Xi Yang

• Asian
• International/immigrant students or workers
• Bilingual/multilingual
• Individuals with disabilities
• Individuals from a socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds (e.g., individuals who were or are currently homeless or in the foster care system; were eligible for federal food and nutrition programs [for 2 or more years]; were eligible for Pell grants; received WIC; have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor's degree; grew up in a rural or low-income area)

• Student/Trainee Scholarship
• SPS Conference Mentor

As an early-stage clinician, I am deeply committed to fostering self-improvement and excellence in clinical practice, as it reflects the value I place on the work I do and the care I provide. While on internship, I encountered a young adult patient with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an inpatient rehabilitation setting. During our interaction, the patient, confined to a posie bed, made unpredictable movements that startled me. Feeling an increase in anxiety, I cut the conversation short. Upon reflection, I recognized an implicit tendency to avoid prolonged contact with this patient, torn between concerns about safety and my responsibility to provide quality care. Determined to address this, I actively sought supervision, openly discussing my dilemma and requesting opportunities to model my supervisor’s approach. I also sought additional knowledge on preparatory actions and in-the-moment strategies to maintain both patient and clinician safety. This experience profoundly shaped my ability to remain composed and effective in similar situations, strengthening my self-efficacy and enhancing the quality of care I provide.

In addition to my clinical work, I have been deeply committed to service that fosters inclusivity and supports underrepresented groups in neuropsychology. For example, I mentored an undergraduate student from a historically underrepresented background who faced significant challenges navigating the graduate school application process. Drawing on my training in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) principles and effective mentorship practices, I tailored my guidance to meet their unique needs. I worked closely with the mentee to develop a competitive research project, providing hands-on support with study design, data analysis, and manuscript drafting. I also coached them on crafting compelling personal statements and preparing for interviews, ensuring their experiences and aspirations were effectively communicated. Beyond academic skills, I worked to instill confidence and foster a sense of belonging in academia by sharing my own journey as a international first-generation college graduate from a low-income background. This experience reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of mentorship and the importance of creating opportunities for underrepresented students.

This commitment to equity is further reflected in my current fellowship, which integrates JEDI principles into every aspect of training and clinical practice. For instance, during clinical mock fact-finding sessions, we regularly address health disparity issues to ensure our neuropsychological services are culturally informed and accessible to diverse populations. These discussions help refine our clinical approaches and raise awareness of systemic barriers contributing to disparities in brain health outcomes. Additionally, I have contributed to community workshops that raise awareness about cognitive health disparities and provide resources to disadvantaged populations. My dedication extends to promoting open science practices, including developing accessible tutorials for neuroimaging analyses to empower students and researchers from resource-limited institutions to engage in cutting-edge methodologies.

These efforts reflect my enduring commitment to creating a more equitable, inclusive, and supportive environment in neuropsychology, ensuring that the next generation of researchers and clinicians are equipped to serve diverse communities with excellence and compassion.

As a first-generation college graduate from a low-income family with loving parents in a low- and middle-income country (LIMC), I faced significant barriers in pursuing higher education and advancing my career in neuropsychology. Navigating limited access to educational resources and overcoming systemic inequities taught me to advocate for myself, persevere, adapt, and actively seek opportunities that would support my academic and professional growth. Midway through my graduate studies, I encountered an additional life-altering challenge: recovering from a craniotomy and managing the aftermath of seizures caused by a brain tumor, all while completing my dissertation. These experiences tested my resilience and demanded that I balance significant health challenges with the rigorous demands of academic training.

Despite these obstacles, I channeled my determination into advancing my research and professional development. While recovering, I immersed myself in self-directed learning, reading extensively, and attending workshops to master advanced statistical methods and neuroimaging techniques using open-source materials. This effort laid the foundation for my dissertation, which employed machine learning to classify sleep deprivation using resting-state fMRI. Alongside these technical endeavors, I recognized the importance of effective communication in science and committed to cultivating strong writing habits. I began writing daily to reduce resistance, established co-space writing groups with peers for mutual support, and participated in monthly writing challenges through the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity to stay productive and motivated.

Overcoming these barriers taught me optimism, perseverance, and adaptability, as well as a profound appreciation for the support and kindness of collaborators, peers, and mentors who believed in my potential. These experiences have instilled in me a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities I have had and a responsibility to pay it forward by supporting others facing similar challenges. My persistence has been rewarded with multiple high-impact peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, further solidifying my commitment to conducting impactful and inclusive research in neuropsychology.

Reflecting on my journey, I see how these challenges have profoundly shaped both my professional identity and my personal values. They have inspired me to focus on research that addresses health disparities and systemic inequities in neuropsychology, ensuring that my work contributes to a more equitable future. My lived experience with a neurological condition has deepened my appreciation for the brain’s complexity, as well as the critical importance of both basic science and clinical interventions in promoting brain health. The ability to think, reflect, experience, and remember is a gift—an essential human potential that I strive to help others preserve so they may lead full and meaningful lives. I carry these lessons forward, approaching every obstacle with a sense of purpose and determination while fostering an environment of inclusion, collaboration, and resilience in all aspects of my work.

