"Ineligible." That one word stood at the doorway of every opportunity, blocking my path while my friends walked freely through. My H-4 visa status became a constant barrier—slamming shut the doors to summer programs, internships, and scholarships—regardless of how qualified I was.     Rather than accept these walls, I built a doorway through them. That doorway became Learn It, a nonprofit I founded to provide free STEM education and college prep resources to students facing similar limitations. What started as a few Zoom webinars on college applications for other immigrant students like me grew into a global platform with over 1,000 members across 40 countries.     Determined to expand our impact, I organized the Learn It Global Hackathon, where 470 participants tackled health and sustainability challenges. Our judges came from companies like Meta, Amazon, and JPMorgan. Through partnerships with organizations like Wolfram and Desmos, we distributed over $20,000 in prizes to help young innovators turn ideas into action.     But I didn’t stop there. I wanted to create more direct pipelines to opportunity. I secured research internships at institutions like the Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Dartmouth, and UMass Amherst, where I worked on real-world tools like CoMut, a visualization tool for cancer mutation data. These experiences deepened my passion for computational biology and AI, and they also gave me the technical and leadership skills to support others navigating similar barriers.     Now, I’m building an AI-driven mentorship platform through Learn It, designed to connect students with personalized learning resources and mentors based on their interests. I’m also working to partner with schools and libraries to integrate our tools into after-school programs, making sure students from all backgrounds have the same access to knowledge and guidance.     One of the achievements I’m most proud of isn’t just the platform itself—but watching our community members go on to launch their own projects and initiatives. It showed me that even though I was once labeled "ineligible," I could empower others to become changemakers in their own right.     For years, "ineligible" felt like a rejection of who I was and what I could offer. But now, I see it differently. It wasn’t a dead end—it was a call to innovate, to redefine eligibility on my own terms, and to create platforms where others could do the same.     I’m still building. Still connecting. Still learning. And every step I take, I do with the goal of making sure no student ever hears "ineligible" and stops dreaming. Instead, they’ll know it means: build your own door—and hold it open for others.

I believe the most sustainable environmental impact is made by bridging the gap between innovation and inclusion—developing solutions not just to repair things, but to make people part of the solution. In the next five years, I will use technology, wellness, and financial solutions to reduce harm to the environment and expand access to sustainable living. I intend to target underserved communities initially. My journey started at a local climate hackathon, where I created EcoFactory, an app that encouraged factories to build seaweed farms to seize carbon emissions. The project was awarded first place, but more importantly, it spurred my passion for technology-enabled climate finance. I saw how information, applied creatively, could nudge institutions into more sustainable decisions. That experience pushed me to explore the potential of multiplying that impact. I am a current UC Berkeley student studying computer science and data science, and my project has now been expanded to incorporate applications that help towards environmental activism and awareness. Among them is Global Wellness Watch, which is a web application I built that publishes daily content regarding environmental and health issues and then directs users to nonprofit organizations and step-by-step actions. So far, it has engaged over 75,000 users, including many students. Next year, I see integrating AI to personalize sustainability content and introducing features to the app like a carbon footprint calculator, localized air quality alerts, and tips on healthier, greener living. But I don't just want to build tools—I want to make it easier for others to build them too. Through my nonprofit Learn It, I’ve organized a global hackathon with 470 participants and over $20,000 in prizes, challenging students to design tech solutions for climate, health, and equity issues. Many of the winning projects focused on local environmental problems like food deserts and droughts. My goal is to scale Learn It’s reach even further, bringing our curriculum to schools, libraries, and youth shelters across California and beyond. I also want to explore how sustainability and finance intersect. Many small businesses and hospitality vendors want to go green but don’t know where to start. That’s why I’m developing an AI-powered budgeting tool that helps track food waste, energy use, and sustainability metrics—then recommends local solutions (like composting partnerships or solar cooperatives) based on that data. With this device, I hope to lower the barrier of entry to sustainable change, especially in traditionally disenfranchised communities. In the community, I've organized fundraisers for the Yemen Water Crisis, like a speed-eating watermelon competition that brought families and students together behind a cause. I've discovered the magic of fun, well-branded events to educate and mobilize people—an education that I will carry into future environmental advocacy through design thinking and digital media. In the next five years, I will: Expand Global Wellness Watch and build new environmental education and participation tools. Scale Learn It to teach the next generation of sustainability-driven tech builders. Build a climate-finance web platform to allow small businesses to reduce their carbon footprint cost-effectively. Work with community groups and schools to move climate literacy along more quickly through experiential wellness and tech education. As a student of color, I’ve often felt the weight of structural barriers—but I’ve also seen how creativity, community, and innovation can rewrite that narrative. I’m committed to building systems that invite more people into the environmental movement, especially those who have historically been left out. With the right tools and platforms, anyone can be a changemaker.

