Young Change Makers: Why and How Nandita Srikumar of Cognitive Connections Is Helping To Change Our World
Your organization doesn’t have to be “perfect” to take the first step. The main reason I kept delaying the process of officially launching Cognitive Connections was because I thought my initiative wasn’t perfect enough. This was partially true, as I didn’t have everything completely set up.
As part of my series about young people who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nandita Srikumar.
Nandita Srikumar, a Solon High School Junior and a certified Brain Health Peer Educator, is a passionate advocate for brain health. Her interest in this field began with her research on Alzheimer’s disease for the past two years at Case Western Reserve University. Recently, she founded Cognitive Connections, an organization dedicated to raising brain health awareness across all age groups through in-person and virtual workshops.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
I grew up in Northeast Ohio and though we kept moving around in this region, in every new school one subject always fascinated me: Science. From an early age, I was eager to understand the intricacies of our everyday lives, and this passion for science increased during my high school years. Taking Honors Biology and AP Biology in school and conducting research, starting from E. Coli all the way to Alzheimer’s, truly made me realize my passion for science! As a young scientist, my eyes had become trained to recognize the challenges that my community faced every day. This took me to the question: How could I help impact my community positively?
Is there a particular book or organization that made a significant impact on you growing up? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
I came to appreciate this emerging field of brain health advocacy during middle school after competing internationally in Future Problem Solvers (FPS), a problem-solving-based competition. That year’s theme explored the topic of neuroscience, which sparked my curiosity about the intricacies of the brain. My continual fascination with understanding the brain has driven my passion to solve the challenges posed by neurodegenerative diseases.
Participating in FPS for the past 5 years has been an influential aspect of my creative pursuits. Through FPS, I have encountered various futuristic challenges anywhere from regional to international and made innovative solutions to effectively address these problems. Using a six-step method to address these challenges, the process of formulating potentially viable solutions has honed my innovative skills. While I solved futuristic problems in FPS with paper and pen, to take action in the current world that we live in, I started Cognitive Connections.
How do you define “Making A Difference”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
In my opinion, making a difference means giving back to your community by using the knowledge you have gained. For me, after I became a certified brain health peer educator I chose to spread awareness about brain health through what I had learned. By sharing my knowledge with the public, I believe I have made a large difference in the lives of hundreds of people. I hope to continue giving back to the community to make a positive impact and empower individuals with the knowledge I have.
Ok super. Let’s now jump to the main part of our interview. You are currently leading an organization that aims to make a social impact. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change in our world today?
Of course! I’m the founder and president of Cognitive Connections, an organization that is dedicated to fostering brain health awareness and community engagement through innovative programs and events for all age groups. The premise is to educate the public about the five pillars of brain health: nutrition, physical exercise, sleep, emotional well-being, and cognitive fitness. Apart from in-person workshops, this initiative’s vision is to reach a larger audience through its website, podcast series, newsletters, and Instagram posts. Through these social media platforms, Cognitive Connections provides practical tips, engaging activities, and resources to preserve one’s brain health. Thus far, Cognitive Connections has impacted over 1000 individuals, and I hope to continue expanding it. Overall, Cognitive Connections’ core mission is to empower individuals to take charge of their cognitive well-being.
Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?
Yeah, sure. Let’s go back to September 2024. For me, it started off as a usual Sunday afternoon and I was at the local medical center dedicating my time back to the community. After witnessing a dementia patient’s continuous calls for help and a desperate face filled with confusion, I knew I had to take action. It was that unforgettable moment that started my journey of working towards a society with brain health awareness for all, and it’s that moment that will drive me forever.
Also, as an Alzheimer’s student researcher at my local university, I have realized one thing: while there are ongoing efforts to find a viable cure, the best solution is to preserve one’s brain health by starting early. Upon realizing this fact, I knew I had to take action to help the millions that are currently impacted by dementia and also promote brain health education amongst the upcoming generation. This led me to founding Cognitive Connections.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest them. We don’t always get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?
This past October, I led the team for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, encouraging my community to walk to increase advocacy and care for dementia. While I held an Orange Flower, in symbol of supporting the fight against dementia, hundreds held a blue one, symbolizing that they have dementia. However, not a single member held a white flower, a flower representing hope for the first survivor of Alzheimer’s disease. This moment was not only heartbreaking, but also eye-opening, as I witnessed first-hand the large number of people impacted by Alzheimer’s and the fact that no one yet has survived. This was the moment when I knew I had to put Cognitive Connections into action and empower everyone with brain health education so that they can fight dementia.
Many young people don’t know the steps to take to start a new organization. But you did. What are some of the things or steps you took to get your project started?
The first thing that I did was understand the problem that the community faces. As I dove into this research I realized the immense impact that dementia has on our society. In fact, just in the United States close to 7 million have dementia and in the entire world, over 140 million are currently diagnosed. Realizing the scale of this problem, I naturally thought why haven’t we already fixed it? While researchers were working hard to find a cure, research also suggests that by taking action early, one could prevent cognitive decline. However, I realized the main reason for the continuous increase in dementia cases is because there is a lack of brain health awareness. By identifying the “gap” within our society, I was effectively able to target Cognitive Connections’s impact on it. I truly think that anyone can make an impact by following those steps.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
Cognitive Connections originally started off as a very small organization, but as I began to connect with more like-minded individuals it has expanded greatly. After collaborating with the Virtual Brain Health Center,, I was offered the opportunity to be a panelist during the 2025 Brain Health Awareness Week. This moment was truly amazing as I saw my vision for Cognitive Connection truly piece together. Through this webinar, I hope to extend my impact by millions.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson or take away you learned from that?
