Who We Are
We are a team of UCLA students from a wide variety of majors passionate about neuroscience and cutting-edge technology.
Dr. Marlius Castillo
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Jeff Bronstein
Medical Advisor
Dr. Jacqueline Chen
Medical Advisor
Lee Felsenstein
Engineering Advisor
Dr. Martin McKeown
Medical Advisor
Dr. Ana Luisa Trejos
Engineering Advisor
Tiffany Chen
Founder
Pynn Harinsuit
President
Henry Lewis
External Vice President
Badri Vinayak Mishra
Internal Vice President
Charlene Guo
Education Director
Dory Kawauchi
Outreach Coordinator
About Tiffany Chen
Tiffany Chen is a second-year medical student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where she is committed to advancing both the scientific and social dimensions of healthcare through leadership, advocacy, and research. She graduated from UCLA in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in Human Biology & Society, where she was involved in clinical research on long-haul COVID and integrative medicine. In 2020, Tiffany founded HAND (High-tech and Neurological Disorders), an organization dedicated to mentoring and providing hands-on learning opportunities for students interested in neurological disorders and innovative medical technology. Now as a medical student, Tiffany is excited to expand HAND to DGSOM, fostering a community that encourages collaboration and innovation in neuro-related biotechnology. In her free time, Tiffany enjoys practicing her medical Mandarin at Chinatown health fairs, refining her golf swing, and unwinding on nature walks in the botanical gardens.
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Year: Alumni
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Major: Human Biology & Society
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Minor: Biomedical Research
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Email: Tiffany@handucla.org
About Konmal Ali
Konmal Ali is a fourth-year Human Biology and Society major and Co-President for HAND. The interdisciplinary nature of neuroscience, unique approaches, and complexity drew Konmal to HAND. Through this organization, she hopes to raise awareness and provide support to communities, to ensure that the topic of neurological diseases is made approachable. Konmal hopes to pursue a physician-scientist career and continue to expand upon available knowledge, especially on movement disorders such as Parkinson’s. As a part of HAND, she hopes to foster lasting relationships with like-minded individuals and continue to showcase the intersectionality of medicine as well as technology. Outside of her academic pursuits, Konmal enjoys creative writing, traveling to new cities, and playing the piano.
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Year: Senior
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Major: Human Biology and Society
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Email: konmalghazal@g.ucla.edu
About Anubhav Chandla/h3>
Anubhav Chandla is a senior at UCLA studying Human Biology and Society and serves as the Co-President of HAND. Anubhav hopes to pursue a career as a physician-scientist and aspires to expand his experience within the biotech field as well. Anubhav aims to further expand the iStopShaking device patent developed by HAND and expand upon it through the unique ideas of our members! By working alongside the HAND leadership team, Anubhav hopes to widen our reach throughout UCLA and our local/global community. Furthermore, he aspires to bridge the gap between science, technology, and medicine, all while pushing the needle within neuroscience research, a field that has endless possibilities. Outside of school, Anubhav loves to play tennis, cook for friends/family, and professionally perform as an Indian Classical Percussionist.
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Year: Senior
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Major: Human Biology and Society
About Dr. Marlius Castillo
A native of Venezuela, Marlius received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Carabobo, Valencia, Venezuela in 2008. She then went on to Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas to study and synthetize fluorescent dyes with Professor Sergei V. Dzyuba in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. She received her Ph.D. in 2019 with a focus in organic chemistry and spectroscopy. As a graduate student, Marlius was first author on two published research papers and co-author on four published papers. She was the recipient of a 2018-19 Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC) graduate research grant at TCU for her project titled “Ratiometric molecular rotors for determining phase-transitions of gels, waxes, and polymer films”. Marlius joined UCLA in August 2019 as a Cram Teacher-Scholar. She conducts postdoctoral research in the laboratory of Professor Miguel Garcia-Garibay, studying synthesis and applications of fluorescent molecules, and she teaches Structures of Organic Molecules (14C).
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Title: Faculty Advisor
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Department: Chemistry & Biochemistry
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Email: marlius@chem.ucla.edu
About Dr. Darlene A. Mayo
Dr. Darlene A. Mayo (née Lobel) is a board certified neurosurgeon who is internationally known as an expert in the treatment of essential tremor and other movement disorders. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Duke University and her Medical Doctorate from Medical College of Georgia. She completed clinical fellowships in Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery and Epilepsy at UCLA and Emory, finishing training in 2007. She also completed two research fellowships, first in Grenoble, France, where she worked for two years with Professor Alim-Louis Benabid at Clinatec on the clinical protocol and implementation of a brain computer interface system, designed to aid quadriplegic patients. She then completed a fellowship in the Neural Engineering Laboratory at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where she worked on the design and preclinical assessment of an intraspinal microstimulation system to restore neurologic function after spinal cord injury. Dr. Mayo worked for two years as a Neurosurgeon and Assistant Professor at University of Florida-Jacksonville and for nearly five years as a Neurosurgeon and Associate Professor of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering at the Cleveland Clinic, where she had a busy practice treating patients with essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. She also co-led an essential tremor support group for two years in the Cleveland area.
