Dr. Sruti S Ragavan, is an assistant professor of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) at IIT Kanpur. She grew up in Chennai with her cousins. She loved reading, finishing at least one book a week, mostly classical fiction. What made her proud was reading books her cousins hadn't read.
She was very interested in probability and statistics. Her interest came from her dad, who worked in insurance and had to make decisions based on those concepts. She tried to get into Chennai Mathematical Institute and Indian Statistical Institute which are the best institutes for mathematics in India but couldn't get in because they preferred Olympiad medallists. However, her math teacher suggested studying computer science instead as it is closely related to mathematics.
After graduating with a degree in Comupter Science, Dr. Sruti S Ragavan joined Thoughtworks, attracted by its renowned work culture. Initially fascinated by the software made by JetBrains in her work, she aspired to work for JetBrains, but they exclusively hired PhD students with a systems and compilers background. Motivated by this, she decided to pursue a PhD in the field. However, during her doctoral studies, she took a Human Computer Interation (HCI) course and found her passion in the subject, leading her to switch her focus to HCI.
During her PhD journey, Dr. Sruti interned at Microsoft Research and eventually became a part of the diverse team, collaborating with prominent figures in the programming world, including one of the authors of the Haskell Programming language. The team also included researchers from various fields like Sociology and Ethnology. The team's culture encouraged experimentation, embracing failure as a valuable learning opportunity; approximately 50% of the ideas they explored did not succeed.
Her work extended to studying LLMs (the technology that powers ChatGPT) well before ChatGPT's emergence, focusing on understanding their ability to express concepts and analyzing human interactions with them. One significant project she contributed to, which even reached production, was the development of a Debugger for Microsoft Excel. Convincing individuals from various backgrounds to join this project, the debugger proved to be a game-changer, aiding non-coders in writing accurate formulas in Microsoft Excel. This project also earned recognition, receiving the 2nd best paper award at a reputable conference.
Firstly, she encourages having fun and not taking things too seriously. Embracing the learning process, making mistakes, and deriving lessons from them is a crucial aspect of personal and professional growth.
In particular, she highlights the misconception in India that STEM fields lack creativity and that people from traditionally considered "Arts" background have little space in STEM. Drawing from her diverse team and experiences at the Microsoft Research, she emphasizes that there is room for individuals from varied backgrounds in STEM, urging people to be inclusive and recognize the value each person brings.
Recognizing the need for improved social skills, Dr. Sruti emphasizes that these skills are not just "soft skills" but essential "life skills." She stresses the importance of developing interpersonal skills, as engineers often struggle in this area. Understanding that social skills are integral to navigating the dynamic world we live in, she challenges the misleading distinction between "soft" and "hard" skills.
Finally, Dr. Sruti advocates for pursuing higher education, countering the prevailing discouragement towards it in India. By emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and advanced education, she encourages individuals to invest in their intellectual and professional development.
Firstly, she acknowledges her cousin Shyam, her enduring role model since childhood. His influence has shaped her journey and contributed to her growth.
Her parents come next, for their unwavering support throughout her life and their encouragement of her pursuit of higher education. Their backing has been a constant source of strength.
Rajesh Babu, her manager at Thoughtworks, receives heartfelt appreciation. She considers him one of the smartest people she has encountered, acknowledging the impact of his guidance on her professional journey.
Sudarshan, her husband, is recognized for understanding the quirks in her personality and providing steadfast support through both high and low points. His encouragement has been a significant factor in her achievements.
Margaret, her PhD advisor, holds a special place in her heart. Margaret's influence extends beyond academia, shaping Dr. Sruti's personality. She sees a strong resemblance between her character and Margaret's, underscoring the profound impact of her mentorship.
Lastly, Dr. Sruti expresses gratitude to Professor Mani, a retired professor from IIT Kanpur. He served as her mathematics teacher during her school days, instilling in her the importance of attempting to solve problems independently, making mistakes, learning from failure, and seeking help only after failing on your own. His teachings have left an enduring mark on her approach to problem-solving and teaching.