Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveUnstoppable at 13: Bihar’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes IPL’s youngest star

Unstoppable at 13: Bihar’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes IPL’s youngest star

By: Amrita Priya

(December 6, 2024) In the cricketing world, talent knows no age. The recent IPL auction held in Jeddah for the 18th edition of the T20 extravaganza emphasizes this. Amid seasoned names, a 13-year-old boy from Bihar stole the show. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a left-handed batting prodigy, became the youngest player ever to secure an IPL contract. Signed by the Rajasthan Royals for ₹1.10 crore (approximately $130,500), his record-breaking selection has made headlines.

In addition to this remarkable achievement, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is also making headlines for his selection in the Asia Cup U19 squad. Addressing the growing hype around him, he shared in a recent interview, “I am just focusing on the game and keeping other things, including social media, at bay. I’m looking forward to winning the trophy in the Asia Cup. To achieve this goal he has been delivering exceptional performances in the ongoing tournament in the UAE. His impactful innings played a crucial role in propelling the team into the semifinals with ease.

Indian Sportsperson | Vaibhav Suryavanshi | Global Indian

From Bihar’s Tajpur to national spotlight

Vaibhav Suryavanshi hails from the quaint town of Tajpur in Bihar, located near Samastipur, approximately 166 kilometres from the state capital. He picked up a cricket bat for the first time at the age of five under the watchful eye of his father, who also served as his first coach, driven by his own unfulfilled dream of becoming a cricketer. Despite the lack of cricket coaching facilities in his small town, Vaibhav’s humble beginnings never deterred his ambition. Instead, they fuelled his passion for the game. By the age of 12, he was representing Bihar in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, a platform that showcased his budding talent. Later, he made his debut in the prestigious Ranji Trophy before even stepping into his teenage years.

Shattering records at a young age

Suryavanshi’s debut in the Ranji Trophy at just 12 years and 284 days old was nothing short of historic. Playing against Mumbai, he became the fourth-youngest cricketer to feature in the Ranji Trophy and the youngest in the modern era. His remarkable feat surpassed even cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh in terms of age milestones.

Talking about the comparisons that were made with legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Vaibhav mentioned, “I felt nice to be compared with none other than Sachin Tendulkar but at the same time, just having a debut was not my goal, my goal was to score good runs.” His maturity on the field, coupled with an aggressive batting style, made him a standout performer in the tournament.

International career

Suryavanshi’s international journey began with the India B U19 team in 2023. His performance in the Quadrangular Under-19 series, where he amassed 177 runs in six innings, showcased his potential. However, it was his debut for the India U19 team in September 2024 that truly captured attention. Scoring a blistering 58-ball century against Australia U19, he set a record for the fastest U19 century by an Indian. His innings, studded with boundaries and sixes, announced his arrival on the global stage.

IPL Contract: Making history at 13

On November 25, this year, the cricketing world witnessed a groundbreaking moment when Rajasthan Royals bid ₹1.10 crore for the teenager. Entering the auction at a base price of $35,591, Suryavanshi’s signing became a highlight of the event. Nicknamed ‘Kuttappaai’ (Tamil for ‘The Little Boy’) at the Royals’ camp, his inclusion reflects the franchise’s faith in nurturing young talent. The IPL contract marks a significant leap in his career, placing him among the elite in Indian cricket.

However, Vaibhav remains grounded and believes that “rising in cricket requires more than just skill; being mentally strong is equally important to handle the highs and lows and to keep pushing forward.”

The resurgence of Bihar cricket: Vaibhav Suryavanshi leading the charge

For years, the state of Bihar grappled with a cricketing identity crisis. The bifurcation of Bihar and Jharkhand in 2000 left most cricket infrastructure with Jharkhand, pushing Bihar out of the Ranji Trophy. This move signalled the end of an era for Bihar cricket, which had once produced strong performances, including reaching the Ranji Trophy finals under Daljit Singh’s captaincy in 1975-76.

However, the reinstatement of Bihar in domestic cricket in 2018 marked a new dawn, making way for young talents like Vaibhav Suryavanshi to emerge as beacons of hope for the state. Talking about it, Vaibhav mentioned, “I had started playing cricket in 2016, just a couple of years before Bihar cricket got resurrected.”

