When Sai Manikant Palepu first stepped onto the RPI campus, he wasn’t thinking about becoming a professor. He was focused on earning a master’s degree in Quantitative Finance and Risk Analytics—and maybe landing a solid job. But sometimes, the path you start on isn’t the one you’re meant to finish.
“I had an internship at EY and was doing a research project at the same time,” Sai recalls. “That’s when I realized—I like research more than I thought. Maybe a lot more.”
That realization led him to something bigger: the Ph.D. program at Rensselaer’s Lally School of Management.
From Master’s to Ph.D.—and a Pandemic Pivot
Sai officially made the switch to the Ph.D. track in spring 2020—just as the world shut down. “It was a weird time to start something so intense,” he says. “I hadn’t even met most of the faculty yet.”
The early days weren’t easy. He struggled with isolation and had to rethink what success looked like in this new academic life. But he kept showing up. And he found his way back to Dr. Brian Clark, a mentor he had worked with during his master’s program.
“That changed everything,” Sai says. “Brian believed in me. He challenged me. And he gave me space to grow into the researcher I wanted to be.”
Research That Matters: Climate, AI, and Complexity
Sai’s dissertation dives deep into the kind of work that really makes a difference. Two of his three papers focus on climate finance—specifically how extreme weather events like hurricanes ripple through global supply chains.
“The economic impact of climate change is massive, and it’s only growing,” he explains. “I wanted to understand those ripple effects—and how businesses can better prepare.”
The third paper takes a turn into artificial intelligence, using machine learning to understand patterns in stock returns. Different topics, but connected by one big idea: using data to solve complex, real-world problems.
The Power of a Small, Supportive Program
One of the things Sai appreciated most about Lally? Its size.
“In a small program, you don’t get lost,” he says. “I knew all my professors. I built real friendships with classmates and juniors. There was always someone willing to help.”
That support wasn’t just social—it was professional too. When it came time to hit the job market, faculty stepped up with guidance, mock interviews, and letters of recommendation. “It felt like the whole school was in my corner,” he says.
Sai will join Hofstra University as an Assistant Professor this fall.
What He’s Taking With Him
As he prepares for life on the other side of the classroom, Sai is thinking a lot about the kind of teacher he wants to be. He’s been watching—and learning—from Lally’s best.
“I’ve sat in so many classes now, both as a student and a TA. I know what works. I know what doesn’t,” he says. “I want to create a space where students feel included—where introverts and extroverts both feel heard.”
He’s also working on striking the right balance between challenge and compassion. “It’s about being fair but human. That’s what I admired most in my own mentors.”
Lessons Learned (and a Few Hard Truths)
When asked if he’d do anything differently, Sai laughs. “I mean, sure, I made mistakes. But honestly? I’d make them all again.”
He talks openly about the personal toll the Ph.D. took at times—how easy it was to let friendships and outside interests fall away under the pressure. “That’s one thing I’d tell future students: don’t lose your balance. Build a routine. Keep your ecosystem strong.”
His other advice?
- Start research early—don’t wait for the perfect topic.
- Talk to faculty. A lot. They want to help.
- Be curious and stay humble. The learning never ends.
Sai describes his Ph.D. experience in three words: challenging, fulfilling, and life-changing.
We’d add a fourth: inspiring.
If Sai’s story speaks to you, maybe it’s time to explore the Ph.D. in Management at Lally. Whether your passion is in climate risk, AI, or something completely different, our small program is built to help you make a big impact—with faculty who care, peers who challenge you, and a community that stays with you long after graduation.
Learn More: https://lally.rpi.edu/graduate-business-programs/management-phd