Dhanyasri Bolla Profile

Dhanyasri Bolla

Graduate Researcher & Aspiring Engineering Manager

Passionate about climate innovation, Climate Policy, Data-Driven Decision making, Corporate Finance and Systems Engineering.

About Me

Hi! I'm Dhanyasri Bolla, a Master's student in Engineering Management at The George Washington University, with a background in Electronics and Communication Engineering from SVNIT, India. I’m passionate about combining technical thinking with strategic decision-making to address complex, real-world problems.

My work lies at the intersection of data analysis, systems thinking, and sustainable development. Recently, I’ve been diving deep into climate adaptation research—analyzing how megacities are responding to climate risks and identifying co-benefits in their adaptation strategies. Beyond research, I’ve worked on web development, marketing analytics, and systems architecture projects that showcase my versatility across disciplines.

I’m always excited to learn, collaborate, and build meaningful solutions—whether it’s through data, design, or leadership.

When I'm not working, you’ll find me exploring urban spaces, planning events with my grad student community,

Education

🎓 Master of Science in Engineering Management

The George Washington University
Washington, D.C. | Expected December 2025

  • Relevant Courses: Marketing Analytics, R Programming, Systems Engineering, Project Management, Systems Thinking, Policy Modelling, Corporate Finance
  • Capstone Project: Evaluating the Carbon Emission Reduction Potential of Transitioning San Diego's energy generation to 60% Renewable Energy

🎓 Bachelor of Technology in Electronics & Communications

Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology
India | May 2023

  • Focus Areas: Embedded Systems, Digital Communication, Programming in C and Python
  • Capstone Project: 5G waveforms performance analysis over 3D channel model

Experience

🔬FEWS LABS, George Washington University

Graduate Research Assistant
May 2024 – Present

  • Conducted a comparative analysis of 48 megacities' climate action plans.
  • Used Python, Excel, and Pandas with chi-square and Cramer’s V for relational insights.
  • Coded 430+ adaptation co-benefits using binary classification for statistical rigor.
  • Applied LLMs to analyze textual data from climate plans and extract patterns.
  • Identified global co-benefit trends (health, equity, biodiversity, food security).
  • Presented research at AGU 2024 and co-authored a forthcoming academic paper.
  • Informed urban policy frameworks for high-density climate-vulnerable cities.

Technologies & Skills: Python, Pandas, Excel, Chi-square Test, LLMs, Data Visualization, Urban Climate Resilience

🌐 Business Web Solutions

Web Development Intern – June 2022 – Aug 2022

Enhanced a tourism site’s UX using responsive HTML/CSS/JS design. Integrated APIs, optimized backend, and performed cross-browser testing.

Technologies & Skills: HTML, CSS, JS, PHP, Responsive Design

📣 Unschool

Marketing & Operations Intern – Aug 2021 – Sep 2021

Led marketing campaigns with a team of 6, increasing course enrollments by 45% and improving lead conversion by 20% through workflow optimization.

Technologies & Skills: Team Leadership, Campaign Metrics, Digital Strategy

Research

Urban Giants Under Threat: Unveiling Climate Vulnerabilities & Adaptive Strategies in Megacities

Research project analyzing climate vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies in 43 global megacities.

  • Conducted a comparative analysis of 48 megacities' climate action plans.
  • Explored relationships between climate risks, infrastructure systems, disasters, financial mechanisms, and stakeholders.
  • Applied chi-square tests and Cramer's V to identify significant associations between adaptation elements.
  • Identified emergent global themes and regional disparities in urban adaptation efforts.
  • Developed insights to support evidence-based climate policy for high-density urban regions.

Uncovering the Hidden Benefits of Adaptation: Insights from a Systematic Review

Research project investigating co-benefits of climate adaptation strategies across sectors and regions.

  • Investigated patterns of co-benefits including health, food security, and climate mitigation.
  • Co-Authored a research paper in association with NIST by coding and categorizing co-benefits from 430+ scientific articles.
  • Identified recurring themes such as health improvements, biodiversity preservation, and economic cost savings across climate adaptation projects.

Research Landscape Mapping (2024)

Developed a dataset by scraping and categorizing research publications across 20+ Web of Science categories related to climate adaptation.

  • Built a visualization dashboard featuring treemap and bar chart representations to highlight the dominance of Environmental Sciences, Energy Fuels, and Engineering subfields.
  • Provided analytical insights into cross-disciplinary overlaps (e.g., Environmental + Engineering + Management) to support megacity adaptation policy research.

Tracking Systemic Impacts of U.S. Foreign Aid Policy: A Qualitative Analysis and Codebook Development(2024)

In response to abrupt shifts in U.S. foreign aid policy in early 2025, this project aimed to systematically document and analyze the real-world impacts on organizations engaged in food aid and food security.

