Manasa Vuppu: From Entrepreneurial Vision to AI Innovation
When Manasa Vuppu looks back on her graduate journey at UNC Charlotte, she doesn’t just see classes and coursework — she sees transformation. This August, she graduated with her Master of Science in Data Science and Business Analytics, carrying with her a story defined by curiosity, resilience, and innovation.
Originally from Hyderabad, India, Vuppu chose UNC Charlotte’s School of Data Science for its unique hands-on learning approach. “I wanted my graduate experience to go beyond classrooms,” she explained. “Here, I’ve been able to turn theory into meaningful impact.” That impact was most evident during her summer internship at Discovery Education, where she worked with the AI Enablement team to design machine learning and natural language processing solutions for real-world marketing challenges.
Her journey into data science began long before graduate school. As the founder of her own marketing consulting firm, Vuppu immersed herself in understanding consumer behavior and translating data into strategies. “I realized data isn’t just numbers — it’s a story that shapes decisions, innovation, and the future,” she said. With that perspective, she merged her entrepreneurial instincts with technical expertise to create tools that drive lasting impact.
At UNC Charlotte, two professors made a lasting mark on her academic journey. Dr. Monica Johar encouraged her to celebrate small victories while aiming for big goals, a balance that fueled her growth. Professor Rick Chakra challenged her to push past limits and think critically, leaving her with lessons that extended far beyond the classroom.
For Vuppu, the three words that summarize her experience are simple: “Build Your Worth.” She has done exactly that, overcoming barriers of hidden bias and proving herself through hard work, integrity, and accomplishment. Along the way, she even created a “mini-me” AI writing bot — a model trained on her own style, blending creativity, innovation, and personal expression.
As she steps into the next phase of her career, Vuppu is eager to contribute to the future of artificial intelligence. “The excitement lies in knowing that what I’ve learned is only the beginning,” she said. “I want to work on groundbreaking AI applications that make a tangible difference.”
Her advice to incoming students reflects her own journey: “Don’t rush through assignments just to get them done. Learn for the sake of truly understanding — the grades will follow. The goal isn’t a perfect score for today; it’s to win in life.”
Ten years from now, Vuppu hopes her story will be told simply: “A woman who never stopped setting new goals — and worked relentlessly to achieve them.”