Stories of what worked and sometimes what did not, in the course of discovering, designing, developing and delivering software based solutions – as shared by practitioners who went through these situations.
Stories of what worked and sometimes what did not, in the course of discovering, designing, developing and delivering software based solutions – as shared by practitioners who went through these situations.
In this episode, Shiv is in conversation with Prasad Chodavarapu, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Aganitha.ai
In this conversation, Prasad, a tech veteran turned bio-pharma enthusiast, discusses his unique career trajectory from software development to founding a startup in the life sciences space. Prasad shares his journey, starting from his early days in tech during the nascent stages of the internet in the mid-90s, working in startups, and his transition to a large enterprise consulting role.
The conversation dives into the challenges and learnings from shifting into the bio-pharma industry, the impact of AI in this space, the complexities of scientific data, and the nuances of interdisciplinary collaboration.
Prasad also offers valuable career advice for newcomers and those experiencing a mid-career crisis, emphasizing the importance of combining disciplines and lifelong learning.
We wrap up with personal insights on how Prasad maintains balance in his life through music and family support.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:54 Career Beginnings in Software and Technology
04:04 Transition to Life Sciences and Biotech
07:25 Challenges and Innovations in Scientific Computing
09:51 The Role of AI and Data in Modern Science
16:29 Preserving and Digitizing Knowledge Systems
19:42 Startup Journey and Entrepreneurial Insights
24:17 Scientific Collaboration and Practical Applications
32:42 Modeling and Prediction Cycles
33:37 Validating Predictions in the Lab
33:42 Solving Customer Problems with Algorithms
35:33 Understanding the Drug Development Value Chain
37:41 Challenges in Clinical Trials
40:06 The Impact of AI on Science and Technology
45:19 Career Advice for Life Sciences and Computing
51:18 Personal Techniques for Managing Uncertainty
Prasad Chodavarapu is a hands-on tech business exec with 25+ years of exp. in growing tech businesses from start-up stage to a billion-dollar scale
His expertise and track record is in building multi-disciplinary teams
He is a published author, with patents in Data and Process engineering
He is a Co-Founder & Managing Director at Aganitha.ai
His interests include: Deep Science (Comp Bio & Quantum Chem) + Deep Tech (AI/ML, LLMs, Data, Cloud) for accelerating R&D at global BioPharma, Re-imagining with Agentic & Generative AI, every process & app in disease studies, therapeutic design & dev, synthesis, clinical, medical & regulatory affairs.
Among his earlier roles: HCL Tech: SVP & Global delivery head for Transformation Services
He is an alumnus of Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) & IIT Kharagpur
Channels to reach him:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chprasad/
@Omics_Chap on X,
@omics-chap.bsky.social on Bluesky
In this special episode celebrating seven years of the 'Software People Stories
podcast, hosts Anita Shiva, Shiv, Gayatri, and Chitra reflect on their journey. They
discuss the origins, challenges, milestones, and personal experiences of managing
the podcast, offering insights into what kept them motivated. The conversation also
touches on the evolution of the podcast, notable guests, and some of the humorous
behind-the-scenes moments. Looking ahead, the hosts share their vision for the next
phase, including ideas for new formats and expanding the podcast's reach to a
broader audience.
00:00 Introduction and Nervous Beginnings
00:25 Celebrating Seven Years of Podcasting
01:29 The Origins of Software People Stories
02:55 Why Podcasting? Personal Journeys
06:29 Consistency and Habits for Success
12:11 Preparation and Rituals Before Recording
16:54 Tips for Aspiring Podcasters
22:59 Funny and Memorable Moments
31:25 The Power of Storytelling
31:49 Revealing Untold Stories
32:34 Insights from Guests
33:31 Personal Journeys and Reflections
34:42 Influences and Upbringing
37:34 Memorable Guests
44:01 Podcasting Habits and Observations
52:22 Future Aspirations and Gratitude
Thank you Listeners for making this happen
In this special episode of 'Software People Stories,' , our guest is Dr. Krishna Prasad, known more popularly as KP from the 'Full Stack Leadership Cast.' KP shares his journey into podcasting, inspired by the host's longstanding podcast. They discuss the concept of full stack leadership, emphasizing a holistic approach to leadership that impacts business, influences people, and focuses on self-development. KP highlights his experiences from the first season, discussing the challenges of podcasting and the valuable insights gained from his diverse guests. They also delve into the prospects for the next season, including potential global guests and cross-industry learning.
