Global Indianstory Giving BackYoung innovators: Solving voter ID, mental, elder care, research and eco issues

Young innovators: Solving voter ID, mental, elder care, research and eco issues

Written by: Team GI Youth

(April 7, 2022) When today’s youth chance upon a problem, they are pretty proactive. So when the then 10-year-old Madhvi Chitoor saw the menace of styrofoam cups, she decided to tackle plastic pollution. That became a huge movement that even saw Potus, American President Joe Biden write to the young Indian changemaker about her stellar achievements. Of course, there is Time Kid of the Year Gitanjali Rao who sought to address lead pollution in the water. Others relentlessly work towards spreading awareness about mental health, or crusade against single plastic use. The youth of India or of Indian origin, across the world, have taken it upon themselves to carve a beautiful present and future, and save the planet, or give society progress that creates a better world. Global Indian turns the spotlight on such youngsters who are not leaving any stone unturned to bettering society.

Chaitanya Prabhu, activist

Chaitanya Prabhu

Determined to help his friends, Mumbai-based lawyer-activist Chaitanya Prabhu started getting their voter ids done. “What started as a small action slowly took the shape of the Mark Your Presence campaign. Information about the initiative spread through word of mouth, and many people started approaching me for getting their voter ids done too,” says Chaitanya. The campaign evolved as a result of huge demand from people and reaped such a massive impact on the democracy of the society that the 23-year-old advocate at the Bombay High Court was awarded the UN India Award and Diana Award 2021 for his humanitarian efforts.

For the then law student starting such a campaign in 2018, has been a milestone. Motivated by its success, he started his second campaign, the Youth Manifesto to educate the youth about the basics of the Constitution and how they cannot ignore their duty. His idea is also to make the voices of youth reach relevant ministries, BMC commissioner and CM of Maharashtra. “We as voters are given manifestoes but not asked about ours. My idea is to involve youth in creating a list of expectations and putting it forward,” adds the young Indian changemaker. Chaitanya’s larger aim is to increase the number of voter registrations, educate voters, and soar up the voter turnout.

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Kavin Vendhan, founder, Smiley India

Kavin Vendhan with his Diana Award 2021

He was in Class 8 when Kavin Vendhan understood the importance of non-academic skills, when he first enrolled for a peer-education programme in his school. That opportunity opened up a new world for this Chennai boy who acknowledged a child’s potential beyond marks, and took it upon himself to launch a movement for the students and by the students. This idea gave birth to Society for Motivation Innovative Leadership and Empowerment of Youth (Smiley) India, a non-profit initiative in 2019.

“We focus on the importance of non-academic education, social responsibility, and addressing mental health issues. The youth is the future of India. We work on the overall development of young minds by conducting workshops. We give them a platform to speak their minds and understand the possibilities within,” adds the Diana awardee who works with 70 volunteers across Chennai.

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Aditya Dubey, environmentalist

Aditya Dubey

The 18-year-old Aditya has been campaigning against single-use plastic by working with India’s National Green Tribunal to introduce environmental compensation from some of the largest organisations in India, including Amazon, Walmart-Flipkart, and Pepsi. The teen changemaker, who started the Plant A Million Trees campaign in 2016, received the prestigious Diana Award in 2021 for his efforts.

“I live in New Delhi, one of the most polluted cities in the world. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with sinusitis, a respiratory infection caused by air pollution. When I started researching about it, I realised that if pollution levels don’t reduce soon, many could die or be severely ill,” shares Aditya, who has planted over 1,80,000 trees under his Plant A Million Trees initiative. The youngster, in collaboration with the Energy and Resources Institute, is working on a direct air capture technology, called CarbonX, that absorbs carbon dioxide from ambient air. If scaled up, it can be an important weapon in humanity’s fight against climate change. “I feel that if we continue to turn a blind eye to climate change, then we all will suffer due to extreme weather conditions and a lack of clean water or air. For me, the propagation of this idea is more important than the awards,” expresses the young Indian changemaker.

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Karthik Ramu, co-founder AmityConnect

Karthik Ramu, co-founder, AmityConnect

The North Carolina-born teen changemaker might be busy in his sophomore year, but his sights are set on growing his co-founded AmityConnect (founded in 2018-19). The startup helps collate data of the elderly across the US, and the rest of the world, thereby predicting their medical emergencies and general health.

