Who am I?

I’m Haniya Hopson—a neuroscience and psychology graduate, writer, and autistic researcher with a passion for understanding the brain and the human experience. I recently graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota with a B.S in Neuroscience and Psychology.

When I first entered college, I started out as a biology major—the default major in the College of Biological Sciences—but it didn’t take long for me to realize where my real interests were. I’ve always been drawn to the brain: how it works, how it shapes behavior, and why people do the things they do. Neuroscience gave me the scientific foundation I craved, but I quickly realized I also needed the psychological perspective to fully explore those questions. That’s what led me to add psychology as a second major: to build a more complete, layered understanding of the mind and behavior.

During my time at university, I also learned something else about myself—I’m autistic. I was diagnosed at 21, and that discovery has deeply shaped how I approach my work and my writing. My thinking tends to be detail-oriented and bottom-up, which helps me build deep, thoughtful analyses, especially when it comes to autism research. At the same time, I always work to zoom out and connect those details into a bigger picture. My lived experience gives me a personal window into autism that many researchers don’t have, but I also recognize the incredible diversity within the autistic community. My voice is one among many, and I’m mindful not to overgeneralize my own experience.

Today, my work centers around writing, research, and consulting at the intersection of autism, neuroscience, and human development. While autism remains a core focus—especially given my personal experience—I’m equally drawn to the broader questions behind how we think, grow, and make sense of the world.

Through Neurologically Speaking, my Substack publication, I share writing that brings science and storytelling together. It’s where I explore neurodivergent experiences, break down complex ideas, and reflect on the systems that shape how we understand behavior and difference. I also offer research support, consulting, mentoring, and speaking engagements for those looking to engage with these topics more deeply.

Outside of work, I’m always exploring new interests. I love video games, sewing, dancing, traveling, reading, and spending time with friends. I believe curiosity doesn’t end when you close a textbook—and the same drive to learn that fuels my academic work also shapes the way I move through life.

Above all, this space is an invitation: to explore the brain, human behavior, and what it means to think a little too much about the world around us.