TEAM LEADERSHIP
We are Team 6822, The Shishkabots, a second-year high school FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team based in central San Jose. FRC is part of the larger international program FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) that pairs high school teams with corporate engineering sponsors to build robots that compete in a challenging sport-like event. Our mission is to foster a passion for science, technology, engineering, and robotics as well as a strong sense of comradery, teamwork, and the FIRST values of Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition in our team members. We are also committed to bringing our knowledge and experience to underrepresented STEM minorities in our community and forming connections with local companies and sponsors.
EVA PRAKASH,
Captain and Founder
Eva Prakash is a senior at BASIS and the co-captain of the Shishkabots. She participated in FLL for four years, sparking her interest in robotics. Having been in FRC for four years, she hopes to make the team committed towards the engineering experience and lead them towards success in tournaments, while also being a voice for underrepresented groups in tech in her community. In her free time, Eva codes, participates in speech tournaments, and absorbs herself in anything Marvel.
NEEL DATTA,
Captain
Neel is the co-captain of the Shishkabots. He's been in FRC for two years, mainly focusing on mechanical and electrical engineering. When he isn't busy with robotics (or homework), you can find him making music, skateboarding with his friends, designing clothes, or playing World of Warcraft.
MARIO GORANOV,
VP of Engineering
Mario Goranov is the VP of Engineering on the Shishkabots. He has previously participated several years in the Tech Challenge, winning several awards such as 2nd Best Overall with the team which he led. Currently he also heads the BISV Competitive Computer Science Club, in which he works to prepare students for competing in programming competitions. His interests include video games, programming, and hiking.
NIKHIL AGGARWAL, Mechanical Lead
SAHIL JAIN, Mechanical Lead
Sahil Jain is a senior at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley and an Mechanical co-lead. He has been doing robotics since 5th grade, doing FLL, FTC (as a member and a Coach), and this year doing FRC, looking forward to working on mechanical engineering and computer science. He leads the iOS Apps Club and has created the BASEHacks hackathon at his school, where he teaches iOS programming to other students. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, table tennis, listening to music, and building new things.
STEPHEN ZHU, Electrical Lead and Safety Captain
Stephen Zhu is an electrical co-lead and the Safety Captain. He has done several years of FLL, FTC, and FRC. His interests include fencing, golf, video games, reading, and rock climbing.
TRAVIS SHAO, Electrical Lead
Travis Shao is an Electrical co-lead. He has done robotics for three years and FTC for two, reaching second place in regionals in his first year.
WILLIAM PAN, Programming Lead
William Pan is the co-lead of the programming division of the Shiskabots team. This is his first year doing FRC robotics and he is focusing on programming and improving the autonomous functions of the team’s robot. In his free time, William likes to play badminton with his friends, watch TV shows, play Path of Exile, or browse the internet.
COLIN LU, Programming Lead
Colin is the Shishkabots programming co-lead. Although new to FRC, he hopes to put multiple years of experience with competitive programming and machine learning to good use during his time on the team. Other than programming, he likes to spend free time watching anime, biking, and playing games like Civ and Starcraft.
PRITI RANGNEKAR, Business Lead
Priti Rangnekar is a junior at BASIS and is the Business Lead. She looks forward to continue to strengthen the team’s relations with businesses and the community through outreach and partnerships. She is also excited to build a robust robot and contribute to the programming and electrical subteams. Apart from school and robotics, she enjoys speech and debate, competitive programming, and traveling.
ANIMESH JHA, VP of Engineering
Animesh has done FRC for 2 years. He is on the mechanical subsection and enjoys seeing a finished product come together and work with the other components of the machine. While not working on robotics, you can often catch him listening to music or watching streams.
NEAL PRAKASH, Mechanical Team and Business Lead
ARJUN GUPTE, Programming Team and Operations Lead
This is Arjun’s first year doing FRC robotics, and he is a part of the programming team. He has previously done FLL and VEX VRC, and besides programming, is passionate about electronics. Outside of robotics and schoolwork, Arjun enjoys playing tennis and the drums.
MEDHYA SUNDHER, Mechanical Team Lead
Medhya is part of the Shishkabots mechanical team. This is her fourth year as part of robotics, but her first in FRC. For the past three years she was the captain of a VEX IQ robotics team that made it to the World Championships twice, in 2016 and 2018. Apart from robotics, Medhya is a swimmer and plays water polo. She has also been playing the flute for five years. In her free time, she loves to read, draw, or swim.