Isabella (Bella) Henriquez is a senior at the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior with a supplementary major in Education, Schooling, and Society and a minor in Theology. Henriquez is passionate about exploring the adverse effects of environmental, educational, and socio-cultural factors on the growth and development of the child and their health through to adulthood. She hopes to discover how mental and physical health can be impacted, diving deeper into genetics, nutrition, early learning, and other biopsychosocial conditions. In high school, Henriquez created an early childhood stimulation guide for low-income communities of El Salvador, her native country, alongside the non-profit organization Glasswing International, taking a semester abroad to witness its effects. At Notre Dame, Henriquez was a part of Dr. Laura Miller-Graff's BRAVE (Building Resilience After Violence Exposure) research lab, where she examined the developmental effects of violence in childhood. She now works at the Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child on their international projects that create evidence-based innovations to develop whole-child approaches to improve children’s academic achievement, while creating a safe and supportive family, school, and community environment. Moving forward, Henriquez is interested in developing her research skills and applying newfound knowledge to improve learning and development in the most vulnerable communities.
KDR Leader