Hi, I’m Raya!
I am driven by curiosity, empathy, and a desire to make the world a little better—for people, animals, and communities that are vulnerable, disadvantaged, or differently-abled. I find joy in bringing happiness to others, sharing knowledge, and creating meaningful impact through my actions and ideas.
I embrace challenges and seek opportunities to problem-solve, explore new ideas, and develop solutions with a human-centered focus. Through my projects, travels, and interactions with diverse communities, I aim to learn, connect, and leave a positive mark, empowering those around me while continuously growing myself.
Who I aspire to be
I have been extremely lucky to have the opportunities I have had in life. My experiences across cultures, communities within my country and around the world was a privilege that have equipped me with the knoweldeg, resources and capacity to make difference. I feel the sincere responsbility to give back to all these communtiies and places who have shown me so much love, taught me so many lessons and made me into who i am. I want to dedicate all my life trying my best to give back in the fields of technology, science and medical humanities.
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I dream of a world where women are safe everywhere, where underprivileged communities and animals have their basic needs met, and where kindness and empathy guide our interactions with one another—a world where people lift each other and our differences are celebrated, not feared.
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When I was younger, I thought I had all the time in the world to make a difference. That changed during a Baret Scholars session in New York, when a guest speaker reminded us that most people only have about thirty working years to create real impact. That realization sharpened my purpose. Now, my mission is simple and focused: to empower underprivileged communities and advocate for animal rights.
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I try to live by empathy, generosity, courage, honesty, authenticity, diligence, meraki—pouring myself into what I love—ubuntu—a commitment to community—grit, independence, and qi zhui yu, a constant thirst for knowledge.
Project highlight:VRTouch
I designed a prototype prosthetic hand that integrates haptic feedback technology to restore a sense of touch for users with hand disabilities. The device uses sensors to detect pressure and texture, translating them into tactile vibrations that mimic real sensory feedback. This human-centered design bridges neuroscience and engineering, empowering users to interact with their environment more naturally and intuitively.
