Rukmini Manasa Avadhanam

Senior Research Associate @Discovery Partners Institute

Chicago, IL, US

Led several research projects on how emerging technologies enhance teaching and learning (role of AristAI, TA Bot on student learning, teachers\' perceptions and use of GenAI at the intersection of culturally responsive pedagogies, Using social annotation tools for counter storytelling)- Led and supported grant writing and program development for over 15 federal and philanthropic calls for proposals as PI, Co-PI, or Senior Personnel for awards ranging from to directed, and scaled a summer and year-long research internship program, SPARKS(Summer Program for Applied Research and Knowledge Sharing), for Illinois Public School high school students, engaging them in research on data science, climate science, AI ethics, and STEM commercialization. Mentored 15 students in the pilot cohort, 12 in the second cohort, and conducted two research studies using interviews, observations, and focus groups to understand students’ understanding of research projects, methodologies, analytical thinking, and their use of Generative AI as a thought partner-Led the education strategy, workforce development, and curricular transformation initiatives for several federally and state-funded projects-Collaborated with interdisciplinary academic and industry teams in the US, UK, and India on evidence-driven strategies to integrate social annotation tools and Generative AI into teaching and learning in K-12 and higher ed contexts-Mentored graduate and undergraduate students on research projects related to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for education, fostering student success through data-informed learning models and personalized coaching.

Osmania University

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Psychology

University of Sussex

Masters in Research, Psychological methods

University of Minnesota

Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Learning Technologies