A Chat with Aditya Kumar Jha: Multi-award-winning researcher and builder; Pre-college student, globally recognized for his work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, computational biology, and systems engineering which spans fields as diverse as cancer diagnostics, liver disease modeling and socially-driven robotics

This week, Stephen Ibaraki has an exclusive interview with Aditya Kumar Jha.

Aditya Kumar Jha is a rising senior from Mumbai, India, recognized globally for his work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, computational biology, and systems engineering. A multi-award-winning researcher and builder, Aditya's projects span fields as diverse as cancer diagnostics, liver disease modeling, and socially-driven robotics-tied together by a core philosophy: solve hard problems with precision and empathy.

Aditya's recent work focuses on developing CatherNet, a deep learning framework leveraging autoencoders and ResNet50 for the early detection and localization of metastatic changes in cancerous tissues from Whole-Slide Images (WSIs). Designed to address critical challenges in histopathology - such as limited labeled data, diagnostic cost, and interpretability - CatherNet applies unsupervised anomaly detection to distinguish tumor from normal tissue, making it a potential game-changer in cancer screening. This project is a key part of Cather Labs, his independent research initiative in AI for healthcare.

In parallel, Aditya co-developed HepaEase, a predictive tool designed to assess the risk and progression of liver diseases, with a focus on hepatitis-induced fibrosis. The project, built on clinical datasets and interpretable ML pipelines, integrates real-world diagnostic parameters to offer more accessible screening models for under-resourced healthcare settings. HepaEase was awarded Second Grand Award in the Biochemistry category at Regeneron ISEF 2023, and was further honored with a Special Award from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for its potential public health impact.

Aditya is also a Grand Award Winner in Computational Biology and Biochemistry at IRIS National Science Fair 2025, and a two-time ISEF finalist representing India on the world stage. This year, he returned to ISEF 2025 with his advanced work in cancer metastasis detection, building upon the global recognition of his past projects. He is the only high schooler in the history of the country's science fair to have qualified for IRIS national fair four times in a row while winning an award three times.

In summer 2025, he will be attending the Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT-a world-renowned program where just 100 high school students are selected globally. There, he will work on advanced AI and computational modeling with faculty at the Harvard Medical School.

Outside the lab, Aditya is committed to community service and student leadership. He serves as a core member and co-founder of his city's Interact Club, where he has led initiatives in public health awareness, STEM literacy, and rural sanitation - mobilizing over 50 volunteers across various drives and outreach programs. His work exemplifies his belief that technology and compassion must go hand in hand.

Aditya also balances his academic life with a strong passion for soccer. A competitive player in his high school years, he has captained his school team and plays regularly as a full back. He views the sport as more than a hobby - it's where he hones his decision-making, discipline, and team dynamics, qualities that carry over into his scientific pursuits.

Looking ahead, Aditya plans to pursue a dual degree in engineering and business, aiming to build at the nexus of AI, healthtech, and quantitative systems. His dream school and program is University of Pennsylvania's Jerome Fisher Management & Technology Program. Long-term, he's interested in applying engineering and data science to reimagine diagnostics, biotech innovation, and even algorithmic trading.

Whether in the lab, on the field, or in his community, Aditya stands out not just for his talent, but for his drive to lead with purpose. He's part of a new generation of technologists and changemakers redefining how deep tech can serve humanity.