To integrate teens into the research process and help disseminate research to teens, we have started a new program within the lab called the RISE team, standing for Research, Innovation, Support, and Education. Our team is composed of high school students across New Jersey who are hoping to learn and contribute to mental health research and outreach in their schools and communities.
Find out more about the RISE Team here.
Aishani, 16
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South - Princeton, NJ
​Aishani has long been fascinated by the ways mental health, neuroscience, and lived experience intersect—especially for adolescents navigating a rapidly changing world. After witnessing how conditions like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders can quietly shape a young person’s life, she became committed to understanding the biological and social forces that drive these challenges. She believes that research, when paired with empathy and open conversation, can transform how society views teen mental health. A junior at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, she is passionate about molecular biology and biochemistry, using these fields to investigate the mechanisms that underlie neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. She is the founder and president of her district's Rhizome chapter, an organization that focuses on youth civic engagement, where she focuses on improving mental health awareness for her community. Outside of school, Aishani works at a cafe in her neighborhood and enjoys watching movies and listening to music in her free time. Her favorite artists are Radiohead, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Playboi Carti.
Andrea, 17
Collingswood High School - Woodlynne, NJ
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Anushka, 17
Hillsborough High School - Hillsborough, NJ
Anushka is a senior who is passionate about mental health advocacy and spreading awareness about the subject. After dealing with mental health struggles of her own during the COVID pandemic, Anushka became extremely passionate about helping other teens and removing the stigma around the topic of mental health. Anushka serves as co-president of her school’s Social Activism Club, where they discuss a variety of social issues, including mental well-being. She plans to major in pharmacy in college, and to become a healthcare provider who looks into all aspects of health! She hopes to continue being a mental health advocate for as long as she can and to inspire others to do the same in the future. In her free time, she likes to bake & lift weights.
Anya, 17
Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School - Hillsborough, NJ
Anya is a senior in high school with a deep passion for understanding and advocating for adolescent mental health. She is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health challenges faced by teens and hopes to create accessible resources and conduct meaningful research to support her community. Anya’s interest in adolescent mental health began when she noticed how often her peers struggled with stress and self-image in the age of social media. Anya is particularly interested in exploring how digital wellbeing can be promoted among high school students to encourage healthier relationships with technology and social media. At school, she is an active member of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club and participates in SkillsUSA. Outside of academics, Anya enjoys playing chess, gardening, and playing badminton. In the future, she aspires to pursue research in psychology, with a focus on improving mental health outcomes for adolescents.
Divya, 17
Edison Academy Magnet School - Edison, NJ
Divya is a senior in high school and is passionate about youth mental health, especially when it comes to the application of its understanding in pediatric care. Her end goal is to be able to make her patents feel comfortable enough to tell her anything, and this starts by understanding what they go through. Divya values making a lasting impact in the lives of people who need it. She teaches swimming to pediatric patients in long term care at the Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside. She is also a part of her town's Help Foundation Chapter which aims to provide proper education to underprivileged students in India. Through being a part of the RISE team, she hopes to bring to light the impact understanding adolescent mental health can have in the healthcare world. Besides learning more about mental health, she loves to read, listen to music, and spend time outside with her dog!
El, 16
Edison Academy Magnet Academy - South Plainfield, NJ
El is a junior at Edison Magnet Academy who joined the RISE Team to learn more about mental health and learn more ways to help her school community. She is the proud president of the GSA at her school and hopes to create a RISE or a mental health club. El aims to help her fellow teens navigate their mental health and make their own improvement journeys. Driven by her own experiences, El is passionate about fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and understood. Outside of her advocacy work, El is enjoys making bracelets, writing, drawing, and listening to music.
Krish, 16
The Academy of Math Science and Engineering - Randolph, NJ
Krish Desai is a junior in high school who is extremely interested in psychology and cognitive function, especially in adolescents. He is especially passionate about how psychology relates to sports and how mental health can be affected both positively and negatively from technology. From his own experience, he knows how impactful mental health is in daily lives, along with experiencing firsthand how peers have reacted to it as well, he recognizes the need for greater mental health awareness and advocacy. Over the summer, he had the opportunity of assisting with a physician specializing in geriatrics and recognized a common theme of the elderly developing mental illnesses, which increased his passion further for psychology. Due to this, Krish has taken the initiative to write about mental health in an online magazine, amassing 10 thousand views. In his free time, Krish plays baseball competitively, is an expert skier, avid gym goer, and a huge Yankees fan.
