How did you first learn about the Children’s Science Center?
I first learned about the Children's Science Center through a birthday party I attended with my younger brother. I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere, and I knew I wanted to keep coming. A few years later, my mentor and boss informed me that there were openings on the Youth Advisory Board of the Children's Science Center, and her son held the position of Chair at the time.
Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from, school, family, pets, etc:
I was born in Plainsboro, New Jersey then moved to Phoenix, Arizona, then Fairfax, Virginia, and Ashburn, Virginia. My family is from Kerala, India. I have a younger brother who will be going into high school in the fall. I have a 4-year-old English lab named Mowgli. I am currently a rising sophomore at George Mason University studying Neuroscience on the pre-med track. I love staying involved in my community in various ways. To name a few, I am on the Patriot Activities Council as the Director of Operations and Analytics and serve as a Peer Advisor at Mason. As I have been dancing for 15 years, I was eager to join one of Mason’s many dance teams. I serve as the Vice-President of the Academy Health Club where we learn and research health policy and put together papers that are published. I hope to go to medical school and have a career in the health and medical sciences field.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering with the Center?
When I volunteer with the Center, it never feels like work. I am always able to truly be myself when engaging with the children. I can play and explore with them during my time volunteering. The symbiotic relationship between the volunteers and children is what makes the experiences so enriching and makes volunteers return. I most enjoy how the Center provides an environment for every volunteer to shine. That aspect is what makes the Center so successful by staying true to its mission and vision.
What scientist do you admire and why?
One scientist I greatly admire is Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi, 1865-1887. The late Mrs. Joshi was the first Indian women physician. In addition, she is the first woman to receive a two-year degree in Western Medicine in the United States. Her journey into science and medicine was due to the death of her newborn baby. In addition, her husband encouraged her to pursue medicine abroad. She studied at the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1886 which was the first women’s medical program globally. During this time women were not able to do much other than tending the house and taking care of the family. Joshi broke barriers for women all over the world especially women in India to go after something they are passionate about. The knowledge she gained would help her come to peace with the death of her newborn and help prevent such deaths.
How can we inspire young people to become interested in science?
I believe we can inspire young people to be interested in science by exposing them to all the different types of science. From botany to genetics, to gastronomy to geology, and more, young people will be exposed to a plethora of fields and more equipped to explore their curiosities.
What is one scientific question you would like to see answered in your lifetime?
One question I would like answered or I would like to try to answer arose when I was reading an article about “The Itch” that a patient suffered from without a cure for her constant itch. The professionals trying to help her feel better carried out a process to find the itch nerve in humans. They found that itch fibers stretch longer areas and can reach itch sensations more than 3 inches away, and are slow to build and subside. They found that the itch and the scratch cannot be separated and that more has to go into you deciding to stop the itch-scratch reflex and diminish the unpleasant activity. If itching is not always explained by the need to itch or satisfy that need, then what is? This question is fascinating because it combines knowledge about neurological pathways, spatial centers of the brain, and one’s perceptions.
Vismaya is currently volunteering as a Youth Advisory Board Mentor while studying at George Mason University.
