Tejas Pakalapati is an incoming freshman at the University of Washington, majoring in neuroscience, with aspirations of becoming a neurosurgeon. A dedicated researcher and aspiring clinician, Tejas has conducted research at Stanford University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His projects included studying behavioral circuits in mice and dietary interventions for fragile X syndrome. He also completed an independent EEG-based study examining the impact of social media on brain activity, earning first place at the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair and an award from the American Psychological Association.

With over 60 surgeries observed during medical observerships at Swedish Neurosurgery, Texas Surgical Hospital, and AIG Hospital, Tejas has gained invaluable experience in the operating room. These included procedures such as craniotomies, laminectomies, and ACL repairs. Additionally, he volunteered more than 190 hours at Swedish Medical Center, assisting nurses and supporting patients in a clinical setting.

Tejas is also deeply committed to mentorship and education. As a mentor for the Brain Bee at the North South Foundation, he helped students advance to the national level while teaching neuroscience to middle and high school students. A two-time National Science Bowl national qualifier, Tejas led his team to multiple top placements, including first place at the state level.

Beyond academics, Tejas was a varsity tennis player for four years at his local high school, demonstrating his commitment to excellence both on and off the court. His accomplishments reflect his drive to explore the brain’s complexities, contribute to medicine, and inspire others in the field.

Nivriti is a Senior at Westview High School in Portland, Oregon. She is an aspiring neurosurgeon passionate about exploring biomarkers for neurological conditions. She is also interested in global health advocacy and promoting healthcare equity. Her research spans glutamatergic vesicle distribution, utilizing cryo-electron tomography to investigate excitatory neurotransmission at the OHSU Vollum Institute, to studying EEG-based machine learning applications for Parkinson’s disease with a Columbia University-affiliated post-doc mentor.

A seasoned competitor, Nivriti placed second nationally at the North South Foundation (NSF) Brain Bee and the Essay Writing Competition in 11th grade and first at the NSF Regional Brain Bee in 9th grade. She also placed in the Top 16 internationally in the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Bowl Competition. She founded the Oregon Brain Bee, which provides opportunities for high school students in the Pacific Northwest to showcase their neuroscience knowledge. She also co-founded the Seattle Neuroscience Education Initiative, which designs accessible neuroscience lessons and organizes conferences to encourage community engagement.

Nivriti’s contributions extend to language and culture, as she created the first nationwide Sanskrit proficiency test, earning recognition for advocating language preservation and academic inclusivity.  As Student Director of the Science Ambassadors Program at ONPRC, she mentors younger students, teaches biology, and coordinates outreach events.

Nivriti’s commitment to service shines through her hospital volunteering and her role as Communications Director for Westview High School’s Operation Smile, where she organizes events to fund cleft lip and palate surgeries. Beyond academics, she embraces her heritage through Carnatic singing. With a commitment to interdisciplinary learning and compassionate care, Nivriti is determined to create a transformative impact in healthcare and neuroscience.

Saathvik Voora is a rising junior at Redmond High School. He’s been interested in science for as long as he can remember, always being curious by nature. His love for science led him to participate and excel in multiple science-related competitions, including the Science Olympiad, USABO, and the Brain Bee. His favorite topic in science is the field of biology, specifically human anatomy, cellular biology, and neuroscience. However, his favorite field is arguably neuroscience, as despite the nervous system being one of the most complex entities on the planet, it’s also home to some of the 21st Century’s most troubling problems, such as a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, the world’s leading cause of dementia worldwide. In his free time, he loves to pick up a good book like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and watch NFL (Go Hawks!) and F1 highlights. When he’s not trapped in his room, one of his favorite things to do is to spend time in the great Washington outdoors with his friends, playing a game of basketball together.