Akanksha Garg

Welcome to My Portfolio

I'm Akanksha Garg

Data Engineer | AI Enthusiast | Software Engineer

πŸ’Ό

7 Years in Business

Operations & Analytics

↓
πŸš€

The Evolution

Didn't just pivot - I evolved

↓
πŸŽ“

MS @ RIT

Teaching myself CS fundamentals while pursuing Master's

πŸ€–

AI & Data Engineering

Building systems that matter

πŸ’‘

Relentless Learning

Every algorithm from scratch

↓
🌟

My Mission

Shape the world being redefined by technology

Akanksha Garg

MS Computer Science @ RIT | Specialization: AI and Big Data

About Me

Akanksha Garg

MS Computer Science student at RIT specializing in data engineering and machine learning. I build production systems from scratch - custom ML algorithms, not black boxes. Background: industrial automation β†’ modern data systems.

Key Strengths:

  • β€’ Implemented decision trees, random forests from scratch in Python
  • β€’ 73% memory reduction, 79% faster processing through algorithm optimization
  • β€’ End-to-end: web scraping β†’ custom parsing (99.86% accuracy) β†’ production deployment

Rochester, NY 14623

(585) 506-1121

ag2671@rit.edu

Technical Expertise

Languages

Python Java MATLAB JavaScript SQL HTML/CSS

Data Science & ML

NumPy Pandas Scikit-learn Matplotlib Seaborn PCA Classification Clustering (DBSCAN) Statistics

AI Algorithms

Genetic Algorithms A* Search Hill Climbing Decision Trees Random Forests

Data Engineering

DBMS SQL ETL Pipelines Data Structures Algorithms

Web Development

React JavaScript HTML CSS

Systems & Cloud

Operating Systems System Design AWS Git/GitHub

Featured Projects

Data Engineering
663K Records
EmergencyIQ

Production ETL System

EmergencyIQ Platform

45s β†’ <1s query time
73% memory reduction

Built complete ETL pipeline processing 663K emergency dispatch records. Implemented DBSCAN clustering algorithm from scratch (no sklearn) with custom batch processor achieving 73% memory reduction. Optimized queries from 45s to under 1s, resulting in 25% staffing efficiency improvement.

Python SQLite DBSCAN PCA Pandas
Interactive
Practice Tool Open Source
Interview Prep Simulator

Interactive mock interviews

Interview Prep Simulator

Timed practice sessions
Mock interviews & feedback

Interactive simulator to practice coding and behavioral interviews with timeboxed challenges, feedback and scoring. Open-source - ideal for sharpening interview skills under pressure.

JavaScript React Node.js WebSockets
Machine Learning
76K Images
Plant Disease

Deep Learning Model - Under Construction

Plant Disease Detection

95% accuracy
88 disease classes
DINOv2 transformer

Developed deep learning model using DINOv2 transformer achieving 95% accuracy across 88 plant disease classes on 76K images. Solved overfitting through 2-stage training strategy (frozen backbone β†’ fine-tuning) with custom augmentation pipeline. Deployed interactive web interface with Gradio.

PyTorch DINOv2 Transfer Learning
Data Engineering
600K Coordinates 99.86% Accuracy
GPS

GPS Processing System

GPS Analytics Pipeline

99.86% accuracy
Custom NMEA parser

Engineered custom NMEA parser from scratch after existing library (pynmea) failed, achieving 99.86% accuracy (1 error in 10,780 lines) on 600K coordinates. Optimized processing for 79% speed improvement. Automated KML generation reducing manual work from 8 hours to instant processing.

Python Custom Parser Regex KML
Machine Learning
1,197 Reports 72% Accuracy
Weather

Custom ML Algorithms

Weather Prediction System

Decision trees from scratch
Random forests custom
342 model configurations

Built decision tree and random forest algorithms from scratch (no sklearn) achieving 72% accuracy on temperature/precipitation prediction. Scraped 1,197 CF6 weather reports with 100% success rate. Engineered 34 features including circular wind direction transforms. Tested 342 model configurations for optimization.

Custom ML BeautifulSoup Feature Engineering Web Scraping
Research
Comparative Analysis Cross-Domain
Evolutionary Design

Cross-Domain Analysis

Advances in Evolutionary Design

NASA ST5 Antenna Evolution
Xenobots Bio-Design
Fitness Function Comparison

Comparative research analysis examining how Genetic Algorithms solve complex engineering problems across vastly different domains: aerospace (NASA's evolved X-band antennas for ST5 mission) and bioengineering (living reconfigurable organisms). Investigated representation strategies, fitness evaluation methods, and robustness mechanisms. Explored how the same algorithmic framework adapts to domain-specific constraints, from electromagnetic optimization to biological realizability, highlighting GA versatility in high-dimensional, non-linear design spaces.

Genetic Algorithms Multi-objective Optimization Aerospace Engineering Bioengineering Evolutionary Computation
AI Product
Health-Aware AI Production App
PantryPal

AI-powered pantry β†’ meal planning

PantryPal – AI-Powered Health-First Recipe Platform

50+ health conditions supported
AI-generated recipes & meal plans
Medication–food interaction checks

Built a production-ready AI-powered platform that transforms pantry ingredients into personalized, health-aware recipes and weekly meal plans. Designed for users managing chronic and rare medical conditions, with safety-aware nutrition logic, allergen handling, and medication interaction checks. Focused on real-world usability, performance, and privacy.

