Curiosityspeaks.

Hi,I’mRishi.
buildingattheedgeofbiology,medicine,andcode.

Question,build,learn,repeat.

About me

Rishi Bhargava is a Caltech bioengineering undergraduate (B.S. expected 2028) working at the intersection of mechanics, molecular biology, and medicine.

His research in the Thomson Lab spans an optically controlled active-matter microfluidic pump and adaptive microfluidic niches for stem-cell cardiac repair, and he is a published first author on a study of geographic diversity in medical publishing.

Outside the lab he co-founded LabLogger, an AI-powered lab-notebook startup, mentors and teaches across Caltech's biology curriculum, and competes as a swimmer — all driven toward becoming a physician-scientist in cardiovascular medicine.

Two cultures, one perspective

  • Growing up Indian-American at the intersection of two cultures — "paratha with sprinkles" as a personal emblem of blending traditions.
  • Indian classical dance as a childhood pursuit — often the only boy, initially self-conscious, later a source of pride.
  • A belief that lived experience teaches what textbooks cannot — understanding disease through a family member's illness, not just statistics.

How I think

  • "I want to be that person for someone else." — on mentoring, inspired by his sister patiently explaining concepts to him.
  • "Reproducible analysis and honest treatment of unexpected results matter more than producing a tidy story."
  • Studies bioengineering to understand cardiovascular disease at the level where mechanics, molecular biology, and patient care intersect.
4.2
Cumulative GPA
2028
Class of
SURF ×2
Fellowships
1
First-author papers

Skills & tools

Programming

PythonJavaRC++C#MATLABJavaScriptHTML/CSSBash

Lab & Research

Microfluidic device designPDMS soft lithographyFluorescence microscopyOptical control / light patterningParticle tracking & PIVActive matter (kinesin–microtubule)Cell & stem-cell cultureStatistical analysis

Fabrication & Hardware

3D printing & CADMicrofluidics fabricationRaspberry Pi automation

Software & Build

Full-stack web (Next.js/React)Supabase / VercelLLM agents & MCP toolingiOS / TestFlight