How We Started

It started with one student’s curiosity. Our Founder, Viraj Luthra, loved chemistry and wanted everyone to experience the excitement of hands-on science. While volunteering in classrooms and hosting small experiments for friends and neighbors, he noticed a gap: many young people, especially in underserved communities, had limited opportunities to experience hands-on science. Determined to change that, he brought together a group of like-minded peers who shared his love for chemistry and belief in the power of learning by doing. Together, they turned a simple idea into a thriving nonprofit, designing programs that bring chemistry to schools, libraries, youth centers, and community events.

What began as a small team of students has grown into a thriving community of volunteers, educators, and supporters, all working to make science accessible, engaging, and empowering for everyone. Through pop-up labs, cooking-based chemistry programs, and chemical safety initiatives, they inspire curiosity, build confidence, and strengthen science literacy across communities.

Our Team

Viraj Luthra: Founder and President

Viraj's fascination with the hidden chemistry of everyday life started early: from wondering what makes bread rise to developing a cost-effective method for synthesizing hydroxyapatite (HAp) for dental and osteological use in his freshman year of high school. Driven by a desire to bring science to his community, he founded this nonprofit that started with simple experiments in his parents’ kitchen. It has since grown into a movement with pop-up labs, community workshops, school partnerships, and chemical safety programs. Outside science, Viraj enjoys Dungeons & Dragons, cooking challenges, and Gumdo (Korean sword fighting).

Dena Assaf: Director of Social Media & Content

Dena is a junior at Chantilly High School. She is responsible for amplifying the organization’s mission by transforming complex chemistry into engaging, accessible stories. She oversees all digital platforms, creates educational content, and develops multimedia campaigns that highlight our programs. Beyond crafting content, they collaborate with program teams to share student achievements and expand our online community.

Vedika Luthra: Director of Outreach & Programs

Vedika is a senior at Oakton High School. She is a science and environmental enthusiast and brings passion for science education and community engagement. With a background in organizing educational events and youth programs, she is responsible for the execution of pop-up labs, workshops, and school partnerships. She ensures that our resources reach diverse audiences, empowering learners of all ages.

Amaan Khan: Director of Fundraising

Amaan is a junior at Chantilly High School and, as the Director of Fundraising at Chemunity, he leads efforts to secure the resources that power our organization’s hands-on science programs. He is responsible for building relationships with donors and designing fundraising campaigns that support our growing initiatives and long-term sustainability. Outside of work, he enjoys volunteering, youth mentorship, and exploring innovative approaches to nonprofit development and leadership.

Shalom Abebe: Director of Safety

As Director of Safety, Shalom leads the development of protocols and resources that ensure all of our hands-on science experiences are safe, accessible, and empowering for all learners. She is responsible for designing and overseeing safety training, creating clear guidelines for pop-up labs and workshops, and collaborating with our volunteers to promote responsible chemical handling in classrooms and community spaces. With a strong commitment to fostering confidence through safe exploration, Shalom helps make chemistry approachable without compromising care

Remi: Chief Cuteness Officer

Remi is our spirit animal and role model. She does absolutely everything (not) at Chemunity. Her role is to greet all our volunteers and community members with warm hugs, pleading eyes, and nose pokes. She has a unique chemistry with every human she meets and instantly bonds with them, rolling over every five minutes and demanding endless belly rubs. Without Remi, Chemunity would dissolve faster than an ionic crystal in water.

Our Mission and Vision

Our mission is to make chemistry accessible, engaging, and relevant for everyone. We believe that science should not be confined to textbooks or laboratories because it belongs in classrooms, kitchens, parks, and everyday life. By delivering hands-on exploration, we spark curiosity and give learners of all ages the confidence to experiment, question, and discover the science that surrounds them.

Through cultural connections, we celebrate diversity and show how chemistry touches every community, from cooking and traditional practices to local environmental challenges. By providing practical safety education, we empower individuals and families to interact with chemicals responsibly, make safer choices, and care for their surroundings.

Together we want to build a world where curiosity thrives, science is accessible to all, and communities are empowered to explore, understand, and apply chemistry in everyday life.