Despite the state’s cricket facilities being in their nascent stages, he managed to reach the Ranji Trophy, the premier domestic first-class cricket championship organized annually by the Board of Control for Cricket in India – which is a commendable achievement for both him and his mentors.

A star in the making

A self-confessed admirer of Brian Lara, Vaibhav draws inspiration from the West Indian legend’s determination and match-winning prowess. “However, I like to focus on my own style,” he mentioned. With such role models and his steadfast focus, Suryavanshi’s journey promises to be an exciting one.

Indian Sportsperson | Vaibhav Suryavanshi | Global INdian

Vaibhav during his childhood in Bihar

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s rise is not just a story of talent but also of persistence. From playing in the streets and small fields of Tajpur to making headlines in the IPL auction, his journey symbolizes the power of dreams and hard work. As he gears up for his IPL debut with the Rajasthan Royals, the cricketing world watches with bated breath, anticipating more records to tumble.

Discover more fascinating Stories

Name*

Email*

Name*

Email*

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Published on 06, Dec 2024

Share with

ALSO READ

Vihaan Talya Vikas: The 10-year-old Indian boy is named Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023

(November 22, 2023) With a Canon EOS 7D strapped onto his shoulder, 10-year-old Vihaan Talya Vikas took off a few kilometers north to the Bengaluru airport in search of that perfect shot. Drawn to an ancient tamarind grove, he marched in deeper adjusting his telephoto lens. That's when a wall on the other side grabbed his attention. For any other person, it would have been a normal sight - a spider on a wall, but for Vihaan, it spoke volumes. Seeing an ornamental tree trunk spider right next to an idol of Lord Krishna put him in a trance, as in that moment all he could perceive was an image of a spider entranced by the sound of Krishna's flute. He sealed the moment in his DSLR as a photographic memory and it was this unique representation that made his photograph stand out and helped him win the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 in the under-10 category. "I am very happy and excited to receive this award. I like doing photography because it helps us think creatively and connect with nature," Vihaan said after winning the coveted prize. Organised by The Natural History Museum in London, the competition highlights

mpetition highlights the world's most exceptional wildlife photography. This event is often dubbed the "Oscars of Photography" due to its renowned status.

[caption id="attachment_34241" align="aligncenter" width="740"] The award-winning photo clicked by Vihaan Talya Vikas[/caption]

This year that competition saw entries from 95 countries across the globe with a total of 50,000 images being submitted. Out of the lot, only the top 100 made it to the competition and 11 were chosen in different categories. Vihaan's win is a testament to a photographer’s skill, vision, and ability to communicate the essence of the wild through their art. Commenting on Vihaan's photograph, Dhritiman Mukherjee, Wildlife and Conservation Photographer and Competition Judge, said, "This image conveys so many interesting things to me. What I like most is the thought process behind it and the composition of the image. it talks about coexistence very nicely. The inclusion of a historic sculpture adds a different dimension to the concept. Then here we are, seeing a spider - a smaller and less attended life form. So for me, this one served the purpose of art, concept, conservation, and science very nicely."

The photograph titled The Wall of Wonder will become a part of the WPY59 collection and will be featured in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition held at the Natural History Museum. This exhibition is set to travel to approximately 25 locations across four continents, aiming to raise awareness about wildlife conservation, using powerful imagery to connect people with the natural world.

[caption id="attachment_34246" align="aligncenter" width="726"] Vihaan Talya Vikas[/caption]

A student of Kumarans School, Bangalore, Vihaan's love for photography began at the age of seven when he often accompanied his dad for wildlife safaris. It was his father's love for photography that rubbed onto him. What's intriguing is his affinity for macro and telephoto lenses, showcasing his versatility and keen eye for intricate details. His photography captures not only the magnificence of wildlife but also the beauty of smaller creatures.

Vihaan, who is also interested in astronomy, is keen to showcase his love for science and the exploration of the natural world in all its forms. Using his camera, Vihaan combines a curious scientist's mindset with an artistic soul. His accomplishment not only shows his unique talent but also inspires people of all ages. It reminds us of the strong link between humans and wildlife and emphasises the art that connects us to both.

