Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveChangemaker Shloka Ashok is ensuring students her age land internships

Changemaker Shloka Ashok is ensuring students her age land internships

Written by: Team GI Youth

(April 11, 2023) Studying in X standard, 16-year-old Shloka Ashok wanted to intern at a company that could help her enhance her knowledge and also gains the experience of working in an organisation. Talented, and a brilliant student, the youngster made a list of companies she wanted to work at and started sending internship applications to each one. The trouble was, no one wanted to hire a 16-year-old. While, a year later, the changemaker managed to get an internship through her parents, she couldn’t help thinking that she didn’t get the internship through her merit. And that is what got her motivated to start her platform, InternMee.

Changemaker | Shloka Ashok | Global Indian

The online platform connects high school students with companies offering internships, leadership, and volunteering opportunities. “Our mission is to give students access to the right network, exposure to various careers and opportunities, and ultimately accelerate their journeys into the work world. Our platform is ideal for mid-size to large companies, student-run organisations, start-ups, and NGOs across sectors,” the young changemaker said.

Enabling over 11000 students through her portal, Shloka recently received the prestigious Diana Award for her contribution towards empowering the world’s youth. “I am immensely grateful to receive The Diana Award and be part of a global community of young, inspirational changemakers. This international award cements my belief that young people have the power to change the world and the recognition not only provides the validation that every young changemaker needs, but also acts as a driving force to do more,” the Global Indian expressed, soon after receiving the award.

Driven and passionate

Since a young age, Shloka has been driven and focussed on doing something productive daily. A brilliant student, the changemaker has won several laurels over the years. However, it was quite disheartening for the youngster when she couldn’t get any internship, despite being eligible. “Back in 2020, just when COVID-19 hit, I was keen to pursue a meaningful internship during my summer vacation. My research led me nowhere, and my parents used their contacts to help me. But I felt it was unfair as they did not gauge my skills and I was hired purely based on their recommendation,” the changemaker said.

While several other students might have dismissed the incident, it got Shloka thinking about how difficult it would be for students whose parents didn’t have such a big network. “There are many students who would want to do their internship and look for different companies but are helpless as they don’t get an opportunity anywhere. I began thinking about students in India and abroad who might not get beyond the classroom opportunities to gain new skills and understand their true capabilities,” she shared.

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A post shared by InternMee (@internmee)

While she wanted to do something to help the other student, she didn’t know what or where to begin. “I conducted a survey among 350 students across the globe and found out that 95 percent of them were thinking to do an internship, but didn’t know what to do,” said the changemaker, who after reviewing several survey applications, decided to start a platform to allow these young minds an insight into potential career paths, enabling them to explore their interests and aptitudes in search of their ikigai.

Standing up for a noble cause

In December 2020, Shloka launched InternMee – which is purely for students and run by students. “The type of internships that students want to take up and the connections they want to make do matter for their future. Through InternMee, we connect students with start-ups as well as NGOs or social initiatives that they’d be interested in volunteering for. We also connect them with other student-run organisations. All this is for free and we don’t charge a single rupee for connecting students and companies,” she said.

I am grateful to receive the @DianaAward This award cements my belief that young people have the power to change the world. I aim to continue working towards creating equitable opportunities & this award has motivated me to dream bigger & take on more social responsibilities(1/3) pic.twitter.com/PKgqwW3XUP
— Shloka Ashok (@shloka_ashok) July 2, 2022

So, how does the platform works? Students have to just sign up on the platform and gain access to a range of internship opportunities across fields. They can apply to postings that interest them and the applications would be sent to the concerned organisation, which would evaluate candidates before choosing to offer them the position. “We don’t charge the companies either on our platform. But what we have started monetising is the partnerships or collaborations that we post on our website and Instagram page,” she said. The platform has over 35,000 students registered, from over 85 countries and was featured in the top 10 internship search websites by a recent survey.

Going forward the young changemaker plans to leverage InternMee, to open doors to the less privileged, by building a focussed track for students in government schools. “I aim to continue working towards creating equitable opportunities and receiving The Diana Award has motivated me to dream bigger and take on more social responsibilities. We are in discussion with some NGOs and see this as one of the future paths for our organisation,” she expressed.

