt her favorite writer - Bernardine Evaristo’s - approach to lived experience. Ayanna is involved in mental health advocacy and hopes to become a psychologist. Being part of NeuraHope for the past three years, she is adamant in uplifting the psychosocial side of neural tube defects and reducing stigma in cross-cultural communities.

Vice President

Olivia Szelc

Olivia is a high school senior at Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. She has a passion for working with children and the medical field that envisions her becoming a pediatrician. She loves meeting new people and trying new food. Olivia spends her time tutoring students, volunteering around her neighborhood, participating in HOSA, and playing soccer. In her free time, Olivia enjoys hanging out with friends, baking, and reading dystopian books.

Founder & Advisor

Jasmine Liu

Jasmine is a freshman at Brown University who has a love for math, economics, and food! Additionally, she is an avid violinist and aspiring leader as head of her school's classical music, DECA, and volunteering clubs, concertmaster of her school's orchestra, and spear-header of numerous community initiatives. In her free time, she loves to jog outside, write, watch YouTube, and eat delicious food.

Team Directors

Saesha Sumeeth

Sophia Davis

Saesha is a high school senior at Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. Her goal is to go into the medical field and become a doctor. She loves spending time with her friends and reading books. Saesha spends her time cooking new recipes and participating in sports, like swimming and dancing.

Sophia Davis is a high school junior from Las Vegas, Nevada who enjoys medicine, music, and history! As an aspiring doctor, she enjoys educating people regarding medical topics that people may not know about, particularly in women’s health. At school, you’ll often see her taking on new community initiatives as part of her school’s Key Club, DECA, and HOSA, aiming to aid more people through volunteering in her city! In her free time, she loves to play piano, write, and eat plenty of good food

Nivriti Jain

My name is Nivriti and I am an IB student in Mississauga, Ontario. At school, I am a part of the Athletic Council, the School Newspaper, DECA, and Debate club. Outside of school I am a part of multiple organizations and in my free time I love to go to the gym, bake, relax, and hang out with my friends.

Mirzan Saliji

Mirzan is a high school senior from Dunlap, IL who had a great passion for health and psychology. He is a member of HOSA and an active tutor in his community. His favorite animal are cats, and he has one named Athena.

Anushri Mishra

Anushri is a high school senior in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. She is an aspiring neuropsychologist, hoping to bridge the gap between STEM and the social sciences. Following her interest in medicine and public health, she is the president of her school's American Red Cross club. In her free time, she plays euphonium in concert band, plays for the varsity tennis team, and runs a photography business.

Ivee Rahman

Hey, I am Ivee. I like to do research on neuroscience, psychology and medicine. Apart from that I also enjoy reading books and watching K-dramas. Whenever I am free I do yoga or pilates and sometimes bake.

Karina Petukhov

Karina is a high school senior based in Mississauga, ON, who's always curious about how people think and learn. As an IB student, she loves exploring big ideas and finding creative ways to express them, whether through playing guitar, writing in her journal, or getting lost in a good book. She is also an executive member of the Brain Bee Club, where she helps spark conversations about neuroscience and brings student together through shared curiosity.