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o share her passion for supporting adolescent mental health. “Daily operations involve coordinating with the team, overseeing content creation, managing outreach programs, and ensuring the platform's growth and sustainability,” informs the 17 year old, who also organizing workshops, awareness programs, besides providing resources to those in need.

She feels the mental health crisis among youngsters in India is a pressing issue. “With the increasing academic pressure, social expectations, and the impact of social media, many adolescents struggle to cope with these challenges,” points out the youngster, who launched Adolescencesio in 2022, with a vision to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive platform.

The journey has not been without its challenges— ranging from technical difficulties to addressing the stigma surrounding teen mental health. “However, resilience, adaptability, and the continuous support from mentors have helped me navigate these hurdles,” says Bhavya, for whom managing Adolescencesio alongside her academic responsibilities has been a challenging yet rewarding experience.

She even received letters of appreciation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi twice, in 2023 and 2024. “It was a recognition of my efforts and contributions towards adolescent mental health, which further motivated me to continue my work with even greater zeal,” smiles the teenager.

Denmark born

Born in Denmark in 2007, Bhavya’s mother Renuka Suravajhala is an  Assistant Professor/Research scientist at Amrita University while father Dr Prashanth Suravajhala is a Principal Scientist, Systems Genomics at Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.

Bhavya had her primary education at Absalons skole, Roskilde (Denmark) after which the Suravajhala family moved back to India. Both Renuka and Dr Prashanth went to Denmark to do their PhDs (2004 to 2008) and subsequently postdoc that Dr Prashanth did until 2016. Bhavya has a sibling named Nirmala, who is 11.

Science researcher, COO & more 

But Adolescencesio is just one part of Bhavya’s introduction. She is a science researcher, social volunteer, a passionate explorer and the Chief Operating Officer at TeenVisor, which provides a platform for teenagers to interact with industry experts and get timely guidance/mentorship.

As a science researcher, the teenager is currently working on a study that explores how the composition of tears is affected by emotions. “This research delves into the physiological and psychological connections in human behavior, a topic that fascinates me and aligns with my passion for psychology and behavioral sciences,” she informs.

In addition to her research, Bhavya is an active social volunteer, who organises workshops, awareness programmes and providing resources to those in need, through various initiatives.

As a passionate explorer, Bhavya is someone who is always eager to learn and discover new things, whether through travel, reading, or engaging in creative endeavours. “My curiosity drives me to explore different cultures, perspectives, and ideas, enriching my understanding of the world around me,” says Bhavya, who was honoured with the Little Shakespeare Award by the Biofootprints Foundation for excellence in literature, in 2021.

Atal Innovation Mission

With a vision to ‘Cultivate one Million children in India as Neoteric Innovators’, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) established Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) in schools across India.

Bhavya was selected among the Top 100 in the ATL (Atal Tinkering Laboratories) Tinkerpreneur 2022 Program and later among the Top 21 in the Atal Catalyst Program, which was a testament to the innovative ideas she brought to the table.

Through workshops, boot camps, and continuous support from experienced mentors, she learned business planning, product development, and market strategies. “These programs provided me with invaluable mentorship and resources, allowing me to refine my vision for Adolescencesio.”

Her journey with AIM started with a simple idea —  to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive platform for adolescents to talk about their mental health. “I wanted Adolescencesio to be a place where teenagers could share their thoughts anonymously, get support from peers and professionals, and access holistic mental health resources. The idea was clear, but making it happen was not. The breakthrough came when I learned about AIM,” she says.

AIM’s mission to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among young Indians resonated with Bhavya’s goals for Adolescencesio. The initiative was designed to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit in students.

One of the most impactful parts of the AIM experience was the mentorship. Industry experts guided Bhavya, helping to refine her vision and offering practical insights into the mental health sector.

Atal Catalyst Program 

The next significant step was the Atal Catalyst program with the Indian School of Business (ISB). This program taught the teenager all the essential business skills such as making business projections, identifying target markets, and perfecting her pitch to investors.

“Under the mentorship and guidance of Vinay sir from ISB and my AIM mentors, Adolescencesio was selected among the top 21 business ideas.”

Next came The Big PItch 2.0. It gave Bhavya the opportunity to pitch Adolescencesio to investors live and Adolescencesio was selected among the top 10 ideas for sponsorship by the DLabs Incubator association at ISB. This recognition not only provided financial support but also validated the potential and impact of Adolescencesio.

COO at TeenVisor

Thanks to AIM, Bhavya connected with other young entrepreneurs who share similar passions and goals. One exciting outcome is her current role at TeenVisor as the Chief Operating Officer, where she works on innovative solutions for adolescents with other young entrepreneurs.

“Whatever I have achieved so far would not have been possible without the guidance and blessings of Amma, Satguru Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, all my gurus, mentors, teachers, my school, my school principal, my parents, and my friends. They have stood by me throughout my journey.”

More recently, Adolescencesio won the 2nd place at the International Stogofest in Dubai, marking a significant achievement on the global stage. “We were the only team from India to have won this prestigious award, marking a significant achievement on the international stage,” smiles Bhavya, beaming with pride.

As a Tinker Champ, Bhavya had the opportunity to mentor and guide other young innovators, sharing her experiences and insights to help them realize their potential. “This role has been incredibly fulfilling, as I am able to contribute to the growth and development of future leaders and change-makers.”

