- AP Psychology: Earned 5/5 on College Board exam
Rayna Kumar
Hello and welcome! I’m Rayna Kumar.
I grew up in Saratoga, CA and I’m currently a junior in high school in San Jose, CA.
My passions lie at the intersection of AI, cognitive science, computational neuroscience, and psychology. Through my work as a published writer, blogger, and podcast host, I try to explore how these fields interact.
Outside of academics, I’m an ardent dog lover with a Golden Retriever named Bruno, and an avid reader with a growing collection of books.
Thanks for stopping by!
My Hobbies
I tend to hop from hobby to hobby, but reading and writing have remained constant over the years. I often aspire to be a fiction writer, and have written a number of short stories and half-finished manuscripts. However, I’ve found that non-fiction comes more naturally, especially when I’m reflecting on the world around me. Beyond writing, I’ve trained in Indian classical and Bollywood dance since the age of five, and I also enjoy music, having played the clarinet in school performances. I love staying active through basketball, and one of my favorite outdoor hobbies is nature photography, which lets me capture the beauty I see around me.
Academics & Leadership
AP Courses/Exams
Education
Other Courses
High School Leadership and Extra Curricular Activities
Software and AI Experiences
Volunteering & Work Experience
Publications & Certifications
Publications
Certifications
Awards and Achievements
Cognitive Corner Podcast
Welcome to Cognitive Corner, a youth-led podcast where the mysteries of the mind meet the frontiers of technology. I aspire to explore the fascinating intersection of cognitive science, artificial intelligence, and psychology.
From understanding how our brains processes information to examining the latest breakthroughs in AI, we’ll explore questions that challenge our understanding of consciousness, learning, and human potential.
S2E09: The Science of Attention, Memory, and Mental Performance with Dr. Heather Collins
In this insightful episode, I sit down with Dr. Heather Collins, a cognitive neuroscientist and a keynote speaker with over 50 peer-reviewed publications, including work in The New England Journal of Medicine and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Dr. Collins specializes in translating brain research into real-world strategies, and her work spans from studying Alzheimer's disease to helping NASA astronauts maintain peak cognitive performance.
We discuss mastering attention by managing cognitive load and working in focused sprints, why multitasking decreases performance, the difference between working memory and long-term memory, and techniques for retaining information. Dr. Collins also shares Alzheimer's prevention strategies, early warning signs, and compassionate caregiving approaches.
February 13, 2026
S2E08: The Neuroscience Behind Emotion, Dreams, and Engagement with Prof. Moran Cerf
In this fascinating episode, I sit down with Prof. Moran Cerf, a neuroscientist, Academic Director in Executive Education at Columbia University, and Alfred P. Sloan Professor at the American Film Institute. He holds a PhD in neuroscience from Caltech, an MA in Philosophy, and a BSc in Physics from Tel-Aviv University. Prof. Cerf holds multiple patents and has published five books and over 70 academic papers. His work has been featured on CNN, BBC, NPR, Time, Netflix Explained, and many other outlets.
We explore his journey from hacker to neuroscientist, his groundbreaking research recording single neurons during brain surgery to study consciousness and emotion, and how he studies and influences dreams. Prof. Cerf also discusses what makes content truly engaging, the future of brain–machine interfaces, and why mastering storytelling is one of the most valuable skills to develop.
February 6, 2026
S2E07: Understanding the Brain Through Computational Neuroscience with Dr. Grace Lindsay
Join me on this episode with my guest, Dr. Grace Lindsay, a computational neuroscientist and Assistant Professor of Psychology and Data Science at New York University. Dr. Lindsay leads the Lindsay Lab, where her team uses artificial neural networks as models of biological information processing to study the brain. We explore connections between CNNs and biological vision, her research on attention, and what computational models can and cannot tell us about the brain. Dr. Lindsay briefly discusses her book Models of the Mind, AI’s role in education, grid cells and navigation, and applications of machine learning to climate-related challenges.
