By Carolyn Doyle
Three students from the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering in Indianapolis were honored this year as members of IU Indianapolis’ Elite 50 for 2024:
- Sai Varsha Koya, earning a master of science degree in Human-Computer Interaction
- Megha Moncy – M.S. in Health Informatics
- Rohini Vemparala – M.S. in Health Informatics
The Luddy Indianapolis students were among those honored April 9 at the Elite 50 Awards Celebration (pictured above, from left: Karl MacDorman, Ph.D., Luddy Indianapolis Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Human-Computer Interaction and Artificial Intelligence; Elite 50 honorees Koya, Moncy, and Vemparala; and Davide Bolchini, Ph.D., Luddy Indianapolis Executive Associate Dean).
Each year, IU Indianapolis honors 50 graduate and professional students who demonstrate excellence beyond the classroom—in areas such as campus leadership, scholarly work, and community engagement. These Elite 50 represent the best of the best among IU Indianapolis’ graduate and professional students and capture everything that makes the university exceptional.
“We are very proud of these top graduate students, who showed exemplary achievements in academic performance, research engagement and campus and community leadership,” says Bolchini.
“They are an inspiration for current and future students who are set on a path to accomplishing great things here at Luddy Indianapolis.”
Sai Varsha Koya
“Choosing Luddy Indianapolis was easy—the faculty’s warmth and the vibrant research community sealed the deal,” says Koya, who earned her master of science degree in human-computer interaction in 2024.
“I was amazed to see the incredible labs and amount of research projects that happen at Luddy.”
Koya credits the school with her choice of career in the field of user experience. “Luddy has been instrumental in shaping my path,” she says.
“From rigorous academics to hands-on research experiences, it’s given me the tools and confidence to pursue my career goals. I never thought I’d be so involved and curious about AI in UX design until I got the opportunity to work at the COMET Lab.”
In addition, Koya has worked as a UX research assistant in accessible computing with Bolchini, a professor of human-centered computing.
Working with AI and UX
Koya says she’s worked on research projects “delving into accessibility in generative AI systems, demonstration projects in which we research about AI in media arts and science and how AI effects the user experience.”
“After graduation, I’m looking to dive into the world of UX research and design, focusing on creating meaningful digital experiences.”
Through IU Indianapolis she’s been involved in the student organization DesiJags, helping to organize cultural events and has served as a graduate assistant at the IU Indianapolis Graduate Mentoring Center.
Koya also has volunteered with End Lung Cancer and serves as secretary and treasurer for Design Coterie (DeCo), a group encouraging creativity and innovation among fellow design enthusiasts.
“These experiences have really shown me the power of community engagement and how every little effort can make a big difference,” she says.
Megha Moncy
Moncy earned her M.S. in health informatics from Luddy Indianapolis in 2024, learning to bridge the gap between information technology and health care, and “preparing me to tackle the complex challenges at the intersection of these rapidly evolving fields.”
She started a full-time cybersecurity position with Indiana University following her spring graduation.
Moncy’s work at the Luddy School continued her journey in health care.
“From patient care in India to graduate research at Indiana University, my career has been defined by curiosity and a passion for service,” she says.
“As a dentist, I was driven to alleviate suffering through quality care and technique. This dedication to helping others achieve better health motivated my transition to health informatics.
Being able to engage in meaningful, hands-on research projects while learning from industry leaders made Luddy Indianapolis her clear choice, Moncy says.
Making an impact
Moncy has worked as a research assistant with the Purkayastha Lab for Health Innovation. “One of my most impactful contributions has been serving as an administrator for our Health Informatics program’s Open EMR- educational electronic health record system, helping students to gain hands-on experience with this critical technology.”
She also has been a graduate teaching assistant and has presented her research on health care informatics and cybersecurity at industry conferences. But she says, “One of the most rewarding experiences has been volunteering at quarterly dental health camps, where I have provided free check-ups, treatments, and oral hygiene education to underserved populations.”
Through her work at the Luddy School and a cybersecurity internship with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, Moncy says, “I see my path progressing towards a focus on health system administration, infrastructure engineering, and cybersecurity in research computing environments.
“I am particularly passionate about developing robust, secure systems that can support the next generation of health care innovation, from personalized medicine to AI-assisted diagnosis.”
Rohini Vemparala
Vemparala completed her master’s degree in health informatics in 2023. At Luddy Indianapolis, she says, “I gained knowledge and insights on how data within health care could be used in making innovative discoveries, which in return can benefit the clinicians and could help them with their everyday tasks.”
“By pursing health informatics, one can understand the software side of a health care system and learn how artificial intelligence can be used in health care.”
Relishing the opportunities offered through the Luddy School, 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.
Active in student government
“Additionally, I contributed as a graduate student ambassador,” she says, “and actively engaged in student clubs, holding positions such as secretary for the Luddy Student Council and chief financial officer for the Graduate and Professional Student Government.”
To prospective students, she suggests: “Embrace every opportunity the campus provides and cherish the journey. Each day presents a chance to learn and grow, fostering some of life’s most memorable experiences.”
Vemparala has exciting plans as she looks to build on her work at Luddy Indianapolis, focusing on the field of dentistry.
“Looking ahead, I aim to continue my education by pursuing a D.D.S/D.M.D.,” she says, “driven by my passion for furthering health care knowledge.”
She adds, “I would like to express my gratitude to everyone I’ve encountered at Luddy Indianapolis. Every interaction has contributed to my learning and personal growth in some way or another.”
Media Contact
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