maxwell

Turning Challenges Into Purpose

Some of the hardest parts of my life became the reason I found my purpose.

I was born with a primary immune deficiency and, for many years, was unable to attend traditional school due to my health. I missed out on sports, school events, and many everyday childhood experiences. Later, I was diagnosed with autism, which helped me understand why the world often felt overwhelming, but also why I could quickly spot patterns, think analytically, and dive deeply into the topics I loved.

At first, these challenges seemed like barriers. But over time, I realized they were building blocks. They shaped my empathy, resilience, and ability to solve problems in creative, systems-driven ways. Through online learning, I found a way to thrive and discovered a deep passion for science, data, and technology.

Today, I attend Stanford Online High School and serve as Co-Chair of the Network for Neurodiversity Advocacy and Education (NNEA), the K-12 initiative of Stanford University’s Neurodiversity Project. I am also a NASA N3 Intern, contributing to research on how climate change affects public health and socioeconomic equity. I love using data to tell human stories, and I believe technology can be a powerful tool for equity, accessibility, and change.

I know what it feels like to be misunderstood, and I understand the transformative power of being supported. I am not just passionate about STEM; I want to use it to design real solutions for people like me. Different does not mean less. It means new possibilities, new ways of seeing the world, and new innovations waiting to happen.

ASPIRING HCI RESEARCH SCIENTIST
USA Computing Olympiad Platinum Division Programmer
NASA N3 Research Intern and Scholar
Stanford Neurodiversity ProjecT
Stanford Network for K-12 Neurodiversity Education and Advocacy
SoftCom Lab Research Intern
CODEversitY Mobile APP Developer
Legislative Policy Advocate
Author Of Typically Me
Stanford Online High SchooL
Public Speaker
Mentor

ACTION AND IMPACT

As Co-Chair of the Stanford Neurodiversity Project’s K-12 Network for Neurodiversity Education & Advocacy, I help guide international programming that supports inclusive education and community advocacy. In March 2025, I shared my lived experience and strengths-based education approach as a guest speaker for Neurodiversity Association Hong Kong during Neurodiversity Celebration Week. I also created Pos-Ability during SNP-REACH, a neuroscience-based educational game showcased at the 2024 Stanford Neurodiversity Summit to foster understanding and reduce stigma. I was honored to serve as a teaching assistant for the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation Aspie Python Bootcamp at Vanderbilt University. Alongside this work, I serve on the Youth Advisory Committee of the Immune Deficiency Foundation, representing the PI community on Capitol Hill and advocating to members of Congress for life-saving research, vaccines, and awareness of the challenges patients face.

Maxwell Palance In Senator Mark Kelly's Office On The Immune Deficiency Foundation's 2024 Advocacy Day

Maxwell Palance Standing On The Steps Of The U.S. Capitol Building For The Immune Deficiency Foundation's 2024 Advocacy Day

Maxwell Palance With Dr. Lawrence Fung, The Director Of The Stanford Neurodiversity Project

Maxwell Palance At The Immune Deficiency Foundation's 2024 Walk For PI In San Francisco

Maxwell Palance Presenting His 2024 SNP-REACH Team's Video Game "Pos-Ability"

Maxwell Palance Presenting At SNP-REACH 2025

Maxwell Palance Working At Stanford Neurodiversity Summit 2025

Maxwell Palance Frist Center for Autism and Innovation Aspie Bootcamp: Python

Maxwell Palance Immune Deficiency Foundation Advocacy Day 2025

PROJECTS

I authored Typically Me, a children’s book about growing up on the autism spectrum, endorsed by the director of the Stanford Neurodiversity Project, Dr. Lawrence Fung. As the lead developer of CODEversity, I built a mobile app that teaches programming to Neurodiverse learners by reducing frustration, supporting emotional regulation, and encouraging perseverance. My research titled “Designing an AI-Powered E-Learning System to Support Emotional Regulation in Children with Autism” was published and presented internationally at AIAPP 2025. As a NASA N3 intern, I authored a research paper titled "Exploring Trends in Earth’s Precipitation Using Satellite-Gauge Estimates from NASA’s GPM-IMERG," which was published in the Int'l journal Earth and have an upcoming presentation at the 2026 American Association of Geographers conference. I was also selected to digitize a NASA-funded educational card game for the PLANETS program, creating accessible STEM resources for underserved and Neurodiverse students.