Biomedical discovery
Exploring viral detection and the cellular patterns shaping pancreatic cancer.
A profile in curiosity and impact
Sudharshini
Ram.
I work at the intersections of biomedical research, technology, public policy, and community leadership - asking how rigorous ideas can make a meaningful difference in people's lives.
700Kconstituents reached through county communications
2,300+menstrual products collected and distributed
3,040meal boxes packed with Shining Sprouts volunteers
Top 2%Wharton Investment Competition semifinalist
01 / Areas of focus
Curiosity,
put to work.
Across research, policy, and student-led initiatives, I am drawn to complex problems that benefit from both careful analysis and collaborative action.
Responsible technology
Researching privacy, AI-driven surveillance, algorithmic bias, and digital equity.
Public life & service
Building spaces for youth voice, civic participation, and community support.
02 / Research
Questions into
discovery.
Exploring biomedical discovery and responsible technology through original research, collaborative teams, and scientific communication.
2023 - Current
AIDTriage LLC, Co-Founder & CEO
Conduct virology research under Dr. Herbots at ASU to develop a device using macroscopic fluorescence to detect viral and bacterial RNA in under 60 minutes. A provisional patent has been filed and a paper is in progress. Led an eight-student team, built a satellite laboratory, managed its operating budget, and developed automated fluorescence analysis and an AI infection-prediction model. Presented research at AVS71 and ASM Microbe.
2026
Researcher
Harvard OpenBio SRI Program
Selected as one of 75 students from 3,000 applicants. Investigated sex differences in neuro-stromal states in pancreatic cancer using single-nucleus RNA sequencing to study cellular and gene-expression patterns in tumor microenvironments; first-authored a research manuscript.
2025
Cybersecurity Research Intern
Arizona State University
Developed a privacy-preserving defense framework against AI-driven geolocation surveillance, including an adversarial masking pipeline to detect and obfuscate semantic visual cues such as landmarks and OCR text. Awarded an $1,800 research stipend for contributions to digital privacy and youth privacy risks.
03 / Leadership
Make room
for others.
Student leadership has meant creating practical ways for peers to speak up, serve their communities, and pursue their ideas.
Founder & President, Girl Up Club
Founded the school's Girl Up chapter and led advocacy initiatives, including a voter registration drive, interviews with female politicians, and feminine hygiene drives. Collected and distributed 2,300+ menstrual products for women experiencing homelessness.
Vice President, Youth Policy Assembly Club
Organized and moderated five student Q&As with elected officials and community leaders, and hosted research-based debates on international social and political issues.
President, Shining Sprouts Nonprofit
Led 25 volunteers in packing 3,040 meal boxes at St. Mary's Food Bank and partnered with Central Arizona Shelter Services to support underprivileged populations.
Organizer & Speaker, TEDx
Organized the first approved TEDx event at a non-independent BASIS school and delivered "The Mirror Effect: Why AI Reinforces Our Worst Prejudices".
National Youth Advisor, Girl Up
Selected as one of 10 U.S. Youth Advisors. Initiated GirlTank, a STEAM pitch competition, securing and distributing $4,000 in United Nations Foundation funding for girls' community initiatives.
Youth Leader, UN Women Global Adolescent Girl Leadership Town Hall
Selected as one of approximately 100 youth leaders worldwide to discuss girls and the future of AI. Contributed recommendations on gender-responsive AI policy for the Beijing+30 Action Agenda.
04 / Selected recognition
Ideas,
recognized.
Recognition across research, computing, history, academics, and competition.
Semifinalist, International Wharton Investment Competition
2025 · Top 50 of 5,400+ teams; student leader of a four-member team.
Gold Honorable Mention, International AVS 71 Research Symposium
2025 · Undergraduate-level poster session for ViroBug research.
Honorable Mention, National NCWIT Award
2025 · Top approximately 11% of 2,700+ applications.
Top 100 Girls Age 14, US Chess Federation
2023 · Ranked 75th nationally; tournament wins in Phoenix.
Gold Medalist, Academic Decathlon (State)
2024 · First in state Interview with a score of 995/1,000.
Second Place, National History Day (State)
2026 · Original documentary on Korea's Jeju Uprising; qualified for Nationals.
National Merit Semifinalist
2026 · Top 1% of U.S. high school seniors; perfect math score.
05 / Experience
Learning by
doing.
Professional and entrepreneurial work has given me opportunities to build useful tools, serve the public, and lead teams.
July 2026 - Current
Policy Intern
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
Draft monthly newsletters for 700,000 constituents and 38,000+ subscribers, sharing Vice Chair Lesko's updates on the FY 2027 budget and economic development. Prepare statistical reports on constituent calls and emails to help translate concerns about property taxes and public safety into actionable data.
Founder / Developer
KindredGiving LLC
Built a donation-tracking platform, tracked 300+ donations, partnered with MME Coalition's 500 Campuses and local organizations, and provided automated impact reports.
06 / Volunteer experience
Service is
part of the work.
Supporting young people and families through time, mentorship, and access to learning resources.
Volunteer Camp Counselor
Dedicated 150+ hours to mentoring children through recreational and educational activities at a city-run summer camp.
Chapter Secretary
Organized the collection and distribution of 1,000+ books to under-resourced youth to promote literacy.
Thoughtful questions.
Useful ideas. Shared impact.