FOUNDER
Dr. Pawan Sinha
Pawan Sinha is a professor of vision and computational neuroscience in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT. He received his undergraduate degree in computer science from the Indian Institute of Technology - Delhi, and his Masters and Doctoral degrees from the Department of Computer Science at MIT. Using a combination of experimental and computational modelling techniques, research in Professor Sinha’s laboratory focuses on understanding how the human brain learns to recognize objects through visual experience and how objects are encoded in memory.
Prof. Sinha is a recipient of the PECASE – the highest US Government award for young scientists, – the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship in Neuroscience, the John Merck Scholars Award for research on developmental disorders, the Jeptha and Emily Wade Award for creative research, and the Troland Award from the National Academies. His work has been profiled in several media channels including the New York Times, The Washington Post, ABC News, National Public Radio, and TIME magazine.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Amy
Chu
Writer and Alpha Girl Comics founder, leads in social impact and Asian American arts. She holds an MBA from Harvard and serves on multiple boards championing diversity and inclusion.
Pamela
Lipson
A Harvard and MIT AI expert, received the George M. Sprowls Award and was named a TR100 Innovator and World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer. She holds a Guinness World Record.
Laura
Flug
Director at the American Technion Society, supports Technion and eldercare via the Gurwin Nursing Center board, advancing science innovation and healthcare through philanthropy.
FOUNDATION TEAM U.S.
Deepti
Nijhawan
Executive Director of Project Prakash, blends nonprofit leadership and urban planning. Formerly with MIT-India and Boston University, she holds master's degrees from UPenn and a bachelor's from Delhi University.
Michal
Fux
MIT researcher in cognitive anthropology and psychology, conducts cross-cultural studies and leads Project Prakash’s South Africa expansion.
Marin
Vogelsang
JSPS Fellow at MIT’s Sinha Lab, researches sensory processing in Prakash children and neural networks. She holds degrees from Tokyo, Zurich, EPFL, and Osnabrueck.
Lukas
Vogelsang
Simons Fellow at MIT, studies sensory development and perception using computational and experimental methods, including work with autistic and Prakash children.
Sidney
Diamond
Neuroscientist with 30+ years’ experience, held senior roles at Mt. Sinai and CUNY, collaborating with the Sinha Lab on Project Prakash since 2009.
Shweta
Chooramani
Program Manager at Project Prakash Foundation with 20 years’ experience in social impact and blindness prevention. She specializes in fundraising and global public health.
Vikram Nijhawan
Marketing and Communication Intern at Project Prakash, supports outreach and content creation for childhood blindness awareness.
PROJECT PRAKASH TEAM INDIA
Ajay Kumar
Chawariya
Leads Project Prakash India operations with 18+ years in disability and health sectors, holding a Master’s in Social Work and a public health diploma.
Priti
Gupta
Cognitive neuroscientist heading Project Prakash’s India research, specializes in perceptual development and brain plasticity. She holds a Ph.D. from Dayalbagh University.
Chetan
Ralekar
Neuroscience expert at Project Prakash, focusing on brain plasticity and learning with advanced imaging since 2016.
Rakesh
Kumar
Coordinates eye screening camps and patient counseling at Project Prakash Charitable Trust, supporting visually impaired children.​
Jamuna Parsad
Gautam
Manages eye screening camps and patient counseling, bringing 17+ years’ experience to Project Prakash.
Shakila
Bi
Senior Counsellor, specializes in patient coordination and nearly 20 years of eye care and social welfare.
Sanjeev
Kumar
Coordinates field operations and patient mobilization, supporting eye care outreach at Project Prakash.
Ranupriya​
Optometrist since 2021, conducts screenings and low vision exams, supporting pediatric ophthalmology and neuro-vision research.
Purva
Sethi
Research Associate, focuses on neuropsychology, memory, and sensory research, working to bridge neuroscience and humanitarian service.
Stutee
Narang
Researches how multisensory inputs affect emotions and behaviors, improving perception and life quality for visually impaired children.
Rani
Chawariya
Counsellor, supports education and vocational rehabilitation at Project Prakash Charitable Trust.
Abhishek
Kumar
Manages patient data and technical support, ensuring operational efficiency at Project Prakash.
Vidya
Prakash
Organizes pediatric eye care outreach and patient welfare programs, expanding rural healthcare for Project Prakash.
PROJECT PRAKASH MEDICAL TEAM
Dr. Suma
Ganesh
Leads pediatric ophthalmology at Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, focusing on strabismus and global childhood blindness prevention.
Dr. Umang
Mathur
CEO, transformed Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital and founded Bodhya Eye Consortium, expanding vision care in North India.
Dr. Shalinder
Sabherwal
Directs public health programs at Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, recognized for his leadership and award-winning eye health work.
PROJECT PRAKASH TEAM MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
Shashikant
Bhise
Manages outreach and patient mobilization for Project Prakash Maharashtra, bringing 17+ years’ healthcare experience.
Asad Fuzail
Zahid Akhtar
Optometrist, provides clinical care at outreach camps, specializing in pediatric and community eye health.
Ram Ajinath
Sanap
Vision Technician, conducts eye screenings and assists with surgical care for underserved communities in Maharashtra.