My Plaksha Journey: From a Math Enthusiast to a Problem Solver

Key Takeaways

  • Yash Srivastava's interdisciplinary education combines Data Science, Economics and Business with a strong foundation in Mathematics.
  • His experience at the Innovation Lab & Grand Challenges (ILGC) enabled him to apply AI to real-world challenges through geospatial machine learning.
  • At Wadhwani AI, he developed AI-powered solutions for agricultural pest detection, demonstrating technology's potential for social impact.
  • His internship at Jefferies combined his interests in Mathematics, AI and finance, leading to a return offer for the APAC division.
  • Yash's journey highlights how interdisciplinary learning prepares students to create meaningful impact across industries.

A Passion for Mathematics That Shaped His Path

Meet Yash Srivastava, a fourth-year undergraduate student at Plaksha University majoring in Data Science, Economics and Business, whose journey is a powerful example of how passion can lead to purpose-driven innovation and real-world impact.

Yash’s student journey at Plaksha reflects the diverse opportunities available to Plaksha students, from interdisciplinary coursework and hands-on projects to industry internships. His B.Tech. story offers a glimpse into how the student experience at Plaksha can help students connect their academic interests with real-world applications.

It all began with a deep-rooted passion for mathematics. From an early age, he sought logic and patterns in everything, and when he discovered Plaksha, the curriculum immediately resonated with him.

"My journey at Plaksha was fascinating because the first time I saw the course structure, I loved how it blended AI and Math. I'm a geek, so Math was always my thing," says Yash.

Applying AI to Solve Real-World Challenges

In his second year, Yash’s experience at the Innovation Lab & Grand Challenges (ILGC) studio presented him with an opportunity to solve real-world problems using technology. There, he worked on a project that leveraged deep learning in geospatial machine learning to predict water stress levels using drone imagery alongside Prof Anupam Sobti, leading the Geospatial Computer Vision Group at Plaksha.

Using AI for Social Impact at Wadhwani AI

This combination of skills and hands-on experience paved the way for a dream internship at Wadhwani AI, where he worked on AI-powered solutions for agricultural challenges, particularly pest detection from crop images. "Working on pest detection systems that helped farmers reduce losses was eye-opening. This experience made me realize how AI could be used for social good," says Yash.

Bringing Together AI, Finance and Mathematics

He then secured an internship at Jefferies, a leading global financial services firm. There, he contributed to AI-powered algorithms and gained firsthand experience in how Data Science is transforming the fintech world. His efforts were recognized with a return offer to work in their APAC division.

"Finance, Math and AI – this internship brought all my interests together," Yash shares.

From tech for social good and algorithmic finance to AI for behavioral modeling, Yash’s journey exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary education. His story is a testament to what is possible when curiosity, purpose and technology converge.

About the Author

The Content Team at Plaksha University leads storytelling, blog and website content, social media, newsletters and event coverage and press and media coverage. The team writes about the University's initiatives, academic programs, research, innovation, and the impact created by the students, faculty, and collaborators and in the process offer readers a closer look at the people and ideas shaping the future of technology education.