Student Spotlight: Varun Gande

Academic and work experience

At Cornell, I served as a teaching assistant for several undergraduate and M.Eng. level courses in MATLAB, linear programming, and practical operations research. I also managed a student-run introductory machine learning course, where I developed a deeper understanding of techniques such as pedagogical methodologies, curriculum design, student engagement strategies, and integrating machine learning concepts into education. My various research projects complemented my evolution as an educator, working on an NSF-funded computational neuroscience project at Southern Methodist University, active participation in a genetics lab, and research as part of Cornell's COVID modeling team. These experiences feed into my overarching mission of combining research and education—something I could meaningfully contribute to through a PhD in MS&E.

Impact I hope to have in my field and the world

I am captivated by optimization and modeling in large-scale systems, especially in uncertain or stochastic environments and in applicable domains such as public health. Long-term, I would like to remain in academia as a professor where I can contribute to society through research and teach aspiring scholars. Through a PhD in MS&E, I am realizing a personal dream and taking a significant step toward bettering our global community through academic explorations resulting in data-powered solutions.

Interests and hobbies

I like to play and follow racket sports such as squash, badminton, tennis, and pickleball! I am an avid follower of cricket and play casually as well. I also like trying out new restaurants and cuisines and look forward to trying out the amazing food in the Bay Area!

Published September 23, 2024.

Meet the 2024 cohort of incoming PhD students