December 17, 2025
S2E06: Understanding Dyscalculia and Numerical Cognition with Dr. Daniel Ansari
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Daniel Ansari, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning at Western University in Ontario. Dr. Ansari leads the Numerical Cognition Lab, where he studies how children learn numerical and mathematical skills and why some experience difficulties such as dyscalculia. We discuss how the brain represents numbers, what distinguishes typical from atypical math development, common challenges associated with dyscalculia, evidence-based interventions, comorbidity with dyslexia and ADHD, and how neuroscience can help identify and support struggling learners. Dr. Ansari also shares insights on misconceptions about math learning and the role of education in shaping learning.
November 28, 2025
S2E05: The Neuroscience of Fear, Memory, and Emotional Flexibility with Dr. Daniela Schiller
Join me as I sit down with Dr. Daniela Schiller, Professor of Neuroscience and Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and a recipient of the Blavatnik Award, Klingenstein-Simons and Kavli Fellowships, and a Fulbright Scholar. We explore how the brain encodes and modifies emotional experiences like fear and trauma, what emotional flexibility means for mental health, and how emotional memories can be updated without drugs. Dr. Schiller also discusses how the brain navigates social relationships and the path from laboratory findings to real-world therapies.
November 11, 2025
S2E04: Computational Modeling of Imagination with Dr. Jim Davies
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jim Davies, PhD, a cognitive scientist and professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. We explore how imagination works in the human mind, why some people experience vivid mental imagery while others don’t, and how Dr. Davies’ lab builds AI models that simulate visual imagination. From hyperphantasia and aphantasia to the future of 3D scene generation and imagination engines, this conversation uncovers the fascinating intersection of imagination and artificial intelligence.
October 8, 2025
S2E03: Natural Language Processing and Deep Learning Insights with Dr. Charles Martin
Meet Dr. Charles H. Martin, PhD, founder of Calculation Consulting and inventor of WeightWatcher: Data-Free Diagnostics for Deep Learning , an open-source tool for analyzing deep neural networks. With over 15 years of experience building AI systems at companies including Google, eBay, and Walmart, he brings extensive experience applying machine learning across multiple industries. In this conversation, we explore natural language processing applications, the physics principles behind WeightWatcher, the role of Calculation Consulting in helping organizations.
September 27, 2025
S2E02: LLMs and NLP in Healthcare: Transforming Radiology with AI with Dr. Peyman Shokrollahi
Join me as I chat with Dr. Peyman Shokrollahi, a research scientist in the Department of Radiology at Stanford University School of Medicine, specializing in AI applications for medical imaging. We explore how large language models (LLMs) and natural language processing (NLP) are transforming healthcare and radiology, discuss the key risks and ethical concerns of using ML in clinical settings, examine the challenges of model explainability in healthcare applications, and delve into the potential of AI chatbots for patient care.
September 13, 2025
S2E01: How VR is Revolutionizing Mental Healthcare Access with Sanya Rajpal
Join me in this episode as I sit down with Sanya Rajpal, Founder and CEO of AdagioVR (AdagioVR ), for an enlightening conversation about how virtual reality is transforming mental healthcare. We explore her scientifically-based approach to addressing root causes of mental health challenges, the unique advantages and obstacles of VR therapy, and how AI can enhance personalized treatment while maintaining essential human oversight in vulnerable populations.
September 03, 2025
S1E04: Infrastructure behind AI Models with Tamanna Sait
In this episode, I sit down with Ms. Tamanna Sait, an expert in scaling cloud infrastructure and AI/ML systems. We explore what AI infrastructure really means, the critical role of power and cooling in large-scale deployments, and key implementation challenges. Tamanna also shares her insights on the evolution of AI infrastructure.
July 08, 2025
S1E03: AI in Healthcare with Abhishek Kumar
In this episode, join me and my guest Abhishek Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of Lung Care Foundation, India. An Oxford University MBA alumnus, Abhishek leverages technology and business expertise to drive healthcare innovation in India. We explore how AI is transforming healthcare delivery, from improving diagnostic accuracy to personalizing treatment plans. Abhishek shares insights on AI's potential to enhance patient care in resource-limited settings and also create new possibilities for human-AI collaboration in healthcare. This is a fascinating discussion on technology's role in shaping the future of medicine.
