91����

Elnaz Safarha is a second year PhD student in the International Education Policy program, while obtaining a graduate certificate in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies both at the 91����. She has a master’s degree in International Development Economics from University of San Francisco in California, and an undergraduate degree in Economics from Allameh Tabatabaei University in Iran. Elnaz has gained over eight years of academic and professional experience conducting research and evaluations on education, gender, and child labor projects using mixed methods approach in 17 countries around the globe. Throughout these years, she has developed interests in inclusive education policies with respect to gender, sexuality, and disability in international policy discourse. 

Melody Mann is a second year PhD Special Education student working under the mentorship of Dr. Veronica Kang. Melody has completed her BA Child & Adolescent Development / Minor Early Childhood Special Education from San José State University as a McNair Scholar, her MS Special Education (Mild to Moderate) from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, and her MA Psychology (Cognition and Development) from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Professionally, Melody has 5+ years of classroom teaching experience in general and special education settings, served as an mentor for first generation college students, and was an academic coach for students with learning disabilities. Melody's research has focused on the mental health, educational enrichment, and accessibility of students and families who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). In her doctoral program, Melody aims to investigate South Asian, specifically Punjabi, families experiences in navigating special education and topics of disability. Her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion informs her research objective to create holistic representation for historically underrepresented populations in academia. 

Jung-Eun Kim is a PhD student in the International Education Policy program in the College of Education at the 91����. She received her bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Development and Cooperation from Yonsei University and completed her master’s degree in Development Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She has mainly studied education in the context of international development. Currently, her main research interest is how various inequalities, such as socioeconomic status (SES), race, gender inequality, and disabilities, interact with education. That is, how do inequalities affect the learning experience of students and how does education resolve, maintain, or exacerbate these inequalities?   

Isabel Ruiz (she/her/Ella) is a School Counseling candidate student, from the School Counseling M.Ed. program at the College of Education, at the 91���� College Park. Before joining the program, Isabel obtained her bachelor’s degree from the 91���� Baltimore County, double majoring in Psychology and Social Work. Her primary research interest involves understanding the implications of stigma on mental illness within the Hispanic community. She is also interested in the impact that culture and religion have on mental health. Isabel hopes to bring forth more information and resources about the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges to this community. In her free time, Isabel enjoys taking care of her orchids as well as spending time with her family, and husband and caring for her two young siblings who both were diagnosed with autism, church community, cohort group, and her two-year-old dog Milo!

Leslie Kim is currently an undergraduate student majoring in Biology with a Physiology and Neurobiology specialization at the 91����. She is interested in connections between childhood development and family dynamics within minority communities. In the future, she aspires to enter dentistry and provide accessible care to all populations.

Dhara Patel is a first year graduate student in the M.P.S in Clinical Psychological Sciences program at 91����. She completed her BS in Psychology at the 91����, Baltimore County. She is planning on getting a PhD in Clinical Psychology after completing her Master's degree. Currently, her main research interests focus on childhood resilience and child psychopathology in minority populations. Dhara will attend the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine's PsyD program this coming Fall 2024. 

Emily Bamberger is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and receiving a minor in Human Development at the 91���� at College Park. She is concentrating her studies in early childhood development and abnormal development. She is planning on getting her master’s degree in childhood development or early intervention. She has mainly completed research in ABA therapy and intervention methods for children with ASD. Currently her main research interest is early intervention in preschool-age and toddlers with ASD and parent training. Emily will be attending the 91���� Baltimore County to pursue a Master of Arts in Human Services Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis this coming Fall.

Promise 2025

Tori Anderson

Tori is a Clinical PsyD student at The Chicago School of Washington D.C. She is fascinated by the brain and behaviors and feels passionate about Autism. A fun fact about her is that she knows how to communicate using American Sign Language.

