Pratt Peers Team Bios – Graduate Student Programs and Services

Michael Dankwah Agyeman-Prempeh

I’m a first-year Master of Engineering (MEng) student in Design & Technology Innovation (DTI) . With a BSc in Computer Engineering and diverse work experience in Software Engineering, Technical Project Management, and Higher Education, I make an effort to bring a multidisciplinary perspective to everything I do.

Fun facts? I play six sports, have a twin sister (I’m the older twin!), and when I’m not at the Brodhead Center’s lower level, you’ll find me catching up with friends, enjoying a solo date, designing graphics, singing, or watching movies.

I strive to leave a lasting impact by being a breath of fresh air to not just my peers but everyone—through smiles and small acts of kindness.

Varun Bhanushali

I’m a graduate student in the Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity program at the Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, starting Fall 2025.

I completed my undergraduate degree in Computer Science with a focus on Cybersecurity from NMIMS University in Mumbai, India. During my studies, I gained hands-on experience in different areas of cybersecurity such as digital forensics, web and API security testing, and compliance.

Outside of academics, I’ve always enjoyed being part of student activities. I was the Head of Sattva, our college’s cultural fest, where I managed artist and guest relations, hosting over 65 performers. I also helped lead Enactus, a nonprofit student group that supported small artisans, helping them increase their sales and profits. At Duke, I’m excited to get involved in student life, support others through peer communities, and build strong connections. I also look forward to learning from diverse perspectives and growing both personally and professionally.

I joined Pratt Peers because I believe in the power of community. Moving to a new country and starting graduate school can feel overwhelming, and I want to be someone who helps make that transition easier for others. I’ve always enjoyed helping and listening to people, and I hope to bring a friendly and supportive presence to the team. Whether it’s offering a listening ear or sharing helpful tips from my own experiences, I look forward to giving back and growing with the Pratt community.

Omkar Bhat

My name is Omkar (Ohm-car). With Spring ’25 being my first semester at Duke as a MEMS grad student, I am learning a lot on the fly. I enjoy winding down after a long day by cooking, playing pickleball, working out at the gym, watching movies/TV with friends, or simply taking a stroll outdoors. If you see me around campus, be sure to say hi. I am eager to connect with the Pratt community.

Divya Emmadi

I’m a Duke MEM student who loves exploring the creative side of life. I joined the program in the Fall of 2024. Before this, I completed my undergrad in Information Technology and worked for over 2 years, which provided me with a solid foundation in tech and problem-solving.

Outside of academics, I enjoy painting as a form of self-expression, and I’m always up for trying new cuisines to explore different flavors. Dancing is another way I unwind, and I love taking evening walks (because I’m a big fan of sunsets) to clear my mind and soak in the world around me. On some days, you can also catch me rewatching my favorite TV shows or movies. Above all, I’m passionate about learning and growing alongside the people around me, both academically and personally.

Let’s connect—whether it’s about life, creativity, or just sharing a good conversation.

Genesis Garay

I am a Master of Engineering student in Biomedical Engineering with a certificate in Medical Device Design. I have a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a deep passion for creating innovative solutions that improve patient care.

Outside of school, I LOVE to learn new things, paint realistic pieces with acrylic and colored pencils, and stay active by running or hiking new trails—anything that keeps me creative and grounded.

I’m excited to be part of Pratt Peers, where I can support fellow students and help foster a welcoming environment, especially for those from underrepresented backgrounds like my own as a first-generation Latina.

Lucky Singh Kachhawah

I’m an Engineering Management student and entrepreneur who has co-founded several startups. I live by my core values of community, well-being, and mutual respect, and apart from being a Pratt Peer, I serve as a resident assistant for freshmen and a graduate assistant at the Center for Multicultural Affairs, a TA at Fuqua, and Executive Member at the Duke Blockchain Lab.

When not working on ventures, you’ll find me competing in Duke’s Club table tennis team, exploring new cuisines as a passionate foodie, or planning my next travel adventure

Suyash Khenmar

I’m a first-year Master of Engineering Management student with a background in civil engineering and experience in project management and the education sector.

Outside of school, I love traveling to new places and trying out different dishes (especially desserts—I have a serious sweet tooth!). I enjoy hitting the gym, cooking, reading, binge-watching movies, and spending time with friends. If you know a great food spot around Durham, hit me up—I’m always down to join!

Annika Kumar

I am a second year MS student in the biomedical engineering department. I am passionate about research focused on using machine learning to build more accurate predictive models for disease diagnosis and management. I am currently part of the Dunn and Hoffman Labs where my work focuses on using wearable device data to predict disease onset related to covid, flu, and diabetes as well as using image data to simulate and study protein-protein interactions. Outside of research, I enjoy playing basketball, and watching movies in my free time and I also love dogs!

Shweta Mittal

I’m pursuing my Master’s in Engineering Management. Exactly this month last year, I left my role as a software engineer at a network security company, thinking I’d dive into psychology next. But life had other plans, and here I am today still exploring, still finding my rhythm.

What I do know is that I follow what excites me. Recently, I’ve been training for a half marathon in New York, a dream in progress. Last month I completed my first ever 10k. My legs were dead, but my spirit was on fire! I’m also working my way back to my powerlifting and trekking days (where deadlifting 120kgs was a routine), one step at a time, I will get there again.

Beyond sports, I paint (though only I truly understand my art). I enjoy self-help books but somehow finish fiction much faster. Mental health is something I take very seriously, having been on the other side of struggle. What makes a difference here at Pratt is not just the resources, but the community that truly supports each other.

