Internationally Recognized Activists and Neuroscientists

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Identical twin sisters Maya and Lara Hammoud are not only incoming Harvard students but internationally recognized activists and social entrepreneurs at just 18.

What began as a single sensory room for a friend with autism has grown into The Perception Foundation, the world’s largest youth-led nonprofit for mental health and neurodiversity, spanning 68+ countries, 265+ branches, and reaching 694,000+ people.

The twins have conducted pioneering research on neurodevelopmental biomarkers, therapies with 97% efficacy to restore lost neurons, and brain-based curricula to transform learning. They hold 8+ scientific publications.

Maya and Lara have become some of the youngest UN delegates and are sought-after keynote speakers who have addressed audiences at some of the world's most influential stages, including the United Nations General Assembly, the Aspen Ideas Festival, the Wall Street Green Summit, and many more, becoming among the youngest speakers ever invited to several of these global forums.

Our Story.

Youngest Speakers @Aspen Ideas

From a childhood passion project to one of the world's most influential stages for ideas, Maya and Lara Hammoud's journey reached an extraordinary milestone this week at the Aspen Ideas Festival. As two of the festival's youngest invited guests and Maya as one of the youngest speakers, the twin sisters had the honor of joining a distinguished community of leaders, innovators, and changemakers representing organizations such as BlackRock, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), TIME, Moun

Maya and Lara Hammoud Address the UN at COSP19

Ten years ago, Maya and Lara Hammoud were simply two young girls trying to help their best friend with autism feel more comfortable, included, and understood. Armed with little more than cardboard, creativity, and compassion, they built their first sensory room. A decade later, those same sisters found themselves in the halls of the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, delivering multiple statements during the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP19)

Making history at the Olympics of Science

Lara Hammoud and Maya Hammoud are incredibly honored to share a milestone that has meant so much to them throughout their journey in science, advocacy, and innovation. This year, the twin sisters became the youngest speakers in the history of the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), often referred to as the “Olympics” or “Nobel Prize” of high school science. Each year, ISEF brings together approximately 1,700 of the world’s top young scientists, engine