Vanessa joined HLA in August 2026 as a paralegal with the Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids. Prior to HLA, she was a manager for a neurobiology research lab and spent three years teaching middle school science in Title I public schools, an experience she deeply valued and one that exposed her to the legal and systemic barriers affecting students and underserved communities. She earned her B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and is currently a J.D. candidate at Suffolk University Law School, with interests at the intersection of law, health and education. Outside of work and school, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her two cats, reading, and exploring new restaurants and cuisines.