Student Research Spotlight: Sucharitha Ayyalasomayajula

On International Women's Day, graduate student Sucharitha Ayyalasomayajula is a prime example of the inspiring graduate student work many of our Jordan College students are focused on.

The Visakhapatnam, India native arrived on campus in January 2020 to gain experience developing virtual web service platforms. She is also actively involved on campus as an officer for our Jordan College Student Leadership Council and Robotics Club.

Read more about the industrial technology student's unique path towards graduation this December in this recent interview.

 

Q: Why did you choose to attend Fresno State?

Ayyalasomayajula: "I am passionate about plants and agriculture and always wanted to combine my previous education in industrial engineering with agriculture. Fresno State is the perfect place to do that."

 

Q: Can you describe your graduate program research project?

Ayyalasomayajula: "I am trying to create a completely functioning cloud service such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) to optimize inventory management systems with the help of a data science platform. I'm also working on software that helps logistics and other members within the inventory and give them instructions about the products so there would be less room for human error and confusion."

 

Q: Why did you pick that topic, and how will this help industry or consumers?

Ayyalasomayajula: "There is so much wastage in time and resources like water, fuel, paper, electricity, etc. due to improper stock management. Also, maintaining the optimum stock will affect major operations in the production line. This work can reduce stockouts or overstocking, repeated or wrong orders, and organizing according to sale, etc." 

 

Q: Which faculty member are you working with, and what type of guidance are they giving you?

Ayyalasomayajula: "Dr. Arun Nambiar is my advisor and has helped me with ideas to enhance the quality of my research project. He guides me with all the little details one usually can miss like documents, applications, etc. to important career-oriented decisions like coursework, projects, and scholarships."

Q: What are some of the most important things you've learned from this research?

Ayyalasomayajula: "There is so much more than just inventory services one can implement with cloud applications and platforms. For example, the agriculture industry can high benefit from cloud services. Managing crops would become much easier and efficient as would the gathering and manipulation of information from weather stations, soil sensors, satellite images, and other areas."

 

Q: After graduation, what's your potential next career step, and how do you ultimately want to use your degree?

Ayyalasomayajula: "I have learned so much about manufacturing, production, tools, farm equipment and ways to optimize production. I would like to work for an organization where my research, coursework, and my interests in production and manufacturing will be of good use."

 

Q: What is your background in agriculture before you started at Fresno State?

Ayyalasomayajula: "My family has been involved into agriculture for four generations on our family farm back in South India, mostly producing coconuts, bananas, mangoes, and cocoa."

 

Q: Have you had to overcome any challenges or obstacles to get to where you are today that have shaped who you are?

Ayyalasomayajula: "I come from a place where one must excel in all the courses and activities and pay very high fees to get into a good school. Likewise, I had to clear numerous entrance exams to get into a good college for my bachelor's and master's degrees. Coming from an educated class family, my family always worked hard to provide a quality education to me. They had to pay thousands of dollars every year through my education. Coming here also meant I needed to improve my vocabulary and writing skills, which again are highly expensive. With my parents’ help and dedication, I have been able to follow my interest in higher studies, and I am proud to be here."

"Fresno State has helped me with getting adjusted to the new environment and has guided me through the initial days when students are usually confused and scared. I am thankful to the University and the Jordan College for being supportive and helping me stay strong, especially during this pandemic."