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Sirish Subash earns ‘America’s Top Young Scientist’ title in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge

(October 29, 2024) When Sirish Subash's innovation, an AI-based handheld pesticide detector named PestiSCAND, was tested, it demonstrated an impressive 85 percent accuracy in detecting pesticide residues on fresh farm produce like spinach and tomatoes. The effectiveness of this innovative tool paved the way for Sirish’s victory at the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge. The Georgia teen from Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology won the $25,000 grand prize along with the title of 'America’s Top Young Scientist.' The 14-year-old credits his parents for instilling in him the curiosity that inspired him to design a pesticide detector. "My parents always insist that I wash fruits and vegetables before consuming them,” he shared in an interview. “I wondered, how necessary is this really, and how effective is washing? Does it actually work to ensure that produce is clean?” This curiosity led him to innovate the award-winning tool in the Challenge where he competed against nine top finalists. The final event was held at the 3M global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Oct. 14 and 15. Impact of 3M Young Scientist Challenge The 3M Young Scientist Challenge, now in its 17th year, continues to inspire middle school students to apply

ttps://www.globalindian.com/youth/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/3M-Young-Scientist-.webp" alt="Indian Inventor | Sirish Subash | Global Indian" width="782" height="532" />

Impact of 3M Young Scientist Challenge

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge, now in its 17th year, continues to inspire middle school students to apply STEM principles to solve real-world problems. As the United States’ premier science competition, it is administered by Discovery Education and 3M.

Each year, the top 10 finalists, comprising public and private school students from across the U.S. are evaluated through a series of challenges - including a presentation of their completed innovation project. Their work gets scored independently by a panel of judges.

Past 3M winners have gone on to give TED Talks, found nonprofits, file patents, and make it onto the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, highlighting the far-reaching impact of this platform.

Technology behind Sirish’s innovation – PestiSCAND

Sirish’s tool uses spectrophotometry to measure the wavelength of light reflecting off fruits and vegetables, combined with a machine learning model to analyse the data and detect harmful pesticides - all without damaging the food.

All one needs to do is download an app, point the tool at the food in question, and determine if an additional rinse is necessary. “That’s the main goal of PestiSCAND - to help people ensure that they aren’t consuming pesticides so they can avoid any associated health risks,” Sirish explained in an interview.

PestiSCAND is equipped with a sensor, power supply, display screen, and processor. By utilising a non-destructive method, it provides an efficient and reliable solution to the growing concern over pesticide contamination. The tool’s ability to quickly assess the safety of fruits and vegetables marks a promising step toward healthier food standards.

[caption id="attachment_40079" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Sirish demonstrating how to use PestiSCAND[/caption]

Journey of earning the title

The finalists faced a series of interactive challenges and were assessed on their creativity, application of STEM principles, passion for research, presentation skills, and ability to inspire. Each finalist was paired with a 3M scientist for one-on-one mentoring throughout the summer, guiding them from concept to prototype development. Sirish Subash was paired with Aditya Banerji, a senior research engineer at 3M’s Corporate Research Process Laboratory.

With Aditya’s support, Sirish refined his idea over the course of four months. Competing against nine other brilliant young minds, he showcased his ingenuity and presentation skills during the final events, ultimately securing the grand title and the cash award.

A dream comes true

The Indian origin teen has been passionate about science since the first grade and has dreamed of applying to the 3M Young Scientist Challenge for many years. A remarkable student, he even skipped the fifth grade. During his sixth-grade year, his family spent much of their time in India, which prevented him from setting up a project that year. In seventh grade, he applied, but things didn’t go as planned. In eighth grade, knowing it was his last chance, he made sure to apply again. “It has been a dream of mine to make it here,” said the Global Indian, who has just begun his studies in ninth grade.

[caption id="attachment_40080" align="aligncenter" width="712"] Sirish with his mentor Aditya Banerji, senior research engineer at 3M’s Corporate Research Process Laboratory[/caption]

Passion for writing

Beyond his passion for science, Sirish Subash is also an avid writer, having authored two books: Carbon Block Puzzle and Biochemistry: The Fun Way! - both available on popular platforms like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. For his first book, he set a record with the Asia Book of Records as the youngest non-fiction author at the age of 10.

His first book, Carbon Block Puzzle offers a concise and accessible way to understand the fundamentals of climate change - a crucial issue today where distinguishing fact from misinformation can be challenging.

