Malieka Niakan

Malieka is entering her third year as a Cognitive Science student at UCLA, with a minor in Educational Studies, pursuing a Bachelor's degree. Her passion lies in neuroscience, particularly in understanding neurological diseases and shaping health policy in this field. She is deeply committed to transforming how ASD is perceived within healthcare systems and enhancing advocacy for this community. Her minor in education reflects her dedication to exploring how we can improve and share knowledge, which she is eager to apply in healthcare and with future generations. Discovering LEND has been a significant moment for her, as it perfectly integrates her interests in neuroscience, education, and healthcare systems. After graduation, she intends to work in health policy or within educational systems, before pursuing an MPH to advance to a leadership role in health policy.