In the Hair Braiding project, Kris Cheaye, a Junior at Smith College, and Abria Simmons, a Senior at the University of Maryland, are collaborating to explore how hair braiding enhances signaling quality of functional near infrared spectroscopy for individuals with afro-textured hair. This student-led initiative aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and equity by including hair braiding as an accommodation, making the study accessible to individuals with diverse hair types, and overall make studies more diverse and inclusive.