"The effects of climate change are already happening. The first inklings of damage have already been done. Unless more people learn about climate change, the darkest days could come soon. That’s where Carbon Block Puzzle comes in,” Sirish mentions on his website. “The book educates readers on climate change and how to prevent it. Only if truth prevails will the right thing happen, and only then will humanity be safe from climate change.”

Aimed at young readers, Carbon Block Puzzle conveys its message in an engaging way, using the video game Block Puzzle as a tool for learning

His second book, Biochemistry: The Fun Way!, is an illustrated graphic novel designed as an introductory guide to biochemistry. The story follows fictional characters Burger Bob and his cousin SciKid, who runs a biochemistry business. The novel explores a wide range of topics, from foundational chemistry and amino acids to enzymes, proteins, sugars, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, cellular components, and the immune system, concluding with the complement system and practical applications of biochemistry in the real world.

Sirish Subash also runs a YouTube channel called SciKid Sirish, where he shares videos on various science topics and experiments, offering explanations and insights into each.

[caption id="attachment_40081" align="aligncenter" width="716"] Sirish published his first book at the age of 10[/caption]

Looking ahead…

The Indian-origin Georgia teen aspires to go beyond his current accomplishments. He dreams of developing more devices and resources that will have a positive impact on people's everyday lives. With a drive to educate and innovate, Sirish aims to continue making a difference, using his curiosity and talents to improve the world around him.

Follow Sirish Subash on Facebook

Reading Time: 5 mins

Speech matters: Scholar Nathan Mallipeddi is revolutionising the support system for stutterers

(June 6, 2023) It was 2015, and a young Nathan V. Mallipeddi was standing in a bowl-shaped auditorium, in front of an assembly of esteemed professors, teachers, and peers, awaiting his momentous science project presentation. As he stood there, the weight of expectation pressing upon his shoulders, he took a deep breath, ready to present the culmination of his intellectual prowess. But, when the scholar opened his mouth, he couldn't even speak his name. "I just froze," Nathan said in an interview. As the minutes ticked by, an intense silence hung in the air. However, the scholar shared, "Eventually, I got it out and then the rest of the presentation was a little bit tough." And this became a turning point in Nathan's life, who took matters into his own hand, to not just help himself but all those who struggle with a stutter. In 2017, the Global Indian is the Founder and CEO of Myspeech, a global nonprofit organisation that uses technology to group people who stutter into treatment groups. Recognising his work and that of his organisation's, President Joe Biden quite recently wrote a letter to the Harvard Medical School, stating, "Growing up, I stuttered. I remember the

ss=" wp-image-30794 aligncenter" src="https://www.globalindian.com/youth//wp-content/uploads/2023/06/DSC_1648.jpg" alt="Scholar | Nathan Mallipeddi | Global Indian" width="602" height="902" />

Recognising his work and that of his organisation's, President Joe Biden quite recently wrote a letter to the Harvard Medical School, stating, "Growing up, I stuttered. I remember the pain, dread, and fear of speaking in front of a group or even to another person, but I also learned that when you persevere in the face of struggle, you will be stronger for it. And the efforts of Myspeech will help so many people persevere. You will help change people’s lives for the better."

Rising above the challenges

Nathan was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to parents who had immigrated from India, in search of better job prospects. However, the family had to make a tough decision to send the scholar to live with his grandparents in Andhra Pradesh for three years. Upon reuniting with his parents in the San Jose Bay Area, Nathan developed a profound admiration for their unwavering courage and the strength of thriving immigrant communities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku0um7gVGPQ

While the scholar managed to stay at the top of his class in every written examination, his stuttering issues got in the way of his academic success. However, what troubled him more was his father's own journey with stuttering. "He never accepted it," Nathan said, adding, "He was always focused on trying to hide it and trying to overcome it. He spent his whole life ignoring and treating his stutter as an enemy. So, when I was stuttering growing up, he would constantly tell me, ‘Stop stuttering, stop stuttering."

Speaking about the challenges he faced, the scholar shared, "It’s an invisible disability. What’s unique about these kinds of conditions is that when people slip up, they’re automatically attributed to being nervous or stupid or something. And that mistake is not attributed to their disability." Nathan got help with his stuttering in school from speech therapists, who he thought lacked proper training in dealing with the issue. "They mainly focused on teaching techniques to speak fluently and measuring how often the stuttering was visible. However, they didn't address the emotions and feelings that often make stuttering challenging to cope with, which is an important aspect of the stuttering experience," he said.

