Aarya Sobti

Aarya Sobti is an inquisitive 8th-grade student in the Project Arrow Advanced Placement program at Gregory Middle School in Naperville, IL. Passionate about neuroscience and medicine, she draws inspiration from Dr. Marian Diamond’s pioneering work and hopes to one day become a neurosurgeon and medical researcher.

Aarya has participated in Northwestern University’s advanced summer programs in Pre-Med Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Anatomy & Physiology, and is a participant in Dr. Rubin’s Mini Medical School. She has earned top honors in Science Olympiad, Robotics, and the PTA Reflections Arts Competition. Aarya is also the recipient of Commendation honor at the prestigious John Locke essay competition (2025), and a national level winner at Constituting America competition in the middle school STEM category.

As the founder of Curion, Aarya creates short video podcasts that make complex science accessible and engaging.

In addition to her scientific curiosity, Aarya believes that understanding the Constitution and knowing our rights are essential for shaping a society grounded in both innovation and integrity. Just as science empowers us to improve lives through discovery, civic knowledge empowers us to protect those lives through justice, equality, and responsible action.

Through her interdisciplinary curiosity, academic rigor, and personal resilience, Aarya is committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in early-stage medical research and education.

Click Here to learn more about Aarya’s STEM Project!

Click Here to see the results of Aarya’s Survey!

Our Interview With Aarya

Was this the first time you entered the contest?
Yes

How did you hear about the contest?
Google search, when trying to look for competitions and scholarships for Middle
School students.

What inspired your work?
I use Quizlet to reinforce my understanding of complex concepts, and creating
quizzes is a proven way to retain knowledge. Additionally, I love to create quizzes
either using Quizlet or Google Forms. U.S. Constitution and its ideas, like checks and
balances, can be confusing, and I wanted to provide a clear, interactive way for the
community to learn and engage.

What did you learn about the U.S. Constitution while creating your entry?
I learned how the three branches of government work together through checks and
balances and why these systems exist. It was fascinating to see how, even though
some rules can be stretched, the structure still keeps power in check. Studying this
helped me understand the importance of thoughtful decision-making—something
that applies not just in government, but in science and everyday life.

How do you plan to spread the word this year to your peers about the importance of the U.S Constitution?
I plan to create more interactive quizzes and discussion activities that make learning
about the U.S. Constitution engaging and accessible. By breaking down complex
topics like checks and balances, I want to help my school friends, and others,
understand not just the rules, but the reasoning behind them. Additionally, I hope to
leverage digital tools like Quizlet and social media to reach a wider audience,
encouraging active participation and sparking curiosity about how the Constitution
shapes our daily lives.

Which U.S. historical site would you like to visit?
I would like to visit the Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence
was written and the U.S. Constitution. I am especially inspired by Benjamin Franklin;
I appreciate that he was both a scientist and a founding father to our nation – almost
bringing in an inter-disciplinary context.

What are your career plans?
I want to become a neurosurgeon or a gene editor. CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing
fascinates me, particularly its potential to find cures for currently incurable
neurodegenerative diseases. I also value understanding systems of governance, like
the U.S. Constitution, because it teaches critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and the
importance of checks and balances—skills that are essential for making responsible
decisions in science and medicine. Brown’s PLME program is my first choice, as it will
allow me to pursue cross-disciplinary studies through the Open Curriculum,
combining my interests in science, ethics, and society.

How do you spend your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy horseback riding and playing the flute, and I love spending
quality time with my dog, Daisy. I also like exploring bioscience topics, especially
genetics and gene editing, where I can analyze both the science and the ethical
questions they raise.

Why is the Constitution relevant today?
The Constitution is still important because it sets the rules for how our government
works and protects our rights, even as technology and society change. As AI, robotics,
and space exploration advance, its principles help guide ethical decision-making,
ensure fairness, and make sure innovation benefits everyone responsibly.