Shivi Kumar
Mind Matters Foundation, United States
Abstract Title: NeuroCardioTrace-X: A dual-modality EEG and HRV Platform for predicting cognitive and Cardiovascular decline in adolescents at genetic risk for Neurodegeneration and vascular dysfunction
Biography:
Shivi Kumar is a passionate high school researcher and aspiring physician-scientist with a deep commitment to advancing scientific knowledge in the fields of neuroscience and genomics. As an emerging researcher, Shivi has made significant contributions to understanding complex medical topics, including metabolic hypoxia and brain tumors. Her work in these areas has earned her recognition as a semifinalist for the AAN (American Academy of Neurology) Research Neuroscience Award and a participant in the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search. Shivi’s academic journey is marked by her extensive involvement in various research projects, most notably her current focus on AI-powered precision medicine for neurofibromatosis, where she combines machine learning and genomic data to create innovative therapeutic solutions. With a strong interest in neurodegenerative diseases and brain cancer, Shivi is determined to make groundbreaking contributions in the medical field, aspiring to one day win a Nobel Prize for her research. In addition to her academic pursuits, Shivi is an active member of her community. She is the founder of the Mind Matters Foundation, which aims to raise awareness and support research for marginalized pediatric populations diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases. Through this foundation, she advocates for better healthcare resources and more equitable access to medical care for underserved groups. Shivi is also a dedicated leader, co-founding the nonprofit GEWL (Global Education Women Leaders), which focuses on empowering young girls through education, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. Outside of her research and philanthropic endeavors, Shivi enjoys mentoring others and fostering the next generation of women in STEM. With her eye on the future, Shivi is focused on expanding her knowledge and skills, constantly seeking opportunities to enhance her understanding of neuroscience, genomics, and AI to push the boundaries of what is possible in the field of medicine.
Research Interest:
Cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders are deeply intertwined, yet early risk detection across both domains remains a challenge—especially in youth populations. This project presents NeuroCardioTrace-X, a dual-modality, non-invasive diagnostic platform that combines electroencephalography (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV) to predict early cognitive and cardiovascular dysfunction in adolescents carrying the APOE ε4 allele and other polygenic risk factors. We employed datasets from the National Sleep Research Resource (NSRR) and GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) to train a hybrid model that maps correlations between EEG-derived functional connectivity (specifically frontal alpha asymmetry and theta-gamma coupling) and HRV-based autonomic balance (LF/HF ratio, RMSSD, SDNN) under resting-state and stress-response conditions. Results were further refined using a deep learning classifier to detect signature patterns indicative of emerging dysfunction in both cardiac vagal tone and cortical excitability. Our hypothesis suggests that abnormalities in cortico-autonomic feedback loops precede clinical manifestation of either cognitive or cardiovascular disease. In preliminary simulations, adolescents at higher genetic risk exhibited statistically significant reductions in EEG synchrony and parasympathetic modulation—suggesting potential for dual-risk stratification. The innovation of NeuroCardioTrace-X lies not only in its cross-system prediction capability, but also in its low-cost, portable design that could be deployed in schools, clinics, or public health screening settings. By capturing early deviation from neuro-cardiac homeostasis, this platform opens the door to truly integrative preventive medicine, where personalized brain-heart feedback informs targeted intervention before irreversible damage sets in. This project bridges neuroscience, cardiovascular epidemiology, and digital health—offering a new paradigm in adolescent risk prediction and early intervention.
Keywords: Adolescents, APOE ε4, Cardiovascular Risk, Cognitive Decline, Cortico-Autonomic Coupling, EEG, Heart Rate Variability, HRV, Neurodegeneration, Precision Medicine, Preventive Cardiology