Piya Sorcar (born 1977) is an American social entrepreneur and researcher.[1] She is the founder and CEO of TeachAids, and a lecturer at Stanford University.[2][3]
Piya Sorcar | |
|---|---|
 Sorcar at Stanford University in 2015 | |
| Born | 1977 (age 46–47) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Colorado (BA, BS, BS) Stanford University (MA, PhD) |
| Occupation(s) | Founder & CEO, TeachAids Lecturer, Stanford University |
| Spouse | Shuman Ghosemajumder |
| Parent(s) | Manick Sorcar, Shikha Sorcar |
Background
editSorcar was born in Colorado, the eldest daughter of artist and engineer Manick Sorcar and Shikha Sorcar, and the granddaughter of the pre-eminent magician P. C. Sorcar and Basanti Devi.[4] As a child actor, she was nominated for a regional Emmy Award for her performance in the short film Deepa & Rupa: A Fairy Tale from India, directed by her father,[5][6] which went on to win at the Chicago International Film Festival.[7]
Career
editShe began the development of TeachAids at Stanford University, where it was the focus of her doctoral research.[8] In 2009, she founded it as a nonprofit partnered with the university,[9] working with a team of interdisciplinary experts for five years. Her research efforts developed a new approach to large-scale public HIV education which overcame taboos to vastly improve learning and usage rates.
The approach Sorcar created included combining 2D cartoon images (balancing clarity with comfort), a research-based translation and back-translation process, mnemonic devices, and voices of regionally-specific cultural icons, among other inventions.[10]
She has led TeachAids to produce many versions of its interactive HIV prevention software,[11] which are now used in more than 80 countries.[3][12] Her work has included directing Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Shruti Haasan, and Nagarjuna.[13][14]
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In 2018, she led the creation of a second TeachAids initiative for concussion education called CrashCourse, using a new pedagogical approach based on virtual reality,[15] and supported by Steve Young, Dick Gould, Jim Plunkett, Katie Ledecky, and other prominent sports figures.[16] The initiative partnered with 23 United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Sports Governing Bodies.[17] Demonstrating high efficacy levels through research conducted at Harvard University and Stanford, CrashCourse was used globally, particularly in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States.[18]
In 2011, MIT Technology Review named Sorcar to their TR35 list of the top 35 most innovative people in the world under 35.[1] In 2012, she and TeachAids were named one of twelve global laureates of The Tech Awards.[19] In 2022, she received the Public Service Award from the Association of Academic Physiatrists, joining past winners such as Christopher Reeve.[20]
References
edit- ^ a b Naone, Erica (2011-09-01). "Top 35 Innovators in the World: Dr. Piya Sorcar". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
- ^ "EDUC 335X: Designing Research-Based Interventions to Solve Global Health Problems". Stanford University Course Catalog. 2015-07-09. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
- ^ a b Sherwood, Christina Hernandez (2013-01-14). "Q&A: Piya Sorcar, founder and CEO of TeachAIDS". ZDNet. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
- ^ "Suriya, Anushka support AIDS awareness campaign". The New Indian Express. 2013-11-26. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
- ^ "1991 Emmy Nominees". National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. 1991-09-01. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
- ^ "Deepa & Rupa: A Fairy Tale from India: Full Cast & Crew". Internet Movie Database. 1991-09-01. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
- ^ "Video Reviews: Deepa & Rupa". Hinduism Today. 1994-11-15. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
- ^ Kamenetz, Anya (2013-04-10). "Research finally shows that online education works — for sex, alcohol and health". NBC News. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
- ^ McClure, Max (2012-07-25). "Stanford-affiliated nonprofit sets standard for AIDS education". Stanford News. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
- ^ "Piya Sorcar: Celebrities, Taboos and TeachAIDS".
- ^ Irani, Mahafreed (2011-09-24). "Moving pictures, moving minds". The Times of India. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
- ^ "Animated course on HIV education in Odia to be launched". The Telegraph. 2014-11-21. Archived from the original on November 25, 2013. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
- ^ Tsering, Lisa (2014-12-05). "Amitabh Bachchan Joins S.F. Bay Area Nonprofit TeachAIDS". India West. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
- ^ Naig, Udhave (2013-11-26). "Animated teaching". The Hindu. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
- ^ Melnick), Former Writer (Kyle (2018-09-06). "TeachAids & Stanford University Debut VR Concussion Education Program". VRScout. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ^ Frye, Andy. "Raiders Legend Jim Plunkett Wants To End Concussion Stigma Through Education". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
- ^ "USA Football Launches Enhanced, Nationally Accredited Youth Coach Certification Benefiting Young Players". www.sportsdestinations.com. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ^ "Stanford-Harvard Study Shows Student Athletes Increased Intent to Report Concussions After TeachAids CrashCourse Education". Healthcare Dive. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ^ "2012 Global Laureate Profile: TeachAIDS". The Tech Awards. 2012-10-15. Archived from the original on 2015-07-03. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
- ^ "This Year's Award Winners - Association of Academic Physiatrists". www.physiatry.org. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
