About me

I’m an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Virginia, where my research sits at the intersection of AI, digital health, and human-computer interaction. I develop AI systems that use data from everyday technologies like smartphones and wearables to understand and improve mental health in real-world settings.

I was brought up in Kathmandu, Nepal, where I completed my undergraduate studies in Computer Science. This foundation led me to pursue graduate studies at Dartmouth College, where I spent six years developing expertise in mobile sensing and AI-driven mental health research.

As a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, I had the opportunity to work with leading researchers in developing next-generation AI systems that can understand and respond to human behavior in real-time. Now at UVA, I’m excited to build a research program that advances AI for mental health while training the next generation of human-centered AI researchers.

What Drives My Work

Mental health challenges affect millions of people worldwide, yet traditional approaches to assessment and intervention often fall short. I believe that by leveraging the power of AI and the ubiquity of mobile technology, we can create more accessible, objective, and timely mental health support systems.

My work is highly interdisciplinary — I regularly collaborate with psychologists, psychiatrists, computer scientists, business professors, neuroscientists, and engineers to address real-world mental health challenges from multiple perspectives. This collaborative approach has led to breakthrough research and novel AI systems (such as, depression detection through smartphone images).

Beyond the Lab

When I’m not researching, I enjoy gaming, exploring hiking trails, and binge-watching movies and TV shows. I’m passionate about mentoring students and making research accessible to broader audiences. I’m also actively involved in contributing to organizations that provide educational opportunities for underserved children (in Nepal and beyond).

I’m always excited to discuss research, collaborate on new ideas, or simply chat about life in academia. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to connect!