Hello, I'm Ishaan Narain! 👋

About Me

My name is Ishaan and I am a recent graduate from Northwestern University (NU) with an MS in Computer Science and a BS in Mechanical Engineering. I was born and raised in Hong Kong, and attended King George V School.

I am currently a Graduate Research Software Engineer at the Presciene Lab at Northwestern University, working on computer / operating systems related projects including database/HPC application optimization, floating point computation, and compiler construction. I am also working on a statistical reinforcement learning and control ROS2 package in C++ inspired by research in Ergodic Imitation and Koopman Operators. Previously, I have also acted as a Software Engineering Intern at Tesla with the Electrical Systems team working on developing testing frameworks in Python and debugging firmware issues in C, as well as a Technical Program Manager Intern at Tesla scaling manufacturing lines with the Battery Team.

I am currently looking for full-time opportunities in Software Engineering, Quant, and Robotics starting in Winter 2024.

Contact Information:

Website: https://ikn1062.github.io/IshaanNarain/

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishaan-k-narain/

Projects

Below, I have listed some of the projects I have worked on as part of my time at Northwestern University. These projects include some of the work as part of my coursework, personal projects, and research projects.

Current Projects

• Ergodic Metric and Controller Library for Dynamic System

  • Created C++ reinforcement learning library with model predictive control for autonomous robotics inspired by ergodic metric research
  • Derived mathematics for iLQR control via gradient descent by solving Riccati equations from derivative of ergodic objective
  • Engineered interactive 3D learning-from-demonstration cart-pole simulation using Linux Robot-OS 2, CMake, and C++

• Zoom (and Live) Video Speaker Data Analysis

  • Developed Zoom and Live (OWL) video data collection and analysis app, leveraging OpenCV, Mediapipe, and face recognition Python Libraries
  • Utilized 30 face-mesh tracking points to analyze speaker facial cues to predict the speaker when masks are worn
  • Reduced processing time by 82% using multithreading and multiprocessing functions, executing code in NU Linux computing cluster

Previous Projects

• DELOS - Deep Learning Model Serving System

  • Implemented automated statistical stress-testing-modules for analyzing performance of re-trained Neural Networks
  • Decreased training time by 24% by dynamically re-optimizing weights using online Multi-Arm Bandit memory replay algorithm
  • Developed stateless full-stack app to improve monitoring of over 20 ML KPIs, leveraging TensorFlow, Mongo, and Kubernetes
  • Some of my work in the application process is linked here

• Sensing Navigation and ML in Robotics

  • Created robotics library for Extended Kalman Filtered simultaneous localization and mapping using ROS2 and Armadillo in C++17
  • Integrated DDS publish-subscribe network protocols to facilitate communication between sensors and robot actuators
  • Automated packaging, documentation, and testing of 20,000-line C++ library using CMake, Doxygen, and Catch2 Framework
  • A simulation demonstration video of SLAM is linked here

• Haptic Virtual Reality Wand

  • Designed and built wearable haptic robot to simulate weight of objects from VR up to 10N by combining torques from 3 motors
  • Derived kinematic model to estimate arm positions and calculate torque using data from Kalman-filtered sensors and Unity VR
  • Programmed control loop, robot geometry, and serial communication to run in 0.001 seconds per loop with embedded C++
  • • Created and manufactured electrical board integrating 38 devices including motors, encoders, and 1500W power supply
  • Haptic Robot for simulating the weight of objects in VR

• Venmo Request Scheduler (NU WildHacks 2022 Winner)

  • Launched full-stack Venmo recurring payments scheduler web app on team of 4 in 24 hours, winning NU22 Hackathon prize
  • Created 20 unique API endpoints and logic on Flask server for back-end and front-end integration, recurring payments, and messaging process
  • anually overrode class methods from Python Venmo API wrapper to repurpose for app login and 2-factor OTP authentication

• Northwestern University Solar Car Team - Previous Project Manager and Lead Mechanical Engineer

  • Managed team of 40 to design, manufacture, and assemble road-legal carbon-fiber solar vehicle to compete at Formula Sun Grand Prix
  • Engineered new suspension and monocoque chassis, increasing total power-to-weight ratio by 13% by using mechanical calculations and Matlab Simulink
  • Led team to design and build new powertrain of car integrating battery pack, battery management system, solar array, and motor, improving solar power generated by 8%, power to weight ratio by 13%, and accomplishing an indefinite range of vehicle at 30mph
  • Coordinated with University administration, faculty, and sponsors to secure funding and material resources over $60,000 of value
  • Generated 40-page report detailing and analyzing the performance of vehicle systems proving compliance with 300 racing regulations
  • Refined driver and vehicle control communications by integrating 8 vehicle components using CAN protocol in embedded C++