School for Education Research and Innovation: Programs & Impact

Anool Mahidharia is the Co-Founder and Chief Maker at Maker's Asylum, India's pioneering community makerspace established in 2013. A hardware genius with a deep passion for open-source technology, Anool has been instrumental in shaping the technical foundation of the organization. He brings hands-on expertise in hardware development and open-source design philosophy, helping learners across India and globally build real-world solutions. Anool embodies the 'Make, Break, Create' culture that defines Maker's Asylum, mentoring students and makers in STEAM disciplines. His dedication to accessible, collaborative innovation has helped grow the community to over 400 students spanning 40+ countries, empowering the next generation of confident, curious problem-solvers.

Vaibhav Chhabra is the Founder and Chief Breaker of Maker's Asylum, India's first community makerspace, which he established in 2013 as a DIY space for people to share tools and make things. A Mechanical Engineer who transformed into a carpenter and educator, Vaibhav's journey reflects the very spirit of hands-on, fearless experimentation. He has led the organization through remarkable milestones, including the delivery of over one million face shields in just 49 days during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaibhav champions purpose-driven making and collaborative learning, growing Maker's Asylum from a grassroots initiative into a globally recognized innovation education platform serving students across 50+ cities and 40+ countries.

Richa Shrivastava serves as Director and Chief Creator at Maker's Asylum, where she leads brand development, strategic partnerships, and operational execution. A vital force behind the organization's growth, Richa ensures that the Maker's Asylum mission — Learning By Making — is communicated powerfully and delivered consistently across all touchpoints. Her expertise in brand strategy and partnership building has helped forge collaborations with universities, NGOs, schools, and makerspaces across India and around the world. Richa's commitment to purposeful execution supports the organization's expansion from a small DIY community into a comprehensive STEAM education ecosystem reaching students across 40+ countries and 50+ cities.

Harshan Nair is the Global Outreach Manager at Maker's Asylum, specializing in university admissions, travel, hospitality, and student engagement. Known for being a patient listener and empathetic communicator, Harshan plays a key role in connecting prospective students and global partners with the right programs at Maker's Asylum. His expertise in outreach supports the organization's mission to expand its alumni network — currently spanning 40+ countries — and to ensure that every individual who engages with Maker's Asylum finds a welcoming, supportive pathway into the maker community. Harshan's dedication to relationship-building strengthens the organization's global reach and impact in STEAM education.

Dakshat Patil is a Maker and Space Manager at Maker's Asylum, responsible for inventory management, design, production, and hands-on making at the makerspace. As a core member of the operational team, Dakshat ensures that the physical environment — with its diverse labs and equipment — runs efficiently and supports the creative and educational needs of the community. His deep involvement in the making process reflects the organization's core value of hands-on learning and fearless experimentation. Dakshat's behind-the-scenes dedication keeps the makerspace functioning as a vibrant, well-equipped hub where students and makers can prototype ideas and bring innovative solutions to life.

Sovan Dhal serves as Content Producer at Maker's Asylum, bringing a unique blend of engineering knowledge, woodworking craftsmanship, and a passion for learning to his role. An avid learner who transitioned into content production, Sovan captures and communicates the spirit of making — documenting projects, processes, and stories that inspire the broader maker community. His engineering background gives him a strong understanding of the technical aspects of makerspace activities, while his hands-on experience ensures authenticity in every piece of content created. Sovan's work plays an essential role in showcasing Maker's Asylum's impact and spreading its 'Make, Break, Create' philosophy to audiences across India and globally.

Simran Jaiswal is the Outreach Manager at Maker's Asylum, a passionate sales professional dedicated to connecting students, schools, and organizations with the transformative learning experiences the makerspace offers. With a drive-focused approach — Eat, Sleep, Sell, Repeat — Simran brings energy and commitment to every interaction, ensuring that more learners across India discover the power of hands-on STEAM education. Beyond her professional excellence, Simran is a proud dog mom who brings warmth and personality to the Maker's Asylum team. Her efforts in outreach and sales are essential to growing the community and advancing the organization's mission of empowering innovation through making.

Adishi Goenka leads Partnerships and Business Development at Maker's Asylum, bringing specialized expertise in collaboration and strategic partnership building. She plays a pivotal role in expanding the organization's network of universities, schools, NGOs, development organizations, and corporate partners both within India and internationally. Adishi's work directly supports Maker's Asylum's mission of fostering innovation through purpose-based learning by creating meaningful alliances that open doors for students and makers alike. Her dedication to collaboration over competition — a core value of the organization — ensures that Maker's Asylum continues to grow as a globally connected, community-driven hub for STEAM education and hands-on innovation.