The California Institute on Law, Neuroscience, and Education welcomed its second cohort of interns this summer. The three interns come from different backgrounds and worked on various projects throughout the summer. While they primarily worked at the UC San Francisco Law School campus, their internship involved several visits to various partner campuses and collaborators. These visits included the UCSF campus and Multitudes, Young Adult Court, and the Foster Youth Museum.
Anna Bassett
Anna Bassett is a rising junior and Dean’s Honors student at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she is pursuing a double major in Political Science and Economics and a minor in Professional Writing on the Civic Engagement track. Having grown up in the Bay Area, she felt deeply connected to the California Institute’s interdisciplinary mission to bridge the gap between education and justice for youth across the state. One highlight of the internship was visiting the San Francisco Young Adult Court, where she gained firsthand exposure to a courtroom setting and saw how the justice system can use individualized support and rehabilitation to better serve young adults, especially within the school-to-prison pipeline. At UCSB, Anna is a member of Women in Law and Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. This upcoming year, she will participate in the UCDC Program, where she hopes to work in a government office, nonprofit organization, or public policy institution while gaining firsthand experience in the policymaking process. She is eager to continue exploring the intersection of government, law, and the communities these institutions serve. In the fall of 2026, Anna will also study abroad in Madrid, Spain, where she plans to further her interests in international politics and comparative government. After graduating, she hopes to attend law school, with particular interests in economic law, international law, and juvenile justice.
Elise Daria Joseph
Elise is a graduate of Boston College and the Post-Baccalaureate Program in Psychology at the University of California, Irvine. At UCI, she worked as a research assistant in Dr. Elizabeth Cauffman’s Development, Disorder, and Delinquency Lab, where she conducted interviews with justice-involved young adults across two research studies, one of which was evaluating the Young Adult Court (YAC). Her broader research interests include adolescents’ experiences with the justice system and working toward a more justice system that prioritizes rehabilitation. She plans to pursue a doctorate in psychology, either in Adolescent Development or Clinical Psychology, to contribute to research that informs policy. At the California Institute, she has enjoyed learning more about the YAC in San Francisco and working on projects related to criminal justice policy research.
Martina Lado Rodriguez
Martina Lado Rodriguez is a pre-law student at the University of Michigan. She is a rising sophomore, intending to major in Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics, as well as minor in Public Policy. Having immigrated to the United States as a child, Martina finds great interest in International Law, International Relations, and Public Policy. After attending law school, she hopes to pursue a career in International Human Rights Advocacy, focusing on gender equality. On campus at Michigan, Martina participates in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) through the Community-Engaged Research Program, collaborating alongside local non-profits and government agencies on year-long social justice research projects. Additionally, she is the social media chair for her sorority Delta Delta Delta, as well as an active member in the American Cancer Society and Ross Retail Club, organizations which expand her knowledge on topics outside her specific interests. One of the most impactful experiences during her internship with the California Institute was observing the Young Adult Court, where she witnessed first-hand a justice system centered on rehabilitation rather than punishment. The experience deepened her understanding of the unique challenges faced by justice-involved youth, and reinforced her commitment to advancing equitable, evidence-based policies that create opportunities for rehabilitation and long-term success. In the future, Martina hopes to use her legal career to advocate for policies that promote equity, protect human rights, and create lasting opportunities for underserved communities around the world.
