When Anweshita Das arrived at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for her master’s degree in business analytics, she was looking for clarity. What she found was community, mentorship, and a pathway that ultimately led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Management at the Lally School of Management. 

Today, Anweshita is completing her doctoral work, where she blends electric vehicle pricing analysis with research on artificial intelligence and hiring. But, just as important as her academic achievements are the leadership roles and creative insights that shaped her experience.

Discovering Research Through Relationships 

Originally trained in mathematics, Anweshita’s early education had been deeply theoretical. “I didn’t know what kind of job I wanted,” she said. “Then I found RPI and learned they were one of the top three schools for business analytics at the time.” 

As a master’s student, Anweshita thrived in small, faculty-led classrooms. Professors didn’t just teach—they cared. They offered guidance, mentorship, and academic flexibility. “If you missed an assignment, they didn’t just dock points. They asked what was going on and helped you catch up.” 

She later returned to India during the pandemic and worked for a U.S.-focused consulting startup. When a former professor, Dr. Jason Kuruzovich, emailed and encouraged her to apply to the Ph.D. program, she listened. “I trusted him. I had no research experience, but I wanted to learn.” 

A Supportive Program with Personalized Mentorship 

Anweshita credits the program’s size and structure for her growth. “Being in a small Ph.D. program meant I got to know almost every professor. And they got to know me.” 

She emphasized the difference it made as an international student: “Having someone like Emilee (from the administrative team) who knows what you’re going through—that’s not a small thing. It’s the kind of support that makes you feel seen.” 

Weekly meetings with advisors. Feedback that meets you where you are. Real accountability balanced with empathy. “They want you to succeed, and they’ll rally behind you.” 

Interdisciplinary Research: EVs, AI, and Ethical Impact 

Anweshita’s dissertation research tackles two complex, real-world themes: 

• Electric Vehicle Auctions and Charging Infrastructure: How does regional access to charging stations impact EV prices in secondary online marketplaces? Could these insights lead to stronger partnerships between automakers and energy providers?
• AI Tools Like ChatGPT and Workforce Strategy: If companies reduce entry-level hiring because of AI, what happens to early-career professionals and managers? Her work explores the nuanced shift in talent needs as automation becomes more capable. 

Across both research streams, her focus is pragmatic and purpose-driven. “I’m looking for ways to help businesses do good—but in ways that make business sense,” she said. 

Leading Beyond the Classroom: RPI Executive Board 

Outside the research lab, Anweshita took on a major leadership role as chair of RPI’s Union Annual Report Committee—a student-led initiative responsible for drafting the Rensselaer Union’s budget report reviewed by RPI’s Finance Department and RPI’s Board of Trustees. 

“It was a 50-page report, and I was the primary writer,” she said. “It taught me how to manage stakeholders, communicate strategically, and defend my ideas in front of a rigorous audience.” 

She also managed the role while continuing her research. “Time management was key. I had to be upfront about my limits—but also fully present when I showed up. That experience strengthened my ability to lead with both structure and empathy.” 

From Canvas to Code: Parallels Between Art and Research 

Anweshita is also a painter—an outlet that unexpectedly helped her become a better researcher. 

“Painting gives me the mental space to return to research with fresh eyes,” she said. “Both require patience, experimentation, and the ability to zoom in and zoom out.” 

She draws strong parallels between artistic practice and academic work: the vulnerability of starting something imperfect, the discipline of daily iteration, and the joy of slowly seeing a picture come together. “Research is just like painting. You start bad. You keep going. And then one day, it clicks.” 

Mentorship, Collaboration, and Student Growth 

As a TA, Anweshita worked closely with younger students—always offering help when she saw someone struggling. 

“Sometimes it’s just about noticing,” she said. “Saying, ‘Hey, I saw that was tough—want to talk?’ That small kindness can change someone’s experience.” 

Within her own Ph.D. cohort, she leaned on others for writing help, while sharing her strengths in statistics. “It was a true exchange,” she said. “And that spirit of collaboration really defines Lally.” 

What’s Next? 

After graduating, Anweshita hopes to teach and mentor students in an institution that values both research and inclusive learning. 

“I love teaching. I want my future classrooms to be hands-on, project-based, and welcoming to all types of learners,” she said. “It’s not about right answers. It’s about good questions.” 

Advice for Future Ph.D. Students 

Her words of wisdom? 

“Talk to professors early. Start research early. No one expects you to be perfect—but you need to show up, ask for help, and keep going.” 

She also emphasized how Lally’s small size is its biggest strength: 

“Here, you’re never just a number. You’re part of a community that wants you to succeed.” 

Why Lally? 

The Ph.D. in Management at the Lally School of Management is ideal for those who want: 

• Personalized mentorship
• Interdisciplinary and data-driven research opportunities
• A close-knit, supportive academic environment
• A place where your voice matters and your work can lead to real-world impact 

“Lally helped me find my purpose as a scholar and as a leader,” Anweshita said. “And that’s something I’ll carry with me forever.” 

Keywords: Ph.D. in Management, business analytics, green energy research, international student Ph.D., AI and hiring, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Lally School of Management, small Ph.D. program, faculty mentorship, women in research, interdisciplinary business research, student leadership, data-driven sustainability