Rishab Gargeya (12) aims to help solve real-world problems using his wide range of work in computer science.

“I do a lot of computer science work. I’m pretty passionate about coding,” Rishab said. “Basically what I try to do is analyze correlations [and] analyze connections between various types of data that maybe were previously not known to exist, and then try to extrapolate that to some sort of impactful real-world application.”

Rishab’s work has had a variety of applications. He was named a Google Science Fair finalist for his creation of a smartphone app that can detect and diagnose common eye problems from an image of the retina.

“My computer science work is pretty broad. It encompasses all types of data,” Rishab said. “In the sense I say I’m driven, what motivates me is just interesting problems. If I see something interesting that I want to fix, something interesting that could be done differently, I just feel motivated to change that.”

Arjun Subramaniam (12), co-editors with Rishab of the student-run scientific journal Harker Horizon, describes Rishab as both open and hardworking.

“He’s definitely a very kind person. He’s the kind of person that you would talk to about your problems,” Arjun said. “When he really cares about something, he goes out for it, without any real thought of how hard it might be and what the challenges are. He really will persevere and put in the work that’s not necessary, but that’s above what’s required.”

While computer science is Rishab’s main interest, he also enjoys the sport of squash.

“Most of the work I do outside of computer science is just schoolwork. I play squash recreationally,” Rishab said. “I’ve played various types of sports. I stuck to squash a little bit more since I ended up liking it more. A lot of my friends play too, so we just have fun playing.”

Rishab’s work with computer science has given him a wide perspective on contemporary problems and his own environment.

“Rather than an experience, what defines me is that I grew up in the Bay Area. It’s just such a formative area to grow up in; you’ll just understand the world at a different level than you will growing up anywhere else,” Rishab said. “Growing up in an educational environment where I can pursue anything I really want to and understand things at a deeper level and get a very objective perspective on anything I really want to, that’s pretty good. I’m pretty happy for that.”