We recently connected with April Surac and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, April thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is NeuraSensa, a neurotechnology initiative that creates multisensory experiences for individuals with sensory processing challenges. It started from my interest in both neuroscience and art, and I wanted to explore how sensory input could be used to make creative spaces more accessible. I grew up around woodworking and textiles, and that hands-on background influenced how I approached designing interactive, tactile installations. Through early prototypes, I’ve seen how small sensory adjustments—like vibration or changes in texture—can help people with autism or dementia feel more comfortable engaging with art. The project is still evolving, but it’s given me a deeper appreciation for how technology can be used to create more inclusive spaces.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

April Surac is an individual driven by a passion for medical research, neurotechnology, and creative technology. With a focus on reshaping healthcare and enhancing the quality of life for individuals with neurological conditions, April has already made significant strides in both research and creative tech. Her work with Stanford University on bioinformatics, epigenetics, and oncology, particularly optimizing drug discovery through machine learning, has resulted in a co-authored paper and presentations at prominent forums.

As a finalist in the 2024 TechGirls program, April gained experience in STEM instruction, leadership development, and global tech community immersion. She is also the founder of Bookoli, an edutech initiative designed to help individuals with dyslexia and reading difficulties, which has already impacted over 20 schools and 150 beta testers. Her project has won awards at science fairs and continues to grow, with plans for a public launch by 2025.

Additionally, April is the creator of NeuraSensa, a neurotechnology-driven project blending art and science to offer personalized multisensory experiences for individuals with sensory processing disorders, including those with autism and Alzheimer’s. With successful exhibitions in galleries, April is working to expand this project globally, advocating for accessible art spaces and sensory-friendly experiences.

Looking toward the future, April plans to pursue a degree in electrical engineering and neuroscience, aiming to work in medical research and neurotechnology. Her goal is to make meaningful contributions to brain-computer interfaces, neuroprosthetics, and the intersection of technology, health policy, and the arts. Through her work, April aspires to bridge the gap between technology and human experience, creating solutions that have a lasting impact on communities.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a creative has been the people I’ve met and the genuine connections I’ve been able to make through my projects. For example, with NeuraSensa, a project that combines neurotechnology and art to create multisensory experiences, I connected with creative technologists and textile artists who provided invaluable feedback. One artist, after seeing a piece, suggested a new approach to the material design that opened up possibilities I hadn’t considered before. That exchange made me realize how much I could learn from others who approach the world differently, and how much their input could shift the direction of a project.

With Bookoli, an educational technology platform I developed to help students with reading difficulties like dyslexia, I got to see it make a real difference in over 20 local schools. The most rewarding moments were speaking with students, teachers, and parents about how the platform was impacting their learning. One student shared that using Bookoli helped them understand reading better than they had before, which meant more to me than any award. A parent told me that their child, who had always struggled with reading, was finally feeling more confident. These conversations were reminders that the work I’m doing—whether it’s in neurotechnology, education, or art—really can help people, and that’s something I didn’t fully understand until I heard their stories.

Ultimately, what I’ve learned is that the real reward isn’t about seeing the project come to life, but about seeing how it touches others. I never imagined that my work could have an impact on people’s lives in such meaningful ways. Whether it’s a student feeling less frustrated with reading, or someone with sensory processing challenges engaging with art in a new way, these moments are what make everything worth it. It’s not just about creating for the sake of creating—it’s about creating with purpose and being in tune with the impact it can have on others.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The mission behind my creative journey is about pushing myself to explore the intersection of art and science, and to constantly challenge myself in both fields. Whether I’m working on Bookoli, an AI-driven tool to support students with reading difficulties, or designing interactive art pieces through NeuraSensa, I aim to build something that serves a purpose beyond the work itself. I’ve realized through pitching to organizations like Microsoft or being invited to events such as the Bank of America tech summit that my creative ideas can have a real impact. For me, it’s not just about making something that looks good or sounds impressive—it’s about building things that people can use and connect with. When I won the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing National Award, it helped me see that the work I’m doing can expand beyond personal projects and into something that can influence how we think about education, technology, and accessibility. It encouraged me to think bigger about how creative work, no matter what form it takes, can have lasting effects on the communities it touches. These experiences remind me that, as a creator, my goal is always to keep pushing, to make things that don’t just exist for art’s sake, but that contribute meaningfully to the world. And that’s a mission I’ll always be driven by.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.suracstudios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/april.surac/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avril-sura%C4%87/
• Twitter: https://x.com/AprilSurac