Reading Time: 4 min

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
Follow Nai Subah Foundation on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 5 mins

Nandita Saxena, the pastry chef who bagged a silver at WorldSkills 2022

(December 27, 2022) “Every time I think about it, it feels unbelievable,” says Nandita Saxena, the young confectioner who bagged the silver in the patisserie and confectionery category at the WorldSkills Competition 2022. The youngster, who first learned about the competition in a college magazine, had dreamed of bringing home a medal ever since. In 2022, she managed it, becoming the first Indian woman to win a silver medal. The global competition, which was held between September and November 2022 is considered the gold standard of vocational skills. [caption id="attachment_25863" align="aligncenter" width="608"] Nandita Saxena[/caption] Founded in 1950, the WorldSkills Competition provides youngsters from across the globe a chance to compete, experience, and excel in their chosen endeavour. This was the 46th edition of the competition, which is held every alternate year in a new country. Originally scheduled to be held in Shanghai, then postponed by the pandemic, the WorldSkills 2022 is something of a ‘special edition’, also because it was held across 15 countries instead of a single venue. India was represented across 50 skill categories, with participants bringing home two silvers, three bronzes and 13 medallions. Plan to win “Through my college magazine I had learned that Mohit Dudeja

kills 2022 is something of a ‘special edition’, also because it was held across 15 countries instead of a single venue. India was represented across 50 skill categories, with participants bringing home two silvers, three bronzes and 13 medallions.

Plan to win

“Through my college magazine I had learned that Mohit Dudeja had brought India a silver medal in the patisserie and confectionery category in 2017,” says the alumnae of IHM Aurangabad.

[caption id="attachment_25866" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Nandita during the WorldSkills Competition held at Lucerne, Switzerland[/caption]

Nandita had discovered her love for baking as a child and when she heard of Dudeja, she pored over his Instagram profile. She was deeply inspired by one post, in which Dudeja had written, “If you have the skills, you must participate and be confident of winning.”

Nandita made up her mind to participate too, she tells Global Indian. She travelled to Lucerne, Switzerland, for the competition, going up against people from 15 countries.

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship, Government of India, has been leading the nation’s participation on the WorldSkills Platform. “Our training sessions for the competition were organised by the government,” says Nandita. She was pleasantly surprised to find that Indians’ patisserie and confectionery skills were comparable to the best in the world.

[caption id="attachment_25865" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Nandita during the WorldSkills Competition held at Lucerne, Switzerland[/caption]

The ten days spent in the breathtakingly beautiful Switzerland is an experience that has got etched in the youngster’s mind. Apart from the six days of events, the competitors enjoyed excursion trips. “It gave us an opportunity to get to know each other and develop friendships,” she says.

Stepping into the world of hospitality

Passing out from Amity International School in Noida, Nandita went on to pursue a degree in hotel management. “Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, it was just one and a half year of in-college experience. But five months of intensive in-house training in hospitality management at Taj Vivanta, Aurangabad proved very helpful.”

Nandita also did an internship at Lavonne Hospitality, subsequently getting a job there, which helped her hone her skills even further. There, she was mentored by the senior chefs, who, upon learning that she was participating at the WorldSkills competition, wholeheartedly guided her. “It was good for me that the competition was postponed due to the pandemic. The delay helped me polish my skills and learn enough to bring home the silver medal,” Nandita remarks. “Most of the modules required for the competition were covered by my mentors, and the rest was taken care of at the government organised workshop,” says the pastry chef, who always looks forward to learning new things.

[caption id="attachment_25867" align="aligncenter" width="783"] Professionals at Lavonne Academy prepared her for different modules - Anosh Ranbhise, chocolate showpiece, Prathana Narang entremet, Vinesh Johnny, sugar stand and overall training, Joonie Tan, fondant, and Mani chef, bonbons[/caption]

For WorldSkills challenge, participants begin with a regional round and graduate to the national round, with the winners going on to represent the country on the global platform. The national winners are assigned an expert, who train them for the international challenge. That’s how Nandita became a protégé of Vinesh Johnny, one of the cofounders of Lavonne Academy.

Baking and tennis

The multifaceted youngster has been a national level lawn tennis player. “I started baking at the age of six and playing tennis at eight,” she says. She spent her school years juggling her academics, baking and tennis. “I was six years old when I decided I wanted to be a pastry chef and at 16, I started catering neighbourhood orders for cakes and pastries,” Nandita says.

Nandita played tennis under the aegis of The All India Tennis Association, the governing body of tennis in India. “Since I grew up in Noida, I played several tournaments representing Uttar Pradesh,” says the youngster, whose all-India rank was 77 in the under -18 categories. “I have also represented Uttar Pradesh several times in national competitions organised by CBSE,” she adds.

