Research, entrepreneurship, leadership define NJ Jariwala's path at UWL

Research, entrepreneurship, leadership define NJ Jariwala's path at UWL

Some people seem to operate on a different clock. Spend a few minutes talking with Nainil "NJ" Jariwala about his undergraduate career at UW-La Crosse, and it's easy to wonder whether he somehow has more than 24 hours in a day.

In less than four years, Jariwala has built an impressive résumé as a researcher, entrepreneur and campus leader - all while pursuing degrees in accountancy and business analytics. Now, Jariwala's drive to ask big questions and turn ideas into action has earned him one of the highest honors for undergraduate innovators in the Universities of Wisconsin.

Jariwala, who is on track to graduate in December, has been named a 2026 WiSysCarl E. Gulbrandsen Innovator of the Year. The annual award recognizes undergraduate researchers who demonstrate exceptional innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial potential through research and scholarly work.

For Jariwala, however, the recognition is less about celebrating what he has accomplished than what it allows him to pursue next.

"I felt the pride of the award for a day, and the next day, I felt the award was not going to change my Dharma (Hindi word roughly translating to "purpose"), nor how I approach the challenges that I want to take on," he says. "It definitely added credibility to my work, and that's important. In the end, it has always been about the journey and not the destination; it just provided an energy drink to keep me going."

That perspective has shaped nearly every aspect of Jariwala's UWL experience.

"They say that a jack of all trades is a master of none," he says. "However, I believe that a jack of all trades can become a master of jacks."

Rather than limiting himself to one area of study, Jariwala has pursued research and entrepreneurship wherever his curiosity has led him. One of his earliest projects explored the applications of generative AI in finance, earning a WiSys SPARK grant and an invitation to present at Research in the Rotunda at the Wisconsin State Capitol, where he shared his work with Gov. Tony Evers, State Sen. Brad Pfaff and other leaders.

His interests have since gravitated toward ethnically diverse consumer psychology and behavioral economics, where he is investigating questions that challenge longstanding theories in the field.

"The results revealed some eye-opening findings and challenged the universality of the findings of Nobel Prize winners Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky," Jariwala says. He is currently continuing that work while also developing proprietary financial indicators and conducting research in moral psychology.

Jariwala's entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond research. As president of UWL's Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization Club, he has encouraged fellow students to think creatively about solving problems and bringing ideas to life. His own work has earned first-place finishes in the UWL Research Quick Pitch Competition and the WiSys Quick Pitch Competition, along with recognition in the statewide Wisconsin Big Idea Tournament.

Leadership has been another defining part of his UWL experience.

Originally from India, Jariwala says his experience adapting to life in the U.S. shaped his approach as president of the International Student Organization. He sought to create a community where students could embrace new experiences without losing sight of the cultures they brought with them.

"Seeing them change themselves and adopt primarily the Western way of thinking didn't seem right to me," he says. "I tried to implement a few ways of working in a team that would keep our Asian roots alive while adding Western newness to them."

As he looks to the future, Jariwala hopes other students will embrace opportunities to explore as broadly as he has. He also credits mentorship as one of the most influential aspects of the college experience.

"None of this would have been possible without the support of Dr. Adam Stivers," he says. "He has been my biggest supporter throughout my three-plus years at UWL. Additionally, Miranda Panzer's support has been unwavering in helping me navigate institutional challenges. Finally, Dr. Suthakaran Veeraswamy and Dr. Ben Trnka have been instrumental in shaping my personal and professional character. It is because of these individuals that I stand here today."