The 23rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) will be the first national neuropsychology professional conference I attend, marking a significant milestone in my professional development. This meeting offers a unique and invaluable opportunity to enhance my expertise while contributing meaningfully to the neuropsychology community. As an early-stage researcher and clinician, participating in this conference will solidify my professional identity and deepen my focus on the program’s core mission—Excellence in Clinical Practice. The interactive workshops and educational events will provide exposure to cutting-edge advancements in neuropsychological assessment, intervention, and research. These sessions will cover critical and up-to-date topics across domains such as clinical care excellence, professional development, policy updates, and innovative technology. The opportunity to engage with these diverse learning formats will refine my clinical skills, expand my theoretical knowledge base, and enhance my ability to integrate evidence-based practices into my clinical work and research.

Additionally, the welcoming atmosphere of the AACN meeting fosters meaningful networking opportunities. Connecting with esteemed professionals and peers will help me develop long-term collaborations that advance my translational research on brain health and health disparities in neuropsychology. Through these connections, I aim to enhance my interpersonal and leadership skills while learning from experienced neuropsychologists who have successfully bridged research, practice, and policy. These interactions will also allow me to share insights from my work, particularly around health disparities and culturally informed neuropsychological practices.

For the professional community, my attendance brings a unique perspective rooted in my lived experiences as someone from a minoritized background, combined with my expertise in big data analytics, neuroimaging, and health equity research. By engaging in discussions with leaders in the field, I will bring innovative ideas to address critical issues in neuropsychology, including the challenges faced by underrepresented populations. My research explores how systemic barriers and multi-systems of stress, such as biophysiological stress and sociocultural inequities, impact neuropsychological outcomes. Sharing these insights will contribute to advancing inclusive and culturally sensitive neuropsychological practices, which are essential to addressing disparities in care and outcomes.

Moreover, attending the AACN Annual Meeting will empower me to disseminate best practices and evidence-based interventions not only within my local clinical setting but also to the broader scientific and professional community. Exposure to new methods, tools, and frameworks will help me create more effective strategies for addressing health disparities in brain health, enhancing access to neuropsychological services, and supporting the development of diverse trainees in the field. This experience will further reinforce my commitment to bridging research, policy, and clinical care to create equitable and impactful outcomes for individuals and communities served by neuropsychology.

Mentorship Experience and What I Can Offer

I have had the privilege of mentoring students from historically underrepresented backgrounds, particularly in neuroscience research. During my graduate training, I served as a research mentor for multiple undergraduate and master-level students, guiding them through research projects, data analysis, and graduate school applications. Beyond academic guidance, I became the person in the lab whom students felt comfortable approaching for advice, encouragement, and a safe space to discuss challenges. These relationships underscored for me the critical importance of fostering trust and creating a supportive mentorship environment.

I actively seek mentorship training opportunities to refine my skills and expand my knowledge. I participated in the Mentoring Matters Workshop by the Institute for Clinical Research Education at the University of Pittsburgh and regularly engage in professional development didactics on mentorship and supervision in my postdoctoral fellowship. Drawing on my training in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) principles, I approach mentorship with an emphasis on genuineness, honesty, respect, warmth, and empathy, which I view as the cornerstones of effective mentorship. My approach also incorporates best practices, such as clear communication, encouraging mentees to explain their behavior and thoughts before responding, providing constructive feedback directly rather than “sandwiching” it with praise, and avoiding the activation of identity and stereotype threats. I tailor my guidance to meet each mentee’s unique academic and personal needs, helping them navigate systemic barriers while cultivating confidence and resilience in their abilities.

At the AACN Annual Meeting, I can offer mentees practical advice on building academic and clinical skills, navigating training programs, and finding their voice in neuropsychology. I will draw on my own experiences as a first-generation college graduate and immigrant postdoctoral fellow to provide mentorship that acknowledges the challenges they may face and equips them with strategies for success. My goal is to empower mentees to view their unique backgrounds as strengths and opportunities for growth in their academic and professional journeys.

Professional Goals and Impact of Mentorship

Mentorship is an integral part of my professional identity and long-term goals. As a postdoctoral fellow committed to health equity in neuropsychology, I aspire to lead a research lab that not only investigates disparities in brain health outcomes but also cultivates opportunities for trainees from diverse backgrounds to thrive. My experiences have taught me that effective mentorship goes beyond academic support; it involves creating inclusive environments where mentees feel safe, valued, and inspired to excel. Mentoring at the AACN Annual Meeting will further enhance my skills in fostering such environments, allowing me to connect with aspiring neuropsychologists and guide them in a way that aligns with their unique needs and aspirations.

As a postdoctoral fellow with an immigrant background, my financial resources are limited. Receiving this award would alleviate the burdens with the costs associated with conference registration, travel, and lodging and enable me to fully engage with the meeting, contribute to its mission of fostering excellence and inclusivity in neuropsychology, and further advance my commitment to mentorship and health equity.