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Vancouver, BC

Deeksha Yelamanchi

My name is Deeksha, and I am a Neuroscience student at the University of British Columbia, working toward my goal of becoming a Clinician Scientist. I believe the most meaningful research is rooted in empathy, driven by authentic connection with patients, and I am passionate about ensuring scientific knowledge reaches and uplifts the people it is meant to serve. This conviction drew me toward education and outreach, where I previously delivered science workshops for youth. Now, as a member of Neighbours in Mind, I bring that same commitment to older adults, helping build a space where science is accessible, collaborative, and connects generations, all rooted in the belief that curiosity has no age limit and everyone deserves a seat at the table in the science that shapes their lives.

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Neighbours in Mind Science Outreach Society

Neighbours in Mind is a grassroots, youth-led initiative bringing hands-on STEM education to seniors in the Greater Vancouver Area, founded on a simple belief: curiosity for science has no age limit! We partner student volunteers with senior communities to deliver engaging, in-person science workshops tailored to older adults' needs and learning styles, helping them build scientific confidence and engage meaningfully with healthcare decisions and civic issues that shape their lives.

https://neighboursinmind.my.canva.site/
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About this Project

Communities Served

My project will involve and/or impact the following communities:

    United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

    When it comes to community impact projects, the UN has created 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These are the Sustainable Development Goals associated with my project.

      How the project works

      From September 2026 to January 2027, Neighbours in Mind will deliver 12 in-person STEM workshops for older adults at partner sites across Vancouver. Trained student volunteers facilitate each module through hands-on activities, spanning collaborative group work and individualized one-on-one support, empowering older adults to engage confidently with science in an accessible, low-pressure environment.

      Project Impact

      By extending STEM education into senior communities, Neighbours in Mind aims to fill a documented gap in age-inclusive learning, with reviewed literature showing older adults are rarely targeted under SDG 4. Across 12 workshops reaching 60–90 seniors, NiM hopes to build scientific confidence, support informed engagement with healthcare topics, and foster social well-being through sustained volunteer connection, advancing measurable gains in literacy, participation, and cognitive well-being.

      Project Mission

      Neighbours in Mind pairs student volunteers with senior communities across Greater Vancouver to deliver hands-on STEM workshops tailored to older adults' needs. Rooted in the belief that curiosity has no age limit, our mission is threefold: fostering lifelong intellectual engagement, building scientific literacy to support healthcare and civic decision-making, and strengthening intergenerational connection between youth and elders.

      Project Team

      Currently, we are a group of seven UBC students spanning neuroscience, nursing, and health sciences, united by community-driven science education.

      • Deeksha Yelamanchi – Founder & President Jessica Liu – Vice President Megan Xu – Director of Logistics and Outreach Grace Lee – Co-Director of Education and Curriculum Ming Zhang – Co-Director of Education and Curriculum Olivia Klassen – Director of Media and Marketing Mahdiyah Rashid – Director of Finance and Sponsorships