Information Systems Programs > Voices > MS Business Analytics Leadership Council > Vaishnavi Cheera

Vaishnavi Cheera

Hyderabad, India

Hi everyone! My name is Vaishnavi Cheera. I’m currently pursuing my Master’s in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Texas at Dallas and I am part of the Events Team at BALC. I hold a Bachelor’s in Commerce (Computer Applications) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analytics and Data Science, which helped me build a strong foundation in both business and technical aspects. I’ve also gained hands-on experience as a Business Analyst Intern, where I worked on a Power Trading Project using data from the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX). Through this project, I explored concepts like time series forecasting, data preprocessing, EDA, statistical analysis, SQL integration, and data visualization. Although I’m comfortable working with Python, R, and SQL, I have to admit — SQL is my favorite! I sometimes get overwhelmed by large datasets, but that’s what makes analytics exciting figuring out how to transform raw data into meaningful insights and communicate them beautifully through visualization tools. I’m always open to networking, learning, and collaborating with like-minded people, so feel free to reach out!

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Saniya Gupte

Hi everyone! I’m Saniya, originally from Mumbai, India. I am a Fall 2024 Master’s in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence student at the University of Texas at Dallas. I completed my undergraduate degree in Information Technology from VJTI Mumbai, graduating in 2024. I have a strong foundation in Python, which I’ve applied to data analysis and problem-solving projects during my undergraduate studies and internship. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, doing acrylic paintings and listening to music!

Yashraj Saxena

Hi! I’m Yashraj Saxena, the analytics guy who turns “huh?” into “heck yes!” with a technical background in computer science and analytics, using Python, SQL, and dashboards that actually drive decisions. Born and raised in Hyderabad, India, I bring that biryani fueled hustle to JSOM. After revving up a Flutter payments app by 50% and building research dashboards at UTD, I’m chasing the sweet spot where clean data meets clear stories. Catch me at BA&AI events brainstorming content, hyping peers, and high fiving good ideas.

Rohan Vakharia

Hi everyone! My name is Rohan Vakharia. I was originally born in Livingston, New Jersey, but moved to Plano, Texas when I was 4 years old, making me a true Texan at heart. I am currently pursuing my MS in Business Analytics & Artificial Intelligence and intend to graduate in December 2026. I have always been a lover of data, solving complex problems, making meaningful visualizations, and continuously learning how I can leverage my skillset. Prior to my MS degree, I worked as a Financial Analyst at DriveTime where I was responsible for creating forecasting models using Excel, creating and managing our data warehouse in Snowflake, and creating interactive visualizations in Tableau and Power BI. Outside of my professional and academic life, you can find me working out, playing video games, and trying new coffee shops around UTD and in Dallas! Please feel free to reach out with any and all questions!

Hafsa Sadkaoui

Hi there! I’m Hafsa, born and raised in the colorful heart of Morocco. Growing up, I was always drawn to the way numbers could explain the world around us. That curiosity led me across continents to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Mathematics at Minot State University, where I graduated with honors. My professional path began in finance, where I worked as a Financial Analyst and later as a Financial Professional with New York Life Insurance. In those roles, I discovered that behind every spreadsheet and portfolio, there’s a real story, a dream, a goal, and a plan for the future. That realization sparked my deeper interest in analytics: understanding not just what the data says, but why it matters. Now, I am a master's student in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Texas at Dallas. I utilize my financial experience, combined with skills in R, Python, SQL, and data visualization, to deliver meaningful results. Beyond the data, I’m a lifelong learner who speaks four languages and is currently learning a fifth. I love exploring new cultures through travel, discovering local cuisines, and meeting people with unique perspectives.

Pranav Dhawan

I’m Pranav Dhawan, a Business Analytics graduate student with a solid technical base. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Delhi. My interest in how data drives business decisions goes way back to school, where I was part of the Commerce Club and loved taking part in business pitch competitions, mock stocks, and analytical quizzes. That’s where my curiosity for strategy and problem-solving really took off. Since then, I’ve gained hands-on experience through academics and internships, working with tools like Salesforce, Power BI, Python, and SQL. I also know how to build large language models, though to be honest, that’s not where my passion lies; I’m more drawn to applying analytics to real business challenges. Outside of work, I’m a hardcore foodie who’s always up for trying new cuisines, a passionate cricket player, and an avid swimmer. I enjoy being part of communities where ideas actually turn into action, and I’m excited to bring that same energy to BALC.

The Bachelor’s in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence prepares students to solve analytics problems embedded in a business context. Empower yourself to seek analytical roles by combining fundamental ideas in economics, finance, information technology, marketing, operations management and statistics with various analytics concepts using a range of tools and programming languages.

BS Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence

The Bachelor’s in Information Technology and Systems (ITS) program is a unique blend of technical and business curriculum. This STEM designated degree program provides students with practical and theoretical training in information technology. Graduates from the program are in high demand because of their diverse technical skill set and their ability to understand how technology affects business processes.

BS Cybersecurity and Risk Management

The Master’s in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence program (BUAN) is a 36 semester credit hour STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) designated degree program. This highly-ranked program provides students with the practical and theoretical knowledge needed to pursue careers involving a wide variety of data science, data engineering, and data analytics roles within a number of business domains.

MS Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Options

The Master’s in Information Technology and Management (ITM) program is a 36 semester credit hour STEM designated degree program ranked 17th in the US by US News and World Report. The MS ITM degree prepares students for careers as IT professionals working in a variety of industries and roles. The program features a state of the art curriculum, online or class room delivery options, and the ability to complete the degree on a full-time or part time basis.

MS ITM

Develop strong research skills that are especially relevant for students interested in an academic career. Research seminars are held regularly, and each year the Information Systems area sponsors a speaker series to bring researchers from other universities to UT Dallas.

PhD in Management Science, Information Systems Concentration