Satyam Kumar’s incredible journey from being the son of a farmer in Bihar to becoming a Ph.D. student in the field of Brain-Machine Interfaces at the University of Texas in Austin is an inspiring tale of determination and perseverance.
At the age of just 13, Kumar made headlines when he cracked the Indian Institute of Technology-Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) in 2013, securing a seat in the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. This remarkable achievement made him the youngest prodigy to accomplish such a feat, breaking the record previously heldSahal Kaushik.
What sets Kumar’s story apart is the fact that 2013 was not his first attempt at the IIT-JEE exam. At the age of 12, he had already cleared the exam with an impressive all-India ranking of 8,137. However, drivenhis desire for excellence, he decided to retake the exam in pursuit of a higher rank.
After completing his combined BTech-MTech course in Electrical Engineering at IIT Kanpur in 2018, Kumar’s thirst for knowledge led him to the University of Texas at Austin, where he is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Brain-Machine Interfaces. During his time at IIT-Kanpur, Kumar worked on several notable projects, including “Electrooculogram based eye blink classification During EOG signal acquisition,” “Optimization of electrode positions in Different Brain Computer Interfaces,” and “Imaginative Speech-based Brain-Computer Interface.”
Even while working towards his higher education, Kumar’s exceptional talent did not go unnoticed. At the age of 24, he joined Apple as a machine learning intern and continued to excel in his field. Today, he is a graduate research assistant at the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in brain-computer interfaces.
Despite his amazing achievements, Kumar remains grounded and has expressed his desire to give back to society. In an interview, he mentioned his aspiration to return to his home district in Bihar and contribute towards the education and wellbeing of children.
Satyam Kumar’s journey is a testament to the power of determination, hard work, and the belief that one’s background does not define their potential. His unwavering resolve to overcome obstacles and pursue his dreams serves as an inspiration to countless individuals facing similar challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How old was Satyam Kumar when he cracked the IIT-JEE exam?
Satyam Kumar cracked the IIT-JEE exam at the age of 13, making him the youngest prodigy to achieve this feat.
2. Did Satyam Kumar retake the IIT-JEE exam?
Yes, Satyam Kumar initially cleared the IIT-JEE exam at the age of 12 but decided to retake it in pursuit of a higher rank.
3. What projects did Satyam Kumar work on during his time at IIT-Kanpur?
During his time at IIT-Kanpur, Satyam Kumar worked on projects such as “Electrooculogram based eye blink classification During EOG signal acquisition,” “Optimization of electrode positions in Different Brain Computer Interfaces,” and “Imaginative Speech-based Brain-Computer Interface.”
4. Where is Satyam Kumar currently pursuing his Ph.D.?
Satyam Kumar is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Brain-Machine Interfaces at the University of Texas in Austin.
5. Where did Satyam Kumar work as a machine learning intern?
Satyam Kumar worked as a machine learning intern at Apple until August 2023.