May 18, 2025
S1E02: Intelligent Automation with Neeraj Mathur
In this episode, I talk with Mr. Neeraj Mathur, an AI and Intelligent Automation leader who has directed intelligent automation programs at multiple companies. Mr. Mathur discusses his career path as a technologist and explains what intelligent automation means in practical terms. We discuss how this technology is changing education and healthcare, looking at specific applications that are making an impact. Join me to understand the real-world benefits of intelligent automation and its potential to address everyday challenges.
March 30, 2025
S1E01: Welcome to Cognitive Corner
Diving deeper into the intersection of cognitive science, neuroscience, psychology, and artificial intelligence!
March 02, 2025
Blogs
I have been working on a blog for over five years now. At first, I did it as a hobby and reviewed books. However, recently, I’ve been writing more about social issues that mean a lot to me. You can read more on my Medium blog.
You can also click on any of the links below to directly go to that post.
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to my blog. In past years, I mainly wrote book reviews here, but have now expanded to articles on social issues as well as topics that interest me. I also re-publish writing I’ve done for other forums or publications.
Sept 1, 2024
The importance of literacy skills for a successful life
In today’s education system, there seems to be an increasing focus on STEM subjects, sometimes at the expense of reading and writing. Many parents and educators prioritize math and science, viewing them as more practical in preparing students for the “real world.” As a result, students who excel in language and literature may not receive the same recognition as those gifted in STEM fields. This shift can also influence students to undervalue reading and writing, perceiving these subjects as less beneficial.
Nov 17, 2024
The Effects of Being “Chronically Online” and How It Distorts Our View of Reality
From rabbit holes to celebrity worship, news sensationalization to propaganda, the Internet constantly takes advantage of our...
Feb 19, 2024
Revenge Bedtime Procrastination: A Reflection of Society’s Obsession with Productivity and Workaholism
Revenge bedtime procrastination, or staying up hours past bedtime to be productive, is a sign that we need to re-evaluate...
Mar 04, 2023
To Kill a Mockingbird: A Heartfelt Story About Innocence and Life in the South
To Kill a Mockingbird pulls readers in with its soft and sweet storytelling and leaves them stunned with its extraordinary...
Apr 17, 2022
The Truth Behind Lies
The dangerous, unseen effects of lying on our mental health, relationships and wellbeing...
Feb 21, 2022
Five Definite Signs of Intelligence
Here are five shocking yet decisive signs that your mental capabilities may exceed what you think...
Nov 21, 2021
Six Things That Writing Has Taught Me
Here are six pieces of advice that writing has given me that not only made me a better person, but also a better writer.
Jul 19, 2021
Breakfast at Tiffany’s: A Romance Novella That Everyone Should Read At Least Once
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a famous novella by Truman Capote, but why exactly did this charming and unique book do so well?
Jun 28, 2021
Breakfast at Tiffany’s: A Romance Novella That Everyone Should Read At Least Once
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is an incredibly popular Holocaust fiction novel by John Boyne that even inspired a 2008...
May 20, 2021
His Dark Materials: A Marvelous Trilogy for All Fantasy Readers
His Dark Materials is a fantasy series for young readers consisting of three titles: The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife...
Apr 25, 2021
The Outsiders: An Engaging and Heartbreaking Story That I Will Never Forget
The Outsiders is a life-changing novel that you won't be able to put down: you will be smiling, laughing or tearing up at every turn....
Mar 25, 2021
Writer’s Block: Why It Occurs and How To Overcome It
Writer's block may seem like a detrimental obstacle to writers, but it is easier to overcome than you think...
Feb 25, 2021
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: How Did Tom’s Character Change By The End?
Here are a few ways Tom Sawyer changed from the first page of the novel to the last and a few ways how he remained constant...
Apr 25, 2021
The Famous Five, Ranked
Here is are the protagonists from Enid Blyton's adventure novel series The Famous Five ranked.
Dec 27, 2020
Top 5 'Little Women' Chapters
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers about certain parts of Little Women, so I do not recommend reading this if you are planning to...
Nov 16, 2020
The Seven Harry Potter Novels Ranked
Note: I have ranked the books in a similar order to how they come in the series, so it may seem like I am simply ordering the books...
Oct 24, 2020