00:00 Introduction and Special Episode Announcement
00:12 Welcoming the Guest: KP from Full Stack Leadership Cast
01:29 KP's Podcasting Journey and Inspirations
04:46 The Concept of Full Stack Leadership
10:57 Insights from Season One
15:47 Plans for Season Two and Listener Feedback
21:05 Where to Listen and Final Thoughts
Note – above timings are approximate; exact timing may be off by a minute or so
You can listen to the Full Stack leadershipcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4XtBUzCNYXDusMt0HS-T6-hl1BHXpyN9
Or on the PM Power website
https://www.pm-powerconsulting.com/full-stack-leadershipcast/
More on KP at: https://www.pm-powerconsulting.com/experts/krishna-prasad/
In this episode, Shiv is in conversation with Naresh Choudhary, Senior Vice President, Quality & Productivity, Infosys Ltd.
Naresh shares his career journey starting from humble beginnings in Mumbai, studying engineering at VJTI, working at Arvind Mills, and eventually contributing to Infosys for 25 years. The discussion covers his transition from manufacturing to IT, the influence of mentors, various roles at Infosys, and the importance of reframing roles. Naresh also emphasizes the value of great work, networking, mentorship, and maintaining a work-life balance. He talks about driving innovation and change management effectively within a large organization through transparent communication, planning, and continuous feedback. Finally, Naresh offers personal practices like journaling, exercising, and separating work from family time to stay grounded and calm.
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:23 Early Career and Education
02:00 Transition to Infosys
03:43 Roles and Responsibilities at Infosys
07:16 Mentorship and Career Growth
10:28 Defining Great Work
15:32 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome
19:28 The Importance of Mentors
24:23 Networking and Time Management
29:19 Clearing the Mind for Focus
29:51 Work-Life Balance and Breaks
30:59 Organizational Change and Trust
33:51 Planning and Transparency in Change
34:51 Process Over Tools
36:04 Sponsorship and Milestone Reviews
37:46 Encouraging Knowledge Sharing
43:58 Innovation and Idea Management
47:33 Staying Grounded Amidst Responsibilities
53:00 Personal Practices for Balance
56:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Bio:
In his stint at Infosys over 2 decades, Naresh has worked in different roles in Software Delivery, Consulting, Quality Assurance, Open Source, Enterprise Platforms, Products, Tools & Technology that have provided him opportunities to work on key transformation programs.
Naresh has experience in Software Development, Quality System Design, Process definition, Implementation and Consulting, Product & Platform Engineering, Software Reuse, Knowledge Management, Training, Audits and Assessments. He possesses a sound understanding of various quality models, methodologies and frameworks like CMMI, ISO, Six Sigma, MBNQA, AI, Automation, Agile, DevSecOps & SRE.
Naresh participates on several product councils and advisory boards with Infosys’ global technology partners and is currently leading the effort on reimagining the tooling, engineering excellence, digital platforms, Lean and automation landscape for the enterprise
He is a self confessed Foodie, History enthusiast, Amateur Chef, Motivational Speaker
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nareshchoudhary/
In this episode, Shiv is in conversation with George Mundassery, former SVP and Global head, AI and Automation with Tech Mahindra.
George shares his extensive journey in the IT industry, starting from his early days with Tatas in power systems to his role in automation and AI implementation. George recounts his experiences working with various technologies, including mainframes, real-time systems, Fortran 77, C, and C++, and later transitioning to commercial applications and enterprise solutions with Tuxedo and WebLogic. He also discusses the challenges and successes in delivering large-scale applications, the importance of data management, and the critical role of customer engagement and team collaboration. Additionally, George offers valuable advice for aspiring IT professionals and those navigating mid-career challenges, emphasizing continuous learning, teamwork, and adapting to change.
00:00 Introduction and Greetings
00:10 Curiosity About Architects
00:29 George's Origin Story
01:12 Early Career in Power Systems
02:44 Transition to Commercial Applications
03:38 Exciting Journey with Middleware
05:23 Experience with HCL and Startups
07:13 Setting Up Automation and AI Units
10:51 Challenges in Data Management
15:49 Role as a CTO and Technology Adoption
18:43 Importance of Non-Functional Aspects
22:29 Handling Technical Risks in Projects
28:05 Building a Strong Team from Scratch
30:17 Balancing Technology, Customers, and Overheads
33:22 Challenges and Successes in Automation and AI
37:56 The Impact of Generative AI on Software Engineering
46:29 Advice for IT Professionals at Different Career Stages
53:17 Staying Grounded in a Fast-Paced Industry
56:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-mundassery-2117533/
George Mundassery is a seasoned IT leader with 40 years of global service delivery experience, recognized for his pioneering contributions in Intelligent automation and AI. He has served as Global Head of Automation and AI and held senior roles at major firms like Tech Mahindra representing the face of AI and automation initiatives. Throughout his career, he had been focused on building high-performing teams and establishing competencies to deliver value and outcome to global customers through Business and IT transformation programs. George is acknowledged as a respected thought leader and member in leading organizations and think tanks, having shaped robust AI and Automation ecosystems and mentored cross-functional international teams.
