Youth Scientific Council on Adolescence

Abril is a high school senior interested in biology and neuroscience and hopes to become the first woman doctor in her family. During her time in the YSCA, she aims to establish connections and learn about developmental science to actively support and educate the well-being of the LatinX community. As the founder and president of her high school’s Latino Student Union (LSU), Abril is committed to empowering first-generation students from underrepresented communities to achieve higher education through scholarship opportunities, community advocacy, and solidarity.

Benjamin is a high school junior who is excited to be venturing into new opportunities. He has an interest in biomedical engineering, plays baseball, enjoys learning new perspectives, and tries his best to live life with an open mindset. He hopes that through the YSCA, he can gain experience collaborating with people of different backgrounds and communicating the science of youth development.

Brynn is a high school junior who is very excited to be a part of the YSCA this year. She plans to eventually major in molecular biology and minor in biomedical research. She hopes to study the applications of biomedical engineering and pursue medicine. Brynn is very involved as an ambassador for her school, in Girl Scouts, in musical theater, and as a journalist for her school newspaper. Brynn feels very grateful to have a place in the YSCA and aims to communicate the developmental science of adolescence.

Emily is a fourth-year undergraduate student at UCLA studying neuroscience with a minor in brain and behavioral health. She is currently involved in two labs on campus that focus on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and attention control mechanisms, respectively. Emily is passionate about highlighting the importance of adolescent development on later-life brain health, especially in regard to preventative measures for neurodegenerative diseases. She is incredibly excited to be a part of YSCA and work with a dedicated and passionate team to improve our understanding of adolescent health. In her free time, Emily enjoys reading, bullet journalling, playing badminton, and exploring LA.

Jaleon is a high school junior who is passionate about biology and medicine. From a young age, he has been dedicated to improving people’s health and wellbeing, with aspirations of becoming a pediatrician or anesthesiologist. Driven by a strong interest in research and medicine, he aims to address gaps in medical knowledge. Beyond his scientific pursuits, Jaleon is active in sports, peer mediation, and various school clubs, and he also enjoys making music and writing. He is excited to be a part of the YSCA, where he looks forward to collaborating with like-minded individuals and expanding his knowledge of adolescent development.

Liam is a high school senior interested in psychology and adolescent health and well-being. He plans to research how stress affects the skin and hopes to pursue a major in psychology before attending medical school to become a dermatologist. Liam is actively involved in his school’s Associated Student Body, C5LA, and Charity Club. He has also participated in the UCLA CDA Summer Research Bootcamp on Adolescent Development and USC’s Keck School of Medicine volunteer program to deepen his understanding of psychology and health care. Excited to join the YSCA, Liam looks forward to collaborating with peers who share his interest in science and expanding access to the knowledge on adolescent development.

Madison is a high school senior who is interested in biology with a focus on immunology and genetics. She aims to have a career in medicine as a pediatrician and to be involved in biomedical research. With a particular interest in neuroscience, she is excited to bridge her cellular understanding with psychology and developmental science. Outside of science, she is also passionate about increasing access to music education in schools and is involved in teaching elementary school students the violin. Madison is very excited to be a part of the YSCA this year and to work with others who share the same interests and passions to communicate the developmental science of adolescence to others.

Merlot is a recent high school graduate interested in mental and physical health advocacy and research, with a particular interest in borderline personality disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder. She is working towards becoming a psychiatrist or neurosurgeon and is deeply involved with NAMI, Chords2Cure, and the Epilepsy Foundation of America. She placed in the Top 10 at the NFTE World Series of Innovation challenge for creating a mental health initiative to help women in third-world countries during their menstrual cycle. Merlot is very excited to communicate the promise of adolescence through developmental science as a YSCA council member.

Sebastian is a high school junior with a strong interest in biology, science, and medicine. He plans to pursue a career in surgery or biotechnology, combining his passion for helping others with his interest in psychology and mental health. To reach his goals, Sebastian enjoys exploring new experiences and connecting with people who have different backgrounds. He is excited to join the YSCA to gain and communicate new perspectives on adolescent well-being while furthering his passion for science. Outside of academics, he participates in volleyball, cross country, drumming, and various community-based organizations and after-school clubs.

Stephany is a fourth-year political science major at UCLA, passionate about civic engagement and mental health. From 2023 to 2024, she served as the Residential Government Council President of Dykstra Hall. Stephany’s commitment to advocacy is evident through her involvement with the Undergraduate Student Association Council’s Lobby Corps and the Campaign for College Opportunity, where she actively participated in educational advocacy and lobbying for educational equity. She is an advocate for mental health and holds a certificate in Youth Mental Health First Aid from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Looking ahead to the 2024-25 school year, she plans to continue her civil engagement and educational advocacy.