
Our Ambassadors are dedicated community members who share their experiences and help spread the word about Neuromatch. They’re here to answer questions from potential students, connect with university clubs, and even give virtual or in-person talks about our programs and their experience.
Below you’ll find our current Ambassadors, along with their contact information, location, and areas they’re excited to talk about. Feel free to reach out directly if you’d like to:
- Ask about their experience as a Neuromatch student, TA, or mentor
- Learn more about our courses
- Invite them to speak with your group or class
2026 Ambassadors
Afeez Oladokun

Contact: afeez.oladokun@neuromatch.io
Location: Elizade University, Nigeria
Language: English
Afeez Oladokun is a neuroscience researcher and laboratory technologist at Elizade University in Nigeria. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Anatomy with a specialization in Neuroscience from Osun State University. A 2025 alum of Neuromatch Academy’s Computational Neuroscience course, Afeez gained hands-on experience in neural modeling and data analysis while collaborating with an international cohort of learners. He is passionate about promoting open, inclusive neuroscience education and helping students in underrepresented regions access global learning opportunities through Neuromatch.
Apollo Yang

Contact: apollo.yang@neuromatch.io
Location: Imperial College, London, UK
Languages: English, Chinese
Apollo Yang is an MEng student at Imperial College London with a passion for neuroscience and neurotechnology. Having completed two Neuromatch Academy courses, he has adapted NMA content into workshops, organized public science events, and facilitated neurotechnology hackathons. Apollo is eager to share his Neuromatch experience and resources with students and researchers across the UK and China.
Celestine Ilo

Contact: celestine.ilo@neuromatch.io
Location: University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria
Languages: English, Igbo, Pidgin English
Celestine Ilo is a fifth-year medical student at the University of Nigeria and the National President of the Youth Neuroscience Association of Nigeria (YNAN). A 2025 alum of Neuromatch Academy’s Computational Neuroscience program, Celestine is passionate about showing other students that science can be done in a “dry lab,” using data and code to explore the brain. He now works to expand access to computational neuroscience education in Nigeria, inspiring others to see new possibilities in research and medicine.
Chathura Ranasinghe

Contact: chathura.ranasinghe@neuromatch.io
Location: Florida, USA
Languages: English
Chathura Ranasinghe is a former Neuromatch Academy Computational Neuroscience student whose experience in the 2021 program sparked his journey toward becoming a computational neuroscientist. Originally from Sri Lanka, Chathura faced limited opportunities to pursue this field locally but found encouragement and community through Neuromatch. His participation led to remote research collaborations in the U.S. and the Netherlands and inspired him to give back as a volunteer and Mentor with Neuromatch. Now based in Florida, he remains passionate about continuing his studies and helping others discover global learning opportunities in neuroscience.
Gideon Alex

Contact: gideon.alex@neuromatch.io
Location: University of Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria
Languages: English
Gideon Alex is a Neuromatch Alumnus and Research Associate at the University of Port Harcourt. He previously served as the National President of the Youth Neuroscience Association of Nigeria. Over the past five years, he has led more than 30 Neuroscience outreaches across both urban and rural communities in Nigeria, advancing brain literacy and STEM education. As an Ambassador, he aims to strengthen global participation and help students thrive in the Academy.
Ignatius Balayo

Contact: ignatius.balayo@neuromatch.io
Location: Busitema University, Uganda
Languages: English
Ignatius Balayo is a Master’s student at Busitema University in Uganda and a graduate of the 2025 Computational Tools for Climate Science course. Ignatius is committed to helping students across African universities and underrepresented communities access life-changing opportunities, expand their skills, and join the global Neuromatch community.
Kareem Taha

Contact: kareem.taha@neuromatch.io
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Languages: Arabic, English
Kareem Taha is a Systems and Biomedical Engineering student at Cairo University and an alum of Neuromatch Academy’s Computational Neuroscience program. His experience in the course strengthened his technical and communication skills and deepened his interest in AI and neuroscience. He is eager to share his insights on how to navigate and thrive in Neuromatch Academy’s collaborative cohorts and to help other students, especially in Egypt, discover and benefit from Neuromatch’s accessible, hands-on learning opportunities.
Karim Hassan