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Title: Medical Advisor
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Full Biography: avucamd.com/about/
About Dr. Jacqueline M. Chen
Dr. Jacqueline Chen is a podiatry specialist in Frederick, MD. Dr. Chen completed a residency at Aria Health and currently practices at Frederick Foot and Ankle and is affiliated with Frederick Health. Dr. Chen is board certified in Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine.
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Title: Medical Advisor
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Education:
-Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine | Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
-Bachelor of Science, Major: Biology, Minor: Asian American Studies | University of Maryland College Park -
Residency- Post Graduate Training:
-Medicine and Foot & Ankle Surgery | Aria-Jefferson Health – Philadelphia, PA, 2015-2018 -
Hospital Affiliations:
-Frederick Memorial Hospital - Frederick, MD | Present
-Frederick Foot & Ankle ASC - Frederick, MD | Present
-Thomas Johnson Surgery Center - Frederick, MD | Present -
Professional Affiliations: American Podiatric Medical Association
About Lee Felsenstein
Lee Felsenstein has been designing electronic circuits, systems and products for over 40 + years. A graduate of the College of Engineering at the University of California at Berkeley, Lee’s active interest in electronics dates back to childhood. Involvement in establishing the first public-access computer social media system led to his immersion in the embryonic personal computer industry, where he designed several pioneering products, including the first commercially successful portable computer. He designed the meeting structure of the legendary Homebrew Computer Club and ran the meetings for the 11-year existence of the club. This extraordinarily productive club spawned at least 23 personal computer companies including Apple. Lee has operated two independent electronic design consulting companies, was the first researcher hired at Interval Research Corporation, where he ran the prototype development section, and has 23 patents issued in his name. He was a founding director of Osborne Computer Corporation and serves on the Intellectual Property Committee of the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). Lee is a Fellow of the Computer History Museum and was named a Pioneer of the Electronic Frontier in 1994 (Electronic Frontier Foundation).
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Title: Engineering Advisor
About Dr. Jeff Bronstein
Jeff Bronstein received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and M.D. and Ph.D. from UCLA as a recipient of the Medical Scientist Training Program Award. He completed a residency in Neurology and fellowship training in Movement Disorders at UCLA and at Queens Square in London. Dr. Bronstein also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in molecular biology before being appointed an Assistant Professor of Neurology in 1994, Director of the Movement Disorders Program at UCLA in 1996 and Director of the Wilson’s Disease Center of Excellence in 2004. He was promoted to Professor of Neurology in 2006, Professor of Molecular Toxicology in 2007 and awarded the Fred Silton Family Chair in Movement Disorders in 2016. His clinical interests include the management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other movement disorders, surgical treatment of PD, and developing new therapies for patients. Dr. Bronstein’s research interests include the study of the causes of PD (environmental and genetic) using cell and zebrafish models as well as population-based studies.
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Title: Medical Advisor
About Dr. Martin McKeown
Dr. McKeown is the PPRI/UBC Chair in Parkinson’s Research, Director at the Pacific Parkinson’s Research Centre (PPRC), Professor in the Department of Medicine, and associate member in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of British Columbia, Canada. The PPRC is deemed an International Centre of Excellence by the (US-based) National Parkinson’s Foundation. He did his Engineering Physics, Medicine and Neurology training at McMaster, University of Toronto, and University of Western Ontario, respectively. He did a 3yr research fellowship at the Computational Neurobiology Laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in San Diego before being hired as an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering at Duke University. He was recruited to UBC in 2003.His interests include examining novel treatments for Parkinson’s and exploring how Engineering methods can be used to enrich the lives of people with Parkinson’s.
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Title: Medical Advisor
About Dr. Ana Luisa Trejos
Dr. Trejos's research has focused on the design, integration and evaluation of mechatronic devices that are aimed at providing medical care. This experience led her to establish the Wearable Biomechatronics Laboratory in 2013, dedicated to the design of wearable mechatronic devices for upper body rehabilitation and motion assistance, including wearable devices for tremor suppression and smart orthotic devices for elbow, wrist, hand and neck rehabilitation. Her research has focused on designing novel sensing and actuation components, creating models based on sensed biosignals, and developing intelligent and adaptive control systems, as well as their overall integration into unobtrusive wearable mechatronic devices.
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Title: Engineering Advisor
About Kailin Mimaki
Kailin Mimaki is a fourth-year Psychobiology major and is thrilled to serve as HAND’s Vice President of Outreach. Her interest in neuroscience began when she became a Research Assistant at the Hajal and Lavretsky labs, where she investigates how brain imaging techniques, such as EEGs and MRIs, can be used to alleviate mental health disorders and improve emotion regulation strategies. Kailin is excited to host volunteer opportunities and professional panels that will help HAND members explore their passions in promoting awareness of neurological disorders. At UCLA, Kailin also serves as the President of Medical Experience through Service in Healthcare (MESH) and as the Internal Campus Volunteers Director of the Alumni Scholars Club. When she is not pursuing her career goals of becoming a physician, Kailin loves attending concerts, indulging in desserts at the trendiest spots in LA, and journaling!
