High School student passionate about computer games, AI, martial arts, creative arts, and writing.

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Chander Lolayekar  • Peerlist

AI + Climate + FoodFor the Mars to Table challenge, I’m building a hybrid, near-closed-loop bioregenerative food system that transforms how we sustain long-duration space missions, moving toward nutritional autonomy. My system integrates: 🌱 Hydroponics &amp; Soil-based crops 🧬 Algae/Microbial bioreactors 🍄 Mycelium-based waste recycling 🐜 BSFL insect protein conversion 🖨️ 3D-bioprinted "TrueTexture" mealsWhile this is engineered for the 15-person Mars habitat, the core technology is a blueprint for Earth’s most food-insecure regions. By combining modular vertical farming with radical waste-recycling, this architecture creates a pathway to hyper-efficient, climate-resilient food production—whether in urban food deserts, disaster-relief zones, or remote research outposts, solving for calories on Mars, while building a scalable, circular food economy for a more resilient planet. 🌍→🚀An end-to-end, vertically integrated space food system simulation framework engineered for a 15-member surface expedition crew on Mars over a 500-Sol mission footprint. The system utilizes a Python-based biosimulation codebase paired with a $3\text{ m}^3$ singular rack architectural layout to optimize caloric density and achieve a 96.5% closed-loop fluid recovery efficiency.### 🗂️ Project Deliverables &amp; Documentation 💻 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://github.com/chanderlolayekar/mars-to-table">Public Source Code (GitHub) </a>Explore our Python simulation module and codebase architecture. 📄 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ARkwURiWJNvCahYK_CFsYMJsyBagHGbC/view?usp=sharing">Executive Summary (PDF)</a> - High-level abstract outlining core system constraints. 📕 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/14YGBJCDp3jbHFjwzzwfjpxicKoAHT44i/view?usp=drive_link">Detailed System Write-up (PDF)</a> - Full technical report covering multi-trophic calculations and mass balances. 📊 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1datuhJDXO2tSR3jT59q46G0q02iHioT6/view?usp=sharing">Presentation Slide Deck (PDF)</a> - Visual engineering blueprints and structural roadmap.📺 Watch the 10-Minute Technical Walkthrough on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkesTBYzVvc">YouTube</a>

Mars to Table

Home is a Ripple is a stop-motion short film that follows a droplet’s journey through change, curiosity, and connection. Using tactile animation, the film explores home as more than a place — it can also be a feeling of being seen, accepted, and understood.This project blends stop-motion with storytelling to create a reflective, visual piece about growth, identity, and belonging. It was recognized as an Exceptional Awardee in Film by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://www.creativeyouthawards.org/2026/home-is-a-ripple-chander-l?tag=Exceptional%20Award">the 2026 Creative Youth Awards and featured in the Creative Gallery</a>.

Home is a Ripple

A minimalist, interactive journal capturing completion of the 52 km Mount Kailash Kora at 18,471 ft. Designed as a quiet, meditative micro-experience, it blends narrative pacing, visual design, and cultural context to explore resilience, perspective, and identity. Built using Base44

Mount Kailash Kora–Story & Visual Experience

HappinessAI is a minimalist, AI-powered companion designed to help users decode emotional patterns and build a more fulfilling life.We believe emotional well-being should be a data-driven human right. Our initiative is dedicated to building “Psychological Infrastructure”—moving users beyond passive consumption to actively observe and influence their own emotional trajectories.Want to help build the future of well-being? We are currently looking for early adopters to help us pilot our physical "Happy Moment" stickers: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefc0oXAWLqGpyFKb6iKqGbVst4ibIk8rj2qkejAOVv5UOkiQ/viewform?usp=header">Sign Up Here</a>

HappinessAI

During my NASA internship, I worked with a dedicated six-member team to design AEGIS, an innovative UAV-based escort system designed to enhance personal safety in urban environments. Our project focuses on creating autonomous escort drones that can follow people in risky situations to deter threats and notify authorities if needed. Our design include features like smart path-planning, sensor fusion (using cameras that see normal, infrared, and thermal), and voice command recognition. We also researched FAA drone regulations and set up a plan for rolling out this system safely and legally. Together we presented <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20250009229/downloads/NASA%20TM-20250009229_V2.pdf">the final technical report </a>and capstone presentation to NASA’s Aviation Systems Division. Special thanks to my amazing mentors, Steven Beard and Haroon Khan, for their patient guidance, fantastic insights, and encouragement throughout the project. Also, big thanks to Shannon Zelinski for providing us the incredible opportunity and support, and to Jonas Jonsson for sharing his expertise on drone technology. Finally, grateful to everyone at NASA’s Aviation Systems Division for making this internship an unforgettable experience.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20250009229/downloads/NASA%20TM-20250009229_V2.pdf">Here is the link to the technical report</a>