Staff Filter

Vaishali Vijay Shinde

Research Assistant

I am Vaishali Vijay Shinde, a Master's student in Health Informatics at Indiana University, Indianapolis, expecting to graduate in December 2024. My academic interests lie in clinical research, data analysis using tools like Python, R, and MySQL, as well as community service endeavors. As a Research Assistant with the HANDS in Autism Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center at Riley Hospital for Children and IU School of Medicine, I contribute to research projects aimed at advancing knowledge and care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. My role involves conducting literature reviews, performing data analyses, and participating in the dissemination of findings to the wider community. I am passionate about applying my skills in health informatics to make a positive impact through the interdisciplinary work at HANDS. 

Sai Srilekha Aluru

Student Support Specialist

Srilekha is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Health Informatics and working as a Student Support Assistant with HANDS in Autism. Her academic and research interests include healthcare data analysis, clinical informatics, and patient safety. At HANDS, she supports the team by assisting in developing and implementing resources for individuals with autism and contributing to the creation of data-driven solutions.

Kurt Bassett

PROGRAM ASSISTANT

Kurt joined the HANDS team in 2017, coming from a wide range of experience, including; 4 years as a records manager at IDOE, 5 years as a cart collector at Walmart, interning for the Arc of Us, and a teacher aid at his church’s preschool.He volunteers at Riley Hospital, the Children’s Museum, and the Indianapolis Zoo.

Akhil Bhimineni

DATA SPECIALIST

Akhil joined the HANDS in 2023 and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in computer and information science at IUPUI. He is currently working as a student support specialist, working mainly on sensory kits and bookstore. His academic and research interests are primarily focused on data analytics and data visualization. Before joining HANDS, Akhil completed his undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Automobile Engineering.

Allison Crawford-Wallis

TRANSITION SUPPORT TECHNICIAN

Allison joined the HANDS team in 2021 and recently graduated from IUPUI in the Purdue School of Science studying Psychology with a minor in Sociology and a certificate in Child Abuse and Neglect.

Baby Amulya Devarapalli

Data Specialist

Baby Amulya Devarapalli joined the HANDS team in 2023 as a Research Assistant and transitioned to a full-time Data Specialist role in 2024. With a Master's Degree in Health Informatics and a background in Doctor of Pharmacy, Amulya's expertise in Health Data Analytics and Clinical Informatics aligns perfectly with our focus on leveraging data for healthcare improvements. In this role, Amulya will develop and implement standardized policies and procedures across projects, with a special emphasis on priority projects for dissemination. 

Sahrash Fatima

Research Assistant

Myself, Sahrash Fatima a second-year Master’s student in Health Informatics at Indiana University, with a strong background in healthcare data analysis, research, and pharmaceutical sciences. With a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and prior experience as a scientific writer, I developed a deep understanding of managing, curating, and analyzing complex healthcare datasets. My interest in health informatics grew from working with pharmaceutical research data, where I saw how data-driven insights can improve healthcare decision-making and patient outcomes. Currently, I serve as a Research Assistant at the HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training & Resource Center, where I’m responsible for conducting data analysis, literature reviews, and synthesizing research findings into actionable insights.

Sravan Kumar Gadipudi

DATA SPECIALIST

Sravan Kumar Gadipudi joined the HANDS in 2023 and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in computer and information science at IUPUI. Prior to his current role, Sravan amassed two years of valuable experience as a skilled Data Engineer, mastering the art of handling intricate datasets and implementing innovative data-driven solutions.

Mounika Gottipati, BDS, MSHI

DATA SPECIALIST

Mounika joined the HANDS team in 2022. She has a Health Informatics Masters degree from Indiana University Indianapolis. Her areas of interests include health data analytics and clinical informatics. She works as a Data Specialist and is eager to immerse herself in the team's projects.

Lasya Guda

Research Assistant

Lasya Guda is pursuing a Master's degree in Computer and Information Science at Indiana University Indianapolis (IUI). She joined HANDS in Autism in February 2025 as a Research Assistant and leads the ECHO/IPP team. Her interests include data analysis and visualization, focusing on innovative ways to understand and present complex data. She aims to use her skills to improve autism support and intervention. Her passion for combining technology with real-world applications drives her to make a meaningful impact in her field.