Karthik Ramu solved the hugely ignored elder care problem in the US. The University of Virginia student saw his grandfather in Coimbatore fall seriously ill, he researched on elder care, got data, and he and his classmate Krishi Nayar launched AmityConnect. The mobile platform helps families monitor elders’ health by aggregating real-time health data from smart medical devices (smartwatches, etc). Honoured as a global teen leader by We Are Family Foundation (2021), Ramu is growing this and is in talks for more funding, to help families and nursing homes take care of the elderly.

“The biggest problem for our team was our grandparents – they had medical emergencies. I saw my grandfather suffer a heart attack. We felt distant and unaware, and were unable to offer the best care,” says the young Indian changemaker in an interview. His concern? “The elderly population is expected to double globally from 900 million to 2 billion in 2050 – it shook me,” he concludes.

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Snehadeep Kumar, president, The Aurora Academic Journal

Snehadeep Kumar

Seventeen-year-old Snehadeep Kumar was producing significant research and experimental scientific work when he was in high school. Even as a teenager, he was in correspondence with the big names in science, including Dr Tom Welton, president of the Royal Society of Chemistry, London and Nobel Prize winning physicist Gerard’t Hooft. However, he was disappointed to find that publishing research was very difficult for two reasons – one, he was still a student and second, it was expensive. After being turned down by major publications like Scientific American, he decided to start The Aurora Academic Journal.

Dedicated entirely to students who do their own research in science and the humanities, the journal publishes work for free. There are two criteria – the author must be a student and second, produce quality research. “I want to provide a platform for kids who are brilliant and have original research, but who cannot afford to pay for a spot in a major journal,” says the young Indian changemaker.

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Published on 07, Apr 2022

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Connecting generations: Anika Kumar’s fight against elderly isolation

(October 22, 2024) At 15, Anika Kumar's world shifted when she volunteered at an assisted living facility in San Jose, California. There, she met Abigail, an 87-year-old woman who lived in quiet isolation, her voice unheard despite numerous requests for basic assistance. Abigail's story wasn't just about the loss of dignity in her daily struggles — it represented the widespread issue of social isolation among seniors, an issue often ignored. Abigail's resignation to her situation deeply impacted Anika Kumar. This wasn't just a personal challenge; it was a growing public health crisis. Abigail's helplessness showed how widespread ageism and social isolation can be for elderly people. That single encounter laid the foundation for Forget Me Not, a nonprofit designed to combat loneliness among older adults through weekly phone calls with teenage volunteers. These calls, simple yet impactful, aim to build meaningful connections and forge lasting intergenerational bonds. Forget Me Not: Bridging the Generational Gap Founded in 2015, Forget Me Not operates with a clear goal: to provide companionship to isolated older adults, many of whom are referred through partner organisations such as Meals on Wheels. The organisation pairs seniors with high school volunteers, training them to make weekly phone calls.

teers, training them to make weekly phone calls. Anika was only 15 when she started the nonprofit while volunteering at an assisted living facility. She added that the conversations between the elderly and student volunteers are "meaningful, rewarding, refreshing and touching. The elderly talk about their interests, hobbies, families, bygone days, childhood, favourite books and movies."

[caption id="attachment_39966" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Anika Kumar[/caption]

Calling herself a perpetuator of ageism like many Gen Z, Anika too wasn't keen on interacting with senior citizens until a high school community service requirement that forced her to start volunteering at one changed her perspective. "I realised how ignorant I had been in my thinking. At that nursing home, I met a World War II veteran, a former professor at my university, a college football player and the first teen female Bay Area radio host. I met some of the most genuine kind wise and dynamic people I had ever met and the stories they told me. It opened me up to a whole world of truly meaningful interaction that I hope to continue for the rest of my life," the Global Indian said.

With the elderly population growing and social isolation on the rise, Forget Me Not addresses a critical need. These weekly calls became even more crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person visits were restricted, leaving many seniors more isolated than ever before.

