Grand Challenges Scholar, Spring 2025
Avi Aaron Batchu
For Avi Aaron Batchu, the educational journey has been epic. Or EPICS, anyway.
This spring, Batchu will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. As part of the Fulton Schools Grand Challenges Scholars Program, or GCSP, he has been busy studying in an intensive program designed to prepare the next generation of engineers to solve society’s biggest challenges as defined by the National Academy of Engineering.
He is most proud of his work in the Engineering Projects in Community Service program, known as EPICS. In the program, students help solve engineering-based problems for charities, schools and other not-for-profit organizations.
Batchu was part of a student team who developed a mobile application to address the pressing mental health concerns experienced by members of the Hopi Tribe, a sovereign nation in northeastern Arizona.
“I wanted to learn and apply all my skills to have a meaningful impact on the community,” Batchu says. “EPICS provided me with the support and resources to do just that.”
During his time in the Fulton Schools, Batchu also served as a camp counselor at E2, a welcome retreat for incoming first-year students, and served as social media director for an ASU explorers club. He is also a New American University Scholar.
As part of the GCSP, Batchu pursued interesting research topics. He completed a capstone project for Scopium AI, a medical device startup. The team of students created a security dashboard system that utilized artificial intelligence to ensure that sensitive medical data is handled securely. Batchu developed a logging and forensic analysis system to help administrators handle cybersecurity issues.
After graduation, Batchu will relocate to Chicago and plans to work as a software development engineer. He says hopes to make an impact in the tech industry and stay committed to continued learning and upskilling.
Batchu believes his education will help him make an impact.
“Engineering has changed my life because it has given me a sense of purpose and the drive to learn and apply new skills for the benefit of all,” he says. “The resources and opportunities offered at ASU have set me up for lifelong success.”
Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ spring 2025 class here.
More exceptional graduates from Spring 2025

Christina Sturgeon
Convocation Speaker, Impact Award

Hieu Nguyen
Outstanding Graduate

Maria Jose Lopez Aguirre
Outstanding Graduate

Gabriel Adams
Grand Challenges Scholar

Ronald Prusia
Outstanding Graduate

Taylor Foster
Grand Challenges Scholar

Chukwunonso Okonkwo
Impact Award, Outstanding Graduate

Mackenzie Schmader
Outstanding Graduate

Mason Mahaffey
Convocation Speaker

Jadyn Ocken
Outstanding Graduate

Neha Shakir
Outstanding Graduate

Riley Perez
Grand Challenges Scholar

Angie Valencia
Outstanding Graduate

William Bernal
Outstanding Graduate

Dinusha Herath Mudiyanselage
Palais Outstanding Doctoral Student Award

Heather McGraw
Outstanding Graduate

Jake Okun
Convocation Speaker, Impact Award, University Outstanding Graduate

Carol Lu
Grand Challenges Scholar

Jayashree Adivarahan
Grand Challenges Scholar, Impact Award, Outstanding Graduate, University Outstanding Graduate

Cecil Deveau
Impact Award

Avijit Jutla
Grand Challenges Scholar

Wenjie Xu
Outstanding Graduate

Israel Vazquez
Outstanding Graduate

Anushka Limaye
Grand Challenges Scholar

Mark Agoston
Grand Challenges Scholar

Kylie Peterson
Impact Award

Lucas Keylon
Grand Challenges Scholar

Ariana Bermudez
Grand Challenges Scholar

Benjamin Staedicke
Grand Challenges Scholar

Sophia Pedersen
Grand Challenges Scholar

Shreya Sharma
Impact Award

Rohan Nair
Grand Challenges Scholar

Siddhant Jain
Grand Challenges Scholar

Saharsh Goenka
Outstanding Graduate

Bryce Askew
Grand Challenges Scholar

Tyler Hayes
Impact Award

Carl Howard II
Outstanding Graduate

Koos Maddock
Grand Challenges Scholar

Sydney DeLaine Paulsen
Outstanding Graduate

Elliott Ruble
Outstanding Graduate

Minju Yoo
Impact Award

Saketh Pabolu
Grand Challenges Scholar

Taylor Whitten
Grand Challenges Scholar

Siddhant Labade
Grand Challenges Scholar

Ethan Chang
Grand Challenges Scholar

Ciara Powell
Outstanding Graduate

Timothy Chase
Outstanding Graduate

Liam Caldwell
Outstanding Graduate

Emily Parkerson
Impact Award

Austin Davis
Outstanding Graduate

Jocelyne Espinoza
Grand Challenges Scholar

Allyiah Gomez
Grand Challenges Scholar

Megan Lewis
Outstanding Graduate

Tatum McMillan
Grand Challenges Scholar

Naina Misra
Grand Challenges Scholar