Our Story
The BrainBorders neuroscience outreach program held its inaugural event at Calexico High School in June 2023 thanks to the generosity of the ASCB COMPASS Outreach Grant. BrainBorders aims to bring neuroscience experts from the University of California, San Diego and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies directly to the rural, agricultural community of Calexico, California located on the US-Mexico border about 2 hours from San Diego, California. The mission of BrainBorders is to teach local high school students in the Imperial Valley about fundamental principles in neuroscience and inspire students to explore a career in research as they develop their educational and professional goals. The founding members of BrainBorders (Dr. Christian Cazares, Dr. Maribel Patiño, Alexandra Garcia, Nicole Granados) are all from historically marginalized and excluded backgrounds in neuroscience and were all motivated by the desire to give other students from similar backgrounds advice on how to best navigate the transition to college. Members of BrainBorders include alumni of the community’s school district who took it upon themselves to enact this goal and give back to the same community that supported their own paths to a neuroscience career. The outreach event took place at Calexico High School with the support of Assistant Principal Martin Leyva and AP Psychology Teacher Andrew Alvarez.
Colors of the Brain 