Finding his voice

Braving the odds, the scholar went on to join the University of California, where he earned the undergraduate degree in 2020 Summa Cum Laude. However, during his time at UCLA, Nathan couldn't resist the urge to build a platform to help more students, who also struggle with stuttering. And after months of research, the scholar developed the Stuttering Scholarship Alliance (SSA), which eventually led to him establishing, MySpeech. "I grew anxious, depressed, and silent," shared Nathan, adding, "Over the years, I learned to embrace my stutter and devoted long hours to finding my voice. I would not be where I am today without the support from speech therapists and peers; however, many who stutter lack stable support networks. I founded Myspeech to build that support system—empowering millions to reach their full potential."

[caption id="attachment_30795" align="aligncenter" width="633"] Nathan receiving the Social Impact Track at Harvard[/caption]

Myspeech uses technology to group people who stutter into treatment groups. The platform provides personalised speech therapy, important community resources, and connections with others. So far, Myspeech has helped over 30,000 people who stutter in more than 25 countries. The services they offer have shown a 90 percent improvement in the quality of life and a 15 times decrease in costs. Since its inception, SSA has assisted approximately 20,000 individuals in over 25 countries and partnered with companies like Google and Microsoft.

"Society places premium value on communication, and there are millions of people who stutter and feel that there is no place for them in the world. The Myspeech platform provides people who stutter with the tools to improve their quality of life. We match a network of patients with stuttering-focused resources, including visits with expert therapists, educational content, mobile applications to practice speaking techniques; and community resources," the scholar shared.

From struggle to strength

Currently an MD/MBA student at Harvard Medical School and Stanford Graduate School of Business, Nathan's focus lies in finding solutions that positively affect the lives of individuals with communication disorders. The scholar has also earlier contributed to various projects related to biology and public policy, including the discovery of a new role for histone proteins as copper reductase enzymes, constructing a framework to comprehend the definition and implementation of disabilities, and creating public policy initiatives aimed at fostering employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Los Angeles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49zNPEEaTYg

The scholar, who recently received the prestigious Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans, is passionate about investing but also actively conducts research. He played a key role as a founding investor at VANA Capital, where he identified and secured several investments in the biotechnology field. He has also made significant contributions as an author, having published 10 research papers in esteemed academic journals such as Science, Science Advances, Nature Biotechnology, Journal of Fluency Disorders, and Autism in Adulthood. "I aspire to make a career as a healthcare operator and investor focused on transforming the delivery of healthcare services for people with communication disorders," the scholar shared.

Follow Nathan V. Mallipeddi on LinkedIn and Twitter
Follow MySpeech on LinkedIn and Twitter

Reading Time: 6 mins

‘Court’ing the Olympics: Tennis champ Shrivalli wants to bring home the gold

(April 14, 2022) Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty, who was crowned the national hardcourt tennis champion (women’s singles) 2021, was 11 when she first held a tennis racket in her hand. Calling herself an “accidental” tennis player, Shrivalli was introduced to the game at the Lal Bahadur stadium in Hyderabad. "I was just 11 years old and frankly, I only noticed the clothes of the kids who were playing at the stadium," laughs the 20-year-old tennis star during an interview with Global Indian. "I told my father that I wanted to play because I also wanted to wear those clothes," she adds. [caption id="attachment_15000" align="aligncenter" width="584"] Shrivalli Rashmikaa[/caption] However, Shrivalli has come a long way since then. The right-handed tennis star, who is currently doing her degree at St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, has won numerous titles. The most recent was the ITF Women's (doubles) $15000 - 2022 held in Gurugram. She was also a semi-finalist at the ITF Women's (singles) $15000 - 2022, Ahmedabad. Making of a champion Born to two sports players - her father being a cricketer and mother a national-level basketball player - Shrivalli was always encouraged to play sports. "I was a very active child, mostly

$15000 - 2022 held in Gurugram. She was also a semi-finalist at the ITF Women's (singles) $15000 - 2022, Ahmedabad.

Making of a champion

Born to two sports players - her father being a cricketer and mother a national-level basketball player - Shrivalli was always encouraged to play sports. "I was a very active child, mostly because my parents were so into outdoor activities. My father especially is a sports freak. He encouraged me to pick up an extra-curricular activity in school," shares the tennis star, who is also a trained classical Carnatic singer.