My guest today is Michael Ferranti, VP of Marketing at Unleash. In this conversation Michael recounts his journey from the banking sector to the tech world starting during the 2008 financial crisis.
He explains how the launch of Amazon's cloud services led him to join Rackspace, a leading hosting provider at the time.
Michael emphasizes the importance of culture in a company’s success and delves into his career in developer tools, touching upon the shifts in cloud computing, containerization, and microservices architecture, up to the current generative AI revolution.
He discusses the differences between building software for financial services and for developers, stressing the necessity of upskilling to maintain credible conversations with target audiences.
Key insights shared include best practices for feature management, emphasizing the importance of small batch sizes in DevOps, and the critical need for empathy and strong mission alignment in work culture.
Michael concludes with career advice for those looking to enter or advance in software marketing, highlighting the importance of curiosity and adaptability in the fast-evolving tech landscape.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:09 Michael's Journey into Tech
01:29 Early Career at Rackspace
03:28 Transition to Developer Tools
04:31 Differences Between BFSI and Developer Domains
05:42 Understanding Developer Needs
10:04 Feature Management and Testing in Production
13:10 Balancing Technical and Business Requirements
29:30 Building a Strong Company Culture
34:45 Staying Updated with Industry Trends
38:17 Career Tips for Aspiring Marketers
42:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ferrantim/
Michael Ferranti is a seasoned enterprise technologist and product strategist with deep experience in the developer tools and cloud-native ecosystems. Across companies like Portworx, Teleport, and now Unleash, Michael has consistently been at the forefront of how modern engineering teams build, release, and secure software at scale.
He’s led product and marketing teams through high-growth phases, acquisitions, and major category creation efforts—often sitting at the intersection of infrastructure innovation and developer experience. At Portworx, he helped define the Kubernetes-native storage and backup category. At Teleport, he worked on reimagining secure infrastructure access by replacing legacy VPNs and PAM tools with developer-first identity-based access. At Unleash, he’s helping redefine how teams manage feature delivery with open-source roots and enterprise-grade scale.
Michael speaks the language of engineering leaders because he’s worked side-by-side with them for over a decade. His approach to go-to-market is grounded in understanding real user workflows, developer psychology, and the shifting realities of enterprise architectures—from Kubernetes to DevSecOps to open-source adoption models.
Gayatri Kalyanaraman is in conversation with Sunil David, Digital Technology Consultant |Ex-Regional Director(IOT)- AT&T we discuss What does it take to evolve from installing multiplexers in the 90s to becoming one of India’s most respected IoT evangelists and startup mentors? In this episode, Sunil David shares his three-decade journey across telecom, IoT, and digital transformation.
Early Career Foundations
Sunil began his professional journey in 1994, right after completing his Electronics and Communication Engineering. Unlike many peers who shifted to unrelated fields, he was one of the “lucky few,” as he puts it, to continue working in his chosen discipline for decades.
After short but formative experiences in networking, VSAT installations, and enterprise software, 2000 marked a turning point when Sunil joined AT&T. What began as a role in sales grew into a 14-year career where he rose to become Regional Head for South India, handling enterprise connectivity services.
Technology Evangelism & Mentorship
At this time Sunil David, works on immersing himself in a specific set of fields to be a thought leader, and fully dedicate himself to mentorship, sustainability, and giving back.
“Imagine the value you can unlock when billions of assets—from machines in a factory to vehicles on the road—start generating data. The opportunities to monetize and transform industries are humongous.”
“We are clearly seeing the move from being reactive to predictive. Thanks to AI and IoT, enterprises can act proactively before something causes damage—whether it’s a machine on a shop floor or even human health.”
“Optimizing energy usage is not just good for the environment—it makes business sense. Lower energy bills mean direct savings, while reducing carbon emissions benefits the planet.”
“Learning never stops. We are in a lifelong journey of learning and unlearning. The day you stop learning is the day you stop growing.”
“It’s not just about financial success. You have to ask yourself—what legacy am I leaving behind? Will people remember the impact I created?”
“My forte is B2B, especially AI and IoT for manufacturing and sustainability. Staying focused allows me to truly add value to startups, rather than spreading myself thin.”
About Sunil David
Sunil David is an Independent Digital Technology Consultant with over 30 years of experience in the IT and Telecom Industry . He’s spent almost 20 years with AT&T India. In his last stint with AT&T held from March 2017 until April 2022 , he was the Regional Director – IOT( India and ASEAN ). He’s had extensive experience in Business Strategy , Sales , Business Development and Alliance & Partnership building during my AT&T stints .
Sunil is associated as a Gold Mentor with T-Hub ( Telangana Hub) based in Hyderabad one of India’s largest startup incubators supporting some of India’s most innovative technology startups specifically focused on areas around Smart Manufacturing and ESG.
