High school standout Parker Jayasundera reveals leadership journey, community impact, and strategic advice for securing Ivy League admission in exclusive interview.
Early Inspirations in Leadership and Medicine
Laing: Parker, as a member of the James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation‘s Junior Board and a Luce “24 Under 24” Honoree, you’ve already made significant strides in young global leadership. Can you share what initially sparked your interest in philanthropy and community service?
Parker: “Growing up in New York, I witnessed the disparities in access to healthcare and education, especially through my family’s connections to Sri Lanka. My father’s work as a physician opened my eyes to how medical expertise can extend beyond the clinic to global impact. Joining the James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation in September 2022 was a turning point—it aligned with my passion for empowering vulnerable children worldwide, like those in orphanages supported by the foundation’s programs. Being selected as one of the Top 24 Under 24 honorees motivated me to contribute to strategic discussions on philanthropy and youth initiatives.”
Laing: Your resume highlights extensive experience in medical settings, starting from shadowing internists and cardiologists at your father’s practice in Queens and New York since May 2022. How has this influenced your leadership style?
Parker: “Working as a medical assistant has taught me the importance of empathy and precision in high-stakes environments. Operating diagnostic equipment like EKG machines and preparing patients for examinations honed my ability to manage stress and collaborate effectively. These skills translate directly to leadership, where clear communication and teamwork are essential. At the J. Luce Foundation, I’ve applied this by supporting fundraising efforts that expand education and care for children globally.”
Laing: You’ve also volunteered with Lions Club International since September 2022, focusing on community health initiatives like vision screenings. What draws you to these hands-on roles?
Parker: “Community engagement grounds my global aspirations in local action. Distributing donated eyeglasses to underserved populations in New York City reminds me that leadership starts at home. It’s about creating tangible change, whether through health screenings or advocating for youth programs. This balance of local and international focus is key to effective young global leadership.”
Balancing Athletics, Academics, and Innovation
Laing: As a varsity baseball player at Trevor Day School, pitching and playing third base, you’ve demonstrated remarkable discipline. With a GPA of 3.88 out of 4.0, how do you manage 15 to 20 hours per week of training alongside rigorous academics?
Parker: “Time management is crucial—I’ve learned to prioritize and integrate my passions. Baseball builds resilience; for instance, in June 2025, I pitched 4.2 innings with seven strikeouts and no hits allowed, clocking my fastball at 84 mph (135 km per hour). This discipline carries over to academics and research. I’m also a member of the Society for American Baseball Research, where I completed a Baseball Analytics Certification in June 2022, blending data analysis with my love for the sport.”
Laing: In June 2024, you founded Athlete Wellness Zone, a platform offering expert guidance on nutrition, injury prevention, and performance for young athletes. What inspired this venture, and how does it tie into your leadership goals?
Parker: “As an athlete myself, I saw a gap in accessible resources for holistic wellness. Athletewellnesszone.com provides backed-by-experts advice to help peers avoid injuries and thrive long-term. Launching it required entrepreneurial skills—designing the site, curating content, and promoting it. This initiative embodies young global leadership by fostering health equity among athletes worldwide, much like the J. Luce Foundation‘s mission to empower youth.”
Laing: Your extracurriculars extend to research, such as your internship at NYU Langone Medical Center since June 2025, where you’ve shadowed robotic cardiac surgery under Dr. Eugene Grossi. How has deploying AI in surgical imaging enhanced your understanding of innovation in medicine?
Parker: “Shadowing complex cardiothoracic procedures with robotic systems has been eye-opening. Using artificial intelligence for semantic segmentation on imaging data allows for precise analysis, improving outcomes. Collaborating with attendings, fellows, and medical students on projects has sharpened my research skills and highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of modern healthcare. It’s about leveraging technology for global health advancements.”
Research and High-Impact Collaborations
Laing: At the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, also since June 2025, you’ve assisted in recruiting for cardiovascular studies under Dr. Zahi Fayad. What challenges did you face in identifying participants for high-risk CAD research?