Based in San Jose, Forget Me Not is more than just a phone call program — it's the product of careful research and strategic planning. She didn’t build her intergenerational nonprofit overnight. Inspired by her firsthand experience with elderly isolation, she "delved deep into ageism-related issues, studying the mental health impacts of depression and loneliness on seniors." To refine her vision, she spoke with geriatricians and elder care experts, making sure that Forget Me Not could effectively tackle the rising public health crisis of social isolation.

Teenagers Making a Difference

In a time where teens are often criticised for being glued to their phones or disconnected from reality, Anika and her peers turned technology into a tool for good. By using something as simple as a phone call, they built connections and shattered stereotypes of both the elderly and the youth. Teen volunteers undergo training to help them navigate conversations and handle emotional challenges. The result is an exchange that goes beyond small talk — it's about building trust, understanding, and a sense of purpose on both sides.

For the seniors, these calls are a lifeline, providing an outlet to share their lives and experiences, while the teenagers gain a new perspective on aging and life’s challenges. "Forget Me Not is a perfect example of how one person’s idea can create ripples of change, connecting communities and providing a solution to an often overlooked issue."

The Importance of Cultural Connections

Anika’s journey is also deeply rooted in her Indian heritage. As a young Indian American in San Jose, Anika Kumar is part of a thriving Indian community in the Bay Area, where many Indian Americans have made significant contributions across sectors. The Indian diaspora in the Bay Area is known for its entrepreneurial spirit and its active role in technology, education, and social causes.

San Jose, and the wider Bay Area, are home to a large and vibrant Indian community. Like many in the diaspora, Anika Kumar grew up balancing her cultural identity with her desire to give back to her local community. The intergenerational bonds she has fostered through Forget Me Not reflect this duality —honouring the wisdom of elders while empowering the youth to step up and take on leadership roles.

A Growing Movement

Today, Forget Me Not has grown from a local initiative in Santa Clara County to a nationwide program, with plans for further expansion. The organisation continues to partner with schools and senior care organisations across the country, aiming to combat social isolation on a larger scale. Anika's vision is clear: to create a world where older adults are valued, and where young people are given the opportunity to connect with them in meaningful ways.

The pandemic brought unforeseen challenges, but it also highlighted the importance of Forget Me Not’s mission. With so many seniors cut off from physical interactions, the program’s phone calls became a crucial support system. As the world moves forward, Forget Me Not remains committed to expanding its reach, ensuring that no senior is left feeling invisible or forgotten.

Indian Diaspora: An Integral Force in the Bay Area

Anika Kumar’s story is part of a larger narrative of Indian Americans making a difference in the Bay Area. The Indian diaspora in San Francisco and San Jose has long been a key player in the region's success. From entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley to leaders in education and social justice, Indian Americans have carved out spaces of influence, and they continue to give back to both their local communities and their homeland.

For young changemakers like Anika, who is an undergraduate research assistant at Brooks Lab, being part of the diaspora means blending cultural heritage with a passion for making a difference. Forget Me Not is not just about bridging generational gaps—it’s about fostering a deeper sense of community, one that transcends age, ethnicity, and borders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4L6D9XT_hA

Looking Ahead: Expanding the Reach

With the overwhelming success of Forget Me Not, Anika has ambitious plans for the future. She envisions the organization expanding its reach to even more states and communities. The goal is simple: no senior should ever feel alone, and no teenager should miss the chance to learn from someone with decades of life experience.

Forget Me Not is proof of what can happen when empathy meets action. Anika's journey, from a high school volunteer to a nonprofit leader, is a validation that one person can indeed make a difference. And for the seniors who receive those weekly calls, the impact is clear—connection, companionship, and a renewed sense of purpose.

