Where Impact Meets Innovation, Abhiram Elango, MS’25
Portrait of Abhiram Elango. Courtesy photo.
Abhiram Elango, MS’25, electrical and computer engineering, recently completed his master’s degree at Northeastern. Armed with new confidence and expertise, he is now pursuing roles in wireless communications where he can work closely with customers and see the direct impact of his work.
Abhiram Elango completed his master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering this past spring. Before coming to Northeastern, Elango received a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communications engineering at Anna University and then spent a little more than two years working in industry as a cloud engineer. Due to unfortunate timing and the limitations created by the Covid-19 pandemic, he spent much of that time working remotely when he really wanted to work among his colleagues in person. These circumstances and a desire to expand his knowledge led him to pursue a master’s degree.
With a strong interest in wireless networks, Elango’s exploration of master’s programs led him to discover Northeastern’s Institute for Intelligent Networked Systems (INSI). While INSI’s influence in the wireless network realm was compelling enough, he was also drawn to Northeastern’s commitment to experiential learning, especially the co-op program. During his undergraduate studies, he realized that theoretical studies would only take him so far—he wanted to be able to apply these concepts in a practical and meaningful way. Northeastern was the clear choice for Elango to further his education and build a successful future.
Impactful courses and mentors
Associate Professor Dimitrios Koutsonikolas’ Fundamentals of Computer Networking course gave Elango the practical learning he sought from the very first start of his master’s program. Beyond building what Elango calls “a strong foundation in the engineering domain,” the course taught him to manage his workload in a new environment. Professor Koutsonikolas’ mentorship also helped him improve his performance, connect with other PhD students, and ultimately secure a position as a research intern at Koutsonikolas’ lab after his graduation.
Elango next to Northeastern’s mascot, Paws. Courtesy photo.
Elango is equally grateful for the mentorship of Professor Stefano Basagni, Associate Dean of the Global Engineering Campus. The two connected during orientation, and Professor Basagni has remained a steady presence throughout Elango’s studies—accessible, responsive, and invested in his success. As Professor Basagni notes, “I have always valued [Elango’s] feedback; it is largely because of students like him that we are actively revising the structure and content of our programs.”
Elango also served as a course assistant for the undergraduate Fundamentals of Networks course, an experience that shifted how he approaches learning. Having previously engaged with coursework only as a student, stepping into a teaching role forced him to think about how a curriculum is constructed and communicated—skills that made his subsequent classes noticeably more manageable.
Research and extracurriculars
Elango currently works as a research intern in the Wireless Networking and Systems Lab under Professor Koutsonikolas. He joined the group in June of 2025 with no lab experience, but quickly learned the ropes and enthusiastically joined the projects. The purpose of this lab is to test current wireless technologies—such as 4G, 5G, and artificial intelligence systems—in order to improve their performance and reduce energy usage through research. For example, they have studied how efficiently systems can handle demanding computing tasks by fine-tuning how processing resources are divided up for tasks that require fast response times. These findings can be directly applied to large-scale data center environments, helping identify the best operating settings to improve overall efficiency.
Elango presenting his research in a demo. Courtesy photo.
His most recent project is a little different. Elango and his team were given a specific problem to solve: how can field technicians and engineers get information and a clear view of unfamiliar equipment without delays caused by back-and-forth human communication? To solve this, they combined augmented reality (AR) glasses with 5G and AI technology. Elango developed AI-powered applications for the AR glasses, allowing the technician to identify objects and equipment in their surroundings, as well as access a chatbot that can quickly answer any questions they have—all through the glasses themselves. Elango was involved in every stage of the process, from identifying the problem to delivering the final product.
Beyond the classroom and research labs, Elango was the outreach coordinator for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the student council for the electrical engineering department. In this role, he organized multiple events, like guest speaker forums and workshops to help engage his peers and enhance professional development. Elango appreciated improving his communication skills, which he knows will help advance his research career. He notes that “finding the solution to a problem is important, but if you cannot reach the customers properly, the problem will remain,” adding that this role bridged his technical knowledge with his soft skills.
Lessons and beyond
Reflecting on his time at Northeastern, Elango has a clear lesson for incoming students: from day one, explore “like a Husky.” Northeastern offers vast opportunities, he says, but only to those who seek them out. He also stresses the value of building relationships with professors, who can open doors to opportunities that are never publicly advertised—and whose academic networks of faculty and researchers extend well beyond the classroom.
Elango leaves the program with a new perspective and a sharper confidence in his own expertise. Where he once hesitated to tackle problems independently, he now approaches them with the conviction that “I am the one who is going to solve these problems.” Looking ahead, Elango wishes to pursue an industrial career in systems and R&D—work that puts him close to real customers and allows him to see the direct impact of his contributions. With that drive, Elango is well-positioned to make his mark on the world of wireless communications.