  • Designed and implemented a 14-category codebook with 40+ sub-codes using an iterative grounded theory approach.
  • Processed and analyzed 18 expert interview transcripts, converting unstructured qualitative data into structured datasets.
  • Applied Python (Pandas, Excel) and NVivo/Atlas.ti-style coding methods to tag, organize, and synthesize hundreds of data points.
  • Delivered a replicable framework enabling longitudinal tracking of systemic impacts in foreign aid and food security policy.

Publications

Urban Giants Under Threat: Unveiling Climate Vulnerabilities & Adaptive Strategies in Megacities

Primary author of a research paper analyzing climate vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies in 43 global megacities.

Submitted for possible publication in AGU Earth's Future

    Abstract: With their rapid expansion and escalating population densities, megacities face unprecedented challenges in ensuring climate resilience. Our research examines how megacities worldwide plan to adapt to climate change. Specifically, we evaluate the resilience and adaptive capacity enumerated in 43 global megacity climate reports by categorizing and coding data across five key dimensions: infrastructure systems, climate risks, natural disasters, financial sources, and stakeholder involvement. We analyze trends and relationships between variables across these megacity reports to deduce global trends in these urban areas using statistical analysis. Three key patterns emerge from our analysis of these megacity adaptation plans: (1) there is global convergence on the need for sustainable transportation infrastructure, (2) there is some misalignment between local climate risks and chosen adaptation investments, and (3) we found considerable underrepresentation of local stakeholders in planning processes. By identifying key areas of vulnerability, infrastructure plans, financial backing, and stakeholders, our research underscores gaps in current planning approaches that could be addressed in the future to make megacities safer and more sustainable.

Uncovering the Hidden Benefits of Adaptation

Co-Authored a research paper in association with NIST by coding and categorizing co-benefits from 430+ scientific articles.

Submitted for possible publication in Environmental Research: Climate

    Abstract: Adaptations to extreme weather events are increasing in prevalence across the globe. Adaptation responses can produce cobenefits, which are ancillary positive outcomes beyond the primary objectives of reducing risk and enhancing resilience. Despite growing attention to co-benefits in the adaptation literature, systematic analyses across adaptation types, sectors, actors, and regions remain limited. This study uses the Global Adaptation Mapping Initiative (GAMI) database to investigate the associations between adaptation characteristics and the presence of co-benefits. We processed and coded 1,684 articles, to categorize co-benefits and analyzed them alongside other adaptation characteristics through descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and logistic regressions. We found generally weak associations between adaptation characteristics and the presence of co-benefits. Further, the regression results showed that there were no significant differences between the associations with cobenefits of adaptations that occur across economic sectors. Ecosystem based responses were found to be more likely to be associated with the presence of co-benefits than human behavioral based responses. Technical or infrastructural responses were found to be less likely to be associated with co-benefits than human behavioral responses. Additionally, while some of the chi-squared associations and regression associations trended together, they also differed leading to ambiguity in the types of adaptations that often have co-benefits present. These findings highlight the need for improved co-benefit assessment frameworks and enhanced co-benefit documentation. Enhanced documentation could better inform adaptation planning and maximize the ancillary benefits of adaptation actions.

Conference & Symposium Talks

AGU 2024 Poster Presentation

AGU 2024 Poster

Presented a poster titled “Urban Giants Under Threat” at the AGU Fall Meeting 2024 in Washington, D.C., focusing on climate vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies in megacities.

SEAS R&D Showcase - GW Engineering

Seas Poster

Presented a poster titled “Resilient Megacities” at School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Research and Development Showcase at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., focusing on climate vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies in megacities.

GWU Innovation Fest Poster Presentation

GWFest Poster

Presented a poster titled “Resilient Megacities” at the Inaugural GW Innovation Fest at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., focusing on climate vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies in megacities.

Multilateral Financial Institutions: Chief Audit Executive Group Conference 2025

IDB presentation

Presented a poster titled “Resilient Megacities” at the Multilateral Financial Institutions: Chief Audit Executive Group Conference 2025 at Inter-American Development Bank, focusing on climate vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies in megacities.

Skills & Tools

📊 Data Analysis & Programming

  • Python (Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib, Seaborn)
  • R (Tidyverse, dplyr, ggplot2)
  • SQL, Spark (PySpark)
  • Excel, Jupyter Notebooks

🔬 Research Skills

  • Literature Review, Thematic Coding
  • Comparative Policy Analysis
  • Co-benefit Mapping (GAMI)
  • Poster Presentation (AGU 2024)

🏗️ Systems Engineering

  • SysML (ConOps, OV-1, Functional Decomposition)
  • Capella (Arcadia Methodology)
  • Systems Thinking
  • Trade-off & Architecture Analysis

💼 Finance & Decision Modeling

  • NPV, IRR, Payback Period
  • Sensitivity & Risk Analysis
  • Cost-Benefit Modeling in Excel
  • Engineering Economics