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Leaving no one behind: Entrepreneur Tarini Malhotra is a ray of hope for neurodivergent people

(September 26, 2023) When COVID hit the world, several schools were impacted around the globe. One such school was Parivartan Special School, which initiated Project Nishant, which provided the school and its students with crucial support during a financial crisis. It was for this project that a Grade 12 student of The Shri Ram School, Moulsari Campus, Gurugram, was first introduced to the world of neurodivergent individuals. Working as a volunteer for the project, Tarini Malhotra was moved by their everyday struggles, and the young entrepreneur decided to do something for these kids. “The person who contacted me is a family friend and was aware of how eager I was to do something in the field. I jumped at the opportunity and helped the school raise funds through crowdfunding," the 18-year-old entrepreneur said, adding, "The school was in urgent need of funds because of the pandemic. During the fundraising process, I got a chance to interact with the school students. I realised the problems they face, even when it comes to doing simple things in society — such as making friends or finding good schools. I learned that there are no avenues for them, especially if they come from the

a chance to interact with the school students. I realised the problems they face, even when it comes to doing simple things in society — such as making friends or finding good schools. I learned that there are no avenues for them, especially if they come from the weaker sections of society.”

And thus was Nai Subah Foundation born - a social start-up fighting the good fight for the neurodiverse and the marginalised. The entrepreneur recently won the prestigious Diana Award 2023 for her social action and humanitarian work. "As a next-gen changemaker, who wants to create a better and more inclusive community for the neurodiverse, the world is often a hostile, unwelcoming place. Recognition from The Diana Award provides me the inspiration to carry on building the transformative journey. Further, it enhances the credibility of our start-up, helps to open doors, and develop more meaningful networks that can enable and enrich Nai Subah Foundation’s projects in a multitude of ways," she said after winning the award.

Always helping others

Growing up, Tarini was inclined towards helping others and was encouraged by her parents for the same. "In my school, we have some students who are neurodivergent and have disabilities. Spending time with them over many years made me sensitive to their needs and helped me understand the issues they face in society. This encouraged me to do something that would make a difference," the entrepreneur shared, adding, "When I was in Class 8, I volunteered as a teacher for a free school that taught children at the banks of Yamuna. That gave me a new perspective about these kids."

Talking about the time she joined hands with Project Nishant, she said, "I began spending a lot of time with children who had autism and ADHD. I found out that they were so talented. Our society focuses so much on what is wrong that they forget to glance at the positive aspects. Most people consider the neurodivergent to be a burden or a liability. This restricts their opportunities, making their life harder than it should be."

In 2020, the entrepreneur established Nai Subah Foundation, with an aim to focus on the well-being of neurodivergent people through various programmes. "The first thing that I wanted to do through the organisation was to provide the neurodivergent with avenues of work. We help them get jobs in the corporate sector. We also conduct sensitisation workshops so that they get assimilated into the space easily,” the entrepreneur said, adding, that the organisation has collaborations with over 50 companies till now.

Extending a helping hand

The organisation has implemented alternative employment models to support individuals who are unable to work in a traditional office setting. “For many people with neurodiversity, it is very difficult to go out of the house and work in an office environment. We outsource work from factories for them so they can work from home with ease. For example, we supply the materials needed to make boxes or packaging work, so they don’t have to face the stress of working in a factory,” the Global Indian explained.

[caption id="attachment_33269" align="aligncenter" width="648"] Members of the Nai Subah Foundation[/caption]

What's more, the entrepreneur is using their creative side to work as well. "We help artists find a platform by conducting exhibitions, both online and offline. This way, they get a chance to promote their work and get recognition. We also help them get orders; for instance, during Diwali, we try to secure orders for specially commissioned artworks of Lakhsmi and Ganesha," the entrepreneur said, "We are also mentoring four young neurodivergent photographers and helping them secure professional assignments."

The entrepreneur has huge plans for the foundation's future. "As for the future, we want to help neurodivergent entrepreneurs get funding and help them boost their ventures. This will not only uplift them but also uplift the people of their community,” she said.

Follow Tarini Malhotra on LinkedIn and her blog
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Bridging the gap: Indo-Canadian environmentalist Abhay Singh Sachal is connecting communities across the globe

