Shriya Srinivasan, PhD •  Biomedical Engineer

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I am a

BIOMEDICAL Engineer

Shriya Srinivasan, PhD

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Bharathanatyam Dance

My mother is a famous professional dancer, so dance has been a big part of my life since I was very young. I’ve been performing professionally since my late teens and even started a dance company with a friend in college. Dance is a way for me to explore an ancient art form, and find ways to create connections and relevance to our modern lives. I perform both solo and in groups across the US and in India and co-founded a dance company.

Hiking.

I enjoy both the visual rewards and physical challenges of hiking. I like being active and I love nature, so it’s the perfect combination. There’s also a deeper reminder of the importance of “putting one foot in front of the other” when it gets really tough which I appreciate.

Sailing.

I learned to sail as a grad student. I love taking a boat out on the Charles River during lunch and just feeling the wind. Sometimes, I go alone to clear my mind, and sometimes I go with friends. I’m not particularly good at it – there’s actually a lot of physics to figure out how to sail properly – but at least I know how to operate the boat!

Carnatic Music.

Carnatic music is a South Indian classical style of music. I was very involved with it growing up, as it paired naturally with the dancing in my home. I used to sing at concerts, and now I often produce my own music for my dance performances.

Traveling.

I enjoy traveling and seeing how different cultures and history influence the way we live. I love seeing the patterns across communities, even on completely different sides of the world. I think there’s a lot to learn both from each other and from history that could help us create safer, healthier societies today. In the last seven years, I’ve visited nearly thirty countries and learned something new from each one.

A Little About Me

  • I care a lot about global health.

    I’ve seen firsthand how healthcare systems around the world lack basic amenities like clean gloves and rehabilitation equipment. I believe healthcare is a human right so I’ve spent a lot of time working with MIT Hacking Medicine and the Project Prana Foundation, running healthcare hackathons, doing voluntary work, and founding a non-profit to reduce this disparity.

  • I started a nonprofit to make healthcare more accessible.

    During the pandemic lockdowns, I founded “Project Prana Foundation”, an organization that works to make medical devices more affordable. We’ve already delivered devices to 15 hospitals in India, and hope to reach many more.

  • I love finding connections in unexpected places.

    Whether it’s bringing lessons from history into today, translating learnings from dance into the way I approach my work, or creating devices that bridge the often hard edge of technology with the organic nature of the human body, I’m constantly inspired by the relationships and possibilities that we may not have considered yet.

  • I believe in building bridges between perspectives.

    In many places, people who work in different fields – like medicine or engineering or design – work separately. There is little overlap between them. I’ve seen how blending different approaches and listening to people who see things differently from you can unlock new insights, which I believe can be powerful to prioritize both in my work and in our lives.

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MY ADVICE

“It’s ok to be scared or a little lost sometimes. It will either pass, or you’ll figure it out. It’s the journey that matters, not the summit.”

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WHO I AM

People describe me as..

  • Passionate.

    Once I connect to a cause, I tend to get very focused and motivated to do something about it and can’t let it go… sometimes to a fault!

  • Fluid.

    Through dance, I’ve learned to stay open and adaptable, to stay in the flow of the movements and music. I’ve found those same tendencies also show up in other parts of my life, like giving talks and organizing hackathons.

  • Caring.

    I go out of my way to anticipate the needs of others (family, friends, patients) around me. And I try to set up strategies to support them that make sense for their lives.

  • Impact-Driven.

    I don’t typically do things just for the sake of doing them. I like doing things that will make a difference to someone and, hopefully, will help make the world a little better.

  • Disciplined.

    From learning the arts at a young age to studying STEM subjects, I’m drawn to challenges that require a lot of commitment and focus.

My Accomplishments:

2022 Forbes 30 Under 30

2021 MIT Technology Review: 35 Innovators under 35

2020 Schmidt Science Fellows

PhD in Biomedical Engineering from MIT


The Basics:

Pronouns: She/Her

Title: Assistant Professor of Bioengineering

Institution: Harvard University

Expertise: Biomedical engineering; Neural Interfaces; Medical Devices

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO

“Life is truly a nonlinear path. You can only plan it to some degree. You’re on a sailboat, and you should adjust the sails when you can, but you can’t be in total control. Sometimes, you just have to go with the wind.”

— shriya srinivasan

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PHOTOGRAPHER: Chris Disario • Illustrator: NICK SIROTICH

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