The Brain Resilience Foundation didn’t begin with a grant proposal or a research initiative. It began with embracing my own ignorance.
As a neuroscientist working to translate academic research into potential brain therapies, I spent years chasing ideas I believed were innovative. But I hadn’t asked whether they reflected what people wanted or needed. I was doing science for the sake of my own curiosity, while the people whose lives justified the research, and whose tax dollars funded it, were often left out of the conversation. And when I chose to share my research ideas with these communities, I didn’t know what to expect. But what I found was trust, generosity, and an invitation to learn as much as I taught. That invitation became a commitment. A commitment to make science accessible and inclusive, to recognize lived experience as expertise, and to foster mutual respect across disciplines by genuinely listening to what you all have to say.
I may not directly relate to the challenges you face. I am not a fighter in the ring, on the field, or on the front lines. I am not living with physical injuries or the invisible wounds that accompany them. I’m not forced to place my hope in scientific breakthroughs that may never arrive. But I do know how it feels to struggle alone, to search for help without knowing where to turn, and to feel like I don’t belong in spaces that weren’t built for me. I grew up in a blue-collar family on a rock in the middle of the Pacific, far from research universities or science labs. My home life was violent and positive role models were few and far between. I became the first in my family to graduate from college by working two jobs to pay for it. I have lived with addiction and depression, and I have considered ending my life on multiple occasions. But I have also experienced immense kindness, I have been given unexpected opportunities, and more than once I have gotten by on pure dumb luck.
So, while we may not have faced the same battles, these experiences have shaped how I see the world and taught me how powerful it can be to feel seen, heard, and cared for, especially when you’re unsure anyone is listening. That’s why BRF isn’t just an organization to me, it’s a reflection of what support can look like when it’s intentional and rooted in lived experience. It’s my way of repaying the kindness that I have been shown by creating the kind of space I once needed but couldn’t find, a space where you don’t have to struggle alone and you don’t have to get lucky to be supported, respected, and included.
The fact that I may not immediately understand all your stories is exactly why BRF was created. Your perspectives are unique and powered by the wisdom of your personal experiences. Your voices can teach things that scientists could never learn by reading a book. And the fact that you may not fit in is exactly why you belong here. The most impactful research is shaped by lived experience and the most ethical programs are co-designed by the communities they serve. Our mission is simple: break down barriers, build bridges across disciplines, and make brain health accessible to everyone.
Welcome to the BRF.