"NeuroBridge is unique because it bridges gaps in neurological health awareness while also bridging meaningful connections between medical students and diverse communities. It fosters two-way learning—where students share brain health knowledge and, in turn, gain insight into what it truly means to be a culturally competent health advocate."

Areeba Chaudhry, Founder @ Neurobridge

Founder & Co-Leads

Bridging community & cognitive health.

Founder

Areeba Chaudhry

I am a third-year medical student at the University of Toronto with a strong interest in community advocacy and outreach. Recognizing disparities in health literacy—particularly around stroke, cognitive health, and other neurological conditions—I founded NeuroBridge to address this gap. The initiative connects medical students with diverse communities to foster culturally competent, two-way learning in brain health and to empower future physicians to become effective health advocates.

Co-Lead

Ashlyn Hersey

Ashlyn is a second year medical student at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate and masters degrees in neuroscience at Western University. She is passionate about neuroscience based outreach initiatives and mentorship opportunities. In her spare time, Ashlyn likes to play volleyball, read and play saxophone.

Co-Lead

Athena Mancini

Athena is a second year medical student at the University of Toronto with a strong interest in teaching and health advocacy. She joined the NeuroBridge stroke committee last year to increase awareness of neurological conditions and work closely with various community organizations. This summer, Athena worked at SickKids with the Children's Stroke Team to address gaps in neurological care surrounding the social and cognitive impacts of stroke. She is thrilled to be part of NeuroBridge once again and hopes to continue to expand the neurological workshop topics and list of community partnerships! In her spare time, Athena coaches club volleyball and enjoys exploring new restaurants and cafes.

Sabrina Zhu, VP Events

“NeuroBridge paves stepping stones for those communities, underserved populations, and healthcare trainees navigating neurological health."

Vice Presidents

VP Events & Pre-Clerkship Year 2

Sabrina Zhu

Sabrina is a 2nd-year medical student at the University of Toronto, with strong interests in Neurology, patient-partnered care, and narrative medicine. She was a research and content synthesis committee member during NeuroBridge's inaugural year, and is excited to return as VP Events for the upcoming academic year.

VP Outreach & Pre-Clerkship Year 2

Allam Rushdi

Hi, my name is Allam! I’m a second-year medical student at Temerty Medicine. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, where I double majored in Neuroscience and Psychology. My interest in stroke education began after my grandmother’s stroke in 2017, when her ability to recognize symptoms and call for help led to a better outcome, underscoring for me the life-saving value of awareness. I’ve since gained experience in rehabilitation and community outreach, working with seniors and international organizations to promote education, health, and empowerment. Through these experiences, I hope to continue promoting accessible patient education and empowering families to take an active role in neurological health.

VP Outreach & Pre-Clerkship Year 1

Ayush Patel

Hi, I’m Ayush! I’m a first-year medical student at U of T who’s passionate about brain health and making medical knowledge more accessible. I’ve built my interest in neurology by volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Society of Toronto, where I led workshops for both youth and seniors. I am excited to join Neurobridge as VP Outreach because I love to find creative ways to simplify complex health topics and share them with diverse communities. Outside of medicine, I love playing soccer, exploring hiking trails, and trying new foods!

By bridging science and community, we can build awareness, reduce stigma, and inspire action to support brain health for all.

Caitlin Lee

Cognitive Health Committee Lead

Committee Leads

Cognitive Health Committee Lead

Caitlin Lee

Caitlin is a third-year medical student at the University of Toronto with a passion for cognitive health and dementia education. In her second year as Cognitive Health Committee Lead for the Neurobridge Club, she continues to develop and deliver workshops for medical students and community groups, including long-term care homes. Her experience working in dementia and aging research, along with volunteering with the Alzheimer Society, drives her commitment to promoting brain health across diverse communities.

Workshop Content Creation Committee Lead

Yossef Nafea

Hi everyone, I am Yossef, the Content Creation Committee Lead for this year! I am a 2T8 at UofT Medicine and I have been with NeuroBridge since its formation last year. During my time here, I was a Cognitive Health Committee member where I helped create the Alzheimer's Disease presentation and presented it at two workshops. This year, I hope to help expand the range of topics that NeuroBridge covers to contribute to our mission of spreading cognitive and mental health awareness!

Stroke Committee Lead

Aashna Agarwal

I have held a strong interest in neurology-related fields throughout my career. In 2017, I built an app to use repetitive recall as a memory aid for individuals with mild to moderate dementia. Since then, I've engaged in research around various subjects such as concussion, music therapy for Parkinson's disease, sleep assessment and more. However, since my grandfather suffered a stroke a few years ago, I've been passionate about the value of educating people on this subject so we can get the best possible outcomes.

