Graduate student Beau Zhang helps shape MSU’s 2nd Annual Disability Summit

September 26, 2025 - Shelly Dejong

On October 3, 2025, MSU's 2nd Annual Disability Summit will highlight the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities and explore ways to create more accessible practices. Among the student leaders helping shape the event is Beau Zhang, a PhD candidate in cognitive neuroscience in MSU’s Department of Psychology. 

Zhang has been an advocate for accessibility across campus, working with groups such as the Graduate Student Accessibility and Support Network and the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. He has also led workshops to help peers design more inclusive teaching materials and better understand disability awareness. 

“Once awareness is spread, and people are thinking and talking about it, it’s much easier to transition to more inclusive environments,” Zhang said. 

Zhang’s academic journey began at the University of Denver and continued at the University of Chicago before he joined MSU, where he now researches how the brain interprets ambiguous visual input like optical illusions with his advisor Associate Professor Jan Brascamp. 

As a graduate student, Zhang has balanced cutting-edge research with a dedication to mentorship. He has served as a teaching assistant for several undergraduate courses and was named Educator of the Month by the MSU Graduate School earlier this year for his commitment to supporting students in research, teaching, and graduate school preparation. 

This year’s Disability Summit will be a half-day event featuring keynote speaker, disability advocate, and author Haben Girma, networking opportunities, poster presentations and more. Two hundred copies of Haben Girma’s book, Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law, will be available to attendees on a first-come, first-served basis, with a book signing opportunity.    

In addition to this year’s in person event on October 3, there will be virtual sessions held on Fridays throughout the month of October to honor MSU Disability Pride Month and keep the conversations going. 

Zhang hopes the summit will spark meaningful conversations, leading to long-term changes in how the university community approaches disability and accessibility. 

“I think having events like the Disability Summit helps people stop and think about issues they may not normally consider,” he said. “It’s a step toward building a more inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.” 

More information about the 2025 MSU Disability Summit can be found here.