3MT Winner Spotlight | Anup Navuru

When I took the stage at Hood College’s 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) competition, I wasn’t just presenting a research project—I was sharing a dream rooted in heritage, history and human rights. My project, DocuGenAI, is an AI-powered system designed to digitize and protect handwritten documents.

Growing up in India, I saw the emotional and legal challenges families faced when trying to retrieve old records—birth certificates, land deeds, marriage licenses—many of which were manually recorded in fading registers. These weren’t just papers; they were the very basis of identity, ownership and belonging. In many developing countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America, millions still rely on these fragile documents. As a technologist and someone deeply connected to my roots, I wanted to bridge the gap between tradition and technology—to protect the past using the tools of the future. That’s how DocuGenAI was born. In addition to my research, I am doing my master’s in IT and cybersecurity at Hood College and previously gained my Master of Arts degree at Sri Venkateswara University. I recently gained my Certified Information Security Manager certification.

The challenge of condensing such a vast and technical topic into a three-minute pitch was real. I focused on storytelling—bringing out the human side of the issue before diving into the technological solution. Using simple language and impactful visuals, I framed DocuGenAI as not just a tech innovation, but a mission to bring justice and dignity to those whose histories are at risk of being forgotten.

As a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), I bring a security-first mindset to my research. While many existing digitization efforts rely on public cloud platforms from major tech companies, these can expose personal data to breaches. DocuGenAI is designed with privacy at its core, ensuring confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA)—the foundational principles of information security. My goal is to create a scalable, secure prototype that governments and public institutions can adopt. I want to help build a future where no one is denied healthcare, land or civil rights because a document was damaged or unreadable.

Winning the People’s Choice Award at Hood College is only the beginning. I plan to pursue a Ph.D., with a thesis focused on AI-driven document digitization and linguistic preservation, particularly in underserved regions. My doctoral work will expand DocuGenAI into a multilingual, culturally adaptive and ethically governed platform. I also intend to launch a startup focused on public-sector AI solutions, collaborating with governments in developing countries to digitize historical data in a secure, accessible and inclusive way. This isn’t just a business idea—it’s a social enterprise with global relevance.

The most surprising part? The audience’s overwhelming connection to the problem. I initially feared the topic might be too niche or region-specific. But when you talk about people—about identities lost and rights denied—it resonates universally. It reminded me that the true purpose of technology is service—especially to those on the margins.

To future competitors, I say: Know your “why.” You can always explain your “how” later. Ground your presentation in a personal or social issue, then let your research shine as the solution. Practice with non-technical audiences. Their questions will make your message stronger. Most importantly, let your passion be visible—because people invest in stories before they invest in solutions. As I move forward with this journey, I carry the inspiration, support and platform that Hood College has provided me. This experience hasn’t just been about winning a competition—it’s about preparing to make a lasting global impact.

Inspired by Anup’s story? Ready to #GOFURTHER in your career? Learn more about Hood College’s graduate programs, such as information technology, by clicking here.