When Tharun Sai Nandigam decided to attend Wright State University for its academic excellence, supportive faculty, and welcoming community, he never expected it to be a life-changing experience. A graduate student in computer science, Nandigam won first place back in April in Wright Venture — an entrepreneurial competition hosted by the Raj Soin College of Business, modelled after ABC TV’s program “Shark Tank.”
The prize was a US$5,000 funding award to Nandigam’s start-up “Kyantra.” It’s a smart management platform designed for shared kitchens, food entrepreneurs, and independent restaurants to streamline operations. That way, someone with no business background could still run a food truck by relying on Nandigam’s software while focusing on cooking up their cuisine. The name, a combination of two Sanskrit words, symbolizes “a machine of knowledge.”
“Whether it’s a shared kitchen, a stationary restaurant, or a food truck on the move, Kyantra empowers food businesses to work smarter, faster, and better,” says Nandigam. “Our goal is to launch a beta version by late summer this year and onboard our first users in the fall.”
Turn your ideas into real-world projects through cutting-edge research at Wright State University. Source: Wright State University
Big ideas take flight at Wright State University
The public institution in Dayton, Ohio, is home to over 11,000 students across 32 buildings and 315 programs — each and every one of them getting the opportunity to develop their ideas into real-world projects. Wright State is for the big thinkers, the change-makers, and the minds like Nandigam who aim to make the world a better place. Whether in cutting-edge engineering labs or entrepreneurial competitions, this is the place to think boldly and learn brightly.
“The Wright Venture experience was incredible,” he says. “It helped me refine my business model, polish my pitch and gain valuable feedback from experienced judges and mentors.”
Nandigam’s story is just one success among Wright State’s 120,000 alumni, spread across all 50 US states and over 75 countries. In 2023 alone, the R2 Doctoral Research University’s expenditures amounted to just over US$26 million. Innovation strikes daily when you have the resources to spin your ideas into something real. Faculty members are award-winning research experts, and your ticket to accessing a wide industry network in Ohio and beyond. Funding comes aplenty, and graduate students are eligible to apply for assistantship opportunities.
Research topics stretch far and wide, no matter if you’re studying biomedical engineering or anthropology. Both undergraduate and graduate students take part in projects to solve the world’s most pressing issues.
For PhD student Liam Stalker, his research enabled him to explore the potential for creating more engaging and productive work and education. It fuses cognitive science and organizational psychology, using industry-standard equipment such as eye tracking and physiological measurements.
“This research aims to develop a framework for real-time monitoring and adaptation of training programs based on students’ engagement levels,” Stalker said. “This critical insight will enable the dynamic customization of training content, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and personalization of the learning experience.”
Gain access to global conferences, groundbreaking research opportunities, and more at Wright State University. Source: Wright State University
Many students present their research to industry figures at global conferences. In February 2025, Wright State and Central Michigan University co-hosted an international cybersecurity conference. It’s where Mithun Kumar PK, a computer science and engineering PhD student, got to contribute as a technical reviewer, conference volunteer, and the presenter of two first-authored research papers covering space awareness, healthcare and IoT infrastructure.
“Participation means having a valuable opportunity to share my insights with leading experts and being part of a global community working towards more secure cyber infrastructure,” says Mithun Kumar PK. “It represents a chance to contribute to important discussions about the future of IoT security, the health care system and space situational awareness.”
Real-world opportunities like these allow you to build your connections with Wright State’s vast network. The conference alone featured representatives from top universities, industry leaders, and key government agencies. These include the Ohio Department of Education, Air Force Research Laboratory, Intel, ANSYS, and more. Forty speakers, four panels, and 10 special top sessions took the stage in a showcase of Wright State’s research excellence.
“This learning environment has exceeded my expectations,” says Kumar PK, about his university experience. “The mentorship I’ve received has been exceptional, providing clear guidance for both academic excellence and professional development.”
Are you a big thinker? Learn more about the support Wright State University offers you here.
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