Sunil is a much sought after speaker in several industry forum on topics related to IOT, AI, 5G, Digital Transformation , Industry 4.0 and 5.0 , Gen AI, Metaverse, Future of Technology , Future of Work , Digital Marketing , Cyber security , Quantum Computing, ESG etc. He has also authored a number of articles for various technology websites, B2B Tech and telecom related publications and a few prominent media houses like Fortune India, Indian Express, Moneycontrol, ET Edge , Communications Today, Voice and Data, etc.
Sunil is actively engaged with Industry bodies like CII, NASSCOM , IET, IACC etc working on a number of National initiatives around Digital Transformation advocacy and awareness for Enterprises especially SMEs, Digital Skilling for Women, Startup-Corporate connect , ESG awareness etc.
Sunil is an alumnus of Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Pune ( Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration with specialization in Marketing )
Sunil can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunil-david-8165971/
In this episode Shiv is in conversation with Jason Casey, CEO and co-founder of Beyond Identity. Jason talks about his early fascination with technology, his career trajectory, and how he entered cybersecurity. He describes Beyond Identity's mission to eliminate passwords and improve identity verification. Jason shares insights on staying ahead in cybersecurity, touching on topics like AI, supply chain attacks, and trusted computing. He discusses the transition from CTO to CEO, the importance of curiosity and experimentation in both early and mid-career stages, and his personal practices for managing stress and staying grounded.
00:25 Jason Casey's Early Fascination with Technology
01:22 Journey into Cybersecurity
02:23 Understanding the Hacker Mindset
03:58 Staying Ahead in Cybersecurity
06:57 Fundamentals of AI and Security
09:01 Challenges and Innovations in AI Security
10:16 Building Secure Systems with AI
13:50 The Cost of Real-Time Security
15:24 Deterministic vs. Probabilistic Security Controls
17:19 The Role of Honeypots in Cybersecurity
18:44 Adversarial Tactics and Device Posture
21:15 AI in Software Development and Security
25:17 Trusted Computing in Aerospace and Defense
27:01 Hardware-Based Trusted Computing
28:04 Genesis of Beyond Identity
29:31 Meeting Jim Clark
32:17 Beyond Identity's Mission
34:04 Transition from CTO to CEO
37:17 Career Tips for Cybersecurity
50:06 Personal Practices to Stay Grounded
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jassoncasey/
Jasson Casey currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at Beyond Identity, where he's built an identity security platform for enterprises to make identity-based attacks impossible.
Jasson has 20+ years of experience delivering security and networking products to all markets and customer types, including global enterprises and carriers. He served as CTO at Security Scorecard, Fellow in CyberSecurity with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and as Advisor to IronNet CyberSecurity, a security startup founded by Gen. (Ret) Keith Alexander.
Prior to Beyond Identity, Jasson was VP of Engineering at IronNet CyberSecurity and oversaw development of the vendor's revolutionary collective intelligence platform and pioneered new approaches to total network observability, including limitless wire rate packet capture with truly elastic retention abilities.
He also brings a long history of innovation advocacy for Software Defined Networks (SDN) through his work founding and leading Flowgrammable, and serving as a member of the Software Leadership Council at the Open Networking Foundation. Previously he held roles in product management, business development and engineering with CenturyTel(CenturyLink), Level3(CenturyLink), and Alcatel(Nokia).
Jasson has a BSEE from the University of Texas at Austin and has a Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Texas A&M University.
In this interesting conversation with Eric Müller, Product Engineering Associate Director at Work & Co, part of Accenture Song, he shares many nuggets including:
- The importance of balancing perfect architecture with practical, implementable solutions.
- Acknowledging and managing technical debt efficiently.
- Understanding business needs to prevent over-engineering.
- Creating high-performing teams through trust, communication, and ensuring appropriate tools and training are in place.
- The significance of empathy, both towards team members and clients, and developing a well-rounded worldview.
- Addressing security vulnerabilities proactively and maintaining rigorous safety standards.
- Utilizing Gen AI tools like ChatGPT with caution, emphasizing verification and human oversight.
- Personal practices that help maintain a work-life balance and ensure continuous personal growth, such as engaging in hobbies like photography and cooking, exercising, and maintaining effective communication within teams.
Eric Müller, is an Associate Director focusing on Product Engineering and Digital Security at Work & Co, part of Accenture Song, where leads engineering teams and supported automated processes to deliver high-quality digital products for the past decade. With over 20 years of experience in engineering and security, Eric has worked across various industries including banking, social media, B2B, retail, fashion, and online gaming.
