Meet the 2023 Elsa’s Scholars. These students represent the start of the Elsa’s Touch Program. They come from all across the United States and even the world, but they are united by their desire to further advancements in the field of neuro-oncology. The 2023 Scholars took part in the Society for Neuro-oncology (SNO) conference in Vancouver, Canada. At the conference they were welcomed with Elsa’s Touch T-shirts, and swag bags. Learn more about this stellar group below!
Aden Pepe Haskell-Mendoza
Aden is a current medical student at Duke University where he is the president of the Neurosurgery interest group, and of course has an affinity for surgical techniques. Aden produces rock music in his free time and holds a master’s degree in biology. When talking about SNO, Aden said, “It was wonderful to approach a larger conference like SNO with a home base of designated individuals who had shared interests and enthusiasm. There was great camaraderie from the first day, and the opportunity to attend SNO allowed me to see where the cutting edge of neuro-oncology is and where research is going while building a community.”
Lauren Pearson
Lauren is an undergraduate at the University of Toronto on the health sciences track. Lauren has spent time working with neurotech startups, neurodiversity research, and the intersections of the computer and the brain. Her unique approach to neuroscience provides a fresh perspective, full of optimism. Lauren shared, “Attending SNO 2023 solidified my aspirations towards becoming the physician-scientist I always dreamed of. Not only did I leave this trip with a plethora of new knowledge, but I also left having gained seven new friends. I have so much gratitude for everyone who made this opportunity possible. I’m honored to have the privilege to be apart of Elsa’s Touch.”
Danielle Miyagishima
Danielle is an MD/PhD student at Yale University. Danielle recently defended her PhD thesis and has returned to her medical school rotations. Danielle is a curator of the New Haven Global Shapers Hub, and has created an impressive online community to inspire others studying medicine.
Nikhil Joshi
Nikhil is a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Currently, Nikhil is working on bioinformatics research and previously spent time in pancreatic cancer labs. Nikhil noted, “Elsa’s Touch has ignited my passion for research and helped me generate more impactful work through the advice and community of the scholars.
Debora Ghosh
Debora is an undergraduate at UC Berkeley studying Molecular and Cellular biology. Debora has shadowed at the Lenox Hill Hospital and is currently writing a paper on patient outcomes and telehealth. Debora told Elsa’s Touch that “Elsa’s Touch has blessed me with the opportunity to nurture my interests in neuro-oncology and neurosurgery by connecting me with inspirational physicians and leaders in the field alongside dedicated peers.”
Swetha Chandrasekar
Swetha is an undergraduate at Loyola University Chicago. Swetha is passionate about combatting disparities in healthcare treatment and patient outcomes especially in the international world. To Swetha the SNO experience was, “The Elsa’s Tough Experience contributed greatly to my sense of belonging in neuro-oncology and biomedical research as a whole.”
Ipinu Fatokun
Ipinu is a medical student at the University of Alberta. Ipinu earned a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and has published neuroscience research in the past. Moving forward, Ipinu hopes to pursue a career in neurosurgery. To Ipinu the Elsa’s Touch Experience meant, “provided [her] with the opportunity to see the various opportunities and ways to have impact within the field of neuro-oncology. It was amazing to see the various roles, and possibilities within the field as well as meeting people [she] have looked up to for many years.”