Inspiring Advocacy for Immunocompromised and Neurodivergent Youth
Max, a high school senior from California, was diagnosed with Primary Immune Deficiency at age three, after years of frequent serious illnesses with no explanation. Growing up, he spent much of his childhood in clinics rather than classrooms, received IVIG infusions and daily antibiotics, and missed typical social experiences like indoor sports and birthday parties.
Living with this condition made him deeply aware of how vaccines and public health policies affect people with compromised immune systems. When COVID-19 hit, he joined forces with Arin, founder of Teens for Vaccines, to amplify the impact of youth collective action through his lived experience battling immunodeficiency all his life.
Max also joined the Immune Deficiency Foundation's Youth Advisory Committee and helped organize Walks for PI to raise awareness and support research. A changemaker at heart, Max spoke with members of Congress, impressing upon them the needs of youth navigating life with primary immune deficiencies, passionately advocating for funding for life-saving research and vaccines.
In Max's words, "For me, vaccines are not just a choice. They are the reason I can safely go to school, travel, and live life more fully despite my condition. That is why being part of Teens for Vaccines matters to me. Young people with healthy immune systems who get vaccinated are also protecting kids like me, who do not have the same defenses."
Alongside being a fervent champion for equitable vaccine access and evidence-based science, Max is also Co-Chair of the Stanford Neurodiversity Project's K-12 Initiative, NNEA (Network for Neurodiversity Education and Advocacy). Through public speaking, mentoring, and training, Max promotes a strength-based model and inclusivity and empathy in schools, communities, and workplaces—becoming a role model for countless youth and adults, inspiring them to overcome society's preconceived notions of neurodivergence.
Despite many time pressures, Max always makes time to help others; recently, he took on an advisor and mentor role to Aashna Parsa, an eighth-grader, who sought him out for guidance on building, Youth for Neurodiversity, a collective of neurodivergent youth and allies, so young people all over the world can uplift each other and push for change.
An accomplished programmer, a NASA N3 Intern and Scholar, USA Computing Olympiad Platinum Division Programmer, neurotech researcher, and developer for assistive mobile apps, Max deeply believes in the pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of humanity.
In Max's words, "Whether through coding, research, or public speaking, I am passionate about using technology and data to support human-centered solutions that give more people the chance to live fully.”