His extensive background includes significant roles at Wells Fargo Bank, Charles Schwab, Razorfish, and Mekanism, where he delivered award-winning projects for clients such as Microsoft, Business Wire, Anza, and Vibrant Planet. Eric fosters empathetic leadership and transparent communication to build resilient, high-performing tech teams.
An advocate for healthy agency-client collaboration, Eric involves partners early and often in the development process. His experience has proven that stronger client relationships result in better products. Beyond his professional achievements, Eric is an amateur photographer and baking enthusiast who loves discussing security.
Eric may be reached at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmullersf/
My guest today is Steven Puri, founder of the Sukha, that offers solutions to help individuals increase their productivity through being in a flow state.
Steven was a senior executive at DreamWorks Pictures and 20th Century Fox, who has successfully transitioned into the tech industry.
He shares his career journey, from producing computer graphics for movies like 'Independence Day' to his ventures in the tech space, raising $21 million in venture capital.
He discusses the importance of cross-domain learning, productivity, and achieving a flow state.
Steven delves into how his background in both film and tech has shaped his approach to managing remote and hybrid teams, emphasizing the significance of meaningful work and the right conditions for flow.
He also introduces his company, Suka, that has been built based on insights into various tools and techniques. This episode offers useful insights for leaders and individuals aiming to enhance their productivity and creativity.
Among the topics he covers are:
Steven is the Founder and CEO of The Sukha Company with the mission to help millions of people find their focus, achieve more and have a healthy work life.
Steven's career started as a newscaster/interviewer for the #1 youth news show in the DC/Baltimore market (on WTTG-TV) and then as a junior software engineer & Thomas J. Watson Scholar at IBM.
After attending USC in Los Angeles, he began working in film production and produced computer-generated visual effects for 14 movies including Independence Day which won the Academy Award for Visual Effects.
Steven’s first tech company was Centropolis Effects that produced those CGI effects, and he eventually sold it to the German media conglomerate Das Werk when he was 28. Steven then produced some indie films and eventually went studio-side to develop and produce live-action features as a VP of Development & Production at 20th Century Fox (running the Die Hard and Wolverine franchises) and an EVP at DreamWorks Pictures for Kurtzman-Orci Productions where he worked on Star Trek, Transformers and more.
After Fox, Steven returned to building tech companies and founded The Sukha Company - ‘sukha’ means ‘happiness from self-fulfillment’ in Sanskrit. The Sukha is a focus app that bundles all the tools necessary to have a focused experience and a healthy, productive workday.
Steven lives in Austin, TX now.
In this episode of Software People Stories, Gayatri Kalyanaraman speaks with Shikha Munjal, Associate Director Fidelity International, about her dynamic journey across technology, finance, people management and community building.
Shikha Munjal’s story begins in a small town in Haryana, where she pursued computer science engineering—a choice influenced by her father’s vision rather than her own. What started as a decision made for her soon turned into a lifelong passion for technology and problem-solving.
She began her career with Accenture in Bangalore, diving straight into the corporate world just two days after finishing her final exams. Although trained in one technology, she was placed on projects with Informatica and data technologies, which opened a new career-long interest in data management and reporting tools.
From there, Shikha moved to Headstrong (later acquired by Genpact), working primarily with Morgan Stanley’s account, and even spent nearly a year onsite in Tokyo. That global experience left a lasting impression on her work ethic—she admired the Japanese culture of discipline, continuous learning, and deep focus.
Her journey next took her to JP Morgan in Mumbai, where she strengthened her expertise in financial services and data-driven systems. But personal circumstances brought her back to the Delhi NCR region, where she eventually joined Fidelity International, her professional home for over a decade.
At Fidelity, Shikha grew into senior leadership, taking on roles that blended technology, business analysis, and product management. She emphasized not just building solutions, but delivering real business outcomes—aligning technology with the fast-paced demands of the financial services industry.
Along the way, she invested in continuous learning—pursuing certifications in Informatica, IBM, product management, financial analysis, and cloud/data platforms like Snowflake. She transitioned from being a technologist to a business leader and product owner, always guided by her growth mindset.
Beyond her corporate role, Shikha has been an active advocate for diversity and inclusion, serving as a chapter lead at AnitaB.org North India. She blends her professional identity with her personal roles as a mother, wife, daughter, and sister, often saying that her strength comes from integrating all these parts of her life.
Today, as Associate Director at Fidelity International, Shikha is shaping data strategies, product roadmaps, and inclusive leadership practices—all while staying curious, resilient, and adaptable in an era of rapid technological and business change.
Shikha Munjal is Associate Director at Fidelity International with over 20 years of experience in technology and financial services. She has held roles at Accenture, HCL, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, and now Fidelity. A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, she has led the North India chapter of AnitaB.org. Shikha is passionate about data, product management, and continuous learning, and believes in shaping her career with curiosity and resilience.
