Meet Sophia Fuentes | Sophia Fuentes | Founder of NeuroFirst
We had the good fortune of connecting with Sophia Fuentes and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Sophia, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind the success of my 501(c)(3) nonprofit, NeuroFirst, has been perseverance. When I started NeuroFirst in April of 2025, I didn’t have a big team, funding, or a roadmap, but I had a deep passion for neuroscience and a clear mission: to make brain health education accessible and inspire early action against neurodegenerative diseases.
Since then, we’ve grown to include over 50 active student members, with engagement from students across several international countries. That growth came from consistently showing up, reaching out, and adapting along the way, not waiting for the perfect conditions to start making an impact.
Our recent efforts include a Double Good popcorn fundraiser, which raised over $700 in sales, and a Panera fundraising night that brought in $444 in just four hours. These funds help support initiatives like our handmade neuroscience-informed care cards, which are created for individuals affected by neurodegenerative conditions. We currently host weekly in-person card-making events at the New Rochelle Public Library, alongside virtual sessions, and have created over 100 cards so far.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets us apart is our focus on youth-driven advocacy, we create accessible neuroscience content, lead community outreach projects like our card-making program for nursing home residents, and host educational events that connect students, scientists, and caregivers. The work is personal for me, my grandmother has Alzheimer’s, and caring for her inspired me to turn love and frustration into action.
Getting here hasn’t been easy. Balancing school, caregiving, and leading a nonprofit pushed me to grow quickly, but I’ve learned that passion and persistence matter more than waiting to feel “ready.” I want the world to know that young people are more than capable of driving meaningful change. NeuroFirst is about making neuroscience human, and ensuring no one facing these diseases feels forgotten.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As a New Rochelle local, I would start at New Roc City with arcades, then head to Five Islands Park for some fresh air and chill time by the water. Local spots like Little Mexican Cafe and Nautilus Diner are casual go-tos for good eats. To keep things fun, swing by escape rooms in nearby White Plains or gaming events at the New Rochelle Library. It’s the kind of place where you can kick back but still find cool things to do.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my grandmother, who is living with Alzheimer’s disease. Caring for her has deeply shaped the way I view time, memory, and what it means to be present for someone. Her strength, even in silence, reminds me why I do the work I do, especially through NeuroFirst, where we aim to raise awareness and support for those affected by neurodegenerative diseases.
She may not always remember me, but I carry her love, resilience, and warmth with me in everything I pursue. This journey is, in many ways, for her.
Website: https://linktr.ee/neurofirst
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neu_rofirst?igsh=bXhmNnV6dXJmbnJo&utm_source=qr
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