Arun Lakshmanan

Arun Lakshmanan is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the School of Management, University at Buffalo. He holds a PhD from Indiana University, an MBA from Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (India), and a BE from Bangalore University (India). His research focuses on consumer learning/memory, product usage, and price cognition with over 15 peer-reviewed articles in top journals like Journal of Marketing and Journal of Consumer Research.

Education:

• PhD in Management, Indiana University
• MBA in Marketing Management, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
• BE in Business Administration, Bangalore University

Research Interests: Dr. Lakshmanan explores how consumers form product valuations through anatomical depictions, the impact of dynamic stimuli on risk perception, and cognitive processes in charitable giving. His work bridges marketing psychology with empathetic design principles, especially leveraging embedded sensors for product innovation.

Awards & Grants:

• Dean’s Faculty Fellow (2016–present)
• National Science Foundation Grant ($367K for Cyber-Empathic Design, 2014–2016)
• Indiana University Chancellor’s Fellowship (2003–2007)

Teaching & Industry: Teaches courses on consumer behavior and advertising at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Previously held roles in Cargill’s branded oils division and started an entrepreneurial venture.

Labs & Teams: Active in behavioral research initiatives focusing on consumer decision-making and product design through sensorization technologies.