Neurobridge fosters meaningful conversations about neurological health, empowering individuals with knowledge to support their well-being while giving medical students important insight into the lived experiences and perspectives of the communities they serve.

Megan Sullivan, Workshop Content Creation Committee Member

Comittee Members

Ridhi Gopalakrishnan

Cognitive Health Committee Member

Megan Sullivan

Workshop Content Creation Committee Member

Megan is a first-year medical student at the University of Toronto. She previously completed her PhD in Pharmacology at U of T, where she studied a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. She is passionate about health promotion and improving public understanding of neurological conditions. Outside of medicine, she enjoys running and staying active.

Nishaad Sheth

Workshop Content Creation Commitee Member

Nishaad is a first-year medical student at the University of Toronto with a background in neurophysiology and neuromodulation research. During his undergraduate studies at McMaster University, he developed a strong interest in video creation and pedagogy. Drawing from his experience in movement disorders research, he aims to bridge clinical knowledge with engaging public outreach to raise awareness of neurological disorders and support communities in adopting preventative measures.

Kristen Di Stefano

Stroke Committee Member

Hi! My name is Kristen and I’m a first-year medical student at UofT. Before medical school, I completed my Bachelor of Health Science Degree at Queen’s University and Master of Health Science in Translational Research at UofT. I joined NeuroBridge because I hope to reach communities in a way that is actionable, so as to support and inform them to improve their long-term health. Working closely with patients living with dementia and cognitive impairment has motivated me to be part of initiatives that promote cognitive health and bridge the gap between knowledge and community awareness.

"“If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, touch a life.” - Author Unknown

Riya Uxa, General Volunteer

General Volunteers

Riya Uxa

My name is Riya and I am a first year medical student at Temerty! I did my undergrad at UofT with a major in Human Biology and a double minor in Physiology and General Biology. In my free time, I enjoy Bollywood dance, playing basketball, reading, and hanging out with friends!

Elizabeth Li

Hello! I am a first-year medical student at the University of Toronto. Prior to this, I completed my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at McMaster University, where I have many fond memories of volunteering with community organizations in Hamilton. These experiences deepened my appreciation for service and community engagement, which I look forward to continuing in Toronto through Neurobridge. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time outdoors, going to the gym, and dancing.

Youmna Sinjab

I’m a second-year medical student at the University of Toronto with a growing interest in neuroscience, family medicine, and community health education. I’ve always been drawn to roles where I can connect with people, simplify complex information, and help make healthcare feel more approachable. Through my experiences in mentorship and community outreach, I’ve seen how much confidence and clarity patients gain when they understand their own brain and body. I’m excited to be part of an initiative that brings that kind of support directly into the community and gives medical students a meaningful way to contribute beyond the classroom.

Kyle Misztal

I am a first-year medical student with a background in military leadership and community outreach. I have a growing interest in neurological health, medical education, and advocacy. I am passionate about making complex medical information accessible and empowering patients and families through effective education.

Megan Laing

General Volunteer

First Year Medical Student @ U of T

Before coming to UofT for medical school, I was at McMaster for my undergrad in health sciences. Here, I discovered a love of anatomy, specifically brain and nervous system anatomy and physiology, and did research looking at the spinal cord and vertebral column. I also have a passion for patient advocacy, making sure that all individuals interacting with the healthcare system can do so safely and easily. I joined NeuroBridge to help teach others about the brain and neurological conditions, and to equip everyone with the knowledge they need to prepare themselves should they or a loved one face neurological degeneration.

Jingyi He, VP Communication

I love our neurobridge community! Its such a joy to be working with brilliant and passionate medical students to advance community engagement in brain health.

Courtney Ross, Stroke Committee

For me, the most rewarding part of NeuroBridge is helping people—whether they’re students or older adults—gain knowledge and confidence that can improve their health and quality of life.

Website Design

VP Communications

Jingyi He

Hello! My name is Jingyi and I am serving as VP Communications for Neurobridge! Prior to starting medical school, I studied Honours Nursing and had the priviledge to take care of patients living with dementia. At Neurobridge, we are working to spread awareness on neurocognitive disorders and spark interest in brain health among highschool students. It is a lovely team to work with, and I encourage all med students to join!

Website Design & Stroke Committee

Courtney Ross

Hi, I’m Courtney! I am a member of the Stroke Committee at NeuroBridge and I’m passionate about building connections through community outreach and helping make medical knowledge more accessible and engaging for everyone. I helped bring our educational workshops to high school students and I co-designed our website to make our resources easy to access and to spread our mission. Before medical school, I got my undergrad degree in Molecular Biology and played varsity soccer at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.

NeuroBridge