Meet the Team

Team Structure

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One Brain Initiative Team

Devraj Thakkar: OBI Founder & CEO

Devraj Thakkar is a high school student at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. Currently in the 11th grade, his passions and interests revolve around neuroscience and entrepreneurship with a specific focus upon the biology of behavior. In addition to web-designing for PopTech, Devraj is a research assistant for Dr. Moran Cerf and an intern for Disterhoft Laboratory at Northwestern University under Dr. Craig Weiss. In summer 2019, he was also a wet-lab scientist for Schaeffer Laboratory at Northwestern University under Dr. Vishal Kothari. Devraj is the Co-President of the Student Committee for IMSA Advancement and the Co-President of his school's entrepreneurship program. In addition, Devraj is the President of his school's Psychology Club, the Co-Captain of IMSA's Science Olympiad team, and holds a board position on IMSA's AI in Medicine club. Not only has he given a TEDx Talk regarding the neural basis of procrastination, but he is also revolutionizing portable sleeping solutions with the Siesta Wrap and is giving back to the community through his charity, the One Brain Initiative.

Ram Kakinada: OBI COO

Ram is currently a senior at the Illinois Math and Science Academy. He is an avid explorer of the indoors and loves to read mysteries, especially books written by Arthur Conan Doyle. When he does explore the outdoors he loves to play tennis and play a game of pickup basketball. He also likes to keep with current day politics around the world in order to use them as research for congressional debate. Ram is passionate about the growing field of the healthcare industry and loves to explore the new and inventive technologies that are coming out into the world. His interests lie in the health care industry and more specifically in cancer biology. In pursuit of those goals he gained experience in the field by joining an internship at Northwestern’s Robert H. Lurie building for cancer research in Chicago. Ram has also given a Tedx Talk regarding the fundamentals of negotiation and the psychology behind making a deal. He is also a leader within the IMSA community as he is an elected member of the student council, a member of the Leadership and Education Development team at IMSA, and he was the vice president of his sophomore class.

Neuron Leaders

Prem Pajwani: G4GB Co-Founder

Prem Pajwani is a Junior at Naperville Central High School. Young and ambitious, Prem has always been an active member of his community, volunteering at Feed My Starving Children, and his local park district. At school, he is involved in DECA - An organization that develops future business leaders of the world. Prem’s interests in commerce and sociology developed a passion for Finance and Economics that brings unique perspectives to G4GB. In his free time, Prem enjoys developing strong relationships with his friends and family by spending quality time with them.

Deep Dave: G4GB Co-Founder

Deep Dave is a Freshmen at the University of Illinois at Chicago pursuing his passion in finance and business analytics. His ambition is to enhance the lives of children not only in America but all over the world through G4GB. By providing other children what he was so fortunate to have as a child through G4GB, Deep practices his love for philanthropy. When Deep is not brainstorming innovative ideas to enhance G4GB, he is with his Brothers of the Delta Epsilon Psi Fraternity.

Abi Murthy: Intersignal Co-Founder

Abhinav Murthy, or Abi, is a junior at Adlai E. Stevenson High School. Through volunteering at nursing centers and hospitals, he has seen the adverse effects of neurological diseases and developed an interest in the field and a yearning to help as much as is possible. Abi also spends time volunteering through organizations such as NHS, Junior Class Board, and Key Club in order to further give back to the community. In his free time, he often plays music and explores his interests in the flute and guitar. Staying fit also occupies a large part of Abi’s free time, as Abi is an avid swimmer and works out regularly. Juggling these aspects of his life has taught Abi the importance of time management but also has taught him to work hard and achieve his goals.

Prabhav Peddinti: Intersignal Co-Founder

Prabhav Peddinti is currently a junior at Adlai E. Stevenson High School. As a dual sport student-athlete, Prabhav likes to set goals and achieve them promptly. Being a part of a team sport has taught him to be cooperative, constructive, and responsible. Prabhav is just as ambitious off the field, dedicated to serving the community. As a member of Junior Class Board, National Honors Society, and Key Club, Prabhav spends much of his time outside of school volunteering in the community. To explore his medical interests, Prabhav became a volunteer at the Northwest Clinical Hospital this summer. In his free time, Prabhav likes to stay physically active at Sky Fitness and spend time with his friends.

Shishir Nemani: ASD Link Co-Founder

Shishir Nemani is currently a junior at Bartlett High School. Currently enrolled in the STEM Academy at Bartlett High School, he aspires to one day pursue a career in mechanical engineering. As a student, Shishir enjoys working with others, either as a leader or a group member. He is currently active in various clubs, such as SASA (South Asian Student Association), VEX Robotics, and Best Buddies. Outside of school, Shishir can usually be found at the library studying or volunteering at St. Alexius Medical Center. During the summer, Shishir works as an inclusion aide at the Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA), in which he works with children who are developmentally disabled.

Shivam Patel: ASD Link Co-Founder

Shivam Patel is currently a junior at Bartlett High School. He is an aspiring member of the computer science field and is ambitious in helping the community. In the classroom, Shivam is a responsible student that cooperates with and assists all of his fellow peers by tutoring or by other means. Outside of class, he is involved in extracurricular activities to a great extent, notably as a member of the National Honors Society, a member of the Red Cross club, a representative of the Academy Junior Class council, an officer of the math team, and a leading veteran on the speech team. In his remaining free time, Shivam loves to help the community by volunteering at the nearby library and the local senior center where he is the leading volunteer. He absolutely loves to program on a calm day, bike in the fresh air, and play music on the piano. During the summer, he works at Dairy Queen, honing his management skills, communication skills, and most importantly, his ice-cream making skills.