[caption id="attachment_39036" align="aligncenter" width="506"] The Young Innovator is also COO at Teen Visor[/caption]

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Bhavya aspires to further her studies in psychology or a related field in behavioral sciences and cognition. “My long-term goal is to expand Adolescencesio's reach and impact, while also contributing to the field of psychology through research and practical applications.”

She hopes to implement awareness programs in schools and collaborate with NGOs and government bodies to create a global community where every adolescent feels supported and empowered.

• Follow the young innovator on LinkedIn.

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Addressing a key problem in AI research

Rajaram’s project addresses a key problem in AI research: understanding how models process information. While AI systems have become ubiquitous—generating images, diagnosing diseases, or driving cars—their decision-making processes often remain opaque. This lack of transparency creates risks, from unfair biases to dangerous misclassifications.

Rajaram’s method automates the identification of which parts of a model contribute to its decisions. “You can think of it like identifying which neurons in a human brain light up when you look at an image,” he explained. “Except here, it’s an algorithm, not a brain.”

This work is particularly relevant to image recognition models, which are used in applications ranging from facial recognition to autonomous vehicles. Rajaram tested his code on an open-source AI model and found that it helped resolve a significant flaw: misclassifying images when conflicting text appeared nearby. For instance, an image of a red traffic light labeled with the word “green” would sometimes be incorrectly identified as green. Rajaram’s method pinpointed and addressed the problem by isolating the components responsible for the misclassification.

“As AI models grow more complex, analyzing them manually becomes nearly impossible,” he said. “My goal was to create a tool that could automate this process, making these systems more reliable and safer to use.”

Early Influences and Support

Rajaram credits his interest in computer science to his parents, who both worked in software engineering. “My parents met while working at IBM in India,” he said. “From a young age, they encouraged me to be around computers and learn coding.” This foundation gave him the confidence to dive into complex concepts and experiment with emerging technologies.

At Phillips Exeter Academy, Rajaram quickly stood out for his academic curiosity and leadership. He co-leads the school’s physics, chemistry, and chess clubs while maintaining a rigorous schedule. His interest in AI grew during his freshman year when he noticed that much of the research focused on natural language processing, such as chatbots, rather than image-based AI models.

“I saw a gap in the research and wanted to explore it further,” he said. “Images are central to so many AI applications, yet we don’t fully understand how these models interpret visual data.”

Rajaram’s project required more than curiosity—it demanded time, discipline, and expert mentorship. He worked closely with Dr. Sarah Schwettmann at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, spending three days a week in her lab. Each week, he dedicated 25 to 30 hours to refining his code and testing its applications.

“Dr. Schwettmann’s guidance was invaluable,” he said. “She helped me think critically about the practical implications of my work and encouraged me to push the boundaries of what the project could achieve.”

[caption id="attachment_40516" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The winners of the 2024 Regeneron Science Talent Search[/caption]

A Practical Impact

The practical applications of Rajaram’s research extend far beyond the competition. His method could be used to improve the transparency of AI systems in industries like healthcare, finance, and transportation. For example, in medical imaging, his approach could help identify how algorithms diagnose diseases, ensuring that decisions are based on relevant features rather than spurious correlations.

“There’s so much at stake when it comes to AI,” he said. “Understanding how these systems work is the first step toward making them better.”

Rajaram is already looking ahead to the next phase of his research. After graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy, he plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he will major in computer science. His goal is to apply his method to a broader range of AI models, particularly those used in critical applications like autonomous driving and facial recognition.

“This is just one tool in a larger toolbox for understanding AI,” he said. “The more we know about how these models work, the more we can trust them—and improve them.”

Beyond the Lab

Despite his academic achievements, Rajaram finds time to enjoy the typical pursuits of a teenager. He is an avid jazz drummer and a devoted fan of chess, often competing in school tournaments. He also enjoys spending time with friends, frequently visiting local restaurants.

“My favorite dish is the honey spareribs at Szechuan Taste,” he shared with a smile. “It’s the best way to relax after a long week.”

His ability to balance rigorous academic work with extracurricular interests reflects a disciplined but grounded approach to life.

Advice for Aspiring Innovators

Achyuta Rajaram is aware that his achievement will inspire other young scientists, and he is quick to offer practical advice. “Be curious about everything, not just your chosen field,” he said. “The more you explore, the more you’ll find connections between different ideas. Most things become fascinating when you dig deep enough.”

He also emphasized the importance of persistence. “Research can be frustrating. There were times when my code didn’t work, and I felt stuck. But every failure taught me something new, and that’s what kept me going.”

A Future in AI

Rajaram’s work highlights the potential of young scientists to contribute to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. By improving the transparency and reliability of AI systems, his research addresses concerns that have long plagued the field.

His success at the Regeneron Science Talent Search is just the beginning. As he prepares to join MIT, Achyuta Rajaram remains focused on pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve—and ensuring it serves society responsibly.

“I want my work to have a real impact,” he said. “There’s so much we still don’t know about AI, and I’m excited to be part of the effort to change that.”

At a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, Rajaram’s contributions stand out for their clarity and purpose. His journey serves as a reminder of the importance of curiosity, discipline, and a commitment to understanding the systems that increasingly shape our world.

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