Our Graduate Student Ambassadors are current students from diverse backgrounds and academic disciplines. They are passionate about their studies and eager to help others find their niche within Luddy. By connecting with our ambassadors, you can gain insights into academic programs, research opportunities, and student life.
Who Are Our Ambassadors?
Benefits of connecting with our Ambassadors
Become an Ambassador
Interested in becoming a Graduate Student Ambassador? For more information, contact us at GoLuddy@iu.edu.
- Personalized Guidance: Get answers to your questions about programs, admissions, and campus life.
- Real Student Experiences: Learn about the day-to-day life of a Luddy graduate student.
- Networking Opportunities: Build connections with current students and faculty.
- Supportive Community: Join a welcoming and inclusive environment that fosters collaboration and growth.
Meet our Ambassadors
At the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, our Graduate Student Ambassadors are here to support prospective and incoming students. These enthusiastic and knowledgeable students share their experiences, provide valuable resources, and help you navigate your journey at Luddy.

Shohana Akter
Shohana is a Ph.D. student in Information Science and currently works as an Associate Instructor for the Library and Information Science Department at the Luddy School. She grew up in Bangladesh and completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Dhaka. As she embarks on her journey at IU, she aims to gain valuable experiences as a student, build meaningful global friendships, and foster strong connections with the community.

Gracey Nana Amoakoa-Amoako
Gracey is a Ph.D. student in Information Science and also pursuing a minor in Global Studies. Gracey is from Ghana where she had her undergraduate in Sociology and her master’s is in social work from Zhejiang Normal University, China. Gracey believes everyone has a unique story to tell and loves connecting with people from all walks of life to hear theirs!

Logan Babcock
Logan is from Auburn, Indiana and is pursuing a dual-master’s degree in information and library science. His focus is exploring how organizations create and manage their digital content. He currently works as a library assistant at the Kinsey Institute. He earned his undergraduate degrees at IU’s Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies.

Parmida Farghadani
Parmida Farghadani is a Ph.D. student in Informatics at Indiana University, focusing on Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) with strong interests in UX research, health data, and sociotechnical interventions that shape well-being. She focuses on extending care beyond medical environments, making support more present in everyday living. With a background in urban design, she brings a systems-level perspective that bridges technology, design, and societal challenges.

Larry Gates
Larry is a Ph.D. student in Computer Science. He works with Professor David Leake on research related to Case-Based Reasoning. He is one of the Associate Instructors for an introductory undergraduate computer science class at Luddy, and his Ph.D. Minor is in Instructional Systems Technology through the IU School of Education. Larry grew up in Indianapolis and completed his undergraduate at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Carter Hammond
Carter is a second-year student in the M.A Musicology and M.L.S dual degree program. He completed his undergraduate studies in violin performance and psychology. At IU, he works in the Cook Music Library as a cataloguer and reference assistant. Outside of academics, he enjoys running and watching college football.

Sathvica Kothapalli
Sathvica is a Ph.D. student in Informatics at Indiana University Bloomington. She is originally from Hyderabad, India, and has an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering and Law. Her research interests lie at the intersection of technology and society, focusing on health, AI ethics and its social impact on marginalized communities, especially women, children, and aging populations. Her advice for new students is to ask questions, build connections and don’t be afraid to reach out to your peers and professors—it makes the journey so much easier!

John Lazenby
As a Ph.D. student in intelligent systems engineering, John is always excited to learn more about the way things work. He is a research assistant in the lab of Professor Adrian Ildefonso and works with the Center for Reliable and Trusted Electronics (CREATE). His research interests include reliable photonic integrated circuits and interaction of ionizing radiation with solid state materials. John graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.

Hanudeep Marru
Hanudeep has his undergraduate degree in Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering (EIE). He is currently working on his Master’s thesis which is focused on analog/digital circuit design under the supervision of Associate Professor Daniel Loveless.

Surya Mothukuri
Surya is from Hyderabad, India and is currently pursuing his master’s in data science at IU Bloomington. He completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Electronics Engineering in India and has hands-on experience developing AI models for multinational corporations. His career focus is on AI for Good, exploring how artificial intelligence can be applied to healthcare, sustainability, and social impact projects. His advice to new peers is to get their hands dirty with research, projects, and student communities, as these experiences often open doors far beyond the classroom.

Alejandro Murillo-González
Alejandro is a Ph.D. student in Intelligent Systems Engineering at the Vehicle Autonomy and Intelligence Lab (VAIL), supervised by Associate Professor Lantao Liu. His research lies at the intersection of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, with a particular focus on model-based planning and control. He previously obtained a B.Sc. in Mathematical Engineering from Universidad EAFIT (Colombia).

Arathi Pallath
Arathi Pallath, a M.S. student in Human-Computer Interaction at Luddy. With a foundation in Visual Communication design, and Interior Architecture and Design, Arathi’s journey has taken her from working with a startup as a UI designer, to a UX designer in Infosys, and later as Product Designer in Freshworks. She came to Luddy with a clear gap she aspired to bridge – gaps between design, engineers, and business and her time here at Luddy has given her the exposure to do exactly that.

Sunny Qiao
Sunny is a M.S. student in Human-Computer Interaction/Design. Originally from China, she earned her bachelor’s degree in film and media studies from the University of California, Irvine. Beyond design, she was highly involved in on-campus orgs during college, including social work and cultural groups to school athletics. Sunny enjoys staying active by going to the gym, grabbing matcha and studying. A fun fact about Sunny is that she specializes in making all kinds of milk tea and beverages.

Nisha Sarwar
Nisha is a M.S. student in Data Science and a Fulbright Scholar from Pakistan. She enjoys working with big, messy data, exploring how systems function at the hardware level, and finding ways to use technology to promote sustainability. She values the supportive learning environment at Luddy and the resources that help students feel connected and empowered. Nisha enjoys playing ping pong, badminton, pickleball, and participates in weekly group exercise sessions at SRSC. Her motto is: "Be bold and brave to embrace change and keep growing."

Akshara Avinash Sarode
Akshara is a second-year Master’s student in Computer Science at Indiana University Bloomington, maintaining a perfect 4.0/4.0 GPA. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Mumbai, India. Before joining IU, she gained hands-on experience at Deloitte and the Tata Group, where she worked on data visualization and analytics projects.