Neel, 16
Monroe Township High School - Monroe Township, NJ
Neel, a junior at Monroe Township High School, hopes to further advocacy for mental health and help his community around him. Throughout his time in high school, he's been part of a vast amount of activities, such as Special Olympics, the basketball team, the volleyball team, and his school's Athletic Training Center. To aid in his effort in mental health advocacy, he created The Manas Wellness Project, which aims to break down stigma around mental health in South Asian Communities, and help provide resources for people to seek aid. In his spare time, he loves to play basketball and watch TV. To further his interest in mental health and the field of psychology, he hopes that the RISE team can help him expand his knowledge to help better communities.
Noa, 16
Shore Regional High School - Oceanport, NJ
Noa and is a junior at Shore Regional High School. She wanted to join the RISE Team because she is passionate about helping spread awareness about teen mental health issues and useful coping mechanisms. Noa have experienced teen suicide with one of her peers at her school. It has really impacted the way she perceive others and the significance of talking about these issues from a young age instead of shying away from serious topics. Noa was driven to start a wellness club at her school with her friend and they've just started their first meetings this year! She hopes to create a safe space for students to learn how to better their lives and feel less alone with the pressures of being a high school student. Noa is interested in hiking with her close friends, meditating regularly, watching good movies, and is a proud varsity starter for volleyball at Shore (where her team made it to the state championships this year for the first time as a new program). She hopes to continue to help others improve their mental health in these mostly digital times by spreading awareness through her work.
Noor, 16
The Academy for Health & Medical Sciences - Hillsborough, NJ
My name is Noa and I am a Junior at Shore Regional High School. I wanted to join the RISE Team because I am passionate about helping spread awareness about teen mental health issues and useful coping mechanisms. I have experienced teen suicide with one of my peers at my school. It has really impacted the way I perceive others and the significance of talking about these issues from a young age instead of shying away from serious topics. I was driven to start a wellness club at my school with my friend and we are just starting our first meetings this year! I hope to create a safe space for students to learn how to better their lives and feel less alone with the pressures of being a high school student. I am interested in hiking with my close friends, meditating regularly, watching good movies, and I am a proud varsity starter for volleyball at Shore (we made it to the state championships this year for the first time as a knew program). I hope to continue to help others improve their mental health in these mostly digital times by spreading awareness through my work.
Rivi, 17
Cherry Hill High School East - Cherry Hill, NJ
From a very young age, Rivi has been driven to make a positive difference in the autism community because she has Asperger’s and is lucky enough to articulate her experiences and advocate for herself and others who are neurodivergent. She also wants to make a difference in the mental health community because of her challenges with anxiety and OCD. Rivi has taken these ambitions and turned them into action by founding and serving as the president of the Autism Acceptance Club in her high school. This club fosters autism understanding through various interactive methods of autism education and creates a tight knit community for neurodivergent and neurotypical teens. She also globalized another Autism Acceptance Club on a virtual platform for high schoolers in 63 countries through her leadership youth group. Since their inception two years ago, over 100 members have joined these autism acceptance clubs. As a result of Rivi’s advocacy within these clubs, she educated K-5 students about autism and delivered autism training sessions during a professional development day for the faculty at her high school in preparation for the 2025-2026 school year, as requested by former and current teachers and administrators. Additionally, Rivi has been active in her school’s Neuroscience and Psychology Club since her freshman year, and this is her third year serving as their Social Media Coordinator and leading meetings that discuss mental health strategies and neuroscience phenomena. Through the RISE Team, Rivi aims to gain more knowledge and research skills in the fields of psychology and neuroscience, and to utilize her skills of programming and creating promotional materials to spread mental health and neurodivergent acceptance in her school and beyond.
