Columbia University
Graduated 🎓
3+
Years of experience 💼
New York, USA
Location 📍
I'm Anusha Lavanuru, a CS grad student at Columbia (Dec 2024), passionate about building human-centered tech. I work across AI/ML, Backend systems, UI/UX, and AR/VR, with experience in computer vision, ML, NLP, and data visualization. I love solving real-world problems through code and creativity, and outside tech, I find inspiration in travel, painting, and fashion.
Education
M.S. in Computer Science – Focus in ML & AI
Columbia University in City of New York
Focused on ML, AI, NLP, Data Visualization, AR/VR, UI Design, and Human-Computer Interaction. Served as TA for UI Design, Databases, and Computing in Context.
Technical Skills
Languages
Frameworks & Tools
ML & AI Libraries
Databases
DevOps & Cloud
Projects
Python, GPT-2, Transformers, NLP, PyTorch
Probing GPT-2 Layers for Understanding and Relationship Analysis
Python, NLP, PyTorch, HMM, RNN, LSTM, Jupyter
NLP POS Tagging & Autocorrection
Unity, XR, MRTK, Blender, C#
PolXR – Immersive XR for Polarimetric Data
Augmented Reality, Unity, Blender, Cultural Preservation, UX, Figma
Community History Through AR
Python, TensorFlow, GAN, Keras, Computer Vision, Image Processing
Image Enhancement using GANs
Augmented Reality, Figma, UX, Emotional Wellbeing, Mental Health
Emoverse – AR Platform for Emotional Expression
Python, OpenCV, TensorFlow, Keras, Computer Vision, HCI
Hand Gesture Recognition System
Work Experience
Backend Engineer
Arklex.ai
- Extended core frontend, backend, and chatbot codebases (React, Next.js, Golang) for client-specific SaaS deployments.
- Provisioned production-ready AMI with K3s Kubernetes cluster including MySQL, Redis, InfluxDB and Milvus databases.
- Migrated infrastructure from ap-southeast-1 to us-east-1 (S3, ECR, RDS, ElastiCache), reducing latency by 50ms and operational costs by 15%.
Software Development Engineer Intern
NomadFi
- Engineered modular React components including homepage and dashboards using advanced state management.
- Built an OCR system in Python to extract financial data, reducing manual effort by 60%.
- Integrated Java Spring Boot backend pipeline with PostgreSQL, reducing latency by 25%.
- Designed Ethereum-based architecture for RWA tokenization, integrating Plaid and Teller APIs.
Software Engineer
Shure Incorporated
- Built RESTful APIs with Flask and AWS services (DynamoDB, S3, MSK), reducing processing time by 20%.
- Automated 100+ test cases with Python and Selenium, cutting manual efforts by 70%.
- Created CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins, improving delivery timelines by 35% and reducing deployment errors by 40%.
- Enhanced product workflows and reliability through automation in Agile teams.
Research Experience
Research Assistant
CGUI Lab, Columbia University
- Implemented real-time multi-user networking with Photon Fusion for XR collaboration.
- Developed 3D radargram visualizations with DEM overlays and interactive measurement tools.
- Created intuitive UI components, including login system, data selectors, and avatar customization.
- Optimized deployment on Oculus Quest and HoloLens with untethered 60fps performance.
- Reduced memory usage and load time by 40% using modular architecture and load-on-select rendering.
- Led interdisciplinary co-design sessions with scientists to align features with research needs.
Research Assistant
Computer Enabled Abilities Lab, Columbia University
- Conducted field studies and archival research to surface key Harlem cultural narratives.
- Designed layered wireframes in Figma for AR storytelling, heatmaps, and location-based features.
- Prototyped Unity-based AR features allowing users to leave comments, attach media, and share stories.
- Led co-design workshops with Harlem residents to gather feedback and refine app features.
- Created an educational and civic engagement platform through immersive AR experiences.
- Showcased how AR can amplify marginalized voices and histories in urban spaces.