Faculty Mentor: 
Nima Aghaeepour

I am driven by a passion for creating meaningful change by supporting marginalized and underrepresented communities in STEM and beyond. Over the past decade, I have championed DEI initiatives across multiple (9+) organizations, including AAAS, ISCB, and AnitaB.org. My 6 years of leadership in the ISCB Student Council opened opportunities for 2000+ students globally, advocating for youth researchers and initiating various new initiatives. As an AAAS Council member since 2024, I look forward to representing the voice of early career researchers and their challenges and advocating for policies that help address these issues. I take pride in creating spaces where everyone, regardless of background, feels valued and empowered to succeed.