About Us

Meet the Founder

Molly Bagchee, Founder and President

Project Science was founded by Molly Bagchee, a student researcher whose passion for innovation began with a simple moment of curiosity. In ninth grade, she watched her father apply a graphene coating to a car to make it water-resistant. When he explained that the same carbon found in pencils forms a three-dimensional structure capable of repelling water, Molly wondered whether that property could also inhibit bacterial growth.

Motivated by that question, she began developing an antimicrobial medical cast and prosthetic infused with graphene nanoparticles. Without access to a formal laboratory, she independently learned how to design experiments, gather resources, and communicate her findings through professional research presentations, a foundation that ultimately allowed her to take on a new challenge of creating an in-silico autoimmune vaccine inspired by her father’s illness.

Through this experience, Molly recognized a broader need: many students share a desire to explore scientific ideas but lack the mentorship, resources, or support to bring those ideas to life. To address this gap, she founded Project Science, an organization dedicated to helping students conduct independent research and apply scientific inquiry to solve meaningful problems in their communities.

In partnership with her chemistry teacher, Molly helped establish her school’s first official science fair program, working with district and county officials to expand research opportunities for students. In its first year, only three students participated; by the following year, more than thirty joined, eager to transform their ideas into real-world impact.

Under her leadership, Project Science continues to grow internationally, inspiring young innovators to explore, invent, and use science as a tool for positive change.

Meet the Team

Executive Officers

Minahil Fahad Ilahi Lahore, Pakistan (VICE PRESIDENT)

Driven by a vision of a more accessible and impactful scientific landscape, Minahil Fahad Ilahi is deeply committed to developing sustainable initiatives that bridge the gap between scientific understanding and broader community engagement. As a dedicated chapter leader in Project Science, she is passionate about leveraging the power of scientific outreach and collaboration to address key challenges, foster a greater appreciation for scientific inquiry, and inspire the next generation of scientific leaders and innovators.

Pratika Thalluri Texas, US (TREASURER)

Pratika joined Project Science because she is passionate about supporting programs that inspire curiosity and confidence in young scientists. She believes hands-on learning can help more students see themselves in STEM and discover what they’re capable of. As Treasurer, Pratika hopes to manage our resources carefully and help the organization grow responsibly. Her goal is to build a strong financial foundation so Project Science can create even more opportunities for future innovators.

Kaavya Kotamraju California, USA (SECRETARY)

Kaavya is passionate about making STEM education more engaging, equitable, and creative. She believes science should be accessible to every student, regardless of background or resources. Kaavya has passionate ideas for outreach partnerships with schools and community centers, as well as online mentorship programs pairing high school students with younger learners. Her plans include developing hands-on workshops, virtual challenges, and STEM mentorship initiatives that blend fun with education. She also emphasized inclusivity by suggesting low-cost, multilingual resources and flexible chapter structures to fit different educational systems around the world.

Expansion Officers

🔬 Italy Durán – United States
Italy is driven to make STEM learning more inclusive in her community, where few programs currently exist. Her background includes robotics, coding, and organizing educational events for younger students. She has taught elementary students about simple machines and Scratch programming, helped run women-in-STEM workshops, and planned events to ensure special education students can also experience science in fun, hands-on ways. Through Project Science, Italy hopes to help promote outreach and document milestones, while supporting new ways to connect students with interactive STEM opportunities across social media and local events.

🌍 Haider Bashir – Mardan, Pakistan
Haider hopes to expand Project Science across his community in Mardan through local collaboration and youth engagement. Passionate about bringing scientific learning opportunities to new regions, he plans to work with his own organization to involve more students in research and experimentation. His goal is to organize community events and initiatives that make science approachable and exciting, while helping students see how it connects to their daily lives.

💡 Saptak Sinha – Kolkata, India
Saptak believes that science has the power to create lasting, positive change. He previously participated in a New York Academy of Sciences challenge focused on improving education methods, where he developed a passion for research and teamwork. Through Project Science, he hopes to connect with students who share his drive to tackle global issues such as sustainable energy and education. His long-term vision is to guide young learners toward projects that contribute to solving UN Sustainable Development Goals and inspire a sense of responsibility toward the world.

🌱 Rylee Peirsol – United States
Rylee is committed to creating opportunities for students who are passionate about science but face barriers such as financial limitations or lack of local programs. She understands these challenges firsthand and wants Project Science to be a source of hope and confidence for others. Rylee has proposed expanding outreach through community events, such as booths at county fairs and school functions — as well as through social media campaigns that highlight student projects and emphasize that science programs can be both free and fun. She believes creativity grows strongest when students are supported, and she hopes to use her communication and leadership skills to build that support network.

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