Growing up, I heard stories from my grandparents in India about how polluted rivers and rising temperatures changed their farming livelihoods. I never lived near the ocean, but I understood early on that the health of our planet’s water systems impacts everyone—no matter where they live. When I first learned that oceans absorb nearly a third of the world’s carbon emissions, I was struck by how central they are not only to our climate systems, but to human survival. That realization transformed my interest in climate justice into a personal mission. In high school, I co-developed a project called EcoFactory at a sustainability-focused hackathon. We designed a platform that incentivized factories to build seaweed farms along coastlines—using seaweed’s natural carbon absorption abilities to offset emissions. I was fascinated to learn how ocean-based solutions like algae biosequestration could combat climate change while restoring marine ecosystems. It was the first time I connected coding with climate action, and I haven’t looked back since. Today, I’m studying data science and computer science at UC Berkeley, with a focus on applying these tools to environmental systems. My goal is to use data-driven modeling and machine learning to predict patterns in ocean warming, coral bleaching, and marine species migration. I want to help conservationists and policymakers intervene faster—especially in vulnerable coastal regions. Whether it’s analyzing satellite data to detect illegal fishing or building models that predict where plastic waste will accumulate, data can be a powerful ally in ocean conservation. But I also know that protecting the oceans isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. That’s why I launched Learn It, a nonprofit that provides free STEM and sustainability education to students around the world. Through Learn It, I’ve hosted climate-focused hackathons and partnered with NGOs to encourage students to build solutions addressing water access and marine pollution. We’ve reached youth in over 40 countries, proving that global challenges need global collaboration. At Berkeley, I’m also working on expanding Global Wellness Watch, a health and climate education platform I built. One of my goals this year is to integrate ocean health alerts and direct users to actions they can take—from contacting legislators to supporting beach cleanups. In my research internships, I’ve worked with scientists modeling environmental risks, and I’ve seen firsthand how tools like AI and climate simulations can empower entire communities. The ocean doesn’t need saving—it needs defenders. It needs students who can translate code into action, who can work across disciplines and borders, and who can inspire others to care before it’s too late. My vision is to help lead that movement: not as a marine biologist, but as a technologist committed to protecting what sustains us all. Ventana’s commitment to sustainability and surf culture resonates deeply with me. I believe that our generation’s greatest responsibility is to preserve the Earth’s natural balance—and that starts with listening to the oceans. As I continue my studies, I hope to collaborate with scientists, policymakers, and companies like Ventana that are brave enough to combine business with environmental purpose. Thank you for supporting students like me who are working to make waves—literally and figuratively.

I didn't have the newest tech or formal coding lessons as a kid. What I did have was a hand-me-down laptop, a dubious Wi-Fi signal, and a curiosity that knew no limits. All-nighters of YouTube tutorials turned into weekends spent at local hackathons, creating passion projects that began as something tiny but grew into something so much bigger than I could ever have imagined. I had two points of inspiration: my father, who learned computer skills by himself when my family moved to the United States so that he could provide for our family, and the understanding that computer science is not just lines of code—it's creating tools that empower individuals. One was Global Wellness Watch, a web app I built at a hackathon that provides daily health facts and connects users with real-world nonprofits they can donate to. It has since gone on to reach over 75,000 users worldwide and inspired me to utilize code not only to educate, but to empower. It's the same passion that led me to establish Learn It, a non-profit which provides free STEM education to students worldwide, and particularly to those with systemic obstacles in their path. From hosting college webinars to planning an international hackathon with 470+ attendees and $20,000 worth of resources, I've leveraged tech to create community. Through Learn It, I've reached students in 40+ nations—sparking new projects, concepts, and passions. Yet I wished to accomplish more. At the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, I was a CoMut developer, a visualizer for cancer genomics. At UMass Amherst, I created MathSpring, an AI-driven K–12 math tutor. These research internships awakened me to all that was possible with computational biology and AI to reshape public health—from forecasting disease outbreaks to personalizing medicine. That is where I envision myself in the years ahead: using computer science to advance global health. At UC Berkeley, where I am studying computer science and data science, I will keep searching for the intersection of AI, biology, and public health. My dream is that one day I will create systems that forecast health crises within vulnerable populations before they hit their boiling point—so that assistance arrives not too late, but just in time. Arthur Walasek's legacy moves me on a deeply personal level. His journey—founded upon self-study, exploration, and the enthusiasm for disseminating knowledge—is the path I would like to follow. Similar to Arthur, I believe that learning is a lifelong endeavor and that technology is at its finest when it brings individuals together, resolves problems, and makes other individuals' lives easier. I would like to continue this legacy not just by creating impactful tech, but by guiding others, as Arthur has. Through Learn It, research, and socially responsible development, I will continue to ask: how can we utilize tech not just to innovate, but to serve?

