TRANSCEND Trainees represented the program at the 2026 NSF NRT Annual Meeting at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO from March 22-March 25. They met with other researchers from universities such as Duke, Mississippi State, Northeastern, Yale, and more, and had the opportunity to present team posters.

Check out an interesting TED Talk by one of our partners at The Neurodiversity Alliance, Jesse Sanchez, and read the description below:

“Jesse shares his journey—from surviving a childhood shaped by violence, instability, fear, and the absence of a safe community to discovering his neurodivergent identity and finding purpose through mentorship, advocacy, and storytelling.

Jesse opens up about growing up in survival mode, diagnosed with ADHD and learning disabilities at a time when understanding and support were scarce. He talks about failing—and getting back up. About community college and a chance meeting that changed the course of his life. About transferring to Berkeley, feeling like an impostor, and then rediscovering his worth by saying yes to a moment that reconnected him with his identity and community. That yes was The Neurodiversity Alliance.”

TRANSCEND Trainee Mike Vaccaro helped organize an outreach activity this past weekend at UConn for local LGBTQ+ high school students. The event was focused on exposing students to various areas in STEM (astrophysics/chemistry/engineering/neuroscience).

Please see the news article about the event below:

https://today.uconn.edu/2025/06/at-uconns-queer-science-conference-new-futures-take-shape-for-young-scientists/

More Americans are identifying as neurodivergent. So why are work accommodations becoming more stigmatized?

https://www.fastcompany.com/91333690/neurodivergent-accommodations-workplace-stigma-survey

TRANSCEND Co-Director Fumiko Hoeft and Co-PI Arash Zaghi are co-creators of the UConn Waterbury Neurovaribility Initiative.

Please see this impressive article from UConn Today about their initiative and its impact on the university: https://today.uconn.edu/2025/04/uconn-waterburys-neurovariability-initiative-where-cognitive-strengths-fuel-learning-for-all/#

TRANSCEND’s partner, Landmark College, is the recent recipient of a $6M NSF E-CORE and is looking to hire a new STEM and neurodiversity-focused Research Scholar in Year 1.

The position description can be found at: https://www.landmark.edu/about/employment/research-scholar-strive

Please reach out to Adam Lalor at AdamLalor@landmark.edu with any questions.

TRANSCEND Co-PI, Arash Zaghi, received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from President Biden. This award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers. Congratulations, Arash!

Please see the press release here.

Trainees organized an AI outreach event at the Hartford Public Library, which primarily served underserved K-12 students. This outreach, called “AI Odyssey,” aimed to bridge digital divides and inspire students by giving them hands-on experiences with AI.

The Hartford Courant talks about the event in their article..pdf For easier viewing, here’s a PDF of the article.pdf. Co-PI Arash Zaghi and 2024-2025 trainee Vaishnavi Sivaprasad are quoted in the story.