People

Dr. Yelu Zhang is a psychiatrist and medical educator at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and an Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She completed medical school at Boston University and her general psychiatry residency at BIDMC. Her work bridges neuroscience and clinical psychiatry, with a focus on integrating brain-based understanding into mental health care and education. She is passionate about training the next generation of psychiatrists to think critically about the mind, brain, behavior, and evidence-based care.

Janelle Lardizabal is a Research Assistant focused on developing infographics and other educational content. She graduated from Northeastern University in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience. She was introduced to this team through her work as a Medical Assistant in BIDMC's Cognitive Neurology Unit, and she is excited to combine her interests in research, education, design, and neuroscience. In her free time, she enjoys journaling, exploring Boston, and spending time with friends.

Parinita Aroori is a medical graduate from the Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, India, and is applying to the Match in 2027. She is currently a research student in Dr. Yelu Zhang’s psychiatry lab, where she is pursuing questions at the intersection of brain function, cognition, and behavior. Outside of her academic work, she enjoys running, portrait sketching, and reading! 

Tun-Yiu Cheng is a graduate student at Boston University’s Graduate Medical Sciences. He is currently working in Dr. Yelu Zhang’s psychiatry lab as a research student. He is especially passionate about neuroimaging and improving medical education. Tun-Yiu’s work involves developing immersive digital tools to be incorporated in the psychiatry residents' curriculum at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Outside of work, Tun-Yiu enjoys hiking, listening to audiobooks, and spending time with family and friends. 

Maame Sarfo-Gyamfi is a third-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from the University of Virginia. Her interests include healthcare innovation, digital health, and clinical informatics. As a research student, Maame is particularly interested in exploring how digital tools can improve neuroscience education. In her free time, Maame enjoys exploring new restaurants in DC, watching sitcoms, and spending time with family and friends.

Preethi Philip is a graduate student at Boston University pursuing a Master’s degree in Medical Sciences. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a specialization in Neuroscience from Stony Brook University. She is interested in emerging immersive technologies and their applications in neuropsychiatric education. As a research student, she is eager to learn more about neuropsychiatric conditions while exploring innovative teaching methodologies. In her free time, she enjoys working out, spending time with family and friends, and going to the movies to maintain a healthy balance.