Sonja Xie
Sonja Xie is a 17-year-old visual artist, brain health advocate, and Founder/Executive Director of Brain Waves for Change, a youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit reimagining the stigma surrounding neurological and mental illness. Based in Westchester, NY, Sonja has loved painting, sculpting, and creating since age 3, and now channels that passion into educational programs that inspire creativity and neurological well-being. As a published author in Schizophrenia Research, Yale School of Medicine research intern, and Regeneron STS 2026 Scholar, as well as a gallery-showcased, award-winning multi-media artist, Sonja aims to combine neuroscience and art into uplifting programs for her community.
It’s been incredibly inspiring and educational to chat with this brilliant and creative young woman. Sonja is a deeply thoughtful and out-of-the-box thinker. Her insights and support for her work significantly contribute to this field and its new discoveries. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Sonja and Brain Waves for Change!
