ASU grad transforms AI Into meaningful health solutions
Aashritha Machiraju. Courtesy photo
For Aashritha Machiraju, engineering has always been about people.
“What surprised me most about computer science,” she says, “is how much it’s about understanding people, not just computers. The best solutions aren’t just technically strong. They make sense for the humans using them.”
Machiraju, who is graduating with her master’s degree in computer science with a concentration in biomedical informatics from the accelerated master’s program in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, is a recipient of the fall 2025 Impact Award. The award recognizes her research, service and leadership that have meaningfully impacted the ASU and Fulton Schools communities.
Her “aha” moment came during an Engineering Projects in Community Service, or EPICS, project developing a tremor-reducing glove for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
“Seeing engineering go beyond code, impacting someone’s daily life to improve their confidence and their independence, changed everything for me,” she says.
At ASU, Machiraju conducted research in the Embedded Machine Intelligence Lab, focusing on multimodal artificial intelligence for health applications. She also worked as a data analyst for the Fulton Schools, supporting student success initiatives and learning how data can improve real-world outcomes.
But her contributions extend beyond research.
Machiraju volunteered with Women in Machine Learning, assisted at E2 — a welcome event for new engineering students — and supported local causes including Maya’s Farm and the Arizona Humane Society, where she also adopted her dog.
Machiraju also credits several mentors with shaping her approach to research and problem-solving. Associate Professor Hassan Ghasemzadeh encouraged her to strengthen her communication and analytical skills, helping her move from technical curiosity to deeper, more intentional research, while Professor Stephanie Forrest’s biocomputing course broadened her perspective, illustrating how ideas from biology can inspire innovation in computing and technology.
After graduation, Machiraju plans to continue her work at the intersection of artificial intelligence and health care, ideally in Arizona, Boston or the Bay Area. Long term, she hopes to lead a team or start a venture focused on preventive health technology.
“Engineering is fun because it's equal parts creativity and perseverance,” she says. “ASU gave me room to explore, and curiosity was encouraged, not constrained. Whether it was research, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary learning or community involvement, Fulton felt like a place where I could reinvent myself and push boundaries.”
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