In a world driven by science and technology, it’s the curious and determined young minds behind the scenes that remind us how a passion for learning can make a big difference. From fighting climate change to improving health and food safety, the latest development and innovations are helping us build a smarter, healthier, and more sustainable future. One such young innovator is Sirish Subash, a 14-year-old student from Atlanta, Georgia. As a 9th grader at the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, Sirish is not just a student—he’s a problem solver, a young innovator, and a voice for change.
At just 14, he’s already developing groundbreaking technology like PestiSCAND, a device designed to detect harmful pesticide residues on produce. This innovation is more than just a project for Sirish; it’s a mission to improve public health and reduce the impact of pesticides on our daily lives. Through PestiSCAND, he aims to empower consumers to make safer food choices, while also addressing a critical issue that affects millions worldwide.
Sirish’s journey goes beyond inventing devices. He’s an advocate for sharing the wonders of science with others, believing deeply that science is the key to understanding and solving the world’s challenges. His enthusiasm has led him to write two engaging books—Carbon Block Puzzle, which tackles climate change, and Biochemistry the Fun Way, making complex scientific concepts accessible to all.
Recognizing his remarkable achievements, Team Youth Incorporated reached out to Sirish to learn more about his innovative work and the story behind his journey. In this interview, Sirish shares the challenges, triumphs, and motivations that led him to create PestiSCAND and how he hopes to inspire others to think outside the box and tackle real-world problems. Read on to discover more about this young scientist’s journey and how, through curiosity and determination, he’s shaping the future of science and technology.
Interview with Sirish Subash: A Science and Technology Enthusiast
1. Can you share a bit about your early interest in science and technology? What sparked your curiosity?
I’ve always been captivated by how things work and why they happen. When I was six, I asked my parents how the light switch on the wall controlled the lights. Their support sparked my curiosity—they found books and supplies to help me explore. I soon learned the basics of simple circuits: how opening or closing a circuit controls a load like a light or fan.
My curiosity didn’t stop there. As I dug deeper, I discovered the science of electrons, which opened the door to understanding the broader workings of the world. With my parents’ encouragement, I pursued question after question, each answer igniting a deeper passion for science and technology. For me, learning about how the world works feels like solving a never-ending puzzle, and every piece I uncover brings a new thrill.
2. You mentioned your love for aviation, sci-fi, and playing the violin. How do these hobbies shape your approach to problem-solving or creativity?
My hobbies have taught me to think creatively and approach problems from multiple perspectives. Aviation emphasizes precision, planning, and caution while inspiring big dreams—after all, many “impossible” ideas in aviation have become reality. Science fiction pushes my imagination even further, reminding me that today’s innovations often start as yesterday’s dreams. Looking back at the science fiction of the past, it’s striking how many once-dreamlike concepts are now part of our everyday lives.
Playing the violin has taught me the value of consistent, targeted practice—a skill that applies to mastering almost anything. Together, these hobbies have shown me that solving problems requires both daring to dream big and the discipline to plan well.
3. How do you balance school work with your scientific projects and writing books?
Balancing schoolwork and personal projects has taught me valuable time management skills. I prioritize school assignments by setting up a schedule that also carves out time for my projects. On weekends and breaks, I dive deeper into my writing and other pursuits to make steady progress. The support of my family has been instrumental in helping me stay on track. Through this balance, I’ve discovered that staying curious and organized allows me to make the most of my time.
4. As a student at the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, what unique opportunities have you had that helped develop your skills?
As a student at GSMST, there are plenty of opportunities that I’ve had. First of all, the teachers are really supportive. They’re always ready to do what they can to help me out. As a school, our curriculum is somewhat more rigorous, and we have opportunities to push forward at an accelerated rate in our academics. One of my favorite things here at GSMST is getting to collaborate with like-minded peers on projects that allow us to apply what we have learned in a practical setting.
