Haniya Hopson is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of Minnesota. She has conducted research on neurodevelopmental disorders as a McNair Scholar and is passionate about improving diagnostic practices and mental health care accessibility for underrepresented communities. Her passion for understanding autism and neurodevelopmental disorders stems from her personal experiences as a Black, autistic woman navigating spaces that often lacked awareness of neurodiversity. Haniya is a 2024 University of MN LEND Fellow and hopes to expand her knowledge through interdisciplinary collaboration to better support neurodivergent individuals and their families.