Dr. Sharma is a translational scientist and emerging bioinformatician with deep knowledge in immunology, molecular biology, and stem cell biology, focusing on therapies for cancer and inflammatory diseases. Driven by a passion for mentorship, she is dedicated to making science accessible and meaningful for young minds. As a mentor in the Horizons program, Aditi looks forward to equipping high school students with the skills to confidently tackle scientific challenges, fostering innovative thinking, and helping them shape meaningful STEM experiences and impactful projects.

Avraneel Paul is a researcher, writer, and a storyteller with a passion for making science accessible and entertaining. With a PhD from IISc Bangalore, he has spent years studying antibiotics resistance and redox homeostasis in Mycobacteria. Currently, he’s a postdoc at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, unraveling the mysteries of molecular mechanism behind bacterial lipid translocation. He can be often found indulging in cricket, chess, quizzes, or writing fiction and non-fiction. His stint as a Toastmaster sparked a love for public speaking and long-form storytelling. His teaching tenure in community schools had made him passionate to make science accessible and entertaining for everyone.

Bhishan Poudel is a machine learning mentor and data scientist with a PhD in Physics and 5+ years of industry experience. He has built AI solutions in healthcare, designed chatbots, and optimized sales forecasts using generative AI and NLP. A top Stack Overflow contributor (17k+ reputation), he loves breaking down complex concepts into practical, hands-on lessons. His teaching focuses on real-world applications, ethical AI, and empowering students with coding and problem-solving skills. Passionate about open-source and lifelong learning, he guides aspiring data scientists with patience and enthusiasm.

Saheli is currently employed at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist. She originally hails from Kolkata and is based in New York at present. She has completed her PhD from CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata. Her thesis pivoted around Metabolism-Dysfunction associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and hepatotoxicity. Before acquiring her PhD, she did an Integrated MSc in Biotechnology from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata. Her present research at CUIMC focuses on metabolism from the perspective of atherosclerosis and Metabolic-Dysfunction associated Steatohepatitis (MASH). Outside of science, she enjoys reading, listening to music, writing journals, spending time at museums, exploring new places and experiencing varied cultural shows. She is also a fitness enthusiast and practises yoga on a daily basis. She is most keen to explore the inquisitiveness of young minds, train them to navigate the intricacies of research and contribute significantly in fuelling their interests in science through this unique program.

Malini Gupta, PhD, is a staff scientist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, with a PhD in chemistry from the University of South Carolina, Columbia. With over 12 years in academia, she combines a strong foundation in basic sciences with translational research, bridging the gap between bench and bedside. Malini has mentored students across all levels, from high school to MSTP, gaining valuable experience in shaping future scientists. A passionate science communicator, she simplifies complex concepts using impactful visuals and has authored a column on rare diseases for MedNess. Additionally, Malini interned in a technology transfer office at Einstein, exploring the intersection of science and business. Outside of work, she enjoys landscape photography, history podcasts, and movies.

Dr. Gaurav Kumar holds a Ph.D. in Oncology from Tata Memorial Centre - ACTREC, India, and has spent nearly eight years in the U.S. as a research scientist with the National Cancer Institute’s PREVENT Program, advancing preclinical cancer drug development. He later worked in the biotech industry on early cancer detection and therapeutic platforms and consulted for a gene modulation startup. With over 20 peer-reviewed publications, Gaurav has bridged academia, industry, and clinical care while mentoring future scientists. He now works as a Registered Nurse in a high-acuity unit in the San Francisco Bay Area, providing evidence-based, compassionate care.

Dr Maya Murdeshwar is an Assistant Professor at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, India, with 12+ years of experience in engaging young minds in scientific thought. She holds a Master's degree in Biotechnology from IIT-Bombay and a PhD in Molecular Biophysics from IISc Bangalore. She has been teaching Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Science Communication Skills among other subjects, and is a passionate sustainability champion.

Dr. Vishnu Samara, PhD, MBA, DABCC is a board certified clinical chemist from American Board of Clinical Chemistry (ABCC), an Assistant Professor of Pathology at The University of Chicago and directs the Clinical Chemistry testing laboratory of UChicago Medicine. He is passionate about training future leaders through hands-on mentorship and academic guidance.  

Dr. Richa Tewari is a Ph.D.-trained cancer biologist and Engagement Manager at RLS Consultants with nearly a decade of experience in oncology consulting. She founded Onco-This-Week, a blog and newsletter analyzing oncology clinical development, and led STEMPeer’s MedNess platform to support academic-to-industry transitions. Committed to long-term mentorship, Dr. Tewari has guided individuals at all career stages, from high school students to seasoned professionals.

Dolon began her career in academic research, earning a PhD on virus-mediated outbreaks then moving to infectious diseases during her Postdoc. Motivated to apply scientific problem-solving beyond the lab, she transitioned into life sciences consulting, working with small- , mid-, and large pharma and biotech—particularly in oncology and rare diseases. Her work has spanned go-to-market strategy, product launches, brand development, and portfolio planning.

Recently, Dolon joined a tech startup that leverages machine learning and AI to streamline commercial and operational decision-making in the pharmaceutical industry.

Sumedha is a molecular biologist specializing in genome stability, DNA repair, and mitochondrial biology. She has earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Indian Institute of Science and am currently a Research Associate at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Her work integrates molecular and biochemical techniques with advanced microscopy to investigate cellular responses to genomic stress. She is also an active scientific reviewer and passionate mentor dedicated to inclusive, research-driven education.