So, if you’d like, let’s take a walk and chat!

Saptadeepa Ray

Life has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride, from complete with dizzying highs, sharp drops, and the occasional loop I didn’t see coming. Professionally, I kicked off my career in the Big 4 consulting world, thriving on airport runs, client calls, high-stakes deadlines, and the sweet avalanche of awards, promotions, and appreciation. But amidst all the glory, burnout hit me like a surprise plot twist.

That’s when I hit pause. Enter: yoga mats, clean eating, and a crash course in discipline are my toolkit for navigating back to balance. I later switched gears into the product world while also diving deep into health and wellness. These days, I prioritize inner peace just as much as career growth, because what good is success if you’re running on empty?

At Pratt Peer, I see community as more than a resource — it’s a safety net, a cheer squad, and sometimes just a buddy for a good walk and chat. So, if you want to connect, don’t hesitate — let’s swap stories, grab a stroll, and share a laugh or two along the way.

Sahil Rohira

I’m a second-year Master of Engineering student. I am a passionate trekker, reader, dancer and gym freak! Let me know if you want to grab some Ramen together.

Siddhesh Sawant

’m a Duke MEM student who’s always curious about how things work and why people do what they do. I love exploring different cultures (especially Japanese!), gaming on my PS5, building Legos, rewatching The Office and geeking out over anime—Attack on Titan is my all-time favorite. Fun fact: I’m Japanese bilingual and even got to collaborate with Nikon Japan for some Instagram reels! I’m always up for a good conversation, whether it’s about tech, storytelling, or just sharing random fun facts. Let’s catch up and chat about anything cool!

Pratham Sharma

Pratham Sharma is a passionate first-year Master of Engineering Management student at Duke University, with 3.5 years of experience spanning IT, software, ed-tech, and fin-tech. He has held leadership positions and co-founded Neutrify, a climate tech startup focused on sustainability. Pratham is deeply committed to the mental health space, serving for over a year on the advisory committee of SUPERBANDS, where he collaborated with board members and founder to create programs that use music to help teenagers overcome mental health challenges. Recently, he joined Pratt Peers to further his involvement in supporting mental well-being within his community. In addition to his passion for mental health, Pratham is an animal lover and active advocate for animal welfare.

Deva Sivadevan

I am a first year MEng Biomedical Engineering student specializing in Medical Device Design. I did my undergraduate program in India and came to the US for Fall 2024, so I konw what leading an independent graduate life in a new country entails.

I LOVE reading — fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, ingredient labels, you name it! I also enjoy writing, watching and analyzing movies, and going on long meandering walks for which I’m for in search of company — so hit me up!

Astha Sul

My name is pronounced like “pasta” without the “p.” I’m a first-year Electrical and Computer Engineering student specializing in machine learning. Throughout my grad studies, I plan to fully engage in both research and leadership opportunities. I plan to take full advantage of Duke’s strong emphasis on interdisciplinary problem solving, especially in integrating machine learning and statistics with fields like healthcare, finance, and environmental sciences.

When I’m not studying, you’ll likely find me hiking or taking long walks with my earphones in, enjoying music from the 70s and 80s. I love meeting new people and having silly, deep, thoughtful, inspiring, or intellectual conversations, so if you see me around campus, come say hi!

Kartikeya Tripathi

I’m Kartikeya Tripathi, a Master of Engineering Management student at Duke. When I’m not tackling coursework, you’ll find me geeking out over cars, talking about food, fighter jets, or expanding my perfume collection. I’ve also got a thing for watches (because time is money, right?). I love getting lost in a good book, and I can strum a few tunes on the guitar

Marianne Voigt

am a biomedical engineering PhD student. My research focuses on orthopedic biomechanics, specifically relating to how sex-based hormones and the menstrual cycle influences ACL tearing in female athletes. During undergrad, I was passionate about tutoring and mentoring and learned to love working with others for a larger goal. I have always been mindful about mental health. Pratt Peers allows me to combine these passions here at Duke and I am excited to work so closely with the program!

Sijia Wang

I’m a PhD candidate in the ECE department with a passion for fostering a supportive academic community. Beyond research, I enjoy oil painting as a creative outlet and love playing sports with people to stay active. As a volunteer, I hope to contribute to a welcoming space where graduate students can connect, share experiences, and offer support to each other.

Akshay Singaravelu

I’m a first-year MEM student originally from India, with a background in Electronics and Communication Engineering. I have a year of work experience across technical roles-most recently at Accenture, where I got hands-on experience with Oracle APEX and PL/SQL. Before that, I interned at Montra Electric, diving into the world of electric vehicle performance testing. I enjoy exploring how engineering blends with product thinking, and I’m especially curious about cross-domain innovation.

Outside of academics, I’m big on sports and staying active. I love football (soccer) and swimming—I was a state-level swimmer back in school. I also enjoy trekking (always down for a good hike!) and occasionally run marathons, especially for a cause. Whether it’s a challenging trail or a campus 5K, I’m usually up for the adventure. And when I’m not moving around, you’ll probably find me watching anime. I’m a huge One Piece fan and can talk about Luffy’s journey anytime.

I joined Pratt Peers because I know how overwhelming transitions can be—especially when moving to a new country, adjusting to grad school life, and trying to balance it all. I’m here to be a friendly face (or a good listener!) for anyone who needs help navigating those moments. Whether it’s figuring out class schedules, finding a swimming pool nearby, or just chatting about anime, I hope to make our MEM journey a little more fun and a lot more supportive.