Pavani Suresh, a graduate student majoring in computer science, won second place in the UAH Three-Minute Thesis Competition
Pavani Suresh, a graduate student majoring in computer science, won second place in the UAH Three-Minute Thesis Competition

Pavani Suresh, a graduate student pursuing a Master’s Degree in Computer Science, recently received second place in the Three-Minute Thesis Competition at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).  

Suresh, who presented on "Decoding Nature’s Palette: Machine Learning for Hyperspectral Image Segmentation," was awarded a $200 cash prize in the competition.

The Three-Minute Thesis Competition offers graduate students the opportunity to develop communication and presentation skills while also providing a valuable platform for research students to network, collaborate, and discuss their work in a supportive environment.

“Decoding Nature's Palette—Machine Learning for Hyperspectral Image Segmentation," uses machine learning models to classify environmental components by analyzing hyperspectral satellite images. Hyperspectral imaging captures information across hundreds of spectral bands, allowing each pixel to reveal unique spectral signatures that can distinguish vegetation types, soil composition, and other environmental factors. 

“By applying segmentation algorithms, I aim to classify these components accurately, with potential applications in early forest fire detection, optimized crop selection, and hopefully conservation strategies,” Suresh explains. 

Suresh is originally from Bangalore, India, and decided to attend UAH after her uncle, an alumnus, attended and had a great experience. “His recommendation turned out to be great and there’s been no looking back,” Suresh says. 

When asked why she decided to study computer science, Suresh says she wanted a break from a monotonous IT job. She found computer science “fresh and challenging.” “Pursuing a master’s felt like the perfect way to do that while exploring a new part of the world. Moving to the U.S. was a chance not only to grow academically but also to experience life from a new perspective,” she explains.

After graduate school, Suresh says she plans to apply her thesis to solve real-world challenges. “I’m especially passionate about using technology to support wildlife conservation, help the agricultural sector with crop prediction and soil analysis, and contribute to environmental preservation.”

“There’s a lot of potential to make an impact through machine learning, and I want to be part of that,” she says.

For potential students who are interested in pursing careers in computer science, Suresh advises them to work hard and value their time. “[Time] is a resource you can never get back,” she says. “In a field as dynamic as computer science, starting early opens doors to endless learning opportunities and growth.”

Suresh decided to enter the competition as a way to make her work accessible to a broader audience, particularly those without a computer science background. “ I hoped it would be a strong platform to demonstrate the practical impact of my research, connect with industry professionals, and gather insightful feedback to guide further refinement,” she explains. Suresh says she viewed the competition as an opportunity to explore potential applications for her work, while seeing insights and industry perspectives to enhance its real-world relevance.

“In the end,” she says, “It was everything I’d hoped for and more, fulfilling exactly what I set out to achieve.”