Meet Dheeraj Tallapragada

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dheeraj Tallapragada. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dheeraj , thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

My optimism comes from Phase 1 Research—not just the impact we’ve made, but the potential I see in every student we reach. When I founded the nonprofit, the challenges were daunting: funding, outreach, logistics. But every obstacle was met with a solution, every setback with resilience. Seeing under-resourced students in India, once overlooked, now thriving in STEM fuels my belief in possibility. Optimism isn’t blind hope—it’s knowing that change is possible because I’ve built it before. Every student we empower is proof that even the smallest spark can ignite something greater. That’s why I keep pushing forward.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

At Phase 1 Research, we’re dedicated to making STEM education accessible to under-resourced students in India. Through mentorship, funding, and hands-on projects, we’ve empowered over 100 students to explore science beyond textbooks. Now, we’re expanding with ResearchLink—an AI-powered platform designed to help students find and connect with professors in their field of interest. Cold-emailing can be daunting, but ResearchLink streamlines the process, matching students with researchers and crafting personalized outreach. By breaking down barriers to mentorship and research opportunities, we’re ensuring that the next generation of innovators has the support they need to thrive.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are initiative, adaptability, and strategic communication.

1. Initiative – Building Phase 1 Research and now launching ResearchLink, an AI-powered cold emailer for students to connect with professors, required me to take action without waiting for permission. My advice? Start before you feel ready. Opportunities come to those who create them.

2. Adaptability – No project unfolds perfectly. Learning to pivot—whether adjusting our mentorship model or refining ResearchLink’s AI—has been crucial. Embrace setbacks as data points, not failures.

3. Strategic Communication – Cold emailing professors, pitching sponsors, and leading teams taught me that how you say something is just as important as what you say. Mastering clear, compelling messaging is a game-changer.

For those early in their journey: Experiment, refine, and keep moving forward. The best way to grow is to build something real—and learn from every step.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

If my career were a novel, it wouldn’t be a straight-line plot. It would be a mosaic—scattered with pivots, experiments, and unexpected turns. That’s exactly why Range resonated with me.

Epstein argues that specialization isn’t the only path to success—sometimes, the best innovators are generalists. I saw myself in those pages. Founding Phase 1 Research wasn’t just about STEM; it was about education, policy, and mentorship. Launching ResearchLink wasn’t just tech—it was psychology, marketing, and AI. The biggest lesson? Breadth fuels breakthroughs.

So now, when asked, “What do you want to be?” my answer is simple: Everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://p1research.org