Raj Bhansail

Raj is an undergraduate student in the Scholars Program at the 91����, pursuing a double degree in Public Health Science and Finance. He is particularly interested in the intersection of health equity and economic policy, with a focus on how financial systems and public health infrastructure shape community well-being. Raj is currently conducting independent research on how financial literacy impacts access to healthcare and is committed to using interdisciplinary approaches to improve health outcomes in underserved populations.

Eddie Ding

Eddie is a rising senior attending Thomas S. Wootton High School. He has been working with kids with special needs for the past 3 years and enjoys seeing them grow. 

Anna Sofia Gatti

Anna is an undergraduate student studying Hearing and Speech Sciences at the 91����. She is also a part of the Gemstones Honors Program, where she is on a team researching the intersection of neuroplasticity and schizophrenia. Anna is deeply interested in pursuing a career in speech-language pathology and hopes to work with children in the future.  She hopes to gain meaningful insight into the diverse ways autism presents and how to best support communication development in children on the spectrum.

Jessica Rachel Goldschlager

Jess is a postbaccalaureate fellow at the National Institutes of Health, where they study sensory processing. With a background in neuroscience, clinical research, and direct support work, Jess strives to integrate multiple perspectives to better understand and support autistic youth. They are excited to bring this experience to the PROMISE program as a Big Buddy, building meaningful connections through curiosity, empathy, and, most importantly, play!

Rosangel Elizabeth Hall (Lizzie)

Lizzie is a second year post bacc researcher at the NIH. She graduated from UMBC IN 2022 with a BS in psychology and biology. This is her second year working in the PROMISE program. She is excited to continue this year!

Rachel Huang

Rachel is an undergraduate student studying English at the University of California Irvine. She enjoys working with children and is excited to be participating in PROMISE in order to contribute to a fun and inclusive environment for children with autism and other disabilities while continuing to expand her knowledge on how to best support their needs. 

Madhobee Kabir

Madhobee is an undergraduate student studying Neuroscience and Human Development at the 91����, College Park. She aims to pursue a career in psychiatry and developing holistic, non-medicinal approaches towards treating mental health. Additionally, she is interested in child development and early interventions of mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders present in young children. 

Jessica Lacava

Jessica is an undergraduate senior at 91���� studying Hearing and Speech Sciences. She is passionate about shedding ignorance around communities she is not as familiar with, as well as providing culturally and emotionally affirming speech-language pathology intervention in the future. At 91����, she is an active member in NSSLHA (National Student Speech Language Hearing Association) and CLISO (Cultural Leadership Initiative Student Outreach)

Vivian Li

Vivian Li is an undergraduate senior majoring in Hearing and Speech Sciences at 91����. Following graduation, she intends to pursue a masters degree in speech language pathology, particularly working with the pediatric population. She is passionate about working with and advocating for minority groups and neurodiversity. 

Akila Manage

Akila  is an undergraduate biochemistry student at the 91���� college park. She enjoys working with children, students with disabilities, and wants to pursue a career in pediatric biomedical research. She hopes to create knowledge to better understand and help individuals. Especially individuals living in third world countries. 

Memuna Mansaray

Memuna  is an undergraduate student studying psychology with a focus in cognitive neuroscience at Louisiana State University A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA. She is interested in increasing understanding and communication with neurodivergent individuals and understanding behavior in children and how that transpires over their course of their lives. 

Ingrid Mfabo Yopa

Ingrid is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Hearing and Speech Sciences (HESP) at the 91����. She is primarily interested in the audiology side of HESP and plans to apply to graduate school to continue her education. She enjoys working with children and is interested in learning more about neurodivergent children to better educate herself and effectively support them in the future, should the need arise.

Nay Myo Thura  

Nay is is a first-year PhD student from Myanmar. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Special Education, focusing on inclusive education for learners of all abilities, with a particular interest in autism in immigrant families. He is passionate about education reform and inclusive learning. He earned my M.A. in International Education Policy at the 91����, where he served as Community Chair of the CHSE Graduate Student Association and was an active member of the Education in Conflict and Emergencies student group.  

Charles Nie Xu

Charles is an high school student at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville. He is interested in pursuing a STEM degree in college and has been volunteering with special education families for the past 3 years. 