Contact: karim.hassan@neuromatch.io
Location: Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Languages: Arabic, English
Karim Hassan is an undergraduate student in Systems and Biomedical Engineering at Cairo University and an alum of Neuromatch Academy’s Computational Neuroscience program. He is passionate about sharing his NMA experience, helping students discover the program, and guiding them to maximize its resources and opportunities. As a Neuromatch Ambassador, Karim aims to expand the program’s reach across Egypt and connect students with the global computational neuroscience community.
Luis Fernando Zhinin Vera

Contact: luis.fernando.zhinin.vera@neuromatch.io
Location: University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ecuador
Languages: English, Spanish
Luis Fernando Zhinin Vera is a PhD student in Computer Science at the University of Castilla-La Mancha. With research experience spanning Canada, Mexico, and Chile, he is passionate about making high-quality science education accessible worldwide. Luis brings extensive experience in outreach, mentorship, and global collaboration. He is excited to support Neuromatch Academy’s mission to democratize neuroscience and AI education and help students—especially in underrepresented regions—connect with transformative learning opportunities.
Mahmoud Ashouri

Contact: Mahmoud.ashouri@neuromatch.io
Location: Iran
Languages: English, Persian
Mahmoud Ashouri is a student at GMU and a former Neuromatch Academy student. He founded the Student Neuroscience Research Committee at BUMS, supporting research in areas like brain imaging and stroke. As a Neuromatch Ambassador, Mahmoud is passionate about giving back to the neuroscience community and helping students engage with NMA’s programs and resources.
Martín Dutra

Contact: Martin.Dutra@neuromatch.io
Location: Montevideo, Uruguay
Languages: English, Spanish
Martín Dutra is an Assistant Lecturer in Cognitive Computational Neuroscience at the University of the Republic in Montevideo, Uruguay. A graduate of Neuromatch Academy’s Computational Neuroscience course and holder of a master’s degree in Cognitive Sciences, Martín is passionate about connecting students across disciplines in neuroscience, engineering, and psychology to computational approaches. He is excited to help expand Neuromatch’s reach in Uruguay and inspire more learners to join the global community.
Mehrnaz Hosseinzadeh

Contact: mehrnaz.hosseinzadeh@neuromatch.io
Location: Iran
Languages: English, Persian
Mehrnaz Hosseinzadeh is a Research Assistant at Iran University of Medical Sciences and a long-time member of the Neuromatch community. She participated in the Computational Neuroscience course in 2020 and the Deep Learning course in 2021, later serving as a Teaching Assistant for multiple years and as Lead TA for Computational Neuroscience in 2025. Mehrnaz is passionate about mentoring students and supporting accessible, high-quality education in neuroscience.
MohammadFazel Abdhaghighi

Contact: mohammadfazel.abdhaghighi@neuromatch.io
Location: Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Mazandaran, Iran
Languages: English, Persian
MohammadFazel Abdhaghighi is a student and research assistant at Babol Noshirvani University of Technology with experience mentoring students and organizing academic events. He completed the Neuromatch Academy’s Computational Neuroscience course in 2025 and is eager to share the knowledge and resources he gained with others. As an ambassador, he aims to expand NMA’s reach and inspire more students in Iran and beyond to explore computational neuroscience.
Peter Ohue

Contact: peter.ohue@neuromatch.io
Location: Expert Education Centre, Ibadan, Nigeria
Languages: English
Peter is the Director of Studies at Expert Education Centre in Ibadan, Nigeria. With a Ph.D. in Computational Statistics and a strong background in mathematics, statistics, psychology, and educational technology, he applies machine learning and AI to challenges in climate science, mental health, and motor control. A long-time collaborator to Neuromatch Academy, Peter is passionate about education and collaboration. He is happy to share his experiences with computational science, Neuromatch Academy, and being part of the Neuromatch community.
Reza Rajabli

