WELCOME
Official Site of Dr. Aluri
Bridging the gap between academia and industry through innovation and technology
ABOUT
Dr. AJ ALURI
Dr. Aluri is an internationally recognized scholar, speaker and thought leader in the fields of hospitality innovation and technology. Dr. Aluri serves in the editorial and advisory boards of top and cutting-edge hospitality and tourism journals and organizations. He has been invited to speak at several international and national shows and conferences. Dr. Aluri is a recipient of numerous awards from the international, national, and state-level organizations from the academia and industry. He established the state-of-the-art space, Hospitality Innovation and Technology (HIT) Lab at the John Chambers College of Business and Economics, West Virginia University (WVU). Dr. Aluri’s academic and research expertise combines all areas of his education, research interests, and focus in the areas of hospitality information technology and management and information systems, and how these areas impact international hospitality organizations, society, and education. His current focus is consumer behavior research regarding the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, data mining, Internet of Things, robotics, and virtual reality. His research has been published in several top academic journals and industry outlets. Dr. Aluri is the Founding Director of the HIT Lab, a platform to bridge the gaps between academic and industry research. He incorporates real-life projects based on issues faced by hospitality businesses today, so that students can get hands-on problem-solving experience. This is part of Dr. Aluri’s teaching philosophy that students are best prepared for life after the classroom by getting real-life learning experiences with actual businesses along the way. Dr. Aluri played a vital role in developing the Hospitality program at WVU. Dr. Aluri is an Associate Professor in the Hospitality program at the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics.
AWARDS AND HONORS
May 2021 - June 2023
WVU IDEA FACULTY FELLOW
Dr. Aluri was selected by the Office of the Provost as the recipient of the 2021-23 Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Applied (IDEA) Faculty Fellowship, a multi-disciplinary initiative to bolster WVU's culture of entrepreneurship and innovation.
New Orleans, LA - July 2019
ICHRIE RECOGNITION
Recognition from the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) at the 2019 ICHRIE Annual Conference. Dr. Aluri was recognized by the Executive Board at the 2019 ICHRIE Annual Conference for serving in the board as the Director of Networking between 2016-2019.
Morgantown, WV - April 2019
WV FORWARD AWARD
Best in Moving WV Forward Award, WV Forward. A special award for the Moving WV Forward project was also granted to recognize an innovation designed to help move WV forward at the 2019 WVU Demo Day. Dr. Aluri and the HIT Lab student team presenting the Interactive Kiosk won this award.
Morgantown, WV - April 2019
WVU DEMO DAY EXPO AWARD
HIT Lab team members Sam Abbott, Sophia Hogan, and Wren Parker, along with advisor and Associate Professor, Dr. Aluri, won the Demo Day Expo Award for the Interactive Kiosk project at the 2019 WVU Demo Day.
Dubai, UAE - March 2019
AWARD OF APPRECIATION
Dr. Aluri received the award of appreciation from the leadership of the Amity University, Dubai for speaking at the Professional Development Workshop organized by the Department of Management and Hospitality and Tourism.
Ho Chi Min, Vietnam - October 2018
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
Dr. Aluri received Certificate of Appreciation from the Global Conference on Business, Hospitality, and Tourism Research (GLOSEARCH) conference committee. Dr. Aluri was invited as a speaker, participated in the panel session and led the lodging section of the 2030 Hospitality & Tourism Think Tank.
Richmond, VA - October 2018
ETA SIGMA DELTA INDUCTION
Inducted into Eta Sigma Delta as the Honorary Lifetime Member, International Honor Society of Hospitality Management. Dr. Aluri joined this elite academic community, honorary members are those who are recognized as top leaders in their field of study, contributors to the body of scholarly writing, service to community at large, thought to be global citizens.
Research Triangle Park, NC - October 2018
SIGMA XI INDUCTION
Inducted into Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society. Dr. Aluri has joined a cadre of distinguished and committed researchers around the world of scientists and engineers from a wide range of disciplines, including over 200 Nobel Laureates.
Palm Springs, CA - July 2018
JHTR OUTSTANDING PAPER AWARD
Awarded “2018 Outstanding JHTR Best Paper,” Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research. Award received for the article, “Using machine learning to co-create value through dynamic customer engagement in a brand loyalty program.”
Palm Springs, CA - July 2018
JHTE REVIEWER OF THE YEAR
Recipient of “2018 Outstanding JHTE Reviewer of the Year,” Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education, ICHRIE. Served as an ad hoc reviewer since 2016. JHTE is a refereed, interdisciplinary journal of International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (ICHRIE).
