Life & Work with Nandita Srikumar of Solon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nandita Srikumar.

Hi Nandita, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey as a brain health advocate began in 2024. For me, it started off as a usual Sunday afternoon and I was at the local medical center dedicating my time back to the community. However, during my volunteer shift I witnessed a dementia patient continuously calling for help and his face was filled with constant confusion, and I knew I had to take action. It was that unforgettable moment that started my journey of working towards a society with brain health awareness for all, and it’s that moment that will drive me forever.

Also, as an Alzheimer’s student researcher at my local university, I have realized one thing: while there are ongoing efforts to find a viable cure, the best solution is to preserve one’s brain health by starting early. Upon realizing this fact, I knew I had to take action to help the millions that are currently impacted by dementia and also promote brain health education amongst the upcoming generation.

This led me to founding Cognitive Connections, a brain health awareness initiative for all ages. Through in-person and virtual workshops, social media, and a brain health expert podcast series, I have impacted thousands of individuals across the globe, and I’m excited to continue making a difference in the brain health field.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road towards starting a community initiative at the age of 16 has certainly been quite bumpy! Initially, when I began emailing schools and seniors centers to conduct workshops, I was often met with hesitancy and sometimes even rejection. Despite this, I continually persevered and kept following through with the emails. When I received that first “yes” from an elementary school, it became my motivating factor and it served as a reminder that receiving approval from the school was possible. Now, I have already presented at 15+ senior centers and schools and am scheduled to present at more venues!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m the founder and president of Cognitive Connections, an organization that is dedicated to fostering brain health awareness and community engagement through innovative programs and events for all age groups. The premise is to educate the public about the five pillars of brain health: nutrition, physical exercise, sleep, emotional well-being, and cognitive fitness. Apart from in-person workshops, this initiative’s vision is to reach a larger audience through its website, infographics, podcast series, and Instagram posts. Through these social media platforms, Cognitive Connections provides practical tips, engaging activities, and resources to preserve one’s brain health. I’m very proud of how far I have come and thus far, Cognitive Connections has impacted over 10,000 individuals internationally. Moreover, I’m also deeply grateful to have received the opportunity from the Virtual Brain Health Center to present during the 2025 Brain Health Week, and I’m excited to present as a panelist in the 2026 Brain Health Week, as well!

I believe what sets Cognitive Connections apart is the profound emphasis on brain health for a younger generation. Currently, a lot of resources are only focused on brain health for older individuals. While this is certainly important, it is just as critical to prioritize our next generation and nurture their brain health from a younger age. Overall, Cognitive Connections’ core mission is to empower individuals to take charge of their cognitive well-being.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
With dementia-based research skyrocketing, I’m hopeful that there will be more personalized treatments for this neurodegenerative disorder. Yet, at the same time it is important to continue to prioritize prevention. With organizations such as Cognitive Connections and other brain health foundations, I truly believe that more individuals will come to understand the importance of protecting their brain from a younger age. This trend will likely be led by individuals in the current and upcoming generation who step forth as brain health advocates. Most importantly, with each step we take, it is important to work together to protect our brain health.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cognitiveconnections.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cognitiveconnections101/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CognitiveConnections
• Other: https://linktr.ee/cognitiveconnections