BIO
Dr. Aravind Mohan is an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at McMurry University. Previously, he was a faculty member at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He completed his Ph.D. in Computer Engineering at Wayne State University in 2017 in the Big Data Research Lab led by Dr. Shiyong Lu. Before that, he worked in the industry as a software engineer. His research focuses on big data management and cloud computing. His broader areas of interest are services computing, online education services, and information retrieval. He has published several research articles in peer-reviewed international conferences, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers conference on services computing, big data congress, big data, big data computing services and applications, and the Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Information Retrieval. conference. He is a member of IEEE and ACM. He and his wife, Dhivya, are practicing Hindus.

By Aravind Mohan

I was born and brought up in the heart of South India, in a city that was once called Madras and is now known as Chennai. It is a bustling metropolitan city, full of energy, culture, and endless opportunities. Growing up there was a memorable experience. I remember the early morning temple bells, the constant hum of traffic, the aroma of filter coffee in the air, and the warm sun that always seemed to shine brightly. From my first day of school to my final year of college, Madras remained my home. Living in a large city gave me access to good schools, dedicated teachers, and a wide range of tuitions that helped strengthen my academic foundation. The people around me also played an important role in my journey. My neighbors were kind and always ready to help. Many of them offered support, encouragement, and advice during different stages of my life. Looking back, I realize how deeply my hometown influenced me. It gave me not only a solid education but also a strong sense of community and connection to South Indian traditions.

My ancestors originally lived in a small village near Salem in South India until the 1930s. The village was called Kattu Kottai, which means “a fort in the forest.” It was a quiet place surrounded by nature, and for generations, my family lived a traditional life there. Everything began to change when my grandfather became the first person in our family to leave the village. In the 1930s, he joined the Indian Army, marking a turning point not just in his life but in the direction of our family’s future.

After serving in the army, he moved to the Indian Railways, a federal government job known for its stability and benefits. Through his wisdom and leadership, he helped guide his brothers and later his sons into the Railways. Among them was my father, who followed in his footsteps. In the late 1960s, my grandfather relocated the family to Madras, which became the city where we lived our lives and built our home.

We grew up in a joint family, all living together under one roof. My grandfather and grandmother, along with their sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, shared the same home. It was a house full of voices, stories, and shared meals. My mother, a homemaker, was an integral part of this fabric — caring for our immediate family and raising my sister and me with love and patience.

Aravind and his wife, Dhivya, at Mathura (India) where Lord Krishna was born. Lord Krishna is an important Hindu god who is discussed in Bhavagad Gita, a sacred text of Hindu religion. 

After my grandmother passed away, I grew very close to my grandfather. I shared a room with him and spent many evenings listening to his stories and reflections. Those moments shaped me in ways I am still discovering. His discipline, values, and belief in the power of education planted in me a deep and lasting interest in academics. Over time, that interest turned into a passion. I wanted not only to learn but also to dedicate myself to academic work and contribute meaningfully to the field of education.

I eventually became the first engineering graduate in my immediate family and among my grandfather’s sons’ children. That milestone was significant, and I carried it with quiet pride. My younger sister also pursued higher education and became a software engineer. She now has a daughter and lives near my parents, who live in their own apartment which is a portion of the remodeled house that my grandfather owned previously.

I was diagnosed with a rare eye condition during my childhood, but it was only after I moved to the United States that I was formally declared legally blind. Coming to terms with that diagnosis in a new country brought with it both emotional and practical challenges. Everything around me was unfamiliar. I had to learn how to navigate daily life, understand different systems, and adjust to a culture very different from the one I grew up in. The combination of vision loss and the experience of living alone in a new environment tested me in many ways. During those early days, I received some gentle support and encouragement from my maternal uncle and his family in Cincinnati, Ohio. Their presence helped ease the transition. As time passed, I began to find strength within myself. I learned to manage life independently and started taking quiet pride in doing things on my own. That journey helped shape a belief I hold deeply. While the kindness and guidance of others matter, who I am today is the result of the choices I made and the effort I put in with a determined and steady mindset.

Dr. Aravind Mohan with students Yordanos, Lekiya, and Steven at McMurry

In 2017, I married my wife, Dhivya Sridharan, who is also from South India and was born and raised in Madras. We lived in Pennsylvania for a few years before moving to Texas. Dhivya began her career as a registered nurse and healthcare professional, and she now serves as a nursing student success coach at McMurry University. While we do not have children yet, we are grateful for each other’s company and continue to support one another in both our personal lives and professional paths.

Aravind Mohan at the Taj Mahal

Looking back, I see a thread that runs through each stage of my life — a quiet determination shaped by the values passed down through my family, especially by my grandfather. His influence continues to guide me, and my path in academics and life reflects the foundation he helped build.

Dr. Aravind Mohan is an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at McMurry University