From protégé to mentor

Nandita comes from a family which is artistically inclined. Her parents are architects and her elder sister is a dentist. “Ever since I can remember, I had an inclination towards taking up a career that is creative,” tells the pastry chef.

[caption id="attachment_25868" align="aligncenter" width="740"] Nandita with her WorldSkills expert Vinesh Johnny[/caption]

With loads of happiness that has come her way after winning a silver, Nandita has been busy not just working in the baking division of Lavonne Hospitality’s cafes but also taking classes at Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts. “I will also train the next competitor who will represent India in the patisserie and confectionery category at WorldSkills,” says the twenty-two year old.

“From clearing the state levels to representing at the international platform WorldSkills has been a journey of personal growth and everlasting friendships,” she signs off.

Follow Nandita Saxena at LinkedIn and Instagram

Reading Time: 5 mins

Shriya Bopanna: From Miss India America to Forbes 30 Under 30

(October 4, 2023) Miss India America 2020, Shriya Bopanna who is also an activist, author, and on-air personality has been named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Austin list of 2023, "I am honestly still shocked and incredibly grateful for making to the list," Shriya told Global Indian. "There is a certain amount of validity I feel in being authenticated and it has been a dream of mine to make it to Forbes 30 Under 30 since I was 16," she added. The multi-talented changemaker who also works as a project manager and business analyst at Accenture in the United States, looks at the Austin list as a stepping stone to eventually making to the entire North American list of Forbes. [caption id="attachment_33374" align="aligncenter" width="473"] Shriya Bopanna[/caption] In the world of pageantry Right from her school days, Shriya Boppana had been passionate about advocacy, and deeply involved in raising awareness and funds for causes like anti-sex trafficking. She would do whatever it took to achieve her goal – show up at community events to hand out flyers, volunteer, do community service, and more. “Over time, these community spaces weren’t big enough for some of the initiatives and in college, I

om her school days, Shriya Boppana had been passionate about advocacy, and deeply involved in raising awareness and funds for causes like anti-sex trafficking. She would do whatever it took to achieve her goal – show up at community events to hand out flyers, volunteer, do community service, and more. “Over time, these community spaces weren’t big enough for some of the initiatives and in college, I stepped on the Miss India DC stage as an ambassador for the Save our Stars Foundation to raise money for an HIV clinic in Nepal,” Shriya says. This turned out to be a great turning point in her life.

Little did she know that she would end up participating in the competition and also winning the first runner-up title. “After that, I had no plans of competing in the nationals of Miss India America 2020 until some friends encouraged me to show up. I won completely accidentally – no training, no planning, no preparation,” says the youngster. “That crown catapulted me and my advocacy into the media limelight overnight and I got featured everywhere from ABC to the Wall Street Journal,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_29357" align="aligncenter" width="451"] Shriya Boppana[/caption]

Opportunity to host her TV show

After her win in the Miss India-America contest, Shriya’s popularity caught the eye of producers at Fox 5 Plus/GTV who offered the youngster her segment on-air, Becoming a Voice with Shriya Boppana.

“My show has hosted popular voices from political candidates such as Deja Foxx of the Kamala Harris Campaign to Maria Thattil, Miss Universe Australia, all the way to Jared Isaacman of SpaceX’s Inspiration4, and reached more than six million households. My efforts in educating the public on gender-based violence got hugely successful,” Shriya says.

After doing a season of the show the youngster stepped down to work for Nickelodeon and AwesomenessTV in talent casting. By that time, Shriya already had more than twelve years of experience in theatre acting under her belt.

“I guess the opportunities that I got after winning the crown were a ripple effect of my win. I had only planned to do two things in life – acting and advocacy,” she says. The unplanned foray into the world of pageantry and subsequent win turned out to be a game-changer, helping her reach her goals more easily both in advocacy and acting.

“I received a lot of love, support, and attention from the media and audiences. I cannot thank everyone enough for consistently believing in me and providing me opportunities to grow,” she adds.

