From Code to Care: A Young Entrepreneur's Journey from Math Olympiad to Revolutionizing Elderly Care

August 2024, Austin, Tx ~From a young age, Ronok Ghosal, an extraordinary student from Westlake High School, has demonstrated an extraordinary talent in both mathematics and computer science, achieving remarkable milestones in both fields. His journey began with a simple spiraling art game in elementary school, which unexpectedly attracted over 200,000 plays and ignited a passion for programming that has only grown since. This early success was a precursor to an impressive trajectory, culminating in achievements such as reaching the Platinum Division in the USA Computing Olympiad and excelling in the USA Math Olympiad. Beyond competitions, he has applied his skills in real-world scenarios through internships and entrepreneurial ventures, including co-founding Nisurg LLC, a company focused on improving elderly care through innovative AI-based solutions. In this interview, Ronok, the young entrepreneur, shares insights into his journey, the challenges he has overcome, and his vision for the future.

What sparked your interest in computer science during middle school, and how did that passion grow through high school?

My journey into computer science began in elementary school with a simple yet exciting project: a spiraling art game on Tynker, which surprisingly garnered over 200,000 plays. This initial success sparked my curiosity and enthusiasm. As I delved deeper into creating more complex games, I encountered performance issues that drove me to seek out optimization techniques online. This process of troubleshooting and improving my software only fueled my passion further.

By the end of middle school, my programming skills had expanded to include Java, Python, and C++. I was also deeply involved in math competitions, which made me realize that challenging myself through programming contests would be a great way to deepen my understanding of concepts. This led me to prepare for the USA Computing Olympiad (USACO), where I ultimately reached the Platinum Division—a significant milestone that reflected my growing expertise and commitment to the field.

Being a Platinum Division in the USA Computing Olympiad and USA Math Olympiad several times is a notable achievement. What were some key challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

Balancing high school responsibilities with preparation for the USA Computing Olympiad and USA Math Olympiad was no easy feat. Managing my time effectively was crucial as I juggled preparation, maintaining academic performance, volunteering, and finding moments to enjoy life.

The Math Olympiad, with its intense competition, required rigorous practice. I found that collaborating with peers was invaluable. Discussing problems and sharing perspectives often led to breakthroughs that I wouldn’t have achieved alone. However, there were times of frustration when progress seemed elusive, and I questioned if I was using my time wisely. Looking back, these moments were critical learning experiences.

The USA Computing Olympiad presented its own set of challenges. Many solutions that seemed straightforward at first fell short of performance limits, leading to frustration. I learned that innovative problem-solving often required stepping away from the keyboard and thinking creatively. Some of my best ideas emerged during simple activities like walking my dog, Felix, or cooking tacos. The journey from Bronze to Silver to Gold in USACO taught me that success wasn’t about coding more but about thoughtful planning and algorithm design before diving into the code.

Your internship at ThoucentricLabs sounds like a transformative experience. Tell us more about that.

My time at ThoucentricLabs was indeed transformative. Eager to tackle real-world problems, I applied to various companies and was thrilled to be offered an internship as a Software Development Intern after passing their coding interview. From the outset, my mentors were incredibly supportive, guiding me through the nuances of developing real-world code.

One of the highlights was working on anomaly detection using computer vision—an area new to me. The challenge was both daunting and exciting. Working closely with experienced professionals, I learned to break down complex problems into manageable parts, an approach that significantly improved my problem-solving skills.

Although the initial problems felt overwhelming, my mentors taught me the importance of incremental progress and breaking down tasks. This experience not only enhanced my technical abilities but also built my confidence in tackling large-scale problems.

As the youngest member of the R42 Fellowship, what was it like to work alongside experts?

Joining the R42 Fellowship under Dr. Ronjon Nag, professor at Stanford, was a dream come true. Being the youngest in a cohort of undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals, I initially felt overwhelmed by the complexity of the discussions on Longevity. However, as I immersed myself in the research, I gradually became more confident in contributing to the conversations.

