Kya
Li

NeuroEchoes,
Founder

Kya Li is a curious and empathetic student at Hong Kong International School (HKIS), passionate about leveraging neuroscience to challenge stigma surrounding neurodiverse experiences. Her interest began when she encountered the diverse ways her peers perceived and processed the world, an experience that revealed both the harmful stereotypes often attached to neurodivergence and the real struggles faced by classmates. These encounters sparked her fascination with the human brain and inspired her commitment to advocacy. Psychology quickly became her focus for understanding and her passion for advocating for understanding the complexities and contradictions of neurodiversity.

In an attempt to better understand the neurodivergent community, Kya reached out to local organizations in Hong Kong, such as the Heep Hong Society. She worked with children under the age of 6 to facilitate structured activities tailored to their early developmental needs. Whether guiding a child through sensory exercises or assisting with interactive play, she saw firsthand the transformative impact of individualized attention. Broader advocacy efforts with the organization include collaborating with Heep Hong’s Flag Day in June—a fundraising event dedicated to supporting the youth who benefit from Parents Resource Centers, which provide essential support for families navigating the challenges of neurodiversity. Similarly, Kya has consistently supported and spent quality time with Kai Oi School, a school focused on supporting the well-being and education of neurodivergent individuals.

Her commitment to awareness-building extended beyond volunteering. Kya continued to work for months to draft a research paper that traced the intricate connections between sleep and neurological disorders, uncovering precursors to long-term mental health challenges. The more she uncovered, the clearer it became to her that neuroscience was not simply an academic study. It was a way to represent stories that had gone unseen for too long. This prompted Kya to found NeuroEchoes, a youth-led online platform dedicated to recognizing the voices of the neurodivergent community. Through the initiative, the community reframes perceived deficits as unique strengths – superpowers rather than limitations. In this way, they claim their power to make real change in the world for the neurodivergent community. 

To support these efforts, Kya extended her activities to studying neurobiology and social psychology at advanced summer courses, including those offered at Columbia, Chicago, and Harvard Universities. She conducted independent research and authored papers on social justice and equity topics and continued to challenge herself academically, pursuing university-level academic courses and achieving outstanding results. In addition, Kya satiates her creative side as an editor for He(a)rd Issue Zine HK, a student-run literary magazine by and for young writers in Hong Kong, featuring themes of short fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction and artwork that amplify youth voices and creativity. Inspired by her grandfather’s love and care towards stray animals, she founded An Open Heart in 2023, a campaign dedicated to supporting stray animals by creating merchandise and raising funds for the WWF charity in Hong Kong.