Brendan Salisbury
I study how biological and economic systems shape health outcomes, and why those systems consistently fail the people who need them most.
About
Who I Am
I'm a second-year student at ASU's Barrett Honors College completing dual degrees in neuroscience and finance, on a pre-med track with a 4.0 GPA. My work sits at the intersection of biological systems, economic systems, and global health. These fields look unrelated until you start asking why certain people stay sick.
In the lab, I fabricate 90-micron scale fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) carbon fiber electrodes for real-time neurotransmitter measurement and build systematic reviews on vagal nerve stimulation at ASU's McClure Lab. I also train fellow researchers on electrode fabrication and data collection protocols.
Outside the lab, I serve as Executive Director of Great Heart Global, running sickle cell and solar programs across 11 African countries, and lead education and consulting at Arizona Microcredit Initiative, designing bilingual workshops for underserved entrepreneurs.
Research
Neuroscience Research
Building instruments that capture the brain's chemistry in real time, and mapping what the existing literature has left unmeasured.
McClure Lab, ASU
Research Assistant · 2024–Present
Fabricating 90-micron scale FSCV carbon fiber microelectrodes for in vivo, real-time detection of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
Training fellow researchers on electrode fabrication techniques and experimental protocols.
Leading a systematic meta-analysis on vagal nerve stimulation (VNS), identifying measurement gaps in monoamine neurotransmitter detection across the literature.
Using rodent and bee animal models to characterize dopamine dynamics and reward processing.
Beausoleil Lab, Stanford
Research Assistant · Prior
Hodgkin-Huxley modeling of neural dynamics under varying ionic conditions, focused on Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.
Graduate-level mentorship from Dr. Ray Beausoleil on action potential generation, propagation, and demyelination modeling.
Independently engaged with graduate-level neuroscience literature and mathematical modeling as a pre-college researcher.
Conference Presentation
WPA Together Against Stigma Conference
Delivered a keynote on mental health stigma reduction and neuroscience communication strategies at the 2024 WPA International Conference, translating clinical research into actionable public mental health advocacy.
Leadership & Service
Organizations I Lead
Five organizations spanning global health, financial inclusion, mental health advocacy, and education, each built to operate where formal infrastructure has failed.
Great Heart Global
Executive Director & Director of Strategic Operations
International nonprofit operating across 11 African countries, closing gaps in healthcare access and energy infrastructure.
Launched a sickle cell disease pilot in the DRC that provides screening, treatment linkage, and hydroxyurea access for 100+ children.
Deployed solar-powered clinical infrastructure to off-grid health facilities, extending operational hours where no reliable electricity exists.
Raised $20k+ through donor outreach, grant writing, and institutional partnerships.
11
Countries
100+
Children Treated
$20k+
Raised
Arizona Microcredit Initiative
Director of Education & Director of Consulting
Student-run nonprofit providing microloans and business development to underserved small business owners in Greater Phoenix.
Built bilingual (English/Spanish) workshop curriculum on tax strategy, marketing, and financial literacy, written at a 6th-grade reading level.
Designed consulting tracks and loan-readiness frameworks used across 12 active client partnerships.
Leading a $50k+ microcredit deployment pipeline and coordinating grant applications for program expansion.
12
Partners
$50k+
Microcredit
2
Languages
Xan You Matter Foundation
Mynd Revolution Initiative
Mental health education program that has reached 5,000+ students across Arizona schools through peer-led workshops and original curriculum.
Raised $30k+ to sustain school-based mental health programming and resource distribution.
Developed evidence-informed curriculum that translates neuroscience concepts into accessible mental health literacy for K-12 audiences.
5,000+
Students
$30k+
Raised
Bring Change to Mind
Club Founder & International Ambassador
Founded local chapter of Glenn Close's national mental health nonprofit, building peer-led stigma reduction programs from the ground up.
Selected as International Ambassador, one of a small cohort representing the organization nationally.
Partnered with the Arizona Department of Health on a statewide mental health awareness campaign that reached thousands of residents.
Brendan's Keys to Success
Founder & Lead Tutor
Built and operated a private tutoring company specializing in STEM subjects and standardized test prep.
Generated $30k+ in revenue while maintaining a 65% grade improvement guarantee.
Managed client scheduling, curriculum development, and business operations as a solo founder throughout high school.
$30k+
Revenue
65%
Grade Guarantee
Contact
Get in Touch
Based in Phoenix, AZ. Always open to research collaborations, nonprofit partnerships, and conversations about science and medicine.