Sharan Sokhi

2024

Singapore

Academic Interests

B.S in Computer Science with an emphasis on Cybersecurity and Augmented Intelligence

Fun Fact

I enjoy doing somersaults while skydiving! I am also an avid tennis player and rollerblader.

My passion in computer science has grown exponentially over the last 5 years, progressing from simple cryptic and object-oriented programming to designing complex algorithms. My penchant for learning programming languages is shown by my proficiency in JavaScript, Java, Visual Basic.NET and PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor).

My recent interest in quantum physics and augmented intelligence made me delve deeper into the world of quantum entanglement and its applications in creating perfect, un-hackable, quantum cybersecurity protocols and cryptographic algorithms that will be immune to cyberattacks. My interest prompted me further to do a presentation titled “From Quantum Teleportation to Quantum Cybersecurity.” I believe data analytics backed by machine learning and augmented intelligence will be critical in our daily lives and will help us be better prepared for cyberattacks.

The stellar Department of Computer Science at Duke embraces interdisciplinary research while drawing on theoretical knowledge as well as real-world challenges to develop practical solutions. I experienced the merits of interdisciplinary research during my independent research at Professor Kini Manjunatha’s laboratory at the National University of Singapore, where I researched about the detrimental effects of the opioid peptide beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7) found in A1-type milk. During my research, my knowledge of both computer science and chemistry was an asset as I spent hours doing computational analysis on A1 beta-casein and A2 beta-casein.

At Duke, I am also a member of the Duke Cyber Team and the Robotics Club where I collaborate, while challenging myself to learn and improve through the resources available. Outside of Duke, I have been involved with the NGO CRY (Child Rights and You) as an international volunteer since 2014, and in 2019 I received a commendation award for my 5 years of relentless efforts for the upliftment of girl child literacy.

What do you like about being a SPIRE Fellow?

I find the Duke SPIRE Community both smart and kind, which is incredible, because intelligence without benevolence is frightening. Duke’s motto ‘Eruditio et Religio’ seamlessly ties in with my life goals of expanding knowledge through my zeal for learning while never letting go of my values, which I consider to be an indispensable virtue of mine. After all, it is our values that define us. The resolve to excel in the field of Computer Science is mine, but my interactions with the Duke SPIRE Fellows will nurture my emotional intelligence through altruism and empathy, which will dare me to not only expand my frontiers of knowledge in my pursuit for academic excellence but also redefine my boundaries. It is through my experiences, learning together with my peers, and guidance by Spire mentors that I will be able to adapt to change and not just become another hapless victim of it.

Sharan Sokhi
Sharan Sokhi