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About Us

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The Stanford Undergraduate Neuroscience Society (SUNS) is responsible for hosting events that promote and provide opportunities to engage in neuroscience. SUNS is managed by an Executive Board which plans and executes each of the events. Learn more about us below!

President

Ricky Rios (he/him)

Ricky is a junior studying bioengineering and chemistry. He is currently working in Heilshorn Lab researching the use of 3D-printed neural conduits for use in drug delivery. Outside of school, he enjoys listening to music and learning new instruments.

Financial Officer

Julia Ransom

Director of Marketing

Max Benabou (he/him)

Max is a junior studying biomedical computation and Spanish. He does research with Giardino Lab studying neuropeptide release in stress and addiction circuits and is interested in the intersection of neuroscience and engineering. In his free time, he enjoys running and playing trumpet in the LSJUMB.

Academics and Research Committee

Vice President of Academics and Research

Amrita Malhotra (she/her)

Amrita is a sophomore studying symbolic systems, music, and biology. She is beginning research in the Gibson lab related to circadian rhythms and glial cells, and is also interested in the intersection of neuroscience and music. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano and French horn, dancing with Stanford Basmati Raas, and watching TV shows and movies.

Academics and Research Committee Member

Ayushi Mohanty (she/her)

Ayushi is a freshman from Houston, Texas planning to major in Bioengineering. She has a broad research experience and is interested in learning more about the intersection of neuroscience and technology. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and solving puzzles.

Academics and Research Committee Member

Heidy Munoz (she/her)

Heidy is a sophomore studying neurobiology. She works at the Gibson Lab as a research assistant exploring the role of oligodendrocytes and OPC in conjunction with circadian rhythm in neurological disorders. When she’s not in lab, she enjoys hiking, crocheting, and making origami.

Academics and Research Committee Member

Vladimir Mamchik (he/him)

Vladimir is a freshman studying biology. He does research at the Palanker Lab, working on developing subretinal prostheses for restoration of vision in patients with retinal degenerative diseases. He is passionate about vision care, planning to go into the field of ophthalmology.

Outreach Committee

Vice President of Outreach

Hannah Pescaru (she/her)

Hannah is a sophomore from Chicago, IL planning on majoring in Chemistry. Apart from being the VP of Outreach for SUNS, Hannah is involved with Cardinal Free Clinics, Stanford Women in Medicine, and the Fame Lab, where she conducts research on choroid plexus carcinoma and post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. When she’s not thinking about the brain, she enjoys baking, boxing, and taking long walks and listening to Taylor Swift.

Outreach Committee Member

Sofia Furbeck (she/her)

Sofia is a freshman studying Psychology and Spanish. She is going to start research with the Padula BRAVE Lab studying sleep disturbance in Veterans with polysubstance use to identify new targets for improving withdrawal symptoms in addiction. For fun she loves hiking, running, and trying new places to eat with friends.

Outreach Committee Member

Sammie Shim (she/her)

Sammie Shim (she/her) is a freshman studying Symbolic Systems and Economics. In her free time, she enjoys A Cappella, dancing, skiing, and crocheting.