Riyan is a senior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA).
Combining his passion to serve his community with his love for science and technology, he founded MedEqual, a student-led, volunteer-based, and registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that amplifies minority representation—specifically South Asians—in clinical trials and medical research to foster inclusive and equitable health outcomes for all.
As a student researcher at Northwestern University, Riyan investigates a novel Non-SDS electrophoresis method to analyze amyloid-β oligomers, aiming to inform therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. He developed an AI-powered skin cancer detection app, DermiDetectAI, for which he was recognized by the U.S. Congress and awarded the Stephanie Pace Marshall Student Innovation grant. Beyond research, Riyan is president of IMSA’s Congressional Debate Club, managing editor of ACRONYM, IMSA's school newspaper and co-president of Learning and Developmental Disabilities Matter (L&D Matter). He enjoys playing violin and hanging out with his friends playing ping pong in his free time.
Driven by his passion for science and service, Riyan aspires to become a physician-scientist, leveraging his research, technical acumen, and entrepreneurial spirit to improve healthcare outcomes worldwide.
