Surya Sridharan, a high school student at Inventure Academy in India, has always been passionate about science and innovation. Together with his classmates, he formed a team and achieved podium placements in the “Changemaker” competition for two consecutive years. Their innovative projects, such as “World of Comics” and “Lending Library,” received recognition for their sustainable solutions to real-world problems. Surya’s commitment to making a positive impact on society has been evident through his dedication to these projects.
Additionally, Surya excelled in the Code Games Challenge, reaching the finals with a scratch-based game that received positive reviews from the judges. His proficiency in coding and his ability to create engaging and interactive experiences showcase his talent and creativity in the field of technology.
At CCIR Academy, Surya conducted a research project titled “How Does News Sentiment Affect Propagation on Twitter?”. His study explores the evolution of Twitter as a platform for news consumption, emphasising the influential role of features like the retweet button in facilitating news dissemination. Surya’s in-depth analysis sheds light on the mechanisms that drive information flow on social media and contributes valuable insights to the field of network science.
One of the notable aspects of Surya’s research is its focus on the prevalence of negative tweets on Twitter and how demographic factors shape individuals’ responses to positive and negative news. By studying these dynamics, he has provided an important perspective on the impact of news sentiment in today’s digital age.
We are thrilled to announce that Surya’s exceptional research paper was accepted for oral presentation at the prestigious International Conference on Network Science (NetSci 2023) in Vienna, Austria. The conference has now concluded, and we are delighted to share that Surya’s presentation received an overwhelmingly positive response. Many professors and Ph.D. students expressed keen interest in his work, impressed by the depth and insights of his research.
What makes Surya’s achievement even more remarkable is that he was the only high school student presenting at the conference among seasoned researchers and scholars. His presence and outstanding posted presentation garnered significant attention, and he was mentioned by a professor on Twitter, who praised his research and commended his impressive work.
Moreover, Surya’s exceptional contribution to the conference didn’t go unnoticed by the organisers. He was invited to be a part of the official conference video, showcasing his journey as a young researcher.
Congratulations, Surya, on this extraordinary accomplishment! Your dedication to research is truly commendable. We have no doubt that you will continue to make significant contributions to your fields of interest and inspire others with your passion and determination. Your success serves as an inspiration to young researchers everywhere, showing that age is not a barrier to making meaningful contributions.