(May 27, 2023) Six years ago, when a grade X Indian-Canadian student, Abhayjeet Singh Sachal, visited the northernmost continent on the planet, he was completely mesmerised by its landscape. Covered in white ice, the Arctic looked nothing short of a magical land to Abhay. On an educational trip with 100 other students from various countries, the young environmentalist was able to learn a great deal about climate change and its effects, more than what he did at his school. However, as the 14-year-old was busy making notes of the environmental issues, he encountered a piece of information that he had never heard of - how these changes were affecting the day-to-day lives of people, including alcohol/drug abuse, mental health issues, and high suicide rates. "I was concerned that no one spoke about these issues," expresses the young environmentalist, as he connects with Global Indian, from Malawi, where he is studying the factors behind the country's successful COVID response. [caption id="attachment_19222" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Abhay Singh Sachal, Indo-Canadian environmentalist[/caption] On his return to Canada, Abhay gave a lowdown to his elder brother Sukhmeet, and the siblings decided to create a platform that can help youngsters from various communities voice their concerns. And

ntalist | Abhay Singh Sachal | Global Indian" width="550" height="663" /> Abhay Singh Sachal, Indo-Canadian environmentalist[/caption]

On his return to Canada, Abhay gave a lowdown to his elder brother Sukhmeet, and the siblings decided to create a platform that can help youngsters from various communities voice their concerns. And thus, Break the Divide - a non-profit that promotes global awareness among youth - was born. The organisation, which was started in a school in British Columbia, Canada, has about nine chapters today, including one in South Africa and Taiwan. "Climate change is affecting our lives. We wanted to establish a platform where people can speak about their issues without any hesitation," shares Abhay, who is counted among the top 10 International Youth Changemakers in Canada.

Starting young

Born in Amritsar, Punjab, he moved to Canada with his family in 2002, when he was all of 11 months old. The son of a journalist father and interior designer mother, the young environmentalist credits his family for his connection with nature. "One of my most vivid childhood memories is of my father taking me and my brother to the local parks and forest for a walk. I loved spending time in nature. I remember, my brother was involved in community service, and that motivated me to look into various social issues quite early," he shares.

[caption id="attachment_19223" align="aligncenter" width="427"] A young Abhay, after winning a school award[/caption]

A brilliant student, Abhay took part in various extracurricular activities in school. The youngster also played club-level ice hockey. Encouraged by his family, Abhay joined his school's Green Team, which was an environmental club focusing on sustainable initiatives. In 2016, when he was just 14, Abhay applied for a scholarship to be a part of the Students on Ice, a non-profit foundation that helps students understand the importance of the earth's poles through group expeditions. "I received a $12,000 scholarship for a three-week excursion to the Arctic. There were about 100 students from across the globe and 100 educators, including scientists, historians, and musicians, who went on that trip," shares the youngster, exclaiming that the trip was a "life-changing experience."

[caption id="attachment_19224" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Sachal brothers, Sukhmeet and Abhay[/caption]

"Till that visit, I had only read about climate change. But it was in the Arctic that I experienced it first-hand. I witnessed the melting glaciers to the effects of weather change on the local wildlife. What hit me the most was how these changes were affecting the lives of people," adds Abhay, who resolved to do something about the issue, and later started Break the Divide.

Bringing communities together

Many students from Abhay's school joined the organisation after its launch, and spread the word through social media. Soon, other schools from various parts of Canada joined in to form a chapter of Break the Divide. "Some years back, students in Cape Town also formed a chapter to talk about the water crisis in their local community. They even started a campaign to save water," shares Abhay, who is currently pursuing a double major in Global Health and Peace & Conflict Studies at the University of Toronto.

[caption id="attachment_19225" align="aligncenter" width="547"] Abhay at the G20 Youth Interfaith Forum, Bologna[/caption]

A key presenter at various international conferences on environment-related issues, Abhay was recently recognised as Canada’s Top 25 Under 25 Environmentalists and was featured as one of 10 International Youth Changemakers in Canada. "There is much work to be done. We are working on the Break the Divide Indian chapter, which will address the religious, geographical, and political divisions among the people. We are also expanding our reach in other countries - addressing not just climate change, but also mental health among people. We also want to work with the LGBTQ+ community,” he signs off.

