By Carolyn Doyle
Luddy School graduate Sanjana Madarapu (pictured above), who earned her Health Informatics M.S. last year, is wasting no time in taking on a new challenge.
Once she had completed her master’s degree at IU’s Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering in Indianapolis, Madarapu went back to school. That’s because she had earned one of just 15 coveted spots in the rigorous IU School of Dentistry International Dentist Program for 2024.
Two other Luddy School graduates, Anushri Singh Rajapuri and Rohini Vemparala, have since been enrolled in the dentistry program.
With more than 3,000 applicants for the 2-year program, their success is a huge accomplishment. The program enables students such as Madarapu, who in 2019 earned her bachelor’s degree in dental surgery in India, to become licensed to practice dentistry in the United States.
Intrigued by possibilities of data
“My story started off from a small city in southern India, where dentistry, particularly research, was my great interest,” Madarapu explains.
“During a research project, I witnessed the incredible nature of data analysis. My school’s analyst transformed my work with insights and visualizations, revealing possibilities I never knew existed.
“While incredibly grateful, a small part of me wanted to do this magic myself.”
Madarapu’s search led her to the Luddy School, and its Biomedical Engineering and Informatics Department.
“Their emphasis on student growth was a major draw,” she said of her decision to pursue her degree at Luddy Indianapolis.
Innovation and Eli Lilly internship
“Sanjana Madarapu’s journey exemplifies the innovative spirit we foster in our Health Informatics program,” says Saptarshi Purkayastha, Ph.D., director of Heath Informatics at the Luddy School.
“Her ability to bridge her dental background with newly acquired data analysis skills demonstrates the kind of interdisciplinary thinking we value,”
Switching from dentistry to data was a big move. But Madarapu says, “Despite my health care background, every professor empowered me, helping me lose the fear of transitioning to informatics.”
Madarapu’s commitment to her new field of study at the Luddy School enabled her to earn an internship with Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co.
“The curriculum shaped my knowledge incrementally, building up to my internship at Eli Lilly,” she says, where she worked as a data analyst.
“That was my first-ever job application,” she notes. “It was actually sent through an announcement by my Applied Stats professor during my second semester. Thanks to his proactive nature and interest in helping his students, I decided to apply and landed myself a life-altering opportunity!”
Madarapu was one of four interns at the Global Data Sciences department. As a clinical data intern, “I worked on incorporating machine learning and programming to surface insights on the ongoing clinical trials at Lilly,” she says.
Combining data and dentistry
Madarapu credits Luddy Indianapolis staff and faculty with enabling her to maintain connections with dentistry even as she continued her data studies.
“Luddy truly helped me ‘amalgamate’ my skills – dentist and data analyst,” Madarapu says. “Notably, their dental informatics course further distinguished me. I believe this unique blend is what landed me a spot in the country’s top DDS program at the IU School of Dentistry.
“I look forward to incorporating my newly learnt skills of data analysis into oral health care. Thankfully, Luddy became the bridge that connected these two worlds,” she says.
“They tirelessly supported my desire to stay connected to the IU School of Dentistry. Their on-campus employment program wasn’t just about financial support; it helped shape me professionally.”
Purkayastha, an associate professor of data science and health informatics at Luddy Indianapolis, notes, “Sanjana’s proactive approach in seeking out research opportunities – such as doing Virtual Reality in Dentistry, coupled with her dedication to mastering technical informatics skills, sets a brilliant example for all our students.”
The virtual reality project was her first experience of leveraging her knowledge from informatics into dentistry, Madarapu says.
“The project focused on using VR to teach radiographic techniques to first-year dental students with a goal of minimizing the number of retakes in future,” she says, and received positive feedback from the School of Dentistry.
An exciting opportunity
When she expressed interest in working with a dental professor, Madarapu said the Luddy School’s Robyn Hart, senior assistant to the chair, Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, helped her to make it happen.
“Robyn not only secured the necessary approvals, but also ensured I received compensation for my work,” Madarapu says. “This laid the crucial foundation for my future diverse experiences at the School of Dentistry: patient accountant, research assistant, and research associate.”
Purkayastha adds, “Sanjana’s success in securing a spot in IU’s prestigious dentistry program while leveraging her informatics expertise showcases the versatile career paths our program enables.”
Other graduates also pursuing IU dental degrees
Purkayastha noted other Luddy Indianapolis students who have followed the path Madarapu is now taking. These include:
- Health Informatics graduate Anushri Singh Rajapuri, who also is earning her degree at the IU School of Dentistry. Rajapuri worked with the Purkayastha Lab for Health Innovation while earning her master’s degree, and her video showcase is on the Luddy School’s Health Informatics page.
- Rohini Vemparala, who is among three Luddy School students honored as members of IU Indianapolis’ Elite 50 for 2024, has been accepted into the IU School of Dentistry. While earning her M.S. in Health Informatics from Luddy Indianapolis, Vemparala served as a research assistant in the Purkayastha Lab for Health Innovation and the Janga Lab of Genomics and Systems Biology, both dedicated to informatics and biomedical research.
Looking ahead
This spring, Madarapu reflected on the latest step in her educational journey.
“Now, as I wrap up my first semester at the IU School of Dentistry, I’m filled with excitement and gratitude,” she says.
“My advice to the current students would be to never hesitate! Never hesitate to look around and learn. The school has an incredible number of opportunities that can help you grow in your career.
“I cannot wait to use the tools from both Luddy and IUSD to make a tangible difference in oral health care.”
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