Mithra Vankipuram

Mithra Vankipuram is a distinguished user researcher and product developer with over a decade of hands-on experience in both industry and academia. Mithra has a strong background in product development, research, and patenting, currently focusing on the emerging field of digital health and medical device innovations, particularly in the mental health sector. As the innovative mind behind Akai Creative, Mithra also extends valuable insights and services in user-centered product research to startups and other enterprises.

Education-wise, Mithra pursued a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomedical Informatics, a Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science, and a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Computer Science and Engineering. This diverse educational background equips Mithra with a comprehensive skill set to navigate the complex intersections of technology, healthcare, and user-centric design.

Throughout Mithra's career journey, notable roles include being a Principal Research Scientist at Akai Creative, formerly holding positions as a User-Centered Healthcare Product Developer at the University of California, San Francisco, and Senior Research Scientist at HP and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Mithra also began the research trajectory as a Research Assistant at Arizona State University, showcasing a well-rounded professional growth spanning research, academia, and industry.

Passionate about driving innovation at the nexus of technology and healthcare, Mithra is actively engaged in incubating a healthcare startup focused on advancing mental health solutions. This entrepreneurial endeavor underscores Mithra's dedication to leveraging expertise in user research, product development, and iterative design to revolutionize the healthcare landscape, with a particular emphasis on mental wellness and digital health innovations.