📈 Statistical & Research Methods

  • Chi-Square, Cramer’s V, Regression
  • Survey Design, Conjoint Analysis
  • Binary Variable Coding
  • LLM-based Textual Analysis

🌐 Web Development

  • HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP (basic)
  • Responsive UI Design
  • API Integration
  • Git, GitHub, Netlify, Formspree

💡 Conceptual Knowledge

  • Climate Adaptation & Resilience
  • Urban Systems & Sustainability
  • Infrastructure Policy & Risk Mapping
  • UI/UX, Energy Emissions Forecasting

🤝 Soft Skills

  • Leadership & Collaboration
  • Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
  • Public Speaking & Communication
  • Time & Project Management

Projects

🔋 San Diego Renewable Energy Transition

Capstone Project

Modeled the impact of transitioning San Diego to 60% renewable electricity using scaled CAISO data. Forecasted CO₂ emissions reduction (30%) and cost savings ($1.56 Million/year) over 2025–2034. Explored how decentralized renewables improve urban resilience to wildfires and outages.

Technologies & Skills: Python, Pandas, Matplotlib, Excel, Data Modeling, Forecasting, Energy Systems Analysis, Climate Resilience

🚗 Automobile System Architecture

Systems Engineering Course Project

Developed a Concept of Operations (ConOps), Operational View (OV-1), and functional decomposition for a vehicle system. Explored architecture alternatives like EV and cargo truck variants.

Technologies & Skills: Systems Engineering, SysML, Capella, ConOps Design, Architecture Modeling

📊 Multi-Modal Ride Service Preferences

Marketing Analytics Project

Designed and distributed a survey to capture user preferences on pricing, vehicle types, ride caps, and extended fees. Applied conjoint analysis to model user decision-making.

Technologies & Skills: Survey Design, Conjoint Analysis, R Programming, Excel, User Behavior Modeling

📉 Financial Decision-Making Model

Engineering Finance Course Project

Built a model to evaluate engineering investment decisions under uncertainty. Incorporated NPV, IRR, and sensitivity analysis in real-world tech scenarios.

Technologies & Skills: Financial Modeling, NPV, IRR, Sensitivity Analysis, Excel

📈 Marketing & Operations Campaign

Intern @ Unschool

Led a team of 6 to drive user engagement and course enrollments through digital campaigns. Analyzed performance metrics to improve outreach strategy.

Technologies & Skills: Digital Marketing, Team Leadership, Google Forms, Excel, Campaign Analytics

📶 5G Waveforms Performance Analysis over 3D Channel Model

Bachelors Final Project

Compares various 5G waveform modulation techniques (like OFDM, FBMC, UFMC, etc.) across 3D wireless channel models to identify the most efficient method. The study concludes that FBMC outperforms others in terms of low PAPR and BER, and proposes future research using AI/ML for adaptive waveform selection.

Technologies & Skills: MATLAB, Simulink, 3D Channel Modeling, Wireless Communication, Modulation Analysis, DSP, Performance Evaluation, Technical Writing

💻 Kerala Tourism Website

Web Development Project

Developed responsive front-end components and contributed to back-end functionalities for a tourism website.

Technologies & Skills: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Responsive Design, UX Optimization

🌍 Climate Adaptation Mapping Dashboard (LLM-Powered)

AI powered Climate adaptation analysis

An AI-powered web dashboard that analyzes climate adaptation plans using Large Language Models (LLMs) to extract structured insights from unstructured policy documents. The tool automatically classifies content into four core categories — climate risks, infrastructure systems, financial sources, and stakeholders — and provides LLM-generated summaries of each city's strengths and planning gaps.

Technologies & Skills: Flask, OpenAI API, PyMuPDF, Geopy, Leaflet.js, Bootstrap, JavaScript, HTML, CSS

Hackathons

Cerebral Valley AI Fintech Hackathon 2025 - New York City

Participant

SwapStack - An Electronics based Lending Platform.

  • Designed and built the core backend for an AI-driven P2P lending app at a fintech hackathon.
  • Created the complete MySQL database schema and developed the API endpoints using Python and FastAPI.

Technologies & Skills: Python, FastAPI, MySQL, PyMySQL, Cloudinary, Docker, Git, GitHub, VS Code.

Leadership

🌟 Vice President

Desis Organization, George Washington University
Oct 2024 – Present

Led planning, budgeting, and community initiatives for 250+ Indian graduate students. Oversaw board recruitment, managed member engagement, and executed cultural programs to strengthen campus inclusivity and connection.

Skills: Leadership, Community Engagement, Project Coordination, Team Management, Event Strategy

💰 Financial Officer

Google Developer Student Club, George Washington University
Oct 2024 – Present

Managed budgeting, fund allocation, and payment tracking for campus events involving 150+ participants. Collaborated with multiple student teams to ensure timely financial planning and vendor coordination while maintaining transparency and cost efficiency.

Skills: Budgeting, Event Planning, Financial Oversight, Collaboration, Reporting

Contact