DSU PhD student named Top 20 voices in Automotive
January 15, 2026
Hemanth Tadepalli was recently named one of the Top 20 Voices in Automotives by Automotive IQ. He’s a senior cybersecurity & compliance SME at May Mobility, a company dedicated to developing and deploying autonomous vehicles (AV), and he’s also a Ph.D. Cyber Defense student at Dakota State University.
Describing the recognition as an honor, Tadepalli noted, “Being recognized in such a rapidly evolving industry is incredibly motivating. It reinforced the importance of security leadership, education, and community engagement – especially as vehicles become more software-defined and AI-driven.”
The Top 20 Voices in Automotive 2025 recognized individuals who are driving innovation, progress, and transformation across the global automotive industry.
Autonomous vehicles, or self-driving cars, were once a fantasy of the future; however, with several companies dedicated to developing this technology, and self-driving cars operating on public roads since 2017, it is very much a reality.
“I was drawn to Avs because they’re the future of transportation,” he said. “They use cutting-edge technology, and it’s my job to help secure that infrastructure.”
Tadepalli has been working with AV security for several years. “Autonomous vehicles combine cloud, embedded systems, AI models, fleet networking, and safety-critical operations, all areas I’m passionate about,” he explained.
In his role with May Mobility, Tadepalli leads cybersecurity efforts across enterprise, vehicle, and GRC domains.
“My work includes penetration testing, security operations, secure development processes, data protection, compliance, and building controls that keep autonomous systems safe and trustworthy,” he said. “I collaborate across engineering teams, lead investigations, support audits, oversee risk strategy, and help design long-term security architecture.”
Path to PhD
With interests in computers, programming, problem-solving, political science, and public policy, Tadepalli found that these converged in the field of cybersecurity, which encompasses offense, defense, and real-world vulnerabilities.
“I’ve always been fascinated by technology, not just how systems work, but how they break,” he explained. “The idea that I could help protect people and organizations from cyber threats is what drew me in and continues to motivate me.”
Tadepalli earned his undergraduate degree in computer science (cybersecurity) from Kettering University.
“During my undergraduate work at Kettering University, I quickly realized that code and systems alone are only one piece of the picture; security is the thread that keeps them trustworthy,” Tadepalli said. “I wanted deeper knowledge in security strategy, risk management, and emerging threats, so I continued on to earn a master’s degree in information and cybersecurity from the University of California, Berkeley.”
While earning his master’s degree, Tadepalli found he enjoyed research and writing and began publishing work, speaking at conferences, and networking with fellow professionals in the field.
As he thought about continuing his education, he knew he wanted to learn from top-tier faculty and contribute to impactful research.
“Dakota State has one of the strongest cybersecurity-focused PhD programs in the country, especially for applied security research,” he explained. “The university’s research emphasis, industry alignment, and advanced lab resources create an environment where innovation in cyber, AI, and emerging technology thrives, aligning perfectly with my long-term goals in AI and autonomous system security.”
Tadepalli’s research focuses on AI system vulnerabilities and privacy, as well as autonomous vehicle security, to bridge academic research with real-world industry challenges.
He appreciates the rigorous work and the opportunity to be surrounded by professors and researchers engaged in national security level work.
“My biggest takeaway is the value of research-driven thinking,” he explained. “Not just solving security problems, but understanding why they occur, how systems behave under stress, and what risks emerge at scale.”
Tadepalli is projected to graduate in 2029. He hopes to continue advancing autonomous and AI security in industry, research, and policy.
“Ultimately, I want to help shape a safer, more resilient future for technology,” Tadepalli said.