"Ineligible." That one word stood blocking my path at the doorway of every opportunity while my friends walked freely through. My H-4 visa status became a constant barrier, slamming shut each door I approached—summer programs, internships, and scholarships—all inaccessible, no matter how qualified I was. But instead of letting these obstacles define me, I turned them into stepping stones. Rather than accept the walls rising before me, I built my own doorway through them. That doorway became Learn It, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free STEM education and college prep resources to students facing similar barriers. What started as small webinars on college applications and career pathways for first-generation immigrants like myself quickly grew into an international platform, reaching over 1,000 members across 40 countries. Determined to expand our impact, I organized the Learn It Global Hackathon, where 470 participants tackled health and sustainability challenges, judged by Meta, Amazon, and JPMorgan professionals. Through partnerships with organizations like Wolfram and Desmos, we distributed over $20,000 in prizes, ensuring young innovators had the resources to turn ideas into action. Beyond hackathons, I sought to bridge the gap between students and opportunities. I secured research internships at institutions like the Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Dartmouth, and UMass Amherst, proving that persistence could break systemic limitations. These experiences reinforced my passion for computational biology and artificial intelligence while equipping me with the tools to mentor others navigating the same struggles I once faced. Education has always been my most potent weapon against adversity, but talent and ambition alone aren't enough—access and opportunity are just as vital. I am expanding Learn It's reach by developing an AI-driven mentorship platform, connecting students with personalized learning resources and industry mentors based on their interests. I also aim to partner with local schools and libraries to integrate Learn It's resources into curricula and after-school programs, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have access to quality education. Valerie Rabb believed in uplifting students and ensuring they had the guidance and support to reach their full potential. Her legacy of service mirrors my own mission to break down barriers for others. I want to carry that legacy forward—not just by overcoming my own limitations but by empowering others to do the same. For a long time, I saw ineligibility as a full stop. Now, I recognize it as an invitation to innovate. Every ineligible is an opportunity to be a changemaker—to transform obstacles into action and barriers into bridges for others.

I see myself as a positive force — I want to assist others and improve the world. Being someone who has been denied many opportunities due to my H-4 visa status, I understand what it is like to be excluded from something and the immense impact this has on one's future. But rather than allowing these barriers to be what define me, I took action against them. This drives my vision of being a positive force: the ability to turn adversity into an opportunity for personal growth and community improvement. One of the ways I intentionally try to make a positive difference is through my nonprofit, Learn It. My personal experiences, particularly the barriers I faced due to my H-4 visa status, have deeply influenced my work. I founded Learn It to provide free STEM education and college prep resources to students facing similar obstacles. By creating a community that unites over 1,000 members across 40 countries, I've made a space where students can access the information and support they need to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. I also organized the Learn It Global Hackathon, where I brought together young changemakers worldwide to collaborate on global health and sustainability issues. These initiatives also reflect my values that we must contribute to society and assist others to achieve their potential, similar to how I have endeavored to fulfill my own. In addition to supporting resources, my influence aims bigger. I see social norms—as our shared conceptions, attitudes, and assumptions—playing an incredibly significant role in shaping what we see, think, feel, and do. I have seen firsthand as I have grown up how conventional expectations can reinforce stereotypes, shut off doors of opportunity, and increase disparities. I made a conscious choice to challenge such expectations by focusing on projects that empower the oppressed. For example, with Learn It, I have consistently advocated for diversity and inclusion and ensured that people from all walks of life have access to the same learning materials and opportunities that most others take for granted. By giving up on outdated norms willingly and opening space for individuals of all walks to thrive, I wish to contribute to a society that values fairness, compassion, and sagacity. Our work at Learn It challenges the norm that education and opportunities should be limited by one's circumstances, and instead, we strive to provide equal access to all. Moreover, social norms regarding achievement and success are far too often defined narrowly, focusing on outdated indicators like grades or test scores. But through practice, I have learned that achievement transcends boundaries. Integrity, empathy, and a commitment to lifelong learning are the qualities that truly define a successful individual. In my own life, I've worked to balance my academic achievements with an unwavering focus on personal values. For instance, my internships and projects at organizations like the Broad Institute at MIT & Harvard have prepared me to be a proficient problem-solver, and having worked on hosting hackathons and leading Learn It has grounded me in respect, collaboration, and paying forward. In the future, I see myself as someone who keeps challenging and reforming social norms, particularly in education and technology. I aspire to use my work in computational biology and AI to bridge gaps in medicine and education and provide such services to those in need. As I move along in my career, I look forward to encouraging others to break free from conventional thinking and create a world where all individuals, irrespective of background, have a chance to learn, develop, and give.

