Haya Bugshan

About Haya Bugshan

Born and raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, I’m a second-year student at Brown University studying Computational Neuroscience and Philosophy. I’m deeply passionate about pursuing a career in medicine—one grounded in research, compassion, and systems-level thinking.At Brown and the Warren Alpert Medical School, I work across clinical and cognitive neuroscience labs, conducting research on movement disorders, neuroplasticity, and visual perception. My work includes EEG studies, neuropsychological assessments, patient recruitment, and neuroimaging data analysis. I’m particularly interested in how computational models and brain data can come together to improve diagnostic tools and deepen our understanding of complex neurological conditions.What drives me is the question at the heart of both medicine and neuroscience: What does it mean to be human? Whether through algorithms or clinical encounters, I hope to approach this question from both scientific and humanistic angles.Outside of the lab, I’m a writer working on a novel that explores generational trauma and reform in the Arab world. I believe storytelling is inseparable from healing, and I carry that belief into everything I do. In my free time, I’m also a PADI-certified diver, lover of the outdoors, and lifelong student of the unknown.

Experience

1. International Mentoring Program (Imp) Mentor

   Global Brown Center

   Apr 2025 — Present · Providence, RI, US

   Selected to serve as a mentor in Brown’s flagship peer mentorship initiative for international students, welcoming and supporting over 300 incoming students each year through individualized guidance, community-building, and cultural orientation. • Serve as a primary point of contact for a cohort of incoming international first-years before arrival and throughout the academic year • Help design and facilitate International Orientation, hosting workshops, socials, and support spaces for a diverse global student body • Lead small group sessions, conduct weekly check-ins, and offer emotional and academic transition support • Collaborate with a team of mentors and Global Brown staff to create inclusive programming that reflects the unique experiences of international students • Engage in leadership training and mentorship development to strengthen cross-cultural communication and peer advising skills

Education

• American International School of Jeddah

  High School Diploma

• Harvard University

  Harvard Summer School (Secondary School Program)

• Brown University

  Bachelor of Applied Science - BASc, Computational Neuroscience and Philosophy