The Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities (MCDD) is excited to welcome several new trainees to its formalized preservice training program. This program aims to increase the number—and enhance the expertise—of individuals interested in integrating disability knowledge into their future careers and lives. Through the MCDD’s core programs and projects, trainees engage in a diverse range of mentored experiential and educational activities.
TJ Annerino, a third-year law student at the University of Baltimore School of Law, holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Auburn University, where she minored in communications and sociology. Initially interested in criminal justice, she discovered her passion for public interest law during her first year as a representative for the University of Baltimore Students for Public Interest (UBSPI). Serving as UBSPI’s president during her second year, and now the representative for students in their third year of the university’s law school, Annerino is dedicated to driving meaningful change in this field. Through her work with Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law) and the MCDD, Annerino aims to advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Inspired by her sister’s journey in supporting Annerino’s nephew after his autism diagnosis, she brings a deeply personal perspective to her efforts and is working to make a tangible difference for families navigating similar challenges.
Neha Banerji is a first-year law student at Penn State Dickinson Law with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and public policy from the University of Maryland. Banerji developed an interest in disability law from her time as a paraeducator in Howard County, Maryland, and her advocacy work as the founder of the Women’s March Youth EMPOWER Howard County chapter. She is actively involved in the Disability Law Caucus and serves on the executive board of the Human Rights Society at Penn State Dickinson Law. Through her internship at Project HEAL, Banerji hopes to gain hands-on experience promoting equitable access to care and supporting individuals with developmental disabilities while exploring the field of health law. She looks forward to contributing to various initiatives and legal research to further develop her legal writing skills and assist in eliminating systemic barriers to treatment. Banerji has a deep-rooted interest in public interest law, public policy and creating a meaningful impact on the Baltimore community.
Quinesha Burden is a third-year law student attending the University of Baltimore School of Law. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Coppin State University. She also holds a master’s degree in bioethics from the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics and a Master of Science in anatomy education from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Burden’s primary interests include reproductive health, rights and justice. An employee of Kennedy Krieger Institute for 11 years and a returning trainee to Project HEAL, Burden will continue advocating for neurodivergent individuals and their families.
Lindsey Rosenbloom is a rising second-year law student at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. She earned a Bachelor of Science in public health from the University of Miami, with a secondary major in psychology and minors in disability studies and philosophy. Prior to law school, Rosenbloom worked as a fifth-grade special education teacher in Boston. Rosenbloom discovered her passion for disability advocacy at a young age, shaping her academic path and professional ambitions. Through her work at Project HEAL, Rosenbloom hopes to navigate the complex intersections of healthcare, education and disability law to advocate for equitable access to essential services and protect the rights of individuals with disabilities.
Amelia Culbertson is a rising junior at Towson High School in Baltimore County, with a strong passion for justice and advocacy. She is deeply interested in the legal system and the many layers involved in protecting the rights of individuals involved in a case. Outside of school, Culbertson is a dedicated soccer player who especially enjoys coaching and training children in adaptive soccer programs each fall. This work has fueled her commitment to inclusion and service. Following high school, she plans to study political science or pre-law in college, with the goal of becoming a lawyer and a lifelong advocate for others.