Community Organization of the Year – SAT Orlando
SAT Orlando — Led by Mr. Vijay Nayyar
Mr. Vijay Nayyar was born in India into an educated business family and has remained committed to education, service, and community leadership throughout his life. He holds a master’s degree in psychology with a focus on student well-being.
Before moving to the United States, he was a respected Rotary leader in Agra, serving as President and Deputy District Governor. He was honored by the Government of Uttar Pradesh for organizing one of the state’s largest eye camps, serving more than 6,000 patients.
A former champion lawn tennis player, Mr. Nayyar enjoys travel and reading, reflecting his dedication to lifelong learning. Guided by his motto, “Let us make a difference in a child’s life,” he has provided transformative leadership to SAT Orlando, helping students achieve Ivy League admissions, multiple perfect SAT/ACT scores, and national recognition, including honors at the White House.
The SAT Orlando program has a proud history rooted in community service and vision. From its beginnings in the late 1980s to its formal establishment in 1999 and continued growth under HSCF, the program today thrives with students consistently earning top SAT and ACT scores and national recognition.
Guided by the Maha Upanishad teaching “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (“the world is one family”), SAT Orlando welcomes students of all backgrounds and remains committed to inclusivity, excellence, and service.
Community Member of the Year
Jogi Pattisapu, M.D.
Jogi Pattisapu, MD, FAAP, FAANS, now retired, is a board-certified pediatric neurosurgeon with a distinguished career in clinical care, education, and global service. He served as Chief of Neurosurgery at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and as Emeritus Medical Director at the Arnold Palmer Hospital – Pediatric Neurosurgery Specialty Practice.
Throughout his career, Dr. Pattisapu held numerous leadership roles, including Chairman of the International Education Subcommittee for the Pediatric Section of AANS/CNS. His commitment to service extends globally through volunteer work as a medical missionary with the CURE Foundation in Uganda, a volunteer neurosurgeon with the Smiles Foundation in Ukraine, and as a Founding Director of Kids Docs of Central Florida IPA.
Dr. Pattisapu currently serves on the CNS Guidelines Chiari Malformation Taskforce, continuing his lifelong dedication to advancing pediatric neurosurgical care and education.
Alumni of the Year
Kannan Srinivasan
Kannan Srinivasan is a distinguished technology executive and entrepreneur with more than 34 years of industry experience. As the Founder and CEO of Global KTech, he has built one of Central Florida’s leading technology staffing firms, recognized for its innovation, strong client partnerships, and commitment to workforce development.
In addition to his business leadership, Kannan has made a lasting impact in the nonprofit sector. He has served as President and Board Member of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce and founded the MSCF Charity Trust, which has awarded scholarships to more than 450 students. His community involvement also includes advisory roles with Girls for Science, past board service with the Orlando Economic Partnership and Shakti, and current service on the Board of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission.
Kannan’s contributions have earned him numerous honors, including Entrepreneur of the Year (Indian American Chamber of Commerce, 2015), Distinguished Alumni (NIT Tiruchy, 2016), Distinguished Asian American of the Year (Orange County, 2018), and recognition by the U.S. Congress (2024). Under his leadership, Global KTech has been named a Top Technology Company (Central Florida Lifestyle Magazine, 2025) and Top Small Business (Asure, 2025).
Staff Member of the Year
Gaurav Srivastava, Ph.D.
As a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Central Florida, Gaurav Srivastava’s research focuses on advancing microphysiological systems (MPS) and organ-on-chip technologies to replicate inter-organ metabolic interactions for translational research. With over two years of experience, he has led multidisciplinary projects involving biomimetic platforms modeling heart, liver, and skeletal muscle systems, as well as preclinical Beagle-based physiological systems for pharmacokinetics and toxicology studies.
Previously, Gaurav served as Head of Research and Development at Flavin Labs, where he established advanced nanofertilizer laboratories and led impactful initiatives in nutraceuticals and poultry management. His expertise in nanotechnology, analytical chemistry, and microphysiological systems reflects his passion for collaboration and delivering innovative solutions across biotechnology, agriculture, and biomedical engineering.
Faculty of the Year
Amrit Singh Bedi, Ph.D.
Amrit Singh Bedi, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Central Florida and leads the SAFERR AI Lab. His research focuses on building safe, robust, and reliable AI systems for real-world applications.
His work spans healthcare, autonomous systems, and robotics, combining mathematical foundations with practical system design. At UCF, Dr. Bedi is passionate about responsible AI use and collaboration across academia, industry, and government.
Student of the Year
Akash Hari Bharath
Akash Hari Bharath is a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical Engineering at the University of Central Florida, specializing in semiconductor device fabrication and thin-film materials. His research focuses on transparent conducting oxide thin films for applications in transparent electronics, solar cells, and energy-efficient technologies, with multiple peer-reviewed journal publications and conference presentations.
Beyond his academic work, Akash has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the UCF community. He has served as President of the Indian Graduate Student Association and President of the Scholastic Association of Graduates in Engineering, fostering cultural engagement, student advocacy, and collaboration between UCF and the broader Indian community. His continued involvement with The India Center at UCF reflects his commitment to promoting India–US academic and cultural exchange.