The supportive environment created by the cohort allowed me to actively participate and even lead our Demo Day presentation to over 40 investors. The trust and encouragement from my peers were invaluable, and presenting our work to such a distinguished audience was both nerve-wracking and rewarding. This experience taught me not only about solving interdisciplinary problems but also about humility and the power of teamwork. I returned the following summer for another cohort focused on analyzing capital markets, further enriching my experience.

What motivated you to co-found Nisurg LLC?

The motivation to co-found Nisurg LLC is deeply personal. My strong connection with my grandparents, characterized by shared moments of joy and learning, left a lasting impact on me. Their passing  made me acutely aware of the challenges faced by the elderly, which fueled my desire to improve their quality of life.

Volunteering at an elderly care home further exposed me to the urgent need for better accident prevention measures. This led me to develop NisurgCare—an AI-based application aimed at preventing slip and fall accidents in assisted living facilities. Founding Nisurg LLC was a natural extension of my commitment to enhancing elderly care, allowing me to channel my passion and experiences into creating meaningful solutions.

What are your aspirations about your company?

At Nisurg LLC, our vision is both ambitious and clear. We aim to develop software and solutions that significantly impact lives, with NisurgCare being our flagship product. Our goal is to deploy it initially in an Assisted Living with 30 seniors, gather real-world feedback, and scale up to 1,000 users by December. We plan to quadruple this number annually, ultimately reaching a majority of the senior population within 6 to 7 years.

Our solution is designed to be cost-effective, saving lives and offering a solid return on investment for elderly care homes. We’re confident in our revenue projections and have received positive feedback from both state and international competitions. While we continue to seek the right partners for future growth, our commitment to making a meaningful difference in senior care remains at the core of our mission.

Can you discuss the challenges and successes you’ve faced in developing and deploying NisurgCare? What have been some key learnings from this entrepreneurial journey?

Developing and deploying NisurgCare has been a journey of significant challenges and successes. Early on, we struggled with creating effective algorithms for predicting accidents. Our initial rigid baselines failed to account for individual variability, leading us to rethink our approach and develop a dynamic baseline model. This lesson in adaptability was crucial for effective software development.

On the business side, we learned that creating a great product isn’t enough. Engaging with financial decision-makers at elderly care facilities required us to clearly articulate the cost-benefits of our technology. This led to a better understanding of operational expenses and a re-evaluation of our business model to ensure long-term sustainability.

Overall, these challenges have taught us the importance of observation, adaptability, and effective communication. They’ve strengthened our approach to developing software and building a sustainable business. While the journey has been demanding, it has been incredibly rewarding, making us more resilient and focused on our mission.

What advice would you give to young students who are passionate about mathematics and computer science but are unsure about how to apply their knowledge in the real world?

For students passionate about mathematics and computer science, my advice is to dive in and start experimenting, even if you don’t have all the answers. Real-world problems often require interdisciplinary approaches, so don’t be afraid to blend your knowledge from different fields.

Start with simple projects and build from there. It’s okay if your initial solutions aren’t perfect; the process of problem-solving itself is incredibly valuable. Focus on making incremental progress and remember that every bit of effort helps you understand how your skills can make a real difference.

Reflecting on your journey so far, what has been the most rewarding part of your experiences, and how do you stay motivated to keep pushing boundaries?

The most rewarding part of my journey has been witnessing the impact of our work, particularly through NisurgCare. Seeing our technology potentially improve the safety and well-being of seniors is deeply fulfilling.

My motivation comes from continuous learning and overcoming challenges. Each obstacle, from algorithm design to real-world application, has been a lesson in perseverance and innovation. The support of mentors and the value of teamwork have been crucial in driving me forward.

Ultimately, it’s the combination of passion, collaboration, and mentorship that fuels my commitment to making a meaningful impact. I look forward to what lies ahead, excited to keep learning, growing, and pushing boundaries in every step of the journey.