About Us
Meet the team behind the youth-led movement for healthier minds.
Restoring the Balance
BufferSpace is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to restoring the balance between digital technology and human connection, particularly for adolescents and young adults. We work to make social health understandable, actionable, and measurable.
Prevention First
We believe in proactive brain health protection before problems arise.
Science-Backed
Every program is grounded in peer-reviewed neuroscience research.
Youth-Led
Teens understand teens. Our programs are created by and for young people.
The Story Behind BufferSpace
"Mental health doesn't start in a crisis—it starts with social well-being and creating everyday moments."
Alisha Parikh-Briggs
Founder, Executive Director and Editor & Chief
Alisha Parikh-Briggs is a student researcher focused on prevention-first mental health and adolescent brain development. Her published exploratory study examining associations between long-distance running and improved academic performance, executive function, stress regulation, and motivation contributes early insights to an unexplored area of youth cognitive health.
While correlational and hypothesis-generating, her findings help guide more rigorous future research and inform discussions around school wellness policy, physical activity, and brain health. Through BufferSpace, she advances a model that integrates endurance training, social well-being, and responsible digital technology use to strengthen memory, cognition, and long-term student outcomes.
Long-Distance Running and Adolescent Brain Health: Associations with Academic and Cognitive OutcomesContact the editor and chiefBufferSpace Leadership Committee
Alisha Parikh-Briggs
Founder, Executive Director & Editor-in-Chief
High school junior at Menlo-Atherton High School intending to study neuroscience or human biology. She is passionate about educating her peers on building routines that strengthen focus, memory, and resilience.
Brady Ehrhart
Managing Editor, BufferSpace Blog
High school senior at Memphis University School intending to study journalism or public policy. He leads editorial strategy that elevates youth voices while advancing digital health literacy and responsible technology engagement.
Ishaan Murthy
Executive Producer, U.S. Podcasts & Events
High school junior at Palo Alto High School intending to study psychology or human performance. He produces podcasts and events exploring how physical health, social connection, and intentional digital habits support cognitive strength and resilience.
Viggo Karlsson
Head of Global Research & Communications
Senior at Täby Enskilda Gymnasiet in Sweden intending to study medicine or biomedical science. He supports clinical research and scientific communication that promotes healthy digital habits and long-term cognitive development.
Alexa Castagna
Social Media Manager
Alexa is a junior at Menlo School and is actively involved in tennis, soccer, student leadership, and a range of school clubs. Passionate about health and wellness, Alexa is especially interested in understanding and improving physical and mental well-being during the high school and college years.
Board of Directors
Dr. Rupa Patel, MD, MPH
Board Chair
Infectious disease physician at Whitman-Walker Health specializing in prevention and trauma-informed care for young adults. She brings clinical and public health leadership to advance digital health and protect developing minds.
Sherilyn Stolz
Vice President
Executive Director of the Stanford WellMD & WellPhD Center leading strategy and operations to advance physician and scientist well-being. She contributes strategic vision and operational leadership to promote youth digital health and responsible technology use.
Jennifer Lindskog, MBA
Secretary
Chief Product Officer at Sovhi Health developing a global standard in social health across the lifespan, including teens. She brings expertise in innovation, strategy, and governance to support youth digital health.
Alex Parikh-Briggs
Treasurer & Compliance
Pre-law student at UC Berkeley studying Economics and Psychology with a focus on governance and ethics. He supports financial stewardship and responsible digital health initiatives.
Mira Marjanovic
Director
Life sciences product and strategy leader at Thermo Fisher Scientific specializing in genomics, precision medicine, and AI technologies. She brings strategic leadership and product innovation to advance BufferSpace's mission of empowering youth and promoting healthy digital habits.