Melannie Valenzuela Portillo

Melannie is a senior Public Health Science major and Spanish minor. She is passionate about advocacy and representation, specifically within the Latinx community. Melannie is interested in health policy and epidemiology, as well as how socioeconomic factors can impact an individual's health and quality of life. She is part of the Gemstone Honors program where she conducts research on the relationship between the timing of an ASD diagnosis and families' socioeconomic status. She enjoys spending time in nature, playing tennis, and traveling!

Daniel Satterthwaite

Daniel is a 3rd year doctoral student in the School Psychology Program, here at 91����. He is interested in creating ADHD interventions for Black boys, as well as looking to transform schools to sites of healing

Brooklynne Smith

Brooklynne Smith is an Undergraduate Student studying psychology and music at Spelman College. She loves working with kids and has a passion for making a difference in their lives. She is interested in music therapy and social work as future career options, and hopes to inspire and help children.

Daniel Song

Daniel is a rising senior at Wootton High School. He is interested in biology and medicine.

WenXi Wu

WenXi  is a first-year graduate student pursuing a PhD in Special Education at 91����. She received her master’s degree in education sciences from Johns Hopkins University and her bachelor’s degree in general education from the University of California, Irvine. Her research interests include technology-based interventions for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, family-centered interventions, and best practices in inclusive classrooms. She is also interested in evaluating the implementation of technology-based interventions for autistic individuals in Asia

Blythe Zheng

Blythe is a high school student who plans to go to college and major in Psychology. She is interested in early childhood development, specifically concerning learning disabilities. She loves to help and teach children and hopes to pursue a career that will align with her interests. 

Melannie Valenzuela Portillo is a senior Public Health Science major and Spanish minor. She is passionate about advocacy and representation, specifically within the Latinx community. Melannie is interested in health policy and epidemiology, as well as how socioeconomic factors can impact an individual's health and quality of life. She is part of the Gemstone Honors program where she conducts research on the relationship between the timing of an ASD diagnosis and families' socioeconomic status. She enjoys spending time in nature, playing tennis, and traveling!

Iris Ham is a senior majoring in Public Health Science with a minor in General Business at the 91����, College Park. Her interests include health literacy, community engagement, and health education. She is passionate about improving communication in healthcare and making resources readily accessible for underserved communities. In the future, she hopes to eventually get a masters degree and pursue a career focused on finding ways to make the healthcare system easily navigable for all and promote health equity.

Kelley May is a current undergraduate public health science major, with an interest in epidemiology, at the 91����, College Park. Kelley has a strong interest in research pertaining to conditions that disproportionately affect women and marginalized communities. Through her academic work and community engagement, Kelley hopes to advocate for equitable health outcomes and contribute to research that encourages meaningful change. 

Melinda Zhao is a current undergraduate Biology and Psychology double major at the 91����, College Park. She is passionate about how the medical field can collaborate with other disciplines, such as psychology and education to amplify the voices of autistic individuals, and provide them with the support they need. In the future, she hopes to continue working with members of the autistic community and help those who have historically gone undiagnosed receive the proper diagnosis and accommodations.

Raj Bhansail is an undergraduate student in the Scholars Program at the 91����, pursuing a double degree in Public Health Science and Finance. He is particularly interested in the intersection of health equity and economic policy, with a focus on how financial systems and public health infrastructure shape community well-being. Raj is currently conducting independent research on how financial literacy impacts access to healthcare and is committed to using interdisciplinary approaches to improve health outcomes in underserved populations.

Anna Sofia Gatti

Anna is an undergraduate student studying Hearing and Speech Sciences at the 91����. She is also a part of the Gemstones Honors Program, where she is on a team researching the intersection of neuroplasticity and schizophrenia. Anna is deeply interested in pursuing a career in speech-language pathology and hopes to work with children in the future.  She hopes to gain meaningful insight into the diverse ways autism presents and how to best support communication development in children on the spectrum.