For DonorsFor Applicants
user profile avatar

Shashank Ganta

665

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Bio

Swamy; Not only my middle name, but also my muthatha’s (great grandpa) name. My muthatha's government job was in agriculture, but more importantly, his unofficial job was giving back whenever possible. When people needed a voice to trust, they asked him. Building well-established schools in our hometown, Nidagallu, my muthatha prioritized spreading education and nurturing students’ own passions. Carrying his middle name means embodying his emphasis on giving back and actively seeking to help others. Spanning from creating websites for Bhutanese Refugees to helping my local community in park clean-ups, giving back has become a part of who I am. At every endeavor in this next chapter of my academic journey, I strive to give back to my community, whether academically or philanthropically. As I pursue a major in computer science, I intend to use the analytical and technical skills gained through these courses to eventually create my own biotech research company. Focused on using concepts like Neurosymbolic AI (modeling AI after biological processes occurring in nature)), I aim to draw new connections in vaccine technology that might take decades to occur in a biology lab. Pairing AI with genome analysis offers me a unique opportunity to possibly innovate current vaccine technology. Aiding doctors through computer science allows me to leave meaningful impacts capable of saving lives, yet still relevant to my own academic goals.

Education

Basis Chandler

High School
2020 - 2024
  • GPA:
    4

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Mathematics and Computer Science
    • Computer Science
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Computer Software

    • Dream career goals:

    • In charge of marketing. Enlisted 25+ subscriptions. Teaching Robotics, ML, and Python to students.

      iCode Chandler
      2023 – Present1 year

    Sports

    Half-Marthon Runner

    Varsity
    2020 – Present4 years

    Awards

    • Sub 2h Half Marathon Runner

    Soccer

    Varsity
    2022 – Present2 years

    Awards

    • All State Team A: Honorable Mention
    • Led team to back-to-back playoffs (1st in school history)

    Basketball

    Junior Varsity
    2021 – 20221 year

    Awards

    • Playoff Qualifiers 2022

    Research

    • Computer Science

      Paulo Shakarian, Lab V2 Machine Learning in Geospatial Settings - ASU — Aided in streamlining API Calls (for satellite images) with a CNN (AI model).
      2023 – Present
    • Computer Science

      LAB V2 @ ASU — Designed novel algorithm using causal relationships & machine learning; Contacted biotech companies
      2022 – 2023

    Arts

    • Kajukenbo Karate Arizona

      Martial Arts
      AZ Lim's Aloha Tournament
      2012 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      BASIS Chandler Red Cross — Secretary (11), Treasurer (12); Collected 210+ blood units (~640 patients saved) across 6 Drives.
      2020 – Present
    • Volunteering

      SEWA International — Coordinated volunteers through projects, ex: Hike for Hygiene; Developing mobile app to aid program.
      2020 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Arredondo Title 1 Elementary School's Tech Club — Introducing 5th Graders to VEX Robotics and Introductory Physics through structured lessons & labs
      2023 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Marian Haley Memorial Scholarship
    My driver's license reads Shashank Swamy Ganta, but to me, my middle name wasn’t even worth those five letters. In fact, each time I neglected my middle name, it meant I was also repudiating my family’s heritage and culture. Swamy is not just some Sanskrit word to my family; it is my muthatha's (great grandfather's) name. Carrying my muthatha’s name meant embodying his values and culture, not masking them. Undervaluing my muthatha’s legacy and his impact on others persisted until a recent trip to our hometown, Nidagallu. There, I met my munnannamma (great aunt) and asked about the village’s history. She educated me on the significance of my muthatha’s role in his community. My muthatha's government job was in agriculture, but more importantly, his unofficial job was giving back whenever possible. When people needed a voice to trust, they asked him. My muthatha built well-developed schools in Nidagallu, allowing children to dream and families to have confidence in their children’s education. It was through this trip, that I realized true impacts are defined by aiding others, not solely ourselves. I write this essay privileged to carry on my muthatha's legacy but also empowered to carry his main virtue: giving back through education. During robotics volunteering, I immerse myself in robotics while simultaneously leaving meaningful impacts. As I enter the middle-school engineering classroom, a burst of excitement ignites the air, knowing I have the privilege to share my passion. I proudly write“Shashank Swamy Ganta” on the whiteboard as my eyes scour the room, hoping a hand shoots up — I was eager to share my story. Connecting the rusted Digital cable to my HDMI adapter, I began presenting a slideshow explaining the sensors commonly used in rockets when hands erupt into space, igniting thoughtful questions: “Do gyroscopes worsen over time?” A.J. asks. My heart swells with pride, knowing that my words nurture their growing sense of curiosity while connecting me with my muthatha and his own emphasis on education. Education isn’t as simple as giving a lesson or handing out a worksheet, but rather about forging a community eager to explore the world and ask questions. Whether it be analyzing Machine Learning models for Gastric Cancer Detection or simply managing friendly robotics tournaments, my experience with education is one painted with collaboration. Despite students becoming adversaries in Battle Bots tournaments, they support one another. When motor issues arise, students come together, formulating innovative solutions like harnessing rubber bands to alleviate motor stress. Moments like these emphasize the robust sense of collaboration rooted in overcoming hardships and remind me that regardless of being the teacher; oftentimes, the students teach me lessons. Whether academic or philanthropic, I aim to build communities that leave resounding impacts on others. Wherever life leads, I will host my own Tech Clubs, inciting a curiosity in STEM and a priority for collaboration among these students. By opening opportunities that alter not only their academic experiences but also my own, I lay the foundation for a generation suited to innovate our world. As I type my name, I ensure those five keys are pressed with intent, remembering my muthatha’s legacy. Swamy isn't merely my middle name. It isn’t hiding my culture and definitely isn’t something to ignore. Swamy is a reminder of the profound impact my actions can have. In every endeavor, I strive to give back to my community. The spirit of giving back is what defines me. Shashank Swamy Ganta.