Follow Abhayjeet Singh Sachal on Twitter and LinkedIn

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Shanya Gill on inventing a rapid-fire detection device: It can save a lot of lives

(January 16, 2024) A regular crisp afternoon in San Jose, California in 2022 turned into horror when a restaurant burned down to ashes after a fire incident. The then 12-year-old Shanya Gill saw the tragedy unfold in the restaurant behind her home, which left her unsettled. Despite the smoke detector, the restaurant officials were able to raise an alarm only after considerable damage was done, and despite incessant efforts to control the situation, the fire ended up engulfing the entire restaurant. The incident shocked the entire neighbourhood but on Shanya it left a lasting impact. A STEM student who's always looking for possible solutions to world problems, she decided to come up with a rapid-fire detection device - an invention that won her the Thermo Fisher Scientific ASCEND Award. "The tragedy prompted me to create a device that could detect fires at an earlier stage, preventing similar incidents in the future," she tells Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_35262" align="aligncenter" width="631"] Shanya Gill[/caption] The seventh grader at Miller Middle School understood the need for a "more efficient fire detection system", and came up with a solution that's more effective than a smoke alarm. "What distinguishes my fire detection device from traditional smoke

t="473" /> Shanya Gill[/caption]

The seventh grader at Miller Middle School understood the need for a "more efficient fire detection system", and came up with a solution that's more effective than a smoke alarm. "What distinguishes my fire detection device from traditional smoke alarms is that smoke detectors react only when smoke is present, often indicating a fire at a more advanced and dangerous stage. In contrast, my system, relying on code and a thermal camera, detects unattended fires much earlier in their development," she explains.

It all began a few weeks after the fire. One day while studying she discovered something interesting about thermal cameras - they can show where homes are losing heat in the winter. Curious, she started looking into whether these cameras could find house fires faster than regular smoke detectors and realised that "an early warning" can help save many lives.

A STEM lover

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, her parents - a doctor and a computer scientist- moved to the US in their early 20s for job opportunities. Carving a dream life for themselves in the US, they have been keen to support their daughter in her endeavours. "Their unwavering emotional support has played a crucial role in my journey," says the teen innovator. Growing up in California, "where STEM opportunities abound", she was always interested in science and technology. "My passion for these fields solidified through participation in regional science fairs, where I could combine my love for science and building things," adds Shanya.

The making of fire detection device

But it was the fire at the restaurant in her neighbourhood that nudged her to find a solution. During her research, she stumbled upon statistics that proved that smoke detectors weren't as reliable as she thought them to be. "This further motivated me to find a solution." She spent countless hours working on the initial design which turned out to be a failure owing to loopholes in the code. "This setback prompted me to reevaluate my approach and led to my second attempt where I refined the code." Highlighting a crucial lesson she learnt from the experience, she says, "is the importance of maintaining motivation throughout the process. Celebrating the small victories in my code, no matter how incremental, proved to be a key strategy in overcoming challenges and keeping the project on track."

It all began when she stumbled upon an online video where a man used thermal cameras to find the loopholes in the heating system in his home. Snubbing it initially as an expensive affair, upon more research, she found that the thermal camera being used was quite cheap. "My idea for an early fire detection system was already known, and seeing this cheap thermal camera allowed me to tie temperature and fires together," reveals Shanya.

Finally, she came up with a device that has a thermal camera and a Raspberry Pi, "with the latter being coded to evaluate images sent by the camera and determine the fire's status - whether it is attended or unattended." Explaining the process, she says, "The device uses temperature and motion(seeing how a part of an image changes temperature) to detect fires and humans, therefore allowing the device to know whether there is a human and a fire in a scene(attended fire) or just a fire in a scene(unattended fire)."

With an impressive accuracy rate in the range of ninety percent, she plans to incorporate AI in her device to eliminate false positives as well as other factors such as pets. "If put in the marketplace, I believe that this device, with improvements, can alert the user of a fire before it becomes a threat, and I believe it can save a lot of lives," she adds.

International recognition

Shanya, who describes herself as "independent, persevering, and happy", received top honours in the foremost middle school STEM competition sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific and the Society for Science, and won a cash prize of $25,000 for her innovation. Calling it a moment of gratitude, she says, "It instilled confidence in my abilities."

Imparting a nugget of advice, she asks youngsters "to stick to your passions and to undertake a long-term project because that teaches you a lot." The Indian-American teen is a champion swimmer, water polo, and table tennis player, and aspires to be self-employed and invent new things. "I feel this gives me the ability to be creative and not be trapped in a box," she signs off.