5. Growing up, were there specific people, books, or experiences that inspired you to pursue STEM?
Growing up, I was inspired by a mix of people, books, and experiences that sparked my love for STEM. My parents were always there to support me in my pursuit for answers, fueling my curiosity. Watching documentaries revealed a lot to me about the way the world worked, from some animals’ special adaptations to how the universe came to be. That helped me push my knowledge further. I also read a few books, like The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, that showed me the impact that science could have. Other books, like Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry and How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming, pulled me deeper into subjects like physics and astronomy. One unforgettable experience was visiting a science museum as a kid and seeing hands-on experiments and getting to talk with speakers after they delivered their seminars. One particularly memorable time was when I got to talk with a scientist who had been working on New Horizons. That was something I really enjoyed, because I got to dig into the frontiers of science. I went to that museum often, and there were many activities that helped me learn a lot more.
6. What inspired you to develop PestiSCAND, and how did you identify pesticide residues as a critical issue to address?
I came up with the idea for PestiSCAND while washing grapes with my mom. When my mom asked me to wash them thoroughly, my question was, why does it matter, and how effective is it? I did some research, and I found out that pesticide residues are common on produce, with about 70.6% of US produce containing pesticide residues. Consuming pesticide residues for extended periods of time can lead to many health issues, such as some cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and developmental harm. Moreover, there isn’t a good way to ensure that produce is pesticide free at home. We need some method of detection, as pesticide residues can stick around after multiple rounds of washing. Most existing methods of detection were either too expensive or they were inaccessible to the consumer. That was when I came up with PestiSCAND.
7. Can you explain how PestiSCAND works and the role AI plays in its functionality?
PestiSCAND works on the basis of spectrophotometry. Based on what an object is made out of, it reflects and absorbs different components of light called wavelengths. To take measurements, PestiSCAND first sends out different wavelengths of light from ultraviolet to visible to infrared. Then, some wavelengths reflect back in larger amounts than others, and the amount of light at each of the wavelengths is measured and recorded by the sensor. Produce items with and without pesticide residues reflect and absorb different wavelengths of light. The machine learning (or AI) models are shown examples of data from produce with pesticide residues and produce without, and the models can pick up on patterns in this data. These patterns can be applied to new data from measurements of a new produce item to determine if the produce item contains pesticide residues or not. That’s how PestiSCAND works.
8. What challenges did you face while developing the device, and how did you overcome them?
One of my biggest challenges was accessing the pesticide residues I needed for training and testing. At first, I had to use a household pesticide, but eventually, I was able to obtain concentrates of some commonly used pesticides in agriculture. During the original build process, I faced many issues. At first, the pins of a button that I was using kept snapping, which forced me to switch to an on-screen user interface. Setting up a touchscreen was also tricky, as the pre-installed version provided to me didn’t work with the machine learning models I was using. I had then manually installed the touchscreen driver, which is what allows the device to pick up signals from the touchscreen. The biggest challenge that I faced was with training the machine learning models. In the original, the device was thrown off by outside lighting. I designed a sensor case to block out outside light to solve this. In the latest version of my device, I faced many issues with my machine learning models not working correctly. To solve this, I had to change my machine learning models to a different kind of model, a random forest model, that would be able to sense more nuanced changes in the data. I also made a few changes to the structure of the case, and in the end, I was able to make the device work well.
9. How did it feel to be recognized as ‘America’s Top Young Scientist’? What does this title mean to you personally?
I was overjoyed when I was named ‘America’s Top Young Scientist.’ For me, this is a dream I’ve been aiming for since I was much younger, and I’m really happy that I’ve reached. It also serves as a challenge for me to keep going and contributing to STEM. It has encouraged me to push harder and shoot for bigger goals with my work.
(Image Credits: Sirish Subash)
10. How do you see your future as a scientist? Are there other challenges or global problems you’re particularly interested in addressing?
I see my future as a scientist as one where I focus on innovative solutions to push for sustainability while helping solve some of our greatest challenges, such as climate change and resource depletion. I aim to create solutions to help benefit people’s daily lives. For me, being a scientist isn’t just about discovery—it’s about creating a future where humanity can thrive along with the rest of earth’s inhabitants.
11. What advice would you give to other young scientists who aspire to bring a change in this field?
My biggest piece of advice to other young scientists is to stay curious. Don’t let current methods discourage you from exploring a particularly unconventional-seeming idea. When developed right, these ideas can make a big change. Follow your passions. When you are passionate about solving a problem, perseverance in your solution comes more naturally. Most importantly, believe in your ability to make a difference, no matter your age. The world needs fresh perspectives and daring ideas, and young scientists have the potential to create real change.