These days, Shriya has a nine-to-five at Accenture, while continuing to film season 2 of her Fox 5 Plus show with GTV. “I have incredible guests lined up for the new season, it's so exciting!" she shares

Acting - a passion

As a schoolgirl, Shriya was deeply interested in theatrical arts, musical and films. She has won awards for her performances in short films like Love is Louder, which was a semi-finalist at the All-American High School Film Festival. Shriya was also cast in a full-length feature film, Water with a Slice of Lemon, which debuted in DC theatres in 2018. In 2020, she starred in the Chinmaya Mission-sponsored short film, ‘Been on Sale’.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBXxhGMDkUk[/embed]

Her interest in performing arts has led to several achievements in the sphere of dancing as well. Shriya has competed nationally for her premiere collegiate Bollywood fusion dance team – Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Sahara, winning multiple trophies for her alma mater. As much as she likes competing, the youngster loves to organise events. She has been the youngest board member of the National Bollywood Dance Championship, Legends in the US. Her academic training in marketing helped her in taking up the role of the Public Relations chair at the non-profit, Desi Dance Network Inc for two years where she raised awareness about South Asian performing arts.

The multifaceted beauty queen

A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Shriya majored in business administration with a double concentration in marketing, and leadership and organisational effectiveness with a minor in psychology.

At the CMU campus, her advocacy was in full swing. She worked for minority, religious, generational, and socioeconomically weaker communities to strive for equality on the campus against battles supporting sexual assault victims, LGBTQ+ members, immigrants, international students, and ‘everyone in-between’.

[caption id="attachment_29356" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Shriya at one of the Carnegie Mellon University's functions[/caption]

Always a good student and multi-tasker, Shriya has represented CMU as the vice president of communications in their chapter of the American Marketing Association and volunteered as the vice president of marketing for the Carnegie Mellon Business Association, and vice president of internal affairs for CMU Women in Business.

“I am in the midst of applying for an MBA programme with the aim to elevate my social impact organisation - ‘Becoming A Voice’ into an official non-profit,” she shares.

Continually striving to achieve new milestones, Shriya is preparing to apply for the role of the 13th official US youth over server to the UN. “With all my work with the UN Foundation over the years, I aim to contribute in the national policymaking on child rights and sexual safety if appointed,” she remarks.

Winning along the way

The youngster loves participating in contests. In 2018 she won the Deloitte Start-Up Case competition bagging the third position. She was the only CMU freshman chosen to compete that year. Along with her team members, Shriya took her BusyBus business idea into the world of real-time technology and was even nominated for Forbes 30-under-30 in the consumer technology category.

The multifaceted beauty queen also dabbles in the freelance design and marketing world when time permits. “I kick-started my content creation career after winning Miss India America and have partnered with many incredible brands like Amazon Prime, Bumble, Handshake, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Adobe, Tangle Teezer, Mugler, and Tommy Hilfiger to name a few,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_33382" align="aligncenter" width="683"] Shriya Bopanna[/caption]

Love for India

Shriya moved to the US with her parents when she was just five and a half years old, but her tie with India is strong. “I visit India at least once a year for a month at a time, minimum. It’s important for me to stay in touch with my extended family,” she says. “I was raised in Indian culture for a good portion of my developmental years and find joy in mixing both the American and Indian identities as much as possible. Whether it’s the clothes, the media, the food, or the religion, I partake in all aspects of my daily life to keep my roots strong and home-grown,” the youngster shares.

Significant collaborations and initiatives

In 2021 Shriya Boppana joined the Obama Foundation and Michelle Obama’s Girls Opportunity Alliance partnership.
As STF Global Youth Ambassador advocating for girls’ rights, she teamed up with famous actress, Brooke Shields to raise awareness for sexual health education of girls for the #GirlsGetLoud campaign.
She has partnered with the popular beauty brand, Bobbi Brown, for their ‘Pretty Powerful’ campaign.
Shriya holds sexual assault clinics in partnership with Bachpan Save the Innocence in India. In their partnership, they have sensitized above 6000 individuals at more than 320 orphanages, schools, slums, and colleges with over 10 different programs like safe and unsafe touch, consent and puberty, digital safety, cybercrime, sexual abuse, and trafficking.
The Indian American youngster conducted light-hearted discussions about mental health and relationships, and self-health as a radio jockey on Radio Zindagi, reaching more than one million listeners in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Indo-Caribbean community.