Contact: reza.rajabli@neuromatch.io
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Languages: English, French, Persian
Reza Rajabli is a PhD candidate at the Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, researching deep learning models to predict future cognitive decline from brain images. He has served as a TA for Neuromatch Academy courses in 2024 and 2025. Deeply aligned with Neuromatch’s mission to democratize science, Reza is committed to supporting global scientific collaboration and helping learners from underrepresented regions access high-quality neuroscience and AI education.
Ruslan Kurmashev

Contact: ruslan.kurmashev@neuromatch.io
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Languages: English, Russian, Kazakh
Ruslan Kurmashev is a student at Munster Technological University with a background in medicine and computational biology. As a researcher working on autism diagnostics using genetics, microbiome, and AI, he brings a unique perspective to computational neuroscience. As a Neuromatch Ambassador, Ruslan aims to connect learners with NMA opportunities, promote accessible education, and foster global collaboration in neuroscience and computational biology.
Selva Maran

Contact: selva.maran@neuromatch.io
Location: Bangalore, India
Languages: English
Selva Maran is a Lead Scientist at iBrains Centre for Precision Psychiatry and Neuroscience in Bangalore, India, with a PhD in Computational Neuroscience from LSUHSC, New Orleans, and postdoctoral experience at Emory University. He has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications and works on projects in NeuroAI, deep learning, computational neuroscience, and computational psychiatry. As a Neuromatch Academy mentor and volunteer, Selva is passionate about supporting open science, global outreach, and international collaboration in neuroscience.
Shubhrojit Misra

Contact: shubhrojit.misra@neuromatch.io
Location:
Languages: English
Shubhrojit Misra is a Neuromatch Academy alumnus and active volunteer, with experience reviewing student applications and serving as a Teaching Assistant for Neurmatch Academy’s Deep Learning course. As a Neuromatch Ambassador, Shubhrojit aims to share his experience and guide others to get the most out of NMA’s courses and resources.
Srikavya Pasumarthy

Contact: srikavya.pasumarthy@neuromatch.io
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Languages: English
Srikavya Pasumarthy is a fourth-year medical student and budding neurologist at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, with interests in vascular, neuroendovascular, and critical care neurology. Her research focuses on traumatic brain injury and the utility of inter-facility transfer. She is passionate about expanding access to Neuromatch programs and supporting learners interested in neuroscience.
Tolulope Gbayisomore

Contact: tolulope.gbayisomore@neuromatch.io
Location: University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State, Nigeria
Languages: English, Pidgin, Yoruba
Tolulope is a neuroscience researcher and MSc student at the University of Medical Science, studying non-pharmacological approaches to dementia. A graduate of Neuromatch Academy’s Computational Neuroscience course, he is passionate about open science and mentoring the next generation of researchers. Tolu is happy to share his experiences with computational neuroscience, being a student of Neuromatch Academy, and volunteering with Neuromatch.
Tolulope Oladele

Contact: tolulope.oladele@neuromatch.io
Location: University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State, Nigeria
Languages: English, Yoruba
Tolulope Oladele is a Neuromatch Academy alumnus and Teaching Assistant, as well as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Medical Sciences in Ondo State, Nigeria. He is passionate about guiding students from underrepresented regions to access Neuromatch courses and gain hands-on experience in computational neuroscience and NeuroAI. As a Neuromatch Ambassador, Tolulope aims to help students explore career paths, deepen their understanding of neuroscience and AI, and connect with the global NMA community.
Our Ambassadors are scientists, students, and educators from around the world who share a common passion: making computational science accessible and inclusive. Whether you’re a prospective Neuromatch or Climatematch Academy student or a university club looking for a speaker, you can connect directly with them. Each Ambassador brings unique expertise and lived experience, offering a personal window into the global Neuromatch community.
Interested in becoming an volunteer Ambassador yourself? Apply here