Next.js TypeScript Supabase (PostgreSQL) AI Prompt Engineering Tailwind CSS Edge Functions
Renewable Energy
Team Project Multi-Module System
Road Power Generation System

Self-Sustained Energy System

Road Power Generation System

Wind: 60-90W output
Kinetic: 2.3kW daily
Piezo: 240kW/km potential
Automated street lighting

Designed multi-module renewable energy system harvesting highway energy through wind turbines (VAWT), kinetic rollers, and piezoelectric sensors. Implemented 8051 microcontroller-based automation with IR/LDR sensors for intelligent street lighting. System demonstrated complete energy self-sufficiency: generation β†’ storage β†’ consumption cycle with zero external power requirements. Undergraduate research project at Thapar University exploring distributed renewable infrastructure.

Renewable Energy VAWT Design Piezoelectric 8051 MCU IoT Sensors Power Electronics

Professional Experience

Garg Fertilizers

Multiple Divisions: Rice Milling Operations, Commodity Analytics, and Consulting

2017 - 2024

Role progression: Process Automation Engineer β†’ Operations & Analytics Lead

  • Designed data-driven pricing and process optimization models for agricultural commodities to enhance operational efficiency.
  • Developed moisture-control and fertilizer recommendation systems leveraging data insights for improved crop yield.
  • Implemented PLC/SCADA automation systems for centralized machinery control, ensuring safety and consistency.

Research & Development Intern

INMAS, DRDO, Ministry of Defence - Delhi

2017

  • Developed a Virtual Reality-based solution for cognitive research on indirect-vision driving.
  • Conducted mental workload evaluations using NASA TLX and performed signal processing in EEGLAB and MATLAB.
DRDO Internship Certificate

Industrial Engineering Intern

Philips - Mohali, India

2015

  • Manufacturing cost reduction of Compact Fluorescent Lamps; achieved a 7% cost reduction in choke coil production.
Philips Internship Certificate

Co-Founder - Har Hath Kalam (NGO)

Community Outreach & Program Management

2015 - 2018

  • Managed finances and coordinated cross-functional teams to design and execute community outreach programs.

Har Hath Kalam

Co-founded an education-focused NGO supporting out-of-school children through bridge learning, mentorship, and community engagement, helping learners transition into formal education and build confidence for long-term growth.

You can become a changemaker by making a fundraiser for this organization. Click here

Education & Certifications

Master of Science in Computer Science

Rochester Institute of Technology

College Transcript

Expected Dec 2026 | Graduate GPA: 3.6 / 4.0

Professional Certificate - Web Development (Ongoing)

IITM Pravartak | MERN Stack | Java

2025 - Present

React, Node.js, MongoDB, Express.js, Java

Bachelor of Engineering

Electronics Instrumentation & Control

2017

Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Punjab, India

College Transcript

National Talent Search Scholar (NTSS)

National Level Scholarship by NCERT, India

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)

Awarded 2009 | Top 0.16 % Nationwide

NTSS Certificate

🌸 Grace Hopper Celebration 2025

Stories That Stay With Me

Stepping into the Grace Hopper Celebration felt like entering a space shaped by hope, courage, and collective possibility. Thousands of women gathered not just to talk tech, but to share stories of growth, resilience, and community.

GHC Expo Floor
The vibrant expo floor at McCormick Place
Networking at GHC
Connecting with inspiring women in tech
GHC Experience
Celebrating innovation and community

Keynote Speakers

  • Jeanne Sparrow - Navigating change with honesty and grace
  • Brenda Darden Wilkerson - Inclusion as a shared responsibility
  • Vivian Tu - STRIIP method for financial confidence
  • Erin Coupe - Finding clarity in small daily moments
  • Adam Cheyer - AI evolution from systems that know to systems that do

Meaningful Connections

Nicole Kaiser - Grounded resume advice
Joveria Asif (Morgan Stanley) - Recognized leadership traits I often overlook
Nafisa Ali Amir (Audible) - Reframed career pivots as intentional growth
Kelcie Dinkel (Cloudflare) - Encouraged me to aim higher with AI work
Vedika Baid (Goldman Sachs) - Humility and genuine curiosity that left a mark
Sripriya Simhadri (InterSystems) - Appreciated my self-learning journey
Sai Iyer (Prudential) - Thoughtful connection over background
Jayasree K (Amazon) - Reminded me reinvention is always possible
Aishwarya Teegulla (Bloomberg) - Pushed me to reflect on my "why"

Special Moments

  • Meta's Women Shaping Wearables - Hind Hobeika shared her remarkable founder journey and took time to hear my story. We even took a photo I'll always cherish.
  • Kelly Ingham - Expanded our imagination of what's possible in wearables
  • Closing Celebration - Voices like Angelica Ross, Kellie Gerardi, and Betsy Tong brought messages of courage, authenticity, and collective progress

"As I left McCormick Place, I carried with me not just business cards or LinkedIn connections - but stories, lessons, and hope."

GHC 2025 reminded me that no journey is linear, no background limits your potential, and no dream is too unconventional when women choose to lift one another.

I'm beyond grateful to everyone I met for their time, kindness, and wisdom. πŸ’œ

Let's Build Something Extraordinary

Whether you're looking for a passionate data engineer, an AI enthusiast ready to tackle complex challenges, or someone who brings 7 years of business acumen to tech - I'd love to connect.

Open to Opportunities

Full-time roles, internships, and contract work in Data Engineering, Machine Learning, and AI

  • πŸ’Ό Data Engineering & ETL Pipelines
  • πŸ€– Machine Learning & AI Solutions
  • ☁️ Cloud Architecture (AWS, GCP)
  • πŸ“Š Big Data & Analytics

Let's Collaborate

Interested in discussing innovative projects, research ideas, or just connecting over tech?