Chinmayi Balusu, M.P.H.

Chinmayi Balusu joined the Dana Foundation in 2024 as a Fellow in the Neuroscience & Society NextGen Program. She collaborates with the program officer to survey the landscape of neuroscience and society initiatives, analyze interdisciplinary trends and themes, and identify opportunities for programmatic work and grant-making. Before joining the Foundation, Chinmayi was involved in clinical stroke and brain injury research, cross-cultural neuroethics awareness efforts, and STEM public engagement. She is the founder of Simply Neuroscience, a global student-led organization expanding early and equitable access to neuroscience through developing online resources, events, and mentorship. Chinmayi is a USA National Brain Bee alumna and was previously named a recipient of the We Are Family Foundation’s Global Teen Leader Award, Alzheimer’s Association AAIC Neuroscience Next One to Watch Award, and Diana Award. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Medical Humanities and Master of Public Health in Epidemiology—with a focus in psychiatric and neuro-epidemiology—from Columbia University. She grew up in northern California and currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. In her free time, Chinmayi enjoys reading, exploring nature trails, practicing taekwondo, and watching Telugu (South Indian) movies with her family.