Lab members

Prof. Vlad Veksler is the founder and director of the CogAI laboratory. Dr. Veksler is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Caldwell University. His research and teaching focuses on all topics where there is interplay between humans and machines, including Artificial Intelligence, UI/UX and Human-Computer Interaction, Human-Agent Teamming, Cybernetics, Cognitive Modeling, Behavioral Simulations, Behavioral Game Theory, AI in Games, Cognitive Robotics, and pedagogy in Computational Science. See Prof. Veksler's  Google Scholar profile for a selected list of publications.

Kushma Saud is the Lab Manager and research assistant for the CogAI and C-STEM laboratories. Guided by a deep interest in cognitive science and computer science, she is passionate about connecting technology and human thought/behaviors together. Kushma strives to build an environment where curiosity and collaboration drive discovery and where ideas can transform into meaningful impact. 

Message from the manager: I would like to make our lab a welcoming, accessible, and supportive community amongst all the tech-inquisitive minds. If you have any queries regarding the lab or want to discuss anything relating to the cSTEM programs, feel free to reach out to me anytime at  ksaud@caldwell.edu 

Anuj Khadka is a senior double-majoring in Computer Science and Business Analytics. His work lives where tech and finance meet data and consumer experience. He is drawn to building systems that are as analytically rigorous as they are functional. His research spans from examining how robo-advisors shape the retail investor experience to investigating the hidden carbon footprint of programming languages. He moves fluidly between writing code and interpreting what the numbers mean, whether that is in a research paper or a production system.

Learn more through his LinkedIn and Google Scholar profiles.

Santosh Raut is a CS student with interests in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and system design. He has worked on several full-stack and AI-based projects, developing data-driven applications that integrate both software engineering and research. He enjoys exploring how deep learning architectures can be optimized for interpretability and performance, especially in large language models. 

Learn more about him through his LinkedIn profile—santoshraut.

Krenjila Sharma is a research assistant for the CogAI and C-STEM laboratories. With a deep passion for business intelligence and product, Krenjila is driven to make data come to life. Her commitment to excellence and enthusiasm for cutting-edge research drives her work. 

Learn more about her through her LinkedIn profile—krenjilasharma.

Kenisha Thapa is a sophomore with strong interests in the intersection of business and technology, especially analysis, evaluation, and usability research. She recently completed an effectiveness and usability study on learning management systems and is currently developing it into a research paper. Outside of research, She serves as the Chief of Staff for the Student Government Association, the Mentorship Coordinator for the Honors Program, and a member of the Programming Board.

Learn more about her through her LinkedIn profile—kenishathapa.

Pranish Uprety is a Computer Science major with a minor in Mathematics. His current work involves flight path simulation and navigation systems, with a focus on digital elevation model (DEM) data and terrain visualization. He is particularly interested in applying computational methods to aviation and aerospace research. Pranish also serves as president of the Caldwell Astronomy Club and is active in leadership and academic initiatives on campus. 

Learn more about him through his LinkedIn profile—pranishuprety