While she took part in various sports, including swimming and roller skating, tennis was her 'one true love'. And once she started training, it did not take the coaches at the LB stadium much time to realise that Shrivalli was a gifted player.

[caption id="attachment_15017" align="aligncenter" width="579"] Shrivalli after winning a tournament[/caption]

"For the first year, I went to the stadium to just have fun. I was the most talkative kid in the stadium, who loved picking up balls more than hitting them," she laughs, adding, “But one day when my father had come to pick me up, one of the coaches asked him if I would like to take up the sport professionally. After coming home, my father posed the same question. In fact, I remember he warned me that it would be a tough journey. I was about 12 years old and didn't really understand what was so tough about playing tennis. So, I just said yes," the tennis player recalls.

Even as she worked hard to win every tournament, she did not forget to enjoy her childhood. Although she was a good student, she was also a trouble-maker in class. "I was a notorious student. Me and a few friends would bunk classes together. We would never leave the school premises, but we just would not attend the classes some times. Since I was very talkative, the teachers would sometimes even kick me out of the class. But I was a good student, my grades were really good. And I'd win gold in almost every tournament, so my teachers and principal were happy with me," smiles the tennis champ.

When the going gets tough

During her initial years, the tennis player won several medals, including the national title 2014-15, and under-18 petit camp open doubles in Mauritius in 2016. However, like every player she had to face some tough losses as well. While she recognised her potential as a player, Shrivalli learnt a lot from the matches she couldn't win.

[caption id="attachment_15018" align="aligncenter" width="690"] Shrivalli with her parents[/caption]

"I knew right from the beginning that I was able to do something extraordinary, something not everyone could do. As a junior, I wasn't much of a performing kid. So, I would constantly put pressure on myself to perform well. And when I didn't, the losses hit me very hard. Also, the other tennis players my age were performing really well, and I would inadvertently compare myself with them. In almost every tournament, even before the draw was out, I would freak out," shares the young player.

For two years, Shrivalli constantly struggled with these doubts which affected her game. Explaining how important it is to be mentally strong to win the games, the tennis player adds, "I did go to a psychologist subsequently and that helped me a lot. I started concentrating on my game more than the outcomes. So, as I moved towards my under-18s my game improved a lot." Her parents, Shrivalli says, were very supportive through her journey, and never once put pressure on her.

Olympic dreams

One of her biggest victories was defeating Rutuja Bhosale at the ITF $25K Pune R1 – 2021. That instilled a great deal of confidence in her. "I think all players feel nervous before a match. I do too. But I am confident now that I can play against, and defeat, any player," remarks Shrivalli, who is very inspired by Novak Djokovic.

[caption id="attachment_15019" align="aligncenter" width="772"] The tennis champion dreams of representing the country in Olympics[/caption]

Shrivalli dreams of representing India at the Olympics and works at her aspirations without compromise. Her day begins at 4.15 am and training continues for between five and six hours a day. And along the way, she hopes to win as many cups as she can for her country. “I will be participating in several upcoming national and international tournament. But a dream come true will be representing India at the Olympics and winning gold for the country," says the tennis star, who loves cooking or baking in her free time.

Reading Time: 6 mins

Olympic Dreams: Tennis champ Shrivalli wants to bring home the gold

(December 22, 2022) Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty, who was crowned the national hardcourt tennis champion (women’s singles) 2021, was 11 when she first held a tennis racket in her hand. Calling herself an “accidental” tennis player, Shrivalli was introduced to the game at the Lal Bahadur stadium in Hyderabad. “I was just 11 years old and frankly, I only noticed the clothes of the kids who were playing at the stadium,” laughs the 20-year-old tennis star during an interview with Global Indian. “I told my father that I wanted to play because I also wanted to wear those clothes,” she adds. [caption id="attachment_25691" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty, tennis player[/caption] However, Shrivalli has come a long way since then. The right-handed tennis star, recently recorded twin victories as she entered the singles quarterfinals and doubles semi-finals of the Balaji Amines Solapur Open Women’s ITF $25K Tennis Tournament held in Solapur. The player is currently doing her degree at St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, has also won numerous titles, including ITF Women’s (doubles) $15000 – 2022 held in Gurugram. She was also a semi-finalist at the ITF Women’s (singles) $15000 – 2022, Ahmedabad. Making of a champion Born to two sports

ee at St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, has also won numerous titles, including ITF Women’s (doubles) $15000 – 2022 held in Gurugram. She was also a semi-finalist at the ITF Women’s (singles) $15000 – 2022, Ahmedabad.

