7 Indian American sophomores win Wisconsin University research fellowships

Seven Indian American undergraduates at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have been selected for the university’s 2026 Sophomore Research Fellowships, giving the students an opportunity to pursue independent research alongside faculty mentors. The competitive program provides institutional stipends designed to help promising second-year students begin serious research early in their academic careers. This year’s Indian American cohort includes Sohan Alleshwaram, Adit Bhootra, Tejas Dahiya, Ishpreet Dang, Tirth Mihirbhai Patel, Anikait Patel and Agastya Rathee.

Their projects cover a broad range of disciplines, including computer science, mathematics, biology, cancer research, molecular and cell biology, data science and economics. Alleshwaram, a double major in computer sciences and mathematics, is researching forward-in-time simulations of the Colorado potato beetle under faculty adviser Sean Schoville, with the goal of understanding agricultural gene-flow patterns.

Bhootra, a biology major on the pre-med track, is studying DNA repair deficiency and radiosensitivity in TSC-mutant cancer cells under Dr. Pippa Cosper in the Department of Radiation Medicine. His research reflects his broader interest in healthcare and medicine, complemented by leadership and campus involvement. Molecular and cell biology students Ishpreet Dang and Anikait Patel are also contributing to biological research, working with faculty advisers Audrey Gasch and Portia Smith, respectively.

Tejas Dahiya, currently exploring foundational scientific disciplines as an undeclared major, is conducting research under Saurabh Gupta. In the computational sciences, Agastya Rathee, who is pursuing double majors in computer sciences and data science, is working with faculty mentor Rogerio Jorge on research involving computational and analytical methods. Tirth Mihirbhai Patel brings an interdisciplinary perspective to the fellowship, combining data science and economics while working under Matteo Camboni.

The fellowship is supported by the Brittingham Wisconsin Trust, the Kemper K. Knapp Bequest, the UW System, the Chancellor’s Office and the Provost’s Office. Funding provides stipends for both students and their faculty mentors, helping cover expenses associated with undergraduate research. By connecting sophomores with experienced researchers, the program gives students an opportunity to move beyond classroom learning and engage directly with complex scientific problems.

The projects also demonstrate the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of undergraduate research, where computing, data analysis, biology and economics frequently intersect. For the seven Indian American scholars, the fellowships represent an early opportunity to develop research skills, collaborate with established academics and contribute to ongoing university projects. Their work could also provide valuable preparation for future careers in medicine, technology, scientific research and academia.

The recognition highlights both the diversity of UW–Madison’s undergraduate research community and the growing participation of Indian American students in advanced scientific and technological fields.