Ryan, 17
Ridgewood High School - Ridgewood, NJ
Ryan, a senior at Ridgewood High School, is driven by a genuine passion for psychology, particularly how it connects with sleep, sports, and mental health. As the President of the Psychology Club, he is actively engaged in promoting the field within a supportive environment for his peers. As the founder of REM Reward, Ryan aims to transform sleep from a basic necessity to a tool for success and well-being, rooted in his belief that sleep is a cornerstone for mental and physical success, especially for young people balancing academics, sports, and social life. Ryan’s interest in the psychology of performance, particularly in athletes, has driven him to explore the intersections of mental health, sleep optimization, and cognitive performance. Beyond his work with REM Reward and the Psychology Club, Ryan enjoys staying active through running, lifting, and basketball and is constantly seeking new ways to integrate mental wellness with physical health. Through collaboration and research, he aims to advocate for mental health awareness, helping other students rise above their challenges.
Shruthi, 15
Woodbridge Academy Magnet School - Piscataway, NJ
Shruthi is a sophomore who intends to help make mental health as accessible as possible to her community. She believes that a key component of mental health care is a support system, and that through the RISE Team, she can develop the skills and confidence she needs to make a lasting impact in the field. She has learned and continues to understand how important a work-life balance is for people of any age, and how checking in with yourself and others can have a positive impact on wellbeing. Through her activities, such as Civic Leaders of America (CLA), the American Red Cross, and HOSA, she hopes to advocate for open conversation about mental health and discuss its importance in daily life with her peers. Shruthi is a classically trained Carnatic singer and an active Girl Scout, and she enjoys going to the gym, playing softball, and reading novels. She also has a strong interest in neuroscience and has done research in the field. She desires to help others understand the importance of mental health and to continue growing as a leader who promotes wellness and empathy in all areas of health.
Sneha, 15
Parsippanny Hills High School - Morris Plains, NJ
Sneha is passionate about mental health and is dedicated to creating a more supportive environment for teens in her school and community. After witnessing how mental health struggles impact those around her, she joined the RISE team to raise awareness and promote healthier habits for teens. Sneha believes in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide, and hopes to encourage open conversations about these critical issues. She is also an active Girl Scout, having completed her Bronze and Silver Award and currently working towards her Gold Award. Outside of academics, Sneha loves dancing to Jazz and Hiphop.
Sophie, 16
Randolph High School - Randolph, NJ
Sophie has seen poor mental health affect the lives around her, and knows that without a proper support system, the consequences can be extremely dangerous. As a junior in high school, she aims to use this program and others to try and help people recover from their emotional struggles. When she's free, Sophie loves to travel, read historical nonfiction, and hike. She is fascinated with the brain and body, and hopes to pursue a future in biology and/or psychology.
Yashvi, 17
East Brunswick High School - East Brunswick, NJ
Yashvi, a senior at East Brunswick High School, is deeply passionate about the impact of social media on marginalized youth. As someone who had to rely on online spaces to come to terms with their identity, as a result of becoming socially disconnected during the pandemic, she recognizes that while social media can be negative, it can also be used in positive ways. Their personal struggles during this time opened their eyes to the hesitancy with which South Asian cultures view mental health in general, which continues to inspire them to greater promote the idea of mental wellbeing in their community. Besides being a relentless academic, she volunteers at a hospital, is an EMT, and likes to read and watch TV. By being a member of the RISE Team, they aim to use their research exposure to pursue initiatives to better mental health in their community.
Yuvika, 15
Montgomery High School - Montgomery, NJ
Yuvika is a sophomore at Montgomery High School and is extremely passionate about mental health and the importance of the research regarding it. In high school, she has noticed that mental health is something that is often overlooked or put on the back burner, as most people let the rest of the things in their life take precedence. She recognized the importance of understanding how it can be affected and spreading awareness about it. She is particularly interested in how AI and technology affect one's mental health, as that is a very prominent issue right now. She currently volunteers at a hospital, is involved with her school's science olympiad team, and is president of an archery club. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading books, and listening to music. She plans to pursue a career in the healthcare or research fields.