Divya Chander

Divya Chander, MD, PhD is an anesthesiologist, neuroscientist, futurist, and entrepreneur trained at Harvard, Stanford, UCSF, UCSD, and the Salk Institute. Dr. Chander specializes in the convergence of brain health, technology, AI, and data security, and is Founder/CEO of a company that deploys AI-based algorithms within brain-computer interfaces (BCI) for early detection and treatment of brain failure, to prevent dementia and preserve cognitive longevity. Prior to this, her research at Stanford University pioneered the automated tracking of consciousness states and the exploration of theories of consciousness, presented on prominent stages like TED-NYC and the UN.

Her work includes the consideration of human augmentation and its effect on consciousness and human evolution, and the potential to recognize consciousness in non-human entities. She has also been modeling the effect of AI and embodied AI in the consciousness space, defining its risk landscape and strategies to mitigate risk. As Neuroscience Chair at the Singularity Group, Dr. Chander tracks neurotechnology and medical technology’s exponential growth and its implications for governance, startups, and the global economy. She is also part of the Health and Space Brain Trusts at XPRIZE.

She is a fierce advocate for data and biometric rights, and has contributed to policy awareness through her role on the Stimson Center Innovation Council and as a former Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. She has also advised and collaborated with organizations like the UN, XRSI, and the Australian Human Rights Commission to develop digital identity and biometric data protection standards, as well as define and advocate for neurorights. Dr. Chander’s experience also spans space life sciences. She was a finalist for astronaut selection and an alumnus of the International Space University, and has performed remote simulations of trauma rescues, anesthesia and surgery in Mars analogue settings. She is currently designing BCIs to diagnose and treat astronaut brain health, as well as medical systems to support human exploration of space.