About. |
Synapse NationalSynapse National is a national organization that provides students the opportunity to work together to support people who a living with brain injury and trauma. Penn Glia, alongside Stanford Synapse and MIT Brain Trust (among others), is a collegiate level chapter of the organization.
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Our MissionOur mission is to provide individuals with brain injury opportunities to connect with and learn from one another, as well as improve their access to resources. In addition, we strive to provide students at Penn the opportunity to serve as leaders in the Philadelphia community and learn about the experiences of patients with brain injury. Eventually, this will encourage a broader community awareness of the impact of acquired brain injury on individuals and their families. In the future, we would like to foster a generation of capable leaders who will be committed to improving care for brain injury in their respective disciplines.
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Our Board
Shankar Pattabhiraman
Chapter President Class of 2020 Hometown: New Albany, OH Interested in working with people affected by brain trauma/injury because: "Ever since I entered high school, I wanted to learn about neuroscience and neurology. After volunteering at my local hospital's Neuro ICU, I got the opportunity to tend to patients who had suffered from acquired brain injuries. I quickly found that I loved hearing their stories and felt urged to raise awareness for the challenges they face and educate people in brain injury prevention." Other Clubs and Organizations: Penn Neuroscience Society, MEDLIFE, Penn Special Olympics Favorite Spot on Campus: Bio Pond Where I Can Be Found On Friday Night: My room with a big slice of pizza |
Mahip Grewal
Director of Internal Affair Class of 2020 BBB Hometown: Roslyn, NC Interested in working with people affected by brain trauma/injury because: "Overall, I am very interested in medicine, but I am specifically drawn to working with people affected by TBI because I think that they are a population that is unfortunately often overlooked. Therefore, I am very excited to be able to really support this population and help raise greater awareness about the debilitating ramifications of TBI." Other Clubs and Organizations: South Asia Society, Synapse, Penn Red Cross, Global Medical Brigades Favorite Spot on Campus: College Green Where I Can Be Found On Friday Night: anywhere with my close friends! |
David Yang
Director of Operations Class of 2020 Biochemistry and BBB Double Major Hometown: Cherry Hill, NJ Interested in working with people affected by brain trauma/injury because: "I've always been interested in advocating for people who struggle with "invisible" illnesses such as TBI and autoimmune disorders and combating the stigma associated with their illnesses. I want to better understand the perspectives of those with TBI and work to increase public awareness and education regarding the challenges of living with TBI." Other Clubs and Organizations: GlobeMed, Chinese Student Association, Science Olympiad at the University of Pennsylvania, West Philadelphia Tutoring Project Favorite Spot on Campus: 6th Floor of Van Pelt Where I Can Be Found On Friday Night: Watching Netflix and eating too much food Radha Vyas
Co-Director of Events Class of 2020 Biology Major Hometown: Parsippany, NJ Interested in working with people affected by brain trauma/injury because: "I have been a part of many medically related volunteering organizations and initiatives, but they have all focused on patients and the public in a broad, collective sense. I would like to help and work with people on a more individual level. I believe working with people affected by brain trauma/injury is one of the best ways to do so, since brain trauma can differ so dramatically from person to person. I also wholeheartedly enjoy volunteering and am looking forward to giving the affected individuals the support, attention, and care that they do not always necessarily receive." Other Clubs and Organizations: Penn Women's Biomedical Society, South Asia Society, Penn Red Cross Club, Peer Advisor for the Class of 2021 Favorite Spot on Campus: Levin Building Where I Can Be Found On Friday Night: Hanging out with friends or relaxing with a good TV show or book :) |
Zoe Early
Director of Buddy Program Class of 2020 Health and Societies Major, Psychology Minor Hometown: Cary, NC Interested in working with people affected by brain trauma/injury because: "I am a psych minor so I get to tie in different aspects that I am learning in psychology, also I genuinely love working with kids so I felt this would be the perfect combination!" Other Clubs and Organizations:Track and Field Team (Pole Vaulter) Favorite Spot on Campus: Top of Franklin Field Where I Can Be Found On Friday Night: Sitting in pjs with a pint of Ben & Jerry's Saarang Karandikar
Co-Director of Events Class of 2020 BBB Major Hometown: Kennett Square, PA Interested in working with people affected by brain trauma/injury because: "Brain trauma and neural injuries in general yield some of the most devastating and debilitating forms of disability, largely because they detract from, or eliminate, the ability to interact with the environment which differentiates humanity among all other sentient organisms. Especially given these injuries' often invisible nature, this fact leads me to believe that social reconnection is vital to the process of neurological recovery, largely in eliminating the feeling of helplessness that often accompanies CNS and PNS injury. As such, through my work with Penn Glia, I hope to establish ongoing outreach and education programs, to connect students to patients, and therein, to improve both the care of the neurally injured, and the awareness of the public in a wide array of neurological topics." Other Clubs and Organizations: Engineers without Borders, South Asia Society, Hindu Jain Association Favorite Spot on Campus: Hamilton Village Where I Can Be Found On Friday Night: At the theater catching a movie or in the kitchen cooking with friends. |