WAIAI Welcomes New Appointments for 2025-2026 Academic Year

The Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative (WAIAI) is proud to welcome a distinguished group of Executives in Residence, Senior Fellows, and Visiting Scholars for the new academic year. Working closely with our various labs and research centers – Wharton Accountable AI Lab (WAAL), Wharton Generative AI Labs (GAIL), Wharton Healthcare Analytics Lab (WHAL), Wharton Human-AI Research (WHAIR), Wharton Neuroscience Initiative (WiN), Wharton People Analytics (WPA), and Wharton Sports Analytics and Business Initiative (WSABI) – these leaders bring diverse expertise spanning academia, industry, and public service, enriching WAIAI’s mission to advance AI and analytics in business, research, education, and society.

Together, they will provide thought leadership, mentor students, collaborate on cutting-edge research, and strengthen the bridge between academic discovery and real-world application.

Executives in Residence

The Executive in Residence program brings industry-leading expertise into the heart of Wharton’s AI research and student initiatives. Our executives collaborate with faculty, mentor students, participate in key events and programming, and help shape WAIAI’s research agenda to align with the evolving needs of business and society.

2025-2026 Executives in Residence

Manish Varma (WAIAI)
Global Vice President and Enterprise Head – ERP & Digital
GSK

Senior Fellows

Senior Fellows are distinguished leaders from academia, industry, and government who bring expertise to WAIAI’s various research centers. These individuals work closely with leadership in their appointed center to provide guidance, collaborate on innovative research, and mentor students. They work to strengthen the connection between theory and practice, ensuring Wharton’s students and faculty benefit from insights into AI and analytics across industries.

2025-2026 Senior Fellows