Brains Gone Too Far: NIH Brain Initiative, 2040

The year is 2040. Our understanding of the brain has exploded - and with it, the potential to enhance cognition. The true question now is, can we responsibly merge mind and machine? At the 2040 NIH BRAIN Initiative, you will grapple with the human impact of this neurotechnological revolution. How can we safeguard values like identity, privacy, and fairness in an age of cognitive augmentation? Should we biohack our brains? Do intelligent machines even deserve these rights?  We need your innovative thinking on regulation and ethics for technologies that could profoundly transform society. The ideas you champion will shape how the world embraces or controls this new frontier of the mind. Together, we'll thoughtfully advance into the exhilarating age of neural tech and AI.

Chair | Navya Aenugu

Navya is a second year pursuing an interdisciplinary major for Brain-Computer Ventures and a minor in Innovation in Business. Navya has been doing MUN since eighth grade, and she especially loves meeting new people and hearing new perspectives during MUN conferences. Navya is always excited to hear anything and everything related to technology, whether it be for creating futuristic solutions or testing random things. Outside of MUN, Navya loves working in the startup space and working on random creative endeavors. She is beyond excited to meet everyone at UVA this year!

Crisis Director | Shaan Sabharwal

Shaan Sabharwal is a first year at UVA pursuing the pre-commerce track. While this is his first year as a part of VICS, he has been competing in Model UN since high school. Shaan is involved in various economic clubs at UVA as well as the ISA. In his free time he likes to play soccer, fantasy football, and spend time with friends and family. He is looking forward to being a part of the NIH Brain Initiative, and excited for a fun, productive committee!