Shruthi Nandakumar

Board Director
Director of Research & Programs
Data Protection Officer (DPO) 

Shruthi Nandakumar is a graduate of Rutgers University–New Brunswick, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts from the School of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Cell Biology and Neuroscience with a minor in Religion. Her academic background reflects a multidisciplinary foundation spanning biological science, neuroscience, ethics, and human-centered inquiry.

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Shruthi Nandakumar’s professional experience is grounded in clinical healthcare settings. She currently works as an Ophthalmic Technician, where she conducts patient intake using Nextech EMR, performs comprehensive medical assessments, and carries out advanced ophthalmic imaging including B-scan ultrasonography, ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). She also assists physicians during in-office medical procedures and supports efficient clinical workflows.

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Previously, Shruthi Nandakumar worked as a Medical Scribe and Medical Assistant at CityMD, a high-volume urgent care environment. In this role, she supported physicians during extended shifts by rooming patients, obtaining and documenting medical histories, and managing electronic health records through Athena EMR. Her responsibilities included performing diagnostic tests such as EKGs and urinalysis, assisting with laboratory procedures, coordinating diagnostic imaging and specialist referrals, and maintaining patient flow in a fast-paced clinical setting.

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In addition to her clinical work, Shruthi Nandakumar has experience in education, digital evaluation, and usability testing. She served as a Beta Tester for WGU Biology courses through Hurix, where she evaluated exam questions prior to launch, assessed platform quality and instructional effectiveness, and documented technical issues. She also participated in iOS app usability and functionality testing for DAZN through Testbirds. Earlier in her career, she worked as a self-employed piano teacher, developing customized lesson plans and teaching beginner students over several years.

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During her time at Rutgers University, Shruthi Nandakumar was actively involved with APSEA, serving on the Digital Media Committee as a Webmaster. In this role, she managed social media accounts, created engagement-focused content, and contributed to internal event planning. She also participated in community health initiatives, including assessing blood pressure, blood glucose, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and BMI. Under clinical supervision, she helped educate community members on personalized health results and provided guidance on diet and exercise recommendations.

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Shruthi Nandakumar’s interest in science communication and writing led her to volunteer as a journalist for The Examiner, a pre-health journal, where she contributed written pieces during her tenure.

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Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Shruthi Nandakumar is a club rugby player, guitarist, and pianist with a broad repertoire. She is also an avid competitive tennis player.

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Through her academic training and hands-on experience across healthcare, education, and digital platforms, Shruthi Nandakumar brings a multidisciplinary perspective grounded in clinical practice, scientific inquiry, and communication. She is seeking to gain additional research experience and continue developing these interests to a professional standard.