Surendra Persaud, a past winner of the Young Innovators award in 2015, is a hackathon enthusiast currently pursuing Computer Science & Political Science at the University at Albany. He emigrated to New York City from Guyana when he was three and has always had an interest in technology. He has organized inclusive events and mentored others through a variety of organizations including The Young Hackers, The Knowledge House and Global Kids. Today, his ambitions lie at the intersection of computer science, politics, and education. Surendra loves to meet new people and recite to them the Hamilton soundtrack. His favorite hobbies are lifting weights, producing films, and dancing.