Parker: “Recruiting for studies on elevated cardiovascular risk, coronary artery disease, and cardiac sarcoidosis involves ethical considerations and precise outreach. Collaborating with physicians to facilitate participant engagement taught me the value of trust-building. Using advanced PET/MR imaging, we’ve aimed to advance knowledge on active arterial plaques—it’s rewarding to contribute to research that could save lives globally.”
Laing: Your summer internship at the Harvard-MGH Center for Law, Brain, & Behavior since June 2025 involved an interdisciplinary manuscript on sports medicine, public health, and biomedical ethics. Under Dr. Edward Tie, how did this project shape your views on ethical leadership?
Parker: “The manuscript explored intersections of law, brain science, and behavior in sports contexts, emphasizing ethical dilemmas in athlete health. It reinforced that young global leaders must navigate complex moral landscapes. This experience at a prestigious institution like Harvard has fueled my ambition to pursue similar interdisciplinary work in the future.”
Laing: You’ve also volunteered as a medical assistant in Dr. Marsha Wesley‘s private practice in Brooklyn since January 2022, handling patient registration and vital signs in a diverse community. How has this exposure to varied patient backgrounds informed your global perspective?
Parker: “Working in a diverse practice has underscored health disparities and the need for inclusive care. Obtaining medication reconciliations and initial histories from patients across backgrounds has built my cultural competence, essential for global leadership. It’s aligned with the J. Luce Foundation‘s efforts in supporting international orphanages.”
Advice for Aspiring Young Global Leaders and Ivy League Applicants
Laing: As someone eyeing Ivy League schools, what strategies would you recommend for high school students aiming to stand out in admissions?
Parker: “Focus on depth over breadth—pursue passions authentically. My GPA and activities like research internships and founding Athlete Wellness Zone show commitment. Build a narrative around impact; for me, it’s blending medicine, sports, and philanthropy. Network early—my roles at NYU and Mount Sinai stemmed from proactive outreach. Essays should highlight personal growth, like how baseball taught resilience.”
Laing: Specifically on young global leadership, how can peers get involved and make a difference?
Parker: “Start locally: volunteer with organizations like Lions Club or seek junior board positions. The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation offers pathways for youth to engage in global missions, such as aiding Sri Lankan orphanages. Travel if possible, but virtual collaborations work too. Leadership is about initiative—identify a need, like athlete wellness, and address it innovatively.”
Laing: For Ivy League applications, what role do extracurriculars and research play?
Parker: “They’re pivotal—admissions seek well-rounded leaders. My Harvard internship demonstrated intellectual curiosity, while J. Foundation involvement showcased global awareness. Aim for 26% or higher acceptance in mindset: be unique. Letters of recommendation from mentors like Dr. Grossi can vouch for your potential.”
Laing: Any final thoughts on balancing ambition with well-being?
Parker: “Prioritize self-care; my platform promotes that. Young global leadership thrives on sustainability—rest, nutrition, and support networks are key to long-term impact.”
Looking Ahead: A Vision for Global Impact
Laing: With your class of 2026 graduation approaching, what are your future aspirations in young global leadership and higher education?
Parker: “I aim to attend an Ivy League institution to study biomedical engineering or pre-med, building on my research. Long-term, I envision expanding Athlete Wellness Zone globally and continuing with the James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation to mentor emerging leaders. Ultimately, I want to innovate in healthcare, perhaps developing AI-driven tools for underserved regions, inspired by my experiences.”
Parker Jayasundera: Young Global Leader’s Ivy League Path (Sept. 3, 2025)
Summary
In this engaging interview, high school senior Parker Jayasundera from New York shares his journey as a young global leader with the James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation. He discusses founding Athlete Wellness Zone, medical research internships at NYU and Mount Sinai, and offers practical tips for Ivy League admissions, emphasizing passion, impact, and resilience in leadership pursuits.
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#CommunityService #BaseballAnalytics #GlobalImpact #LeadershipDevelopment #HealthcareInnovation
TAGS: Parker Jayasundera, James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation, young global leaders,Athlete Wellness Zone,
Ivy League tips, medical internships, baseball leadership, philanthropy youth, cardiovascular research, robotic surgery