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Year: Senior
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Major: Psychobiology
About Aye Chan May
Aye Chan May is a fourth-year Neuroscience major and she is the Vice President of Education for HAND. She is intrigued by the fact that neuroscience is an ever-expanding field that intersects with numerous topics such as biotechnology, medicine, and psychology. May joined HAND in her freshman year to meet and interact with like-minded individuals who were also interested in learning more about neuroscience. May is excited to host HAND's annual Neurological Diseases Awareness Night and share engaging case study presentations and podcasts for the HAND members to become more knowledgeable on the various niches in neuroscience. Outside of school, May enjoys going to cafes and learning new recipes!
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Year: Senior
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Major: Neuroscience
About Henry Lewis
Hi I’m Henry, a third-year student and HAND’s External Vice President. HAND has given me the creative freedom to design passion projects and use them as platforms for change within the Los Angeles community. From its dedicated members to its close-knit alumni network, HAND truly values individual voices and fosters collaboration. Beyond academics, it’s where I’ve met some of my closest friends through welcoming social events. Serving as an Outreach Director taught me invaluable leadership skills—especially how to connect and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds. One of my favorite HAND experiences was visiting local elementary schools to spark curiosity and awareness about neuroscience and neurological disorders.
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Year: Junior
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Major: Microbiology Immunology and Molecular Genetics
About Chloë Murdock
Chloë is a fourth-year Neuroscience major with a minor in Global Health and one of the Co-Directors of Education for HAND this year. She joined HAND since she was interested in exploring the intersection of biotechnology and neuroscience as well as spreading awareness about neurological disorders. Chloë’s interest in neuroscience began in high school when she conducted a research project on neural degeneration in Multiple Sclerosis. In her free time she enjoys relaxing at the beach, baking, going to concerts, and playing the cello.
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Year: Senior
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Major: Neuroscience
About Malieka Niakan
I’m an upcoming junior at UCLA, majoring in Cognitive Science and minoring in Education. I am working towards pursuing a career in health policy, specifically targeting policy reforms in minority communities and communities with neurological disorders such as ASD. I joined HAND my sophomore year and I love the people I have met so far and have had so much fun planning events while also learning a lot throughout the process!
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Year: Junior
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Major: Cognitive Science
About Pynn Harinsuit
I’m a third-year Cognitive Science major with a Computing Specialization and an Entrepreneurship minor. What I love most about HAND is its warm, collaborative spirit and its commitment to making a real-world impact through biotechnology and neuroscience. As a former Marketing & Recruitment Director, I gained experience leading the recruitment cycle, designing creative campaigns, and spreading awareness about neurological disorders. HAND has deepened my passion for exploring the intersection of the brain and technology and taught me how to seek out and make the most of new opportunities. I’m excited to continue growing with HAND and can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together this year!
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Year: Junior
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Major: Cognitive Science (Computing Specialization) & Entrepreneurship Minor
About Dory Kawauchi
I’m Dory, a second-year Biochemistry major. What I love most about HAND is how passionate and kind its members are! Everyone brings their unique interests and energy, creating such an inspiring and supportive community. I’m excited to continue learning, collaborating, and growing with HAND this year!
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Year: Sophomore
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Major: Biochemistry
About Badri Vinayak Mishra
Hello! I'm Badri Vinayak Mishra, a third year undergraudate student at UCLA, majoring in Molecular and Cell Development Biology. My passion lies in exploring the dynamic intersection of biology and healthcare, driven by a deep commitment to making a tangible difference in people's lives. I am primarily interested in how medicine can be made more accessible to everyone and accessible tech. I believe in the power of interdisciplinary collaboration to address the pressing challenges in healthcare. Whether it's facing life-threatening diseases head-on, exploring cutting-edge technologies, or fostering innovation, I'm eager to contribute to these endeavors and make a positive impact. I have worked with UCLA Health to reduce overcapacity in emergency, labor and delivery, and neonatal departments. I am specifically interested in how we can make data-driven solutions to answer such questions about how to reduce overcapacity.
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Year: Junior
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Major: Molecular and Cell Development Biology
About Charlene Guo
Hi I’m Charlene Guo, HAND’s Education Director and a passionate advocate for learning about neurological conditions. I’m deeply interested in understanding these disorders and believe HAND provides a wonderful platform to educate ourselves and others about the brain. I’m excited to help create meaningful educational initiatives that spark curiosity and awareness within our community!
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Year: Sophomore
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Majors: Computational and Systems Biology
About Cailah Lim
Cailah Lim is a fourth-year Computational and Systems Biology student at UCLA. She is the Webmaster for HAND and joined the club because of the unique biotechnology-medicine intersection HAND was built upon. Cailah is excited to contribute to and help cultivate HAND’s website, as well as continue spreading awareness about neurological disorders to future generations of scientists. At UCLA, she is involved with research at the Lusis Lab in the DGSOM Cardiology Department and works at the UCLA Learning Centers on the Hill. Outside of school, Cailah enjoys bouldering, trying new restaurants, and crocheting!
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Year: Junior
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Majors: Neuroscience & Biomedical Research Minor