This fall, PennTAP is proud to highlight three graduate assistants whose expertise is helping expand PennTAP’s technical assistance and sustainability efforts statewide: Jon Havens, Srinivas Midhun Siddamsetty, and Lakshya Thinakaran. Each student brings a unique background that enhances PennTAP’s ability to support small businesses and manufacturers through data-driven, innovative solutions. 

Jon Havens, a graduate student in the Engineering Design and Innovation program at Penn State, supports on-site assessments for pollution prevention and energy efficiency. With a background in mechanical engineering and hands-on experience in the solar industry, Jon identifies actionable strategies that help clients improve sustainability and reduce energy use. 

Srinivas Midhun Siddamsetty, a Master’s student in informatics with a focus on human–computer interaction, applies a user-centered approach to PennTAP’s tools and services. Midhun previously worked as an accessibility QA analyst at Deloitte, supporting federal digital accessibility. His strengths in usability, design thinking, and data analysis help ensure PennTAP’s solutions are inclusive and practical for end users. 

Lakshya Thinakaran, now in her second year with PennTAP, is pursuing a PhD in industrial engineering at Penn State. She leads utility data analysis, builds client dashboards, and supports programs like RISE PA that help prioritize energy grant funding. With prior experience at FedEx and Caterpillar, and training in Lean and Six Sigma, she brings deep expertise in analytics and process optimization. 

Together, these graduate assistants exemplify the power of blending academic knowledge with real-world impact. Their contributions deepen PennTAP’s technical capabilities and advances PennTAP’s mission to foster innovation, sustainability, and economic growth across the Commonwealth. Learn more about how PennTAP leverages Penn State connections here: https://penntap.psu.edu/university-connections/