Shikha can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shikha-munjal-19370113a/
My guest today is Harish Chandramowli, Co-founder & CTO of Flair software.
In this conversation, Harish talks about his journey from his early university days in India at Amrita University to leading roles in major companies like Bloomberg and MongoDB. He articulates his shift to a niche field combining software engineering with security, his experience at Johns Hopkins University, and his eventual move into cloud security engineering.
Harish shares insightful narratives about his founding a small startup and the creation and development of Flair, a fashion tech platform, highlighting the challenges and triumphs he encountered.
Topics include his approach to managing remote teams, dealing with the pressures of startup life, the challenges of prioritization, and maintaining a work-life balance. Harish also discusses the importance of understanding customer needs and integrating AI and security in product development.
Some of the topics covered are:
Harish Chandramowli is a second-time founder who started his career in deeply technical roles—building cloud infrastructure and security at MongoDB. Over time, he evolved from shipping code to selling ideas—learning the language of customers, diving into sales-led discovery, and translating that into product strategy. Today, Harish blends technical depth with commercial instinct to build tools that solve real operational pain with clarity and impact
In this episode of Software People Stories, Gayatri Kalyanaraman speaks with Dr. G Uma, Professor in the Department of Instrumentation and Control Engineering and Dean of Institutional Development & Alumni Relations at NIT Trichy. An alumna herself, Dr. Uma reflects on her 27-year journey in academia, her pioneering work in MEMS technology, and her deep commitment to guiding future engineers.
From humble beginnings as the first faculty in a rural college to shaping NIT Trichy’s international profile, Dr. Uma’s career blends research excellence, institution building, and mentorship. She shares candid stories of early struggles, the leap into doctoral research, building one of South India’s first MEMS Design Centers, and balancing administrative leadership with a hands-on teaching approach.
Listeners will also hear her grounded advice on health, career focus, networking, and completing what you start—whether that’s a degree or a passion project. She speaks openly about the challenges of motivating today’s students in a world of distractions and the importance of developing both technical skills and professional ethics.
Key Takeaways:
Notable Quotes:
“Only when we are able to do what we are doing at present best, can we achieve our passion.”
“PhD is not just another degree — it’s a philosophy in research.”
“Health is the most important thing in the world; without it, everything else is zero.”
Perfect for:
Dr. Uma started her academic career in 1992 and joined the Department of ICE, NIT, Tiruchirappalli, in 1999. She is currently serving as a Professor and Dean of the Institutional Development & Alumni Relations. Throughout her distinguished career, she has held several significant leadership roles, including Coordinator of the ISRO- STIC (Space Technology Incubation Centre), ICC Presiding Officer, Additional Chief Warden, Head of Instrumentation and Control Engineering Department, Faculty Advisor of the International Society for Automation (ISA) at NITT, Ladies Hostel
Warden and Associate Dean.
Dr. Uma has made substantial contributions to her field, having authored over 90 research papers in reputed international journals and presented more than 60 papers at conferences. She has also contributed to two book chapters and served as one of the editors of a monograph on Nuclear Instrumentation and Control. Furthermore, she holds three granted Indian patents, demonstrating her innovative work in the field. She has been the principal investigator for several sponsored research projects and has guided over ten research scholars and more than 50 postgraduate students, nurturing the next generation of engineers and researchers. Dr. Uma also played a pivotal role in two national programs on Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), namely NPSM and NPMASS, further advancing the research and development of MEMS technologies in India.
Dr. Uma has been recognized with the Young Scientist Fellowship from the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST) and was recently honoured with the Distinguished Alumni Award (DAA) from MIT, Anna University. Her research interests encompass the design of sensors and actuators, Micro- Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), biomedical instrumentation, and the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in advancing biomedical technologies
Dr. G. Uma, a native of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, completed her Bachelor of Engineering in Instrumentation and Control Engineering from Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, Master of Engineering in Instrumentation Engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University, Chennai and Ph.D. in Instrumentation and Control Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli.
My guests today are Cultural engineer-anthropologist Allen Batteau, Ph.D. and design anthropologist Christine Z. Miller, Ph.D., co-authors of the book: Tools, Totems, and Totalities: The Modern Construction of Hegemonic Technology
Christine Miller is a professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design, and Allen, a retired professor from Wayne State University.
They share details of their interdisciplinary backgrounds, their collaborative book project, and the implications of technology on society. They discuss the concept of sociotechnical systems, the brittleness of technology, and the ethical responsibilities of designers and software developers. They also touch upon the potential impact of AI, user-centered vs. social-centered design, and the role of speculative design in fostering innovation and hope for the future of humanity.
