Top image: Teaching brain dissections to high-school students at Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF)

12/2020: As we prepare for the holidays with the backdrop of the pandemic, I organized two webinars entitled "Families together and families apart" to talk about managing COVID-19 holiday stress. The panel of experts discussed the challenges of coping during a relentless pandemic and how to access resources for managing mental health during this turbulent time. 

8/2020: In recognition of World Mental Health day, I organized a virtual panel discussion on the effects of COVID-19 on mental health. 

This panel brought together experts in neurology, psychiatry, and human behavior for a discussion highlighting the clinical and scientific perspectives on the effect of the pandemic and mental health. 
Here is a recording of the panel discussion: COVID-19 and mental health. 

Organizing a panel discussion: Science and Society: Exploring Mental Health This panel was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we will re-engage panelists soon. 
Keeping in mind the mental health effect of the pandemic, I have organized panels (information above) on the effects of the lockdown on mental health, and on celebrating the holidays with the pandemic looming over us. 

This panel will discuss mental health effects of homelessness, substance abuse disorders, and traumatic events in combat.
​Panelists include:

• Bonnie Mohan: Executive director, Bronx Health and Housing Consortium
• Deborah Byrd: Member of leadership team, LEFSA (Life Experience and Faith Sharing Associates)
• Derek Coy: Veterans’ Health Officer, New York State Health Foundation
• Marc Greenberg: Director, Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing
• Sheila P Vakharia, PhD: Deputy Director of the Department of Research and Academic Engagement, Drug Policy Alliance