"Ineligible." That one word stood blocking my path at the doorway of every opportunity while my friends walked freely through. My H-4 visa status became a constant barrier, slamming shut each door I approached—summer programs, internships, and scholarships—all inaccessible, no matter how qualified I was. But while some doors remained closed, I refused to accept that as my reality. Instead of waiting for access, I built my doorway. That doorway became Learn It, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free STEM education and college prep resources to students facing similar barriers. What started as small webinars on college applications and career pathways for first-generation immigrants like myself quickly became an international platform, reaching over 1,000 members across 40 countries. Determined to expand our impact, I organized the Learn It Global Hackathon, where 470 participants tackled pressing health and sustainability challenges. The event drew professionals from Meta, Amazon, and JPMorgan as judges. Through partnerships with organizations like Wolfram and Desmos, we distributed over $20,000 in prizes, giving young innovators the resources to turn ideas into action. But I didn't stop there. I saw another gap: students lacked access to research opportunities—the same barrier I had fought against. So, I set out to break that cycle for myself and others. Through relentless outreach and self-initiated projects, I secured research internships at the Broad Institute at MIT & Harvard, Dartmouth, and UMass Amherst, proving that persistence could break systemic limitations. At the Broad Institute, I worked on CoMut, a genomic visualization tool that helps researchers analyze cancer mutation data. My contributions made the tool more flexible and user-friendly, allowing scientists to interpret complex datasets better. At Dartmouth, I explored knowledge graph reasoning, using AI to enhance data-driven decision-making. These experiences cemented my passion for computational biology and artificial intelligence, igniting my curiosity about how technology can revolutionize medicine and education. This curiosity drives my goal to innovate in these fields, improving accessibility to resources for underserved communities. Beyond Learn It, I launched Global Wellness Watch, a platform dedicated to breaking down complex health and environmental issues through accessible, data-driven storytelling. Over time, our work amassed 75,000+ views, further reinforcing my belief that knowledge isn't just meant to be acquired and shared. Through platforms like Learn It and Global Wellness Watch, I aim to bridge educational gaps and solve global challenges in health and sustainability. By inspiring and empowering future leaders, I hope to create pathways for others to tackle these pressing issues, just as I have worked to overcome barriers that once seemed insurmountable. I am furthering Learn It's mission by developing an AI-driven mentorship platform, connecting students with personalized learning resources and industry mentors based on their interests. I also aim to partner with local schools and libraries to integrate Learn It's resources into curricula and after-school programs, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have access to quality education. Books like The Innovator's Dilemma and Educated have shaped my understanding of disruption and resilience, reinforcing the importance of persistence, innovation, and the transformative power of education. These works guide my efforts to help others break through their barriers and access the opportunities I once had to fight for. While I once saw "ineligible" as a complete stop, I now recognize it as an invitation to innovate. Every "ineligible" is an opportunity to be a Changemaker—to transform obstacles into action and barriers into bridges for others. This scholarship will provide the tools to pursue my dreams of combining AI, health, and education. It will allow me to gain access to world-class resources and research opportunities, enabling me to continue building platforms like Learn It while advancing my knowledge to create lasting societal impact. And I am just getting started.