Some specific topics that they touched upon:
Allen W. Batteau, a cultural anthropologist and professor at Wayne State University, is a leading authority on the intersection of technology and society. His work, funded by agencies such as NASA and the National Science Foundation, includes numerous publications on aviation, flight safety, and technology in democratic societies.
https://clasprofiles.wayne.edu/profile/ad4408
Christine Miller is a design educator and researcher at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). With expertise in socio-technical systems, her research focuses on how social and cultural dynamics influence technology design and adoption. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges anthropology, design, and business
https://www.scad.edu/academics/faculty/christine-miller
My guest today is S Parthasarathy, better known as Spart who is the founder at CuedIn Technologies.
In this episode, Spart shares his extensive journey in the software engineering field.
Spart's story begins with his initial projects in COBOL programming at Tata Burroughs and the World Bank, working on critical systems in retail, logistics, and financial sectors.
He recounts his impactful stint at SWIFT, contributing to the foundation of what has become modern-day financial messaging systems. Spart reflects on his decision to pivot from electrical engineering to computer science, driven by his interest in the engineering of large systems.
He details his tenure at Ramco Systems, implementing document-based transactions, model-based code generation, and achieving several tech milestones, including internet integration and 32-bit upgrades.
After Ramco, Spart's continued passion for software engineering led him to co-found a SaaS-based ERP solution company, targeting SMEs. Despite early challenges and market readiness issues, he gained crucial insights into cloud-native architectures.
Spart's career path took another turn towards consulting and exploring AI, specifically focusing on probabilistic graph learning and the challenges of natural language processing in software engineering.
He emphasizes the importance of non-functional requirements, application architecture, and the potential of tools like Generative AI (GenAI) to enhance software development processes. Spart concludes by reflecting on the ongoing evolution of software engineering and his current projects aimed at making software engineering more accessible and efficient with modern tools.
Spart has 40+ years of experience in various aspects of software services area covering consultancy, business systems management, product development and Engineering management. Worked with large North American Organizations handling complex projects to implement transaction processing business solutions and data communication networks.
Key interests:
• Gen AI based solutioning for key business activities
• Gen AI enabled SW engineering
• Contextual social network driven approach for building business systems
• Predictive analytics over operational databases using Bayesian causal networks
• Implementing innovative platform based techno-commercial models for software solutions/services delivery.
• Cloud computing and SOA based multi-tenant solution Architecture
https://www.linkedin.com/in/spartp/
My guest today is Galvin Widjaja, founder and CEO of Lauretta.io ….
In this episode he talks about:
CEO & Co-Founder, Lauretta.io
Galvin Widjaja is the founder and CEO of Lauretta AI, a privacy-first computer vision company that helps organizations understand human behavior in physical spaces without relying on identity or biometrics. Under his leadership, Lauretta has become a trusted partner to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, TSA, U.S. Air Force, and major airport and defense agencies across Asia and North America. The company’s AI platform is designed to predict intent, enable preemptive alerts, and provide real-time situational awareness — all while preserving individual privacy.
Galvin’s unconventional journey into AI began not in a lab, but behind the counter of a quick-service restaurant he once ran for his father in Singapore. After early career stints in consulting, banking, and tech, a pivotal decision to reconnect with his estranged father led him to manage three migrant-serving restaurants. There, he learned that systems are only as good as the people they serve. That insight shaped his approach to AI — one built not just on precision and scale, but on empathy, equity, and lived experience.
Born in Singapore and raised partly in Indonesia, Galvin grew up in entrepreneurial households that saw both massive growth and total collapse. Those early lessons in volatility, resilience, and human complexity now inform his mission to build AI that doesn’t just react — it understands. His work focuses on helping organizations move from static surveillance to dynamic understanding, and from reactive alerts to proactive decision-making — all while respecting the humanity of the people being observed.
Galvin may be reached at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/galvinw/
I am in conversation with Tom Elliott, founder of Ocuroot and former Engineering Productivity lead at Yext,
Introduction:
Career Insights:
Shift to New York:
Experience at Yext:
Challenges and Solutions:
Observability and Deployment:
Quality and CI/CD Pipelines:
Conclusion:
Bio:
During nearly 20 years in the tech industry, Tom has worked for companies large and small on both sides of the pond and all layers of the tech stack from user-facing mobile and desktop applications to the backest of backends: DevOps. He is currently building Ocuroot, his own take on a CI/CD solution, based on his experiences scaling large numbers of environments for B2B SaaS products.
Links:
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/telliott1984/
* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/telliott.me
* Blog: https://thefridaydeploy.substack.com/
* Ocuroot: https://www.ocuroot.com
My guest today is Thanos Diacakis, Software Delivery Coach & a Fractional CTO.