Making of a champion

Born to two sports players – her father being a cricketer and mother a national-level basketball player – Shrivalli was always encouraged to play sports. “I was a very active child, mostly because my parents were into outdoor activities. My father, especially, is a sports freak. He encouraged me to pick up an extra-curricular activity in school,” shares the tennis star, who is also a trained Carnatic singer.

While she took part in various sports, including swimming and roller skating, tennis was her ‘one true love’. And once she started training, it did not take the coaches at the LB stadium much time to realise that Shrivalli was a gifted player.

“For the first year, I went to the stadium to just have fun. I was the most talkative kid in the stadium, who loved picking up balls more than hitting them,” she laughs, adding, “But one day when my father had come to pick me up, one of the coaches asked him if I would like to take up the sport professionally. After coming home, my father posed the same question. In fact, I remember he warned me that it would be a tough journey. I was about 12 years old and didn’t really understand what was so tough about playing tennis. So, I just said yes,” the tennis player recalls.

Even as she worked hard to win every tournament, she did not forget to enjoy her childhood. Although she was a good student, she was also a trouble-maker in class. “I was a notorious student. A few friends and I would bunk classes together. We would never leave the school premises, but we just would not attend the classes some times. Since I was very talkative, the teachers would sometimes even kick me out of the class. But I was a good student, my grades were really good. And I’d win gold in almost every tournament, so my teachers and principal were happy with me,” smiles the tennis champ.

When the going gets tough

[caption id="attachment_25692" align="aligncenter" width="649"] Shrivalli with her parents[/caption]

“I knew right from the beginning that I was able to do something extraordinary, something not everyone could do. As a junior, I wasn’t much of a performing kid. So, I would constantly put pressure on myself to perform well. And when I didn’t, the losses hit me very hard. Also, the other tennis players my age were performing really well, and I would inadvertently compare myself with them. In almost every tournament, even before the draw was out, I would freak out,” shares the young player.

For two years, Shrivalli constantly struggled with self-doubt which affected her game. Explaining how important it is to be mentally strong to win the games, the tennis player adds, “I did go to a psychologist subsequently and that helped me a lot. I started concentrating on my game more than the outcomes. So, as I moved towards my under-18s, my game improved a lot.” Her parents, Shrivalli says, were very supportive through her journey, and never once put pressure on her.

Olympic dreams

One of her biggest victories was defeating Rutuja Bhosale at the ITF $25K Pune R1 – 2021. That instilled a great deal of confidence in her. “I think all players feel nervous before a match. I do too. But I am confident now that I can play against, and defeat, any player,” remarks Shrivalli, who is very inspired by Novak Djokovic.

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

Shrivalli dreams of representing India at the Olympics and works at her aspirations without compromise. Her day begins at 4.15 am and training continues for between five and six hours a day. And along the way, she hopes to win as many cups as she can for her country. “I will be participating in several upcoming national and international tournament. But a dream come true will be representing India at the Olympics and winning gold for the country,” says the tennis star, who loves cooking or baking in her free time.

Reading Time: 6 mins

Soros Fellow Arjun Menta: From childhood curiosity to global healthcare innovation

(August 15, 2023) He was a curious child, who once took apart his family’s landline phone to see how it worked. While other parents might have scolded - or even grounded - their kid, Arjun Menta's parents cheered on his inquisitiveness by giving him Lego sets and science kits, allowing him to carry on with his own experiments. And it paid off. The young researcher, whose works have appeared in many reputable journals, including IEEE, Surgical Clinics, Chemistry of Materials, and Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, recently won the prestigious Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New American. [caption id="attachment_32544" align="aligncenter" width="601"] Arjun Menta is studying for an MD degree at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine[/caption] A prolific researcher, who holds multiple patents for his innovations, Arjun is definitely transforming laboratory discoveries into far-reaching solutions that can impact the lives of thousands across the globe. "Most of my ideas just come from observing people around me and understanding their needs," says that young researcher as he connects with Global Indian over a call from Baltimore, right before getting ready to start a hectic day. "There are so many problems that the world is facing that need to be solved, and

from observing people around me and understanding their needs," says that young researcher as he connects with Global Indian over a call from Baltimore, right before getting ready to start a hectic day. "There are so many problems that the world is facing that need to be solved, and I intend to do my bit. As someone who is in the field of medicine, just visiting the patients and interacting with them about the difficulties, gives me an insight into what kind of innovations can help them and others."

