Neuronline Community Leaders Program
Community Leaders Overview
The Community Leaders' program is a group of active SfN members who are interested in cultivating the sharing and discussion of resources among SfN members on the Neuronline Community. The topics of discussion range from recaps of virtual events, scientific research, and professional development and are meant to expand the number of member perspectives shared around Neuronline resources.
Each application will be reviewed by members of the Trainee Advisory Committee (TAC) and the 10-15 applicants selected will represent members from diverse career stages, interests, backgrounds, and geography for a duration of one year.
Apply now to be a part of the 2025 Community Leaders cohort!
Community Leaders Application 2025
Program Expectations
Community Leaders are expected to do the following:
- Commit to the role for a minimum of one year
- Post monthly contributions to the Neuronline community discussion space
- Generate conversation through the sharing of perspectives and resources
- Provide feedback to cultivate the Community Leader’s Program and the Neuronline Community
- Attend regular meetings with SfN staff and fellow
- Community Leaders Support promotion of Neuronline events and community discussion
- Hold a passion for SfN and its core values
Current Community Leaders
Hugo Sánchez Castillo, PhD
Hugo Sánchez Castillo, PhD, is a professor researcher from the National University of Mexico (UNAM) and leads the neuropsychopharmacology and timing laboratory. His laboratory is interested in PTSD and its neurobiological implications, as well as the timing behavior and its neurobiology. In his second year serving as a Community Leader, he believes that the Community Leaders program is an excellent window to work with young scientists from all over the world, particularly Latin American scientists who could take advantage of this kind of initiative.
Brandon S. Coventry, PhD
Brandon S. Coventry, PhD, is a devoted advocate for clinical neuromodulation dedicated to advancing the field through innovative neural interface design that fosters new neuroscientific studies and developing innovative neurotherapeutics. After realizing his calling was the service of those who suffer from neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases and disorders, he received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Saint Louis University and PhD in neural engineering from Purdue University. Coventry is currently a postdoc at the Wisconsin Institute for Translational Neuroengineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research converges neuroscience and engineering, with a focus on infrared neural stimulation, closed-loop DBS, and thalamocortical dynamics. Before becoming a neuroengineer, he was a touring musician, playing with a wide variety of bands across the United States.
LinkedIn | Instagram: @bscoventry | github
Daisy Gallardo
Daisy Gallardo is a Mexican/Salvadoran third-year PhD candidate, in Oswald Steward’s lab at the University of California, Irvine. She is researching the progression of neurodegeneration in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, she is investigating neuroprotective mechanisms that may reduce or delay neurodegeneration. Gallardo is not only passionate about communicating with other scientists but also with the general audience, and she finds it important to participate in science advocacy and outreach. She is excited to be a Neuronline Community Leader and would love to discuss anything ranging from neurodegeneration, genetics, scientific communication, scientific rigor, mentoring, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Instagram: @phdaisy.g
Japhet Sha'agi Kineze
Japhet Sha'agi Kineze is the head of research and development at Cirus Foundation, Canada. Founder and CEO of NeuralVillage, leverages neuroscience, genetics, and architecture to foster healthy urbanization. He holds an NCE in biology and chemistry and founded the Dr. Ladi Kwali Center, dedicating himself to cultural preservation. As a Community Leader, he envisages making a difference in the life of other neuroscientists and promoting neuroscience education to the last mile.
Valéria Muoio, PhD
Valéria Muoio, PhD, is a neurosurgeon based in São Paulo, Brazil. She did her doctorate at the University of São Paulo, with a period at Johns Hopkins University and also worked as a scientist at Charite University in Berlin, Germany. Muoio divides her time between the operating room, the laboratory, and teaching at the São Paulo medical school, and believes that such activities are complementary. This will be her second year in the Community Leader program, and she has found being part of an inspiring group like this is really motivating. She hopes to be able to contribute to the group and meet new colleagues.
Sai Lavanya Patnala
Sai Lavanya Patnala is currently an intern at Apollo General Hospital, in Hyderabad, India. Being in the medical field has ignited her desire to become a neurologist. Her special interest lies in behavioral neurology, as she believes it is a crucial aspect of understanding and treating neurological disorders. Patnala is also a blogger for Lexicon Medical Magazine India, where she gets to explore and write about various topics. Aside from academic pursuits, she has a passion for cooking and baking. She believes in the importance of continuous learning and growth and is always seeking new ways to expand her knowledge and skills. She is excited to connect and exchange ideas with neuroscientists from around the globe, as a Neuronline Community Leader.
Jayalakshmi Viswanathan, PhD
Jayalakshmi Viswanathan, PhD, is a neuroscientist, engineer, author, and artist born and raised in India. She earned a Master’s in neuroscience and a doctorate in cognitive neuroscience before working as a postdoctoral fellow. She is currently a KGS contractor program analyst in the division of neuroscience at the National Institute on Aging. She also authored and illustrated a neuroscience and neuroart book for children, “Baby Senses: A Sensory Neuroscience Primer for All Ages (https://babysensesbook.com/) which won the Literary Titan Gold Award and is a finalist of the 2023 American Writing Awards. As a Neuronline Community Leader, she hopes to contribute to generating resources for neuroscience communication, supporting career development for diverse neuroscientists, and enhancing the dialogue between neuroscience and society on various issues.
Baby Senses Book | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram: @jaya_viswanathan | X: @JayaNeuro
Applications to the Community Leader Program are now closed. Please email digitallearning@sfn.org with any questions.
