Sun Devil makes waves in tech way before graduation

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2020 graduates.

Hari Meyyappan describes himself as a learning machine. But he also helps build machines that learn.

Meyyappan is a tech enthusiast and a proud Sun Devil graduating this semester with a master’s degree in computer science with a focus on machine learning and human-computer interaction. The international student from India is currently working with the Luminosity Lab as part of the Big Idea Challenge team awarded funding by NASA. 

“I read widely and describe myself as a learning machine. I love exploring exponential technologies and creating useful tools. I blog on Medium and link my projects on my website,” Meyyappan said.

The ASU grad’s enthusiasm for learning and technology has led him to many academic and professional accomplishments in his time as a student. He served as the vice president of the Artificial Intelligence Club and worked hard to build up the club and teach students more about AI. He also built up a lot of practical professional experiences. 

“I've built products for companies like Pizza Hut, Ultraworking, 24Crafts. In my internship over the summer, I built a chatbot for a large education nonprofit that is being used by thousands of teachers and students all over the country,” he said.

As a hackathon enthusiast, he has consistently won some of the top spots in over 10 hackathons he has participated in as a student at ASU, including Sunhacks and Hacks for Humanity. He is also writing a guide to share his experience and giving some key insights on how to win a hackathon. 

Meyyappan said that hackathons are the perfect environment for innovation and learning that can change the world.

“I have been a UX designer, product manager and machine learning engineer. I've done front-end, back-end and everything in between. It is an incredible learning experience,” he said. “You can create useful products. Facebook organizes internal hackathons to spur innovation. Several startups were born at hackathons, like the automation behemoth Zapier.”

As Meyyappan prepared to graduate, he reflected with ASU Now about his time as a Sun Devil.

Question: What was your “aha” moment, when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Answer: If there was a single “aha” moment, it could have been when I realized that machine learning allows you to automate the creation of code. There’s just so much value that can be created by applying it to different business problems.

Q: Why did you choose ASU?

A: ASU is located in one of the fastest-growing states in the United States, and I was positive about professional opportunities. Also, I liked the profiles of the professors.

Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?

A: I would like to thank Professor Hemanth Venkateswara, whose statistical learning class I took in my first semester really provided a solid foundation for my future classes. Also Professor James Collofello, who taught me that the real answer to most questions starts with “it depends.”

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: Figure out a feedback mechanism to improve your skills. For me it was hackathons. Aim higher than you think possible, and keep looking for opportunities where you can add value.

Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life? 

A: Wakanda room at Armstrong Hall (lower level of the Literature Building). Also the Design School library. 

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I am starting my career as a software development engineer at Amazon in Seattle.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: I’d probably create a fund with which kids in developing countries can buy whatever books they want. 

Written by Venu Gopinath Nukavarapu, Sun Devil Storyteller