From West Texas to the Virtual Brain: My Journey into Neuroscience with syGlass

Kanishk Yankarla, former Odessa High School student and author of this post.

Hi everyone! My name is Kanishk Yankarla, and I’m thrilled to take you on a journey into the fascinating world of neuroscience. As a high school intern at syGlass, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to explore a game-changing technology—Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in virtual reality. Let’s dive in!

I’m a senior at Odessa High School in West Texas, balancing academics, leadership, and creativity. As the president of our school’s Robotics team and captain of the tennis team, I love solving challenges both on the court and in the lab. My passion for neuroscience and computer science keeps me busy, but when I need a break, you can find me playing basketball or exploring the art of 3D modeling in Blender.

Growing up in a region with limited access to specialized science resources, I often found myself diving into neuroscience on my own—whether through competitions like Brain Bee or hours of independent study. But everything changed when I joined syGlass. Suddenly, I was immersed in cutting-edge neuroscience topics, exploring concepts I’d only dreamed of experiencing firsthand. In this blog, I’ll take you through the remarkable capabilities of DBS technology and how it’s reshaping our understanding of the brain.

Being part of syGlass has been surreal. From my first VR tutorial, where I found myself face-to-face with a 3D model of a zebrafish, to exploring the neural pathways of a DBS scan, every moment has brought me closer to realizing what the future of medical learning could be. Entering this internship at syGlass was my first chance to explore neuroscience in a truly hands-on, immersive way, and it’s been an incredible experience. From the start, I felt welcome at syGlass. The faculty and team introduced me to a range of technologies, explaining each in-depth. My first session was unbelievable, putting on the headset transported me into a new dimension. One moment I was sitting in a Korean coffee shop; the next, I was in arms length of a zebrafish. I started with the basic tutorials, but soon enough, I was ready to dive deeper into the possibilities of VR in learning and neuroscience.

Kanishk manipulates 3D image data within syGlass.

A key part of my internship has involved working with the VR classroom and virtual tutorials on Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a treatment primarily for Parkinson's disease. A Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a cutting-edge procedure that involves implanting electrodes into specific areas of the brain to regulate abnormal activity. It’s mainly used to treat movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor, and can also help with certain psychiatric conditions. A DBS scan combines MRI and CT imaging to create a high-resolution, three-dimensional map of the brain, guiding neurosurgeons in placing electrodes with pinpoint precision. In this immersive environment, I could zoom into intricate brain regions like the subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus—key targets during DBS surgery. Seeing how these areas are stimulated to relieve symptoms like tremors or muscle rigidity was nothing short of extraordinary.

What makes this experience truly unforgettable though, is the chance to learn directly from experts. Under the guidance of Dr. George Spirou, a renowned neuroscientist from the University of South Florida, I had the chance to delve into DBS sessions. His explanations made complex procedures feel accessible, as if I were shadowing a neurosurgeon in the operating room. His explanations covered both the science and the technology behind the simulation, providing insights that would be challenging to grasp through traditional textbooks or lectures. Experiencing DBS in this way allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of whatever lesson I was going over. It was as if I was observing a neurosurgeon’s presurgical planning process, understanding the precision and care required to improve a patient's quality of life.

Kanishk describes his syGlass experience via the syGlass narration system, alongside an MRI of the human head.

Beyond the technical insights, the syGlass internship has shown me how VR could reshape medical education and training. The interactive environment makes complex neuroscience concepts far more accessible, and I can imagine a future where scientists, regardless of their background or location, gain this kind of early exposure to advanced topics. This technology could bridge significant gaps in education, especially for students like me in areas where resources are limited.

As I look ahead, my plan is to pursue a degree in neuroscience or cognitive science, potentially with a minor in computer science. I’m still deciding between medical school and research, but experiences like these are helping me shape my path. I know that I want to contribute to similar initiatives that use cutting-edge technology to advance education and global health. Programs like syGlass spark curiosity and fuel passion, and I hope to one day play a role in making science as impactful and accessible as possible for the next generation.

Thank you to everyone at syGlass for making this experience so meaningful. It’s an honor to be a part of such a forward-thinking program, and I can’t wait to see where this journey will take me.