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Chinmayi Balusu: The inspiring researcher bridging neuroscience and education for global impact

(July 13, 2023) At 19, when others her age are still figuring out what majors to pick during the undergraduate or which movie to watch during the weekend, Chinmayi Balusu has gathered several colourful feathers to decorate her cap. A researcher, community leader, youth science communicator, and social entrepreneur, Chinmayi was recently awarded the coveted Diana Award 2023 for being the visionary behind her foundation, 'Simply Neuroscience', a distinguished non-profit organisation. The Global Indian's noble cause lies in the expansion of student involvement within the realms of neuroscience and psychology, accomplished through the orchestration of interdisciplinary education, outreach, and awareness initiatives. Under the researcher's sagacious guidance, 'Simply Neuroscience' has blossomed into a flourishing bastion of cerebral exploration. "We work to increase early and equitable access to learning about the brain by connecting over 35,000 students from 119 countries with free online resources, opportunities, events, and mentorship," she said during an interview, adding, "Our motto is that we are pursuing the brain and unlocking the future, one neuron at a time.” A passionate youngster An Indian-American born and raised in northern California, Chinmayi was interested in human anatomy, since the time she was first taught about the body parts in school.

ring an interview, adding, "Our motto is that we are pursuing the brain and unlocking the future, one neuron at a time.”

A passionate youngster

An Indian-American born and raised in northern California, Chinmayi was interested in human anatomy, since the time she was first taught about the body parts in school. However, she was introduced to neuroscience during her middle school. “My passion for growing STEM education efforts stemmed from an encounter with a brain anatomy model at a middle-school science fair,” the researcher explained, "I remember feeling an incredible sense of awe at how complex the brain was under the surface, and this inspired me to pursue further learning opportunities."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al5MORJTEhI

However, she found her interest in the brain early on, the next steps involved quite a bit of trial and error and dead ends. "Many of the learning resources I came across were specific to university students and experts. This meant that, for the most part, I was on a solo journey, pursuing self-learning on platforms like Coursera," the researcher shared, "What really drew me to neuroscience was the multidisciplinary nature and the potential of the field - as an aspiring innovator, I loved thinking about how the implications of branches such as neuroethics, neurolaw, and others translate to a meaningful impact on society."

While she dreams of becoming a scientist after finishing her studies, Chinmayi's life isn't just about books. "I enjoy exploring nature trails, gardening, and watching Telugu movies with my family in my free time. I am also a 3rd-degree black belt in taekwondo, and love to play with squirrels that regularly roam around my backyard."

Discovering the world of neuroscience

After finishing her school, Chinmayi enrolled in the neuroscience and medical humanities at Columbia University. With a background in biomedicine and neurodegenerative diseases, the researcher is currently contributing to cognitive neuroscience and traumatic brain injury research. "I'm a full-time student at Columbia University where I am pursuing medical humanities and neuroscience. Outside of the classroom, I'm involved in neurodegenerative diseases, cognitive neuroscience, and brain injury research as an investigator through Columbia and the Stanford University School of Medicine," she shared.

Knowing the importance of STEM education, Chinmayi founded the global non-profit Simply Neuroscience in 2019, which works to foster students' interests in interdisciplinary neuroscience and psychology through education, outreach, and awareness. "As a US citizen and native English-speaking individual, I acknowledge that my journey here in the Western education system has introduced me to a wide range of opportunities in neuroscience and higher education that my peers from around the world may not have equal access to, whether because of geographic, financial, or linguistic restrictions," the researcher said while talking about her inspiration to establish the foundation, adding, "I utilise this perspective in my work through finding ways to connect with resources and collaborators at the local level outside of the United States, participating in multilingual and cross-cultural science outreach efforts, and being an active listener.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXM853CZPxk

During the last year, Chinmayi embarked on a quest to unravel the intricate obstacles hindering the expansion of multilingual science communication initiatives in India. "Being able to constantly challenge my perception and knowledge every single day is what I love about STEM. Every single day is a chance to further my understanding of not only the beautiful interactions in the brain but also the broader world," she explained, adding, "My advice to the next generation of scientists would be to never lose their ambition. Even when you think you have found your perfect niche, keep on going and excelling further."

Follow Chinmayi Balusu on Twitter, LinkedIn, and her website