Manasi Agrawal, Ph.D., is a Postdoctoral Associate at Rutgers University with expertise in stem cell biology, neurodevelopment, and regenerative neuroscience. Manasi earned her Ph.D. in Cellular & Molecular Biology from Kent State University in Ohio and has worked with teams across various institutions, including the University of South Carolina, Yale University, and the University of Alabama-Birmingham. She loves combining big-picture questions with hands-on lab work and enjoys helping young scientists explore the intersections of curiosity, experimentation, and impact-driven research. She strongly believes in giving back to the community by regularly volunteering with STEM outreach programs that support students from diverse backgrounds. Manasi is excited to mentor the next generation of curious minds as they explore the world of science through the Horizons Quest program.

Humaira Ilyas, PhD, is a postdoctoral researcher with a strong interdisciplinary background in molecular biology, biochemistry, and protein biophysics. With a PhD focused on designing antimicrobial peptides and postdoctoral work focussed on the mechanism of NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia, Humaira brings deep expertise in post-translational modifications, CRISPR-based gene regulation, and proteogenomic approaches to drug discovery. Her work spans fundamental biology to translational applications, particularly in targeting cancer through small molecule analog. Over nearly a decade in academic research, Humaira has mentored students across educational levels, from high school to MSTP, fostering curiosity, scientific rigor, and independent thinking. A passionate educator and first-generation researcher, Humaira is committed to making science inclusive and accessible. As a mentor in the Horizons program, she aims to inspire young students to explore science with creativity and confidence. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking new recipes, reading science fiction, and watching movies.

Shafeeque is a postdoctoral researcher in Neurosurgery at UTHealth, exploring blood-brain barrier dysfunction post hemorrhagic stroke. He holds a PhD in Human genetics, with a focus on gene-environment interactions in cerebral aneurysm. His work integrates molecular biology, transcriptomics, and advanced imaging to unravel neurovascular complications. Passionate about teaching, photography, and cross-cultural communication, he thrives in collaborative research environments.

Nikita Kirkise is a Ph.D. candidate in Developmental Neuroscience at the University of South Carolina, with a strong foundation in cell and molecular biology. She earned her master’s degree in India, where her fascination with the inner workings of life at the cellular level first took root. Her current research focuses on how the brain develops, and she is passionate about bridging complex scientific ideas with accessible, engaging communication.

Beyond the lab, she is deeply committed to science education and outreach. She enjoys working with young learners and is especially driven to inspire curiosity about biology and the brain among high school students. Through her mentorship with Horizon Quest, she looks forward to guiding students as they explore scientific topics, develop their research and writing skills, and discover the excitement of science in everyday life.

Her goal is to help build a more inclusive STEM community by encouraging future scientists from all backgrounds to pursue their passions.

Bio- Coming Soon!

Chhavi Mathur holds a Ph.D from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. Her journey has taken her from the laboratories in India to marine stations in the North and South Americas to the museums of Europe and back to art and education spaces in India. She has worked as a researcher, manager, curator and an educator. She was the lead curator of two water exhibitions which have been displayed in museums and education institutes in India and are also digitally accessible. She is currently developing water education projects with the Living Waters Museum at IISER Pune and Musee de l'Eau in Burkina Faso. She also dances and teaches Argentine Tango and is a lifelong learner of an Indian classical dance form - Kathak.

Bio-Coming Soon!

Bio- Coming Soon!

Ananda founded Stempeers.org realizing dearth of mentorship and platforms dedicated to social and career issues for the growing worldwide STEM workforce. He is keenly interested in building passionate communities as a solution to some of the world's unsolvable problems. He currently works in a biotech investment bank in New York as VP Equity Research.

🌱 Scientist by training, entrepreneur by conviction.

Dr. Moturu is the co-founder and CEO of Peelon, where they’re building the future of fresh produce packaging — sustainable, compostable, and smart. With a PhD in Plant Biology and over a decade in genomics, Taraka transitioned from lab benches to boardrooms, bringing science to shelf through real-world applications. Dr. Moturu has worked at the intersection of biotech, climate resilience, and food systems, constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in agri-tech.

Roopsha Sengupta is an independent scientific editor and the Editor-in-Chief atClub SciWri, a platform dedicated to creative science communication. She earned her Ph.D. from the Institute of Molecular Pathology in Vienna and conducted postdoctoral research in Epigenetics at the Gladstone Institutes at UCSF and the University of Cambridge. At Club SciWri, Roopsha collaborates with scientists, artists, and writers to bridge the gap between science, art, and literature, aiming to make science more accessible and engaging to the broader public.

Ajinkya is a trained neuroscientist with extensive experience in gene therapy development in academia and industry. He obtained his PhD from Medical University of Vienna, Austria and then moved to University of Pennsylvania for postdoc. Where he has trained many highschool students through  Upenn's Highschool Summer Program. He has also mentored students  for Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS). He is a staunch supporter of STEMpeers and deeply believes in giving back to the community.

Dr. Abhinav (Abhi) Dey is an accomplished scientist and strategic leader with over a decade of experience in preclinical drug development, scientific strategy, and business innovation. He holds a Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science and has published extensively in areas such as drug delivery and biomarker discovery, with multiple patents to his name. Dr. Dey’s passion for mentorship is evident in his collaborative leadership style and his ability to communicate complex STEM concepts in an inspiring and accessible way. As a STEM mentor, he is dedicated to empowering high school students to explore scientific inquiry, develop critical thinking skills, and pursue impactful careers in science and technology. His high school trainees have published their work in journals and have been awarded at the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS), a program of the Society for Science (the Society), which is the U.S.'s most prestigious pre-college science and mathematics competition.