PAST 38 BY 38 RECIPIENTS
Nikitha Sambamurthy
"My Purdue engineering education provided a strong foundation in critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills. The rigorous coursework and hands-on experiences prepared me to tackle complex challenges in the field with confidence and creativity. Additionally, the supportive environment and mentorship from esteemed faculty instilled in me a passion for continuous learning and innovation. Overall, Purdue Engineering equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to excel in my career and make meaningful contributions to the field of engineering education."
Nikitha Sambamurthy | Engineering Education and Electrical Engineering
Editorial Director for Engineering, John Wiley & Sons
Dr. Nikitha Sambamurthy is transforming engineering education on a national scale. As instruction shifts from print to
digital formats, she is leading this crucial transition. Dr. Sambamurthy was the first engineering textbook author hired
by educational technology startup zyBooks, an innovative publisher of interactive, online learning content. Within seven
years, zyBooks was acquired by John Wiley & Sons, and she was promoted to editorial director for engineering.
Dr. Sambamurthy has authored and contributed to multiple digital textbooks while managing and leading the undergraduate
interactive engineering catalog. This catalog generates over $10 million in revenue and includes "Introduction to
MATLAB," which she helped grow to the top MATLAB textbook in the nation. To date, her work has been utilized by more
than 200,000 students at leading universities across the country.
Dr. Sambamurthy's research-based pedagogical content is revolutionizing the way engineering concepts are taught. She
established an industry-led engineering education research group, making Wiley the first publisher in the nation to
conduct and publish in-house education research. Since 2016, this research has been consistently published at
prestigious conferences, earning praise and best paper awards for innovations in engineering education. Her group's
groundbreaking research includes setting new standards for the way alternative text is written to describe engineering
images and analyzing student behavior in interactive materials. This pioneering work has established Wiley as the leader
in inclusivity and accessibility in engineering educational technology. The recognition and awards this research have
won now serve as a beacon to the engineering education field, demonstrating the viability of alternative research career
trajectories beyond academia.
For more information on Dr. Sambamurthy's work, visit nikithasambamurthy.com.