We covered a wide range of topics that included:
Thanos Diacakis helps startups and growing companies overcome software bottlenecks, scale engineering teams, and deliver high-quality products faster. With over 25 years in software development, his background spans both early-stage ventures and tech giants like Uber and Included Health, where he led the technical integration of the JUMP Bikes acquisition, scaling the platform to 45k vehicles and over 2 million monthly trips. He’s seen elite teams stall when outdated processes leave them too heads-down to course-correct. With lean, evidence-backed practices, he unlocks faster delivery and greater developer satisfaction, so velocity rises while burnout falls.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Website: https://www.cosmicteacups.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thanosd/
In this episode of Software People Stories, Gayatri Kalyanaraman speaks with Anu Dwaraknath, Staff Technical Program Manager at Lam Research, about her dynamic journey across geographies, domains, and roles. From her early days in telecom to becoming a driving force in the semiconductor space, Anu shares stories of adaptability, continuous learning, and purpose-driven leadership.
Episode Summary
In this inspiring episode of Software People Stories, Gayatri Kalyanaraman is in conversation with Anu Dwaraknath, Staff Technical Program Manager at Lam Research — a global leader in semiconductor capital equipment.
Anu walks us through her transformative journey from a telecom software engineer to a program leader in the high-stakes world of semiconductors. With warmth and clarity, she shares how each stage of her career was shaped by curiosity, grit, and a willingness to embrace new challenges.
Having started in C/C++ development at Alcatel-Lucent, Anu transitioned into technical program management after earning a general management MBA in the U.S. — a shift she undertook during the 2008 recession. With no prior semiconductor experience, she joined Lam Research as an intern and steadily built her domain knowledge, moving from internal IT to core product engineering over the next decade.
Now based in India, Anu leads software initiatives on tools that power the chips behind every smart device — and actively advocates for greater awareness and participation in the semiconductor industry, especially for women in tech.
Key Themes & Highlights
“I knew I was coming in from a non-product background, and I said yes — I’m ready for the steep learning curve.”
Quote-worthy Moments
“Your domain doesn’t have to define you — if you carry the mindset to learn, the journey takes care of itself.”
“I wanted to break out of my comfort zone — not just from engineering to management, but from one industry to another.”
“Being in semiconductors now feels like representing a movement — and I take that responsibility seriously.”
Anu can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/anu-dwarakanath-89728a15/
Anu is Process innovator, critical thinker, and a corporate entrepreneur in the making! Solid program manager who adds strategic value and brings out competitive differentiation by focusing on business transformations.
● 15 years of experience working in IT program management, specializing in waterfall (SDLC), agile and hybrid project management methodologies
● A highly collaborative leader with a track record of building effective cross-functional teams and relationships, while delivering high scale solutions
● Core competencies: structured problem solving & qualitative decision analysis, negotiation & consensus building
Links & Resources
Gayatri Kalyanaraman is in conversation with Dr. Fred Jordan, CEO and Co-Founder at AlpVision and FinalSpark - Expert anticounterfeit technologies - Expert biocomputing talks about his journey to make a difference in AI and what propelled him to do that.
Fred Jordan is an Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of successful and profitable businesses. Skilled in Innovation, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Programming, Marketing, Management and Entrepreneurship. Scientific education with M.Sc. in physics and Ph.D. in signal processing.
Co-founder of:
- AlpVision: Supplier of technologies and smartphone solutions for automatic detection of genuine and fake products.
- FinalSpark: Startup using biological neural networks for the design of Artificial General Intelligence.
Dr. Fred Jordan started their journey in technology entrepreneurship after completing his PhDs at EPFL in applied mathematics. This work gave them the inspiration for their first successful start-up, AlpVision, where they excelled at overcoming engineering challenges and created an innovative solution for product authentication. The company became very profitable and is still successfully run by them.
This brought the co-founders Fred and Martin to a new, even bigger challenge, to address the problem of Artificial General Intelligence. Creating a ‘Thinking Machine’ is a dream of many engineers. A machine which can reason as a human being is considered by many as a peak performance to be achieved in engineering.
Although we currently observe the flourishing of the AI models which make impression of being able
to think, as they successfully ‘fake’ human thinking with advanced statistics, this has nothing to do with
human reasoning which is capable of creating new ideas and concepts outside its own experience. This
is what a ‘real’ thinking machine should do as well.
Fred and Martin decided to address this problem by testing the state-of-the-art methods in AI models, such as in silico spiking neural networks, genetic programming and many versions of in silico neural networks.
Multidisciplinary thinking and the interest to explore unknown areas lead Fred and Martin to work on living neurons as computation units. They established FinalSpark lab which is currently running fundamental research with one main question: How to make living neurons perform intended computations?
How to send instructions to the living neurons using electric wires and receive results – the same way
as we send the instructions by typing on our keyboard and receive the answers from in silico computers
on our screens.
Fred Jordan can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-jordan-anticounterfeiting-brandprotection-authentication/