Yeah, so let’s go back in time to November 2024 when I was prepping my slideshow for my upcoming presentation at an elementary school. To get realistic feedback on the slideshow content, I asked my sister who was living the life of an elementary school student. The moment I started presenting on the 5 pillars of brain health, she burst out laughing, asking why I would advise children to not drink caffeine when they already didn’t! I realized that I had unknowingly fallen into the same trap that so many others have: following a “one size fits all model.” After this encounter, I realized the importance of addressing each audience group differently to help them obtain brain health education in the most suitable way.
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
My parents have always been my cheerleaders. Without their help and support, Cognitive Connections would have never been a reality. Furthermore, the Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s, through which I became a certified brain health peer educator, has empowered me to continually expand the impact of Cognitive Connections and increase my brain-healthy advocacy. Also, the founders of the Virtual Brain Health Center have played a pivotal role in the development of Cognitive Connections by opening up doors to new opportunities. I’m so thankful for all of them for helping me throughout this journey!
Without saying specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
At the end of a session at an elementary school just as I was about to leave, one kid stopped me. She told me how she never knew what brain health truly was until the workshop that I conducted. That simple statement was truly an impactful moment. I realized at that moment that I was truly making a large difference in the lives of many. This moment still motivates me today to continue to keep going despite all the obstacles and challenges. I truly believe that as Cognitive Connections expands, it can impact thousands not just within my state, but also across the entirety of the United States.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Yes! The most important step one can take is learning more about the five pillars of brain health. By understanding the five pillars and taking action, one can prevent cognitive decline in the long run. Additionally, I think it’s really crucial for everyone to understand that taking even one simple action every day to preserve one’s brain health can be very beneficial. While it may not seem like it has a big impact today, it may become a matter of being diagnosed or living a healthy life. Finally, I believe it is crucial for politicians to continually take action to advocate for dementia. By passing funding legislation to increase dementia research in universities and organizations can be a very powerful way to help mitigate its impacts. More importantly, politicians should take action to implement brain health education as part of the school curriculum to allow all kids and teens to learn about the importance of brain health from a younger age.
Fantastic. Here is the main question of the interview. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? (Please share a story or example for each).
- Your organization doesn’t have to be “perfect” to take the first step. The main reason I kept delaying the process of officially launching Cognitive Connections was because I thought my initiative wasn’t perfect enough. This was partially true, as I didn’t have everything completely set up. However, once I changed my mindset and took the first step, I was slowly able to form Cognitive Connections into what I had envisioned. At the end of the day, it all boils down to when you take the first step. Once you take that first leap, so many doors full of opportunities and suggestions open up, allowing one to reach their vision.
- You can always ask for help. I used to always fear rejection. However, in reality, there is nothing wrong with asking for help. For example, if I hadn’t reached out to the Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s and the Virtual Brain Health Center for expert advice, Cognitive Connections would not have expanded this far. While those are my success stories, behind that is also a myriad of emails saying no. The most important point to remember is that no one is going to judge you for asking for help and the worst thing that someone is going to say is “no,” and you can simply move on with your life and project.
- It’s very important to continually persevere. I started emailing schools and senior centers requesting to conduct an in-person workshop around the end of October 2024. Despite sending over 75 emails, I received very few responses back, let alone actually receive a “yes.” Despite this, I continually persevered and kept following through with the emails. When I received that first “yes” from an elementary school, it became my motivating factor and it served as a reminder that receiving approval from the school was possible. Now, I have already presented at various senior centers and schools and am scheduled to present at more!
- It’s important to build a network. When I originally started Cognitive Connections I didn’t realize the importance of networking. Once I started approaching individuals, the connections began to grow. For example, after attending the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and contacting the head coordinator, she connected me with local senior centers. This initial connection allowed me to further expand by connecting with the activity coordinator and setting up workshop dates. At the end of the day, by taking the first step to network you can set up various connections.
- Priorities keep changing and you always need to re-prioritize your work. While making a passion project come to life it’s important to keep track of everything in an organized manner and still remember that you have your own personal work to take care of. While in some instances I have prioritized Cognitive Connections, other times I have learned to prioritize my own school work and extracurriculars. While thankfully I didn’t have to learn this lesson the hard way, I have endured several lectures from my parents, reminding me to maintain a balance and prioritize my time correctly.
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
The most important thing to remember is that though the problem itself may look daunting, taking, even one step, can truly make a large difference. At the end of the day you can truly make a profound impact on the lives of many by simply taking one step to solve it. Also, it may sound surprising, but there are many individuals and organizations ready to help and bring your vision to life, just like they helped me!
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Dr. Krystal Cullers, the founder of Virtual Brain Health Center, has truly been an inspiration! Her continuous efforts to combat the rise of dementia resembles my vision for Cognitive Connections. Furthermore, without her help and support, I don’t think Cognitive Connections would have grown this far. She serves as a mentor and role model that I look up to every day.
How can our readers follow you online?
Feel free to check out Cognitive Connections on social media platforms!
Website: https://www.cognitiveconnections.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cognitiveconnections101
Podcast: https://www.cognitiveconnections.net/podcast
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cognitiveconnections
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
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