30 Questions with Venkatesh Kolluru
We spoke with Health & Science Innovator Venkatesh Kolluru on what inspires him on a daily basis, and how USD has influenced his work as an research scientist.
USD Foundation & Alumni Association: What sparked your interest in health or science?
Venkatesh Kolluru: Seeing how changes in climate and land use directly impact people, landscapes and livelihoods made me curious about the science behind it.
U: In one word, what drives your curiosity?
VK: Patterns.
U: What problem or question are you most excited to solve right now?
VK: How to turn massive Earth observation datasets into simple, actionable insights for communities and decision-makers.
U: What's one innovation or idea you're proud to have contributed to?
VK: Helping bring foundation-model-based workflows into real operational environmental monitoring.
U: What's a small breakthrough that felt big to you?
VK: Realizing that a model capturing local drone patterns could accurately scale to landscape-level predictions. It showed me how small field plots can inform broader ecological perspectives.
U: Who inspires the way you think about discovery or innovation?
VK: Researchers who blend computational rigor with environmental impact.
U: Favorite campus lab, study spot or classroom?
VK: I.D. Weeks Library
U: Who is one USD mentor or professor who shaped your scientific mindset?
VK: Dr. Ranjeet John
In one word: what does being a Coyote innovator mean to you?
Grit.
U: What USD experience fueled your passion for health or science?
VK: Fieldwork that connected satellite data with real landscapes shaped how I think about environmental science.
U: What's a value that guides how you approach research or problem-solving?
VK: Integrity: letting data speak honestly.
U: Biggest lesson your field has taught you so far?
VK: Ecosystems are complex, and meaningful insights often come from listening closely to the data.
U: In one word: the hardest part of innovating in health or science.
VK: Uncertainty.
U: In one word: the most rewarding part.
VK: Understanding.
U: A USD memory that still motivates your drive for discovery.
VK: Sharing early results at IdeaFest and realizing they sparked new ideas among others.
U: What's one misconception people often have about your field?
VK: That satellite data provides all the answers. However, in reality, fieldwork and thoughtful interpretation are what make the data meaningful.
U: Early-morning researcher or late-night thinker?
VK: Late-night thinker.
U: What's your go-to drink or snack during research or long work sessions?
VK: Milk Tea.
What's one skill every health or science innovator should have?
Adaptability.
U: What helps you reset when you hit a scientific roadblock?
VK: A short walk and music.
U: What's your "innovation superpower"?
VK: Connecting data, patterns and context quickly.
U: In one word, how would your peers describe your approach to problem-solving?
VK: Thoughtful.
U: What's a stereotype about scientists you'd love to break?
VK: That they work in isolation. I believe science thrives on collaboration and communication.
U: Favorite South Dakota season for fieldwork, lab time or getting inspired?
VK: Summer.
U: What's a discovery or project you're excited to explore next?
VK: Scaling geospatial AI for climate resilience and early-warning applications.
U: Which USD lesson or value still shapes how you innovate today?
VK: Think broadly, validate carefully.
U: In one word: the future you hope to help build.
VK: Resilient.
U: What science issue will you always advocate for?
VK: Sustainable land and water management.
U: What's something about you people might be surprised to learn?
VK: I enjoy flying drones just as much as analyzing the data they capture.