Follow Shriya Boppana on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and her website

Reading Time: 5 mins

Reconnecting the wires: Marissa Sumanthipala is integrating technology with medicine

(August 20, 2022) As a young kid, she loved skating and was even gearing up to be a part of the US national skating team. However, at the age of 13, life came to a standstill for Marissa Sumathipala, after she fell during a practice session and hit her head hard on the ice, and suffered a major concussion. The girl, who dreamt of representing the US at the Olympics, was removed from the state team, ending her skating career. For years, Marissa dealt with hazy memories, random nausea, and fatigue. While many around her felt that this was the end of a bright career for this teenager, the incident gave the young neuroscientist a new purpose in life - understanding the workings of the human brain. [caption id="attachment_21017" align="aligncenter" width="557"] Neuroscientist Marissa Sumanthipala[/caption] “I began to realize that there was so much that we didn’t know about the brain,” Merissa said during an interview with The Harvard Gazette, adding, "And that gap in what we understood about the brain had such devastating impacts on patients like myself, but also all the people that I saw in the waiting rooms and support groups that I went to during this experience.”

ws.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2022/04/marissa-sumathipala-turned-to-brain-science-after-giving-up-skating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Harvard Gazette, adding, "And that gap in what we understood about the brain had such devastating impacts on patients like myself, but also all the people that I saw in the waiting rooms and support groups that I went to during this experience.”

The neuroscientist joined Johns Hopkins School of Medicine at 14 to perform basic research, and is currently pursuing both a master’s and a Ph.D. in clinical neurosciences at Harvard Medical School. Intending to establish her lab someday, the teenager created Theraplexus, a computational platform that uses network science analytics and artificial intelligence to map molecular interactions and provide better drugs for chronic diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and heart disease. In 2018, the now 20-year-old received the US Presidential Scholars for her contribution to the world of medicine.

Mind matters

A bright child, Merissa's parents - Indian immigrants who settled in Virginia - always encouraged her to take part in various academic and extracurricular activities. Although she wished to have a successful skating career, she was always fascinated by biological sciences. Interestingly, Merissa did a paper on whether pesticides caused multigenerational effects in human beings when she was just 12 years old. “I have long nurtured a vision of being a medical scientist, leveraging core engineering principles to solve contemporary biological and medical problems," the Global Indian informed during a press interaction.

Two-time winner of the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair Grand Prize, Merissa did not lose hope after her skating accident. While she was sad that she will no longer be in the ring, the fact that there are only a few treatments for brain injuries kept her up at night often. Frustrated by the lack of brain treatment options, the young neuroscientist decided to work on neurological disease pathways. She joined the Janelia Research Institute while she was still in high school, and since then has worked in about five different labs.

[caption id="attachment_21018" align="aligncenter" width="623"] Marissa at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine[/caption]

At 17, Merissa was named one of the 40 finalists for the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Award for her project, Reinventing Cardiovascular Disease Therapy: A Novel Dual Therapeutic with FOXO Transcription Factor and AMP Kinase. In her project, the young scientist used a fruit fly model with proteins FOXO and AMPK to investigate the underlying, molecular causes leading to cardiovascular disease, and received the prize money of $25,000. "To be a part of this group is an unparalleled honour, one that has not quite sunk in just yet. I am exceptionally grateful to the Society for Science and the Public for their steadfast mission to promote STEM for almost a century, and to Regeneron for their vision of investing in the next generation of scientists and change makers," the neuroscientist said after winning the competition, which is also known as Junior Nobel Prize.

Road ahead

Currently working at the McCarroll Lab in Harvard Medical School, Marissa is helping to develop a new method for sequencing synapses in the human brain. These synapses are crucial for memory and learning and result in maladies like Huntington’s disease. Her research could someday shed light on the importance of synapses in brain development in humans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSWDH9hFIzs

Marissa's platform Theraplexus has already identified 200+ disease-specific drug targets for debilitating diseases like Alzheimer's, breast cancer, schizophrenia, and diabetes. In first-of-its-kind research, the organisation found more effective therapies within patients’ lifetimes and potentially cut drug development costs drastically. The youngster is now looking at partnering with Harvard Medical School’s Sharma Lab, to develop and transform Theraplexus into a biotechnology startup. "I spent a long time grappling with my identity. Growing up I was just a skater and then, when I got concussed, I had to rebuild my identity. Then I was a scientist. Now, I identify as being both a skater and a scientist," Marissa told The Harvard Gazette.

Follow Marissa Sumanthipala on Twitter

Reading Time: 7 mins