"Ineligible". That one word stood blocking my path at the doorway of every opportunity while my friends walked freely through. My H-4 visa status became a constant barrier, slamming shut each door that I approached—summer programs, internships, and scholarships—all inaccessible, no matter how qualified I was. Rather than accept the walls rising before me, I built my doorway through them. That doorway became Learn It, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free STEM education and college prep resources to students facing similar barriers. What started as small webinars on college applications and career pathways for first-generation immigrants like myself quickly became an international platform, reaching over 1,000 members across 40 countries. Determined to expand our impact, I organized the Learn It Global Hackathon, where 470 participants tackled health and sustainability challenges, judged by Meta, Amazon, and JPMorgan professionals. Through partnerships with organizations like Wolfram and Desmos, we distributed over $20,000 in prizes, ensuring young innovators had the resources to turn ideas into action. Beyond hackathons, I sought to bridge the gap between students and opportunities. I secured research internships at institutions like the Broad Institute at MIT & Harvard, Dartmouth, and UMass Amherst, proving that persistence could break through systemic limitations. These experiences reinforced my passion for computational biology and artificial intelligence and gave me the tools to mentor others navigating the same struggles I once faced. Now, I am expanding Learn It's reach by developing an AI-driven mentorship platform, connecting students with personalized learning resources and industry mentors based on their interests. I also aim to partner with local schools and libraries to integrate Learn It's resources into curricula and after-school programs, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have access to quality education. While I once saw "ineligible" as a complete stop, I now recognize it as an invitation to innovate. Every ineligible is an opportunity to be a Chi Changemaker—to transform obstacles into action and barriers into bridges for others.

I've often found myself ineligible—not due to a lack of talent, but because of my status as an H-4 visa holder. This has meant being excluded from many summer programs, scholarships, and internships my peers can access. While these challenges have been discouraging, I've never let them define me. Instead, I've turned each "ineligible" moment into an opportunity to innovate, adapt, and push forward. I was raised learning that the world is not a playground that would take care of all, considering systemic barriers. Those same barriers motivated me instead of holding me back to create my opportunities. I founded Learn It, a nonprofit focused on empowering through education, specifically health and sustainability. Through Learn It, I've helped over 1,000 students access STEM education, health awareness programs, and resources that have empowered them to pursue their academic and career goals. In high school, I co-founded the Global Health Awareness Club to raise awareness about global health challenges, including access to healthcare, the climate crisis, and public health policy. We put together campaigns, organized fundraising events, and partnered with organizations of like-mindedness to expand our reach. These have shaped me into a great leader and sealed my commitment to using my education and abilities in service to others. One of the most transformative experiences in my journey was the internship at the Broad Institute at MIT & Harvard, where I developed visualizations to present genomic data on cancer. The experience opened my eyes to the great potential of technology and its limitations when deployed without considering broader societal needs. During this period, I took a serious interest in the fusion between technology and policy, especially in how the fields can coalesce to help solve some global issues: making healthcare more accessible and creating a more environmentally sustainable future. Having been rendered ineligible for most conventional opportunities, I have constantly applied for those that would provide an avenue for making a meaningful contribution. In these two years at Dartmouth College, I have led projects on fine-grained personalized summary improvement using knowledge graph reasoning, addressed projects related to sustainable water-purifying technologies, or made actions to improve treatment outcomes in oncology. Both of these firmly set in my belief that technology might be necessary for critical global challenges, not just having skills but applying and honing them thoughtfully and collaboratively. Beyond academics, I've embraced leadership roles in the Global Health Awareness Club and the Computer Science Club, organizing hackathons and workshops on creating solutions for real-world problems. These experiences taught me how to bring diverse perspectives together, fostering collaboration to address health, technology, and sustainability challenges. Looking ahead, my aspirations are clear: to continue applying technology in pursuit of global health and sustainability challenges, to bring policy into technological innovation, and to create opportunities that have not existed. And all those "ineligible" moments created one stepping stone in my path, which allowed me to get stronger and rise above. Jonny Barbosa's legacy of perseverance, community-building, and empowering others resonates deeply with me. Like him, I am determined to make a lasting impact. I will ensure that every "ineligible" moment is not a barrier but a stepping stone toward creating positive change. My journey has defied the odds, and I am committed to making my story one of hope and opportunity for others.