OUR FOUNDERS
LAUREN HAACKE
Experimental Neuroscience
CLASS OF 2020
During high school, I suffered from a brain injury due to a cheerleading accident. The recovery process was long and I felt isolated at times, even though brain injury affects so many. I am passionate about providing this resource to our community because I know if there were a resource similar to Synapse when I was going through the hardest parts of my recovery, it would have made it a little easier to have a community to support me. The enthusiastic welcome we experienced in the community after hosting our first support group warmed my heart and continues to drive me as we grow our chapter.
LUCIE LEFBOM
Clinical Neuroscience, Spanish
CLASS OF 2021
When I applied with Lauren to start the Synapse chapter, I had no idea that we would not only be providing a much needed resource for an underserved community, but stepping into a large supportive family. The more we work to help individuals with brain injury, the more passionate I become about their progress and well-being. Brain injury affects so many more than I had previously been aware of, and I hope that Synapse at Virginia Tech raises awareness for brain injury in the New River Valley and positively impacts the lives of those we are serving.