Ph.D. student Dharani Vadlamudi came to Cornell from India, driven by a deep passion for energy and sustainability. His interest stemmed from his undergraduate work on industrial plant design for sustainable furfural production from sugarcane bagasse. Vadlamudi ultimately chose Cornell because its research in energy and sustainability applications strongly aligned with his interests. His current work in professor Jeff Tester’s bioenergy group builds on both his undergraduate experience in biomass and professional experience in oil refinery operations.
Beyond research, Vadlamudi has embraced leadership roles including as secretary of the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association, entrepreneurship coordinator for CBE Women, and chair of the 2025 CBE Graduate Research Symposium. He especially enjoyed leading entrepreneurship initiatives after participating in NSF I-Corps, and found joy in organizing cultural events like potlucks that bring the community together. His proudest accomplishment was chairing the 2025 R.F. Smith School Symposium, where he gained valuable skills in event planning and teamwork.
His advice to future student leaders? “Don’t get discouraged by low participation when leading an event or program – everything starts with a few,” Vadlamudi said. “Over time, the attendees will become more engaged and inspired, helping to build a stronger community. While leading events can be challenging, being part of a student body organization eases the burden, allowing for collaboration and support in creating a lasting impact. If you’re passionate about something, go for it.”
One of his favorite Cornell memories is the 2022 Halloween party, where his research group wore masks for the costume contest and had fun scaring people in Olin Hall.
Post-graduation, Vadlamudi plans to continue working in sustainability, whether in academia or industry. Either way, he says, “It’s not about the specific position or role for me, but the area of work that truly matters, and I’m deeply passionate about sustainability initiatives.”