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Arunima S.
Erasmus Mundus Master’s Scholar in Digital Earth - Presidential Awardee ‘19 - WAFF Global Teen Leader ‘20
Arunima S. is a young innovator and designer who has achieved several notable accomplishments in her early career. She currently serves as a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Group Member at Stop the Money Pipeline, a role she has held since April 2023.1
Education and Achievements
Arunima is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Physics, and Environmental Studies at Ashoka University, expected to graduate in 2024.1 During her time at university, she has served as a Teaching Assistant for courses such as "The New Geography of the Information Age" and "Computer Organization and Systems".1
Some of her notable achievements include:
- Selected as a 2020 Global Teen Leader by the We Are Family Foundation for her work in sustainable buildings and urban development1
- Grand Winner of the Infosys Science Foundation Nutrition Challenge in 2019, where she developed a data-driven intervention model to combat malnutrition in India1
- Named one of The Mars Generation's 24 under 24 Leaders and Innovators in STEAM and Space for 20201
- Recipient of the College Board India Scholar award, recognizing her exceptional achievement on the SAT1
Recognition and Speaking Engagements
Arunima has been recognized by various organizations and has participated in several speaking engagements:
- Profiled as a RecordMAKER by MAKERS India, an initiative celebrating 'Women Who Make India'1
- Panelist at the Global Awareness Movement's discussions on Sexism and Misogyny in the Modern World and Climate Change and Climate Justice1
- Speaker at the Global Innovation and Youth Leaders Summit (GIYLS)1
- Speaker at the MAKERS Conference India 20211
Her work spans various fields, including sustainable development, environmental studies, and technology, showcasing her multidisciplinary approach to addressing global challenges.
Highlights
As the third week of classes begin, I wanted to reflect on my summer full of learning, growth, and self-discovery.
I had an incredible summer research experience at Emory University as a recipient of the LGS-SOAR fellowship. In those 10 weeks, I worked at the Burton Lab at Emory’s Department of Physics, conducting research on “Position Estimation and Subpixel Accuracy in Tracking Particles from Images”, which I presented as a poster at the Emory Undergraduate Research Symposium at the end of the program. This transformative experience not only equipped me with research and analytical skills but also got me to the point where I’m closer to understanding what it truly means to think like a scientist.
I got to spend some rejuvenating time in New Mexico with my Earth Guardians family at our youth leadership training, learning all about reconnecting with nature and selves, finding joy in the ecosystems that sustain and nourish us, and mobilizing as a community before COP27. The sense of community here was so exhilarating.
I was also chosen as one of the 15 Audi Environmental Foundation Scholars to attend the One Young World Summit in Manchester this month. What felt like a far-fetched dream at the beginning was soon filled with optimism, encouragement, and possibilities for the future. Something that I particularly remember is what Xavier Ros from AUDI AG said, “you are not changemakers—you have decided to be the change you want”. After meeting so many inspiring people from 190+ countries, I’m more inspired than ever to continue working on making cities more sustainable, resilient, and just.
Everything still feels so surreal but I am filled with gratitude for all these experiences and for all the incredible people I get to surround myself with. Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart—I am enjoying my journey and I cannot wait to see what the next chapter holds.
#OYW2022
With summer just in, I’m extremely excited to announce that I was offered Emory University Laney Graduate School’s Summer Opportunity in Academic Research (LGS-SOAR) fellowship! I’m looking forward to spending the summer term conducting research at the Burton Lab of Emory's Department of Physics.
I want to extend a huge thank you to the many people that made this opportunity a possibility for me—my friends, family, professors at Ashoka University, mentors (you know who you are!). LGS also deserves a special shout-out for awarding me such a generous financial package without which it wouldn’t have been possible for me to physically be in Atlanta.
If anyone will be in and around Atlanta let me know - would love to meet up!