Currently, the young researcher is studying for an MD degree at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Alongside his medical training, Arjun is also the lead of various research and business projects. He's working closely with leading neurosurgical doctors who are also innovators, like Nicholas Theodore (through the HEPIUS Innovation Lab), Fernando Gonzalez, and Jordan Amadio. Their goal is to make the current medical methods better.

Inspired by his parents

"My parents were both immigrants from India - my father is from Tamil Nadu and my mother from Andhra Pradesh. My dad first immigrated to New York and then he ended up moving to Dallas, Texas. My mom joined him afterward. I and my brother don't get to visit India as much, however, we have always felt a connection with the land. My parents worked very hard and made several sacrifices to get me to where I am today. So, all the credit for my achievements goes to them."

[caption id="attachment_32545" align="aligncenter" width="603"] The Mentas[/caption]

The young researcher shares that his parents nurtured an environment filled with determination, a hunger for science, and a deep sense of helping others. Being engineers, they would often come up with fun experiments for him and his younger brother using things found around the house. They'd make invisible ink from lemon juice and encouraged them to ask lots of questions, which really inspired the way Arjun thinks even now that he's all grown up.

"Growing up years were a little tough, especially in the beginning. I wasn't in the best school system in this area, however, the most important thing was that my parents really did their best to allow me to learn. They would take us to the museums, libraries, and zoological parks. My dad would sit with us and teach us even after a long working day. Interestingly, he didn't just teach me and my brother, but some other kids in the neighbourhood as well. That was something that has stayed with me till today. So, whenever I get a chance to give back to my community, I never miss out on that," says the researcher, who would attend Chinmaya Mission's Bala Vihar's Sunday classes, and even volunteered there as well.

[caption id="attachment_32546" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Arjun with his FruitByte team, which was the 2018 grand finalist in the Shell Ideas360 competition in London[/caption]

He might have many patents to his name today, however pursuing a career in medicine or the healthcare industry was never Arjun's first plan. "While I was in school, I was so inspired by my parents. So, the plan back then was to study engineering. It was only later in college that I got exposure to medicine and also a lot of really unique things we can do to help people and improve the healthcare system," shares the researcher, who earned a Bachelor of Science and Arts in biochemistry from The University of Texas at Austin, in the year 2020.

The world of healthcare

It was during his time at the University that this young researcher met a mentor named Anjan Panneer Selvam. With Anjan's guidance, Arjun got a firsthand look at the wonders and difficulties of modern medicine. His initial research work happened in this lab, where he worked on making a biosensor that can detect cancer early and be used at the point of care.

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Passionate and driven, the youngster established several enterprises, including FruitByte, a creative farming analysis and automation platform, and Vaxcube, a patent-pending, power-efficient thermoelectric system designed for portable cooling technology, aimed at improving worldwide access to vaccines and medical supplies. Interestingly, Vaxcube gained special recognition as a health finalist in the 2017 National Geographic Chasing Genius competition. It secured funding not only from the Genesis Austin startup foundation but also through various international health grants.

The researcher is also one of the founders of the e-NABLE chapter at UT Austin, a student group that leverages 3D printing facilities at UT to create custom prosthetics for local amputees. This initiative aims to ease the financial and practical challenges that amputees and their families face. Sharing his experience at e-NABLE, the researcher says, "We connect with amputees, closely examine their situations, truly grasp the challenges, and then work towards crafting a solution that directly addresses those issues. In the end, this experience has taught me valuable lessons about leading teams with different backgrounds, aiding others, and considering not only the scientific aspect but also the well-being of the patients. These insights continue to shape my journey in everything I undertake."

[caption id="attachment_32547" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Arjun recently won the prestigious Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New American[/caption]

Arjun's keen intrigue in turning laboratory breakthroughs into solutions that reach far and wide, affecting the lives of many, ignited his passion for innovation. The researcher's been involved in reimagining cooling systems to make vaccines accessible worldwide, creating advanced agricultural tech to boost crop production, and inventing smart medical drains for better post-surgery results. "In parallel to my medical degree, my interest at the moment is more towards the subject of neurosurgery. I am very privileged to be working under some very brilliant minds, and intend to make the most of it," says the researcher.

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