Ellen Goncharov

Ellen Goncharov is an emerging youth leader, neuroscience researcher, and mental health advocate from the San Francisco Bay Area whose work bridges science, storytelling, and community impact. A rising freshman at University of California, Davis, she plans to study cognitive psychology and psycholinguistics while pursuing a pre-med pathway focused on pediatric medicine and youth mental health. With a strong passion for psychology, child development, and neuroscience, Ellen is committed to creating meaningful change for young people through both research and advocacy.
Currently serving as a Harris Neuroscience Intern with Stanford Neurosurgery, Ellen contributes to research involving stereotactic radiosurgery for radioresistant brain metastases, including melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and sarcoma. Her experience at Stanford has deepened her interest in translational medicine and the connection between neuroscience research and patient care. Beyond the lab, she is also an accomplished student leader, varsity swim captain, and multilingual learner studying her fourth language while exploring the intersection of language, identity, and healthcare accessibility.
Ellen is also the founder and CEO of Light Up Project, a student-led nonprofit dedicated to reducing mental health stigma through peer support, education, creative outreach, and youth empowerment. Under her leadership, the organization has partnered with more than 60 student nonprofits and community organizations, reaching thousands of students through mental health initiatives, advocacy campaigns, and hospital support projects for pediatric patients. Through speaking engagements, podcast features, youth leadership forums, and collaborations with national organizations, Ellen continues to amplify youth voices and inspire the next generation of changemakers working at the intersection of mental health, medicine, and social impact.