Charleston, WV - March 2018
FRIEND OF PROSTART AWARD
Awarded “Friend of ProStart,” West Virginia Hospitality Education and Training (WV HEAT), West Virginia Department of Education. In recognition to commitment and support to the ProStart students of West Virginia at the Hospitality Cup 2018, Charleston WV.
White Sulpher Springs, WV - January, 2018
WVHTA EXCELLENCE AWARD
Excellence in Hospitality and Tourism Education Award, West Virginia Hospitality and Tourism Association (WVHTA), State of West Virginia. Award presented to Dr. Aluri for the excellence in hospitality and tourism education at the 2018 Hospitality University conference.
Morgantown, WV - January 2018
WVU 150 ANNIVERSARY RECOGNITION
Recipient of WVU 150th Anniversary Commemorative Gold Coin, John Chambers College of Business and Economics, West Virginia University. Given to people who exemplify the WVU values of service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation; given to only 150 individuals in the university.
Uniondale, NY - September 2017
LISTED IN “WHO’S WHO IN AMERICA”
Listed in Marquis “Who’s Who in America®”, September 2017. Since 1899, Marquis Who’s Who in America has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor.
St. Louis, MI - July 2016
JHTE OUTSTANDING PAPER AWARD
2016 Outstanding Paper of the Year Award, Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education, ICHRIE. For the following article: “Social Influence and Technology Acceptance: The Use of Personal Social Media as a Career Enhancement Tool among College Students.”
Boston, MA - March 2016
RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION AWARD
Research Contribution Award, North East North American Federation, ICHRIE. Award presented by the NENA Board & Conference organizers for all the contributions to a research component at the 2016 NENA Regional Conference.
Wheeling, WV - March 2012
WV HEAT RECOGNITION
Recognition from the WV HEAT, West Virginia Department of Education. Contributions and support for the WV ProStart Program, WV Hospitality and Tourism Education (WV HEAT), at the Hospitality Cup 2012.
Oklahoma City, OK - May 2011
CITATION OF CONGRATULATIONS
Received "Citation of Congratulations" from the Great State of Oklahoma. Certificate awarded for contributions to the Oklahoma State University from the Legislature of the Great State of Oklahoma.
Stillwater, OK - April 2011
OSU PHOENIX AWARD
Awarded 29th 2011 Phoenix Award, Outstanding Doctoral Student. Award given by the Graduate College and GPSGA, Oklahoma State University (OSU). The highest honor a student can get at OSU.
Stillwater, OK - March 2010
OUTSTANDING PRESENTATION AWARD
Dr. Aluri received the "Outstanding Presentation Award," from the Graduate College and GPSGA, Oklahoma State University during the OSU Research Symposium.
Stillwater, OK 2009 - 2010
OSU EXCELLENCE AWARD
Dr. Aluri received the "Excellence Award" for the academic years 2009-2010, Pat Moreo Distinguished Graduate Fellowship from the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management for excellence in academics and research.
Stillwater, OK - April 2009
BEST PAPER AWARD
Dr. Aluri received the Best Paper Award from the 2009 International Academy for Global Business and Trade Conference.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS
July 2012
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - HOSPITALITY ADMINISTRATION
School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, William S. Spears School of Business, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK USA
May 2010
SAS CERTIFICATE AND GRADUATE CERTIFICATE - BUSINESS DATA MINING
SAS Institute Inc. and William S. Spears School of Business, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK USA
December 2007
MASTER OF SCIENCE - GLOBAL STUDIES
School of Global Studies and Partnerships with a focus area in Global Business and Leadership, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK USA
April 2004
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY - COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
October 2018
HONORARY MEMBER OF ETA SIGMA DELTA - INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALITY HONOR SOCIETY
Inducted into Eta Sigma Delta as the Honorary Lifetime Member, International Honor Society of Hospitality Management. Dr. Aluri joined this elite academic community, honorary members are those who are recognized as top leaders in their field of study, contributors to the body of scholarly writing, service to community at large, thought to be global citizens.
October 2018
INDUCTED IN THE SIGMA XI - INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY
Inducted into Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society. Dr. Aluri has joined a cadre of distinguished and committed researchers around the world of scientists and engineers from a wide range of disciplines, including over 200 Nobel Laureates. Sigma Xi, one of the oldest and largest scientific organizations in the world, which has a distinguished history of service to science and society.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Dr. Aluri's scholarly work and academic accomplishments were cited and reported in several news and media outlets. Review few of the highlights below:
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