top of page

Our Vision

Our vision is to become the leading platform for high school students who aspire to excel in their academic and extracurricular endeavors. We envision a future where every motivated student can access a spectrum of engaging research projects, expert mentorship from Top US university PhD scholars and a supportive community that encourages intellectual growth and innovation. We strive to foster a generation of young minds who are well-equipped to tackle complex challenges and make meaningful contributions to society.

Our Team

Screenshot 2023-10-11 at 1.42.32 PM.png
Dr Rohit Kumar

Dr. Rohit Kumar has over 10 years of experience in building intelligent interactive systems, providing technical leadership, mentoring, and product strategy, along with a substantial publication and patent record. His expertise lies in conversational agents, dialog and interactive systems, speech, and NLP.

Dr. Kumar is a senior member of the IEEE and has authored over 60 publications. He graduated from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, and received his PhD from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.

Dr. Rohit Kumar serves as our advisor and board member.

Dr. Rohit Kumar

Dr. Vamshi Ambati

Vamshi is the Founder and CEO of PredEra, an AI company in the Bay Area. Holding a Ph.D. and Master's from Carnegie Mellon University, he specializes in machine learning, NLP, and more. Vamshi also serves as an adjunct faculty member at IIIT Hyderabad and ISB and is recognized for his influential research in NLP, machine translation, and active learning for translation, widely cited in the research community. Dr. Vamshi Ambati is an advisor and board member at RSH.

       Samuel
Innovation Mentor

Samuel, a Ph.D. candidate in Computer Engineering, possesses expertise in tutoring, programming instruction, and web development. He serves as a Research Assistant at Jonsson School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, demonstrating proficiency in Python, C++, Java, and various software tools. Samuel's strong communication, leadership skills, and active engagement in professional organizations highlight his ability to foster academic growth, conduct impactful research, and deliver high-quality development solutions. Samuel also works on cochlear implant technology.

       Jay C.Sy
Innovation Mentor

Jay C. Sy, Ph.D., is a biomedical engineer with expertise in biomaterials, drug delivery, and medical devices, honed through roles at Rutgers University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His impactful research focuses on treating central nervous system disorders, securing substantial funding from esteemed institutions like the National Institutes of Health. Jay's leadership extends to teaching, grant writing, and professional society involvement, highlighting his commitment to advancing biomedical engineering and scientific innovation.

WhatsApp Image 2023-10-17 at 12.25.10 AM.jpeg

Naveena is a researcher passionate about utilizing a combination of computational and experimental techniques to uncover hidden knowledge within complex systems, particularly in the context of human health. Over more than a decade, her research has focused on applying interdisciplinary methods to address pressing scientific issues at the intersection of biology, health, and computation. Professor Naveena is an advisor and board member at RSH.

Dr. Naveena Yanamala

Elizabeth
Innovation Mentor

Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas. With a strong background in research, Elizabeth has contributed to various studies focusing on biomaterials and tissue engineering. She has extensive teaching experience, having worked as a private tutor and research mentor, and has presented her work at numerous conferences. Elizabeth is also the recipient of prestigious fellowships and awards, including the P.E.O. Scholar Award and the University Graduate Fellowship from Vanderbilt University.

WhatsApp Image 2023-10-08 at 4.11.10 PM.jpeg

Lavanya Prahallad co-founded Research Spark Hub and plays a crucial role in managing the creation and development of innovative research projects and educational materials. Leveraging her expertise in linguistics, Lavanya is committed to applying advanced learning science methodologies and language technologies to enhance the effectiveness of our curriculum through cutting-edge research. She aims to empower learners worldwide, shaping the future of education with innovative solutions.

Lavanya Prahallad
Co-Founder & Director

Sandhya Athreya is an experienced educator in physics and biology, passionately teaching high school students and fostering a deep appreciation for the sciences. Renowned for her innovative teaching methods, she skillfully integrates hands-on experiments and real-world applications to demystify complex concepts. Her dedication to making science accessible and exciting has established her as a beloved figure in her educational community, inspiring students to pursue scientific inquiry with enthusiasm.

Sandhya Athreya
Director, STEM

Sreerekha Madivala

Sreerekha Madivala is a seasoned professional with over 22 years of experience in both corporate and startup environments. Co-founder of multiple successful ventures in enterprise software and e-commerce, she's known for guiding businesses from ideation to profitable exits. Sreerekha's passion extends to co-founding Research Spark Hub, aimed at fostering a research mindset in high school students. Recognized by Forbes for her entrepreneurial journey, she's also an active angel investor in Indian startups.

Meet Pranav Pallavalli, a driven undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science at Umass, Amherst. Passionate about entrepreneurship and problem-solving, Pranav has interned at prestigious firms like Fidelity and Principal. Additionally, he's contributed as a Research Teaching Assistant at the university. As a pivotal member of the team, Pranav spearheaded the launch of the Research Spark Hub website, showcasing his expertise in technology. With a knack for building solutions, Pranav is dedicated to making a real-world impact through innovation

Pranav Pallavalli

bottom of page