Kirti Singh
Immediate past President
Kirti Singh, Rajasthan, India.
Relocate to RGV in 2018 from Michigan.
Retired Hospitality Financial Executive from Michigan State University. Over 38 years of Hospitality Industry experience. Current focus is Hospitality Consulting, Philanthropy and Community Service.
Married to Dr. Arjun Singh, Director of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Robert C. Vackar College of Business, UTRGV and have one child daughter Rajshree Singh.
Dr. Subhash Chauhan
President
Dr. Subhash Chauhan is the Director of the South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research at the UTRGV School of Medicine. Dr. Chauhan earned his PhD from the Central Drug Research Institute in Lucknow, India. He later joined the University of Tennessee Health Science Center faculty, where he served as a professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy and Cancer Research Center. Dr. Chauhan is an accomplished researcher with 24 years of experience in cancer immunology research, and he has garnered several high-award grants from the National Institutes of Health. He currently serves as Chair of the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the UTRGV School of Medicine.
Dr. Rishi Raj
Secretary
Dr. Rishi Raj currently works with the Texas A&M University System. He serves as the Associate Director of the ARCH-III Research Center at Prairie View A&M University in Houston, Texas, where he also serves as Provost Fellow in Academic Affairs Excellence and as Managing Editor of the JMACL (Penn State University Press). Rishi is also an Adjunct Professor of Management at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley and serves on the Editorial Board for IE-JTPP (University of Pittsburgh Press). Born and raised in Jamshedpur, India, he earned his postsecondary degrees in accounting, business administration, business leadership and educational leadership from Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, Texas Woman's University, and University of the Virgin Islands. Worked as a finance professional at Fidelity Investments, Dr. Raj continues to work as a global education and business consultant.
Shiby Varghese
Treasurer & Fundraising, Planning Committee
Shiby Varghese
Works at USPS.
Living in Edinburg with 18 years old son Colin Shiby. Serving the community for 10 years.
Dr. Murali Yallapu
Membership and community outreach
Dr. Murali Yallapu is a dedicated Indian American biomedical scientist and community advocate in the Rio Grande Valley. He actively contributes to cultural, educational, and health-related initiatives. He is also passionate about service, collaboration, and empowering the next generation.
Dr. Aishwarya Chandesh
Public Relations
Dr. Aishwarya Chandesh has been providing exceptional dental care to the Valley community for over a decade. An avid runner and passionate traveler, Dr. Chandesh loves exploring new cuisines, drawing inspiration from different foods, and learning about other cultures. Whether discovering a local running trail, sketching a new dish, or creating perfect smiles, Dr. Chandesh brings curiosity and dedication to every pursuit.
Parmita Modi
Cultural Programming
Originally from Houston, TX, Parmita Modi is a recent transplant to the Rio Grande Valley, bringing with her a lifelong passion for dance and education. She is the proud owner of Yuva Bollywood Dance, with over 20 years of experience as a professional Bollywood dancer and instructor. Parmita successfully ran her business in Houston for 10 years, where she built a strong community through vibrant performances, youth programs, and annual recitals that showcased her students’ growth and the beauty of Bollywood dance. In addition to her artistic career, Parmita is also a dedicated educator. She holds a bachelor's degree in Biology and Histology from the University of Houston and has built a meaningful career as a classroom teacher. Parmita is married to Jaimin Modi and is the proud mom of two beautiful children, Yuvan and Ariana. Her life is a joyful balance of family, dance, and education—and she brings heart, energy, and purpose to everything she does.
Tony Venattu
Food & Banquet
Tony Venattu, based in McAllen, TX, is an IT Infrastructure and Cloud Solutions Professional with a strong focus on security and compliance. He holds an MBA in Information Technology Management and an MS in Cybersecurity from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Cybersecurity Defense Policies. A grateful husband and proud father of one daughter and two sons, with a passion for lifelong learning and strategic technology leadership, Tony actively serves his community and is associated with local community programs.
Dr. Preeti Singh
Cultural Committee
Dr. Preeti Singh, Ph. D in Finance. Personal/Business Financial Service Professional. My husband and Mentor Dr. Vivek Kashyap, UTRGV Assistant Professor. We're blessed parents of my lovely daughter, Prisha Singh Kashyap.
