(Spring 2024 - Present)
Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of South Carolina AI 4 Society (AI4S) Group
constcoder={name:'Vansh Nagpal',skills:['Linux', 'Vue.js', 'Java', 'React.js', 'Node.js', 'Python', 'TensorFlow', 'MySQL', 'OpenShift + Kubernetes', 'Docker', 'AWS'],hardWorker:true,quickLearner:true,problemSolver:true,hireable:function() {return(this.hardWorker&&this.problemSolver&&this.skills.length>=5);};};ABOUT ME
Who Am I?
My name is Vansh Nagpal. I am a current senior at the University of South Carolina Honors College studying Computer Science, Math, and Data Science. I am an enthusiasatic and avid learner, and I enjoy tackling new problems that challenge me. I am currently involved in research with the AI 4 Society research group, studying the applications of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Recommender Systems for the problem of meal recommendation. I would like to take on problems that not only cause me to grow into new directions, but also leave a positive impact on this world.
Work Experience
(May 2024 - August 2024)
Software Engineer Intern
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina
(Fall 2022 - Spring 2024)
Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of South Carolina Systems Research on X (SyReX) Group
Skills
PROJECTS
RpostAI - A University-Centric Chatbot
constproject={name:'RpostAI - A University-Centric Chatbot',tools: ['Python', 'LLMs', 'ChromaDB', 'Playwright', 'Selenium', 'RAGAS],myRole:[Data Engineer, ML Engineer] ,Description: RoostAI is a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) chatbot designed for the University of South Carolina community. By combining web-scraping, natural language processing, and machine learning, the chatbot provides precise, context-aware responses to user queries. Our evaluation shows RoostAI outperforms standard large language models in semantic and factual accuracy, offering an innovative solution to accessing campus information.,Demo:Try it out!};Aqua Sense - A Water Quality Assessment Chatbot
constproject={name:'Aqua Sense - A Water Quality Assessment Chatbot',tools: ['Python', 'RASA Chatbot', 'USGS API', 'NLP', 'Supervised ML],myRole:[Data Engineer, Software Engineer, ML Engineer] ,Description: Water quality assessment is critical in public health and environmental science. My project addresses the question: 'How safe is water from a specific source to drink?' Using the USGS REST API, the program analyzes real-time water data like pH, Dissolved Oxygen, and Turbidity. By implementing an RBF-based approach and SVM classification model, it determines water potability as a percentage. I enhanced the project with an NLP chatbot using Rasa, BERT, and NLTK to enable natural user interactions about water safety.,};Learning Management System(LMS)
constproject={name:'Learning Management System(LMS)',tools: ['Java', 'Python', 'JavaScript', 'SCRUM', 'Software Dev. Life Cycle (SDLC)],myRole:Back End Developer,Description: Recognizing the growing importance of programming skills, my team developed a Learning Management System (LMS) that helps students learn Python or JavaScript. Built in Java using object-oriented principles and SCRUM methodology, I focused on back-end development. My key contribution was implementing data management functionality, enabling seamless JSON-based storage of grades, classes, and course content. The project provided valuable insights into the Software Development Life Cycle.,};Nerdle
constproject={name:'Nerdle',tools: ['Vanilla JS', 'Java', 'HTML/CSS],myRole:Front End Developer,Description: Inspired by Wordle, I developed my own word-guessing game called 'Nerdle' (named after my brother Neil). I initially created a command-line version in Java to understand game mechanics, then transitioned to a web application using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. The project helped me explore data structures like dictionaries and tries, while providing a hands-on introduction to web development.,};Awards & Honors
2024
South Carolina Internship Program
$3000 awarded to students completing in-state industrial internship
2024
DAAD Rise Fellowship
Awarded to student to pursue research internship in Germany
2024
Cocky Hacks Hackathon, Best Idea Award
$200 awarded to team with best idea
2023
1st Place in Fall 2023 ACM Code - A - Thon
First to complete interview-style coding questions in Data Structures and Algorithms Division
2023
Magellan Scholar Research Grant
$3000 to pursue mentored research under Dr. Sanjib Sur at SyReX Lab
2023
Boeing Scholarship(2x)
$1500 awarded to academically motivated student who also exemplifies significant community involvement
2023
Pi Mu Epsilon Initiate
Initiated into prestigious mathematics honors society
2023
Tau Beta Pi Scholarship
$2000 awarded to involved Tau Bate for penultimate year of study
2023
Jack Price Scholarship
$1000 awarded to engineering student for exemplary academics
2024
USC President's Honor's List(6x)
Awarded to students displaying academic excellence with a 4.00 GPA
2023
Marva Smalls Scholarship
Awarded to engineering students displaying academic excellence
2022
Tau Beta Pi Initiate
Initiated into prestigious engineering honors society(Current VP of SC Beta Chapter)
2021
Academic Scholar - Excellence Award
$23,000 / year for 4 years to student in top 6% of their class
2021
Dr.William C.Alexander Excellence in Research Award
Given to student which excelled in mentored summer research
2021
SCGSSM Excellence in Mathematics Award
Given to student displaying excellence in Mathematics
2020
2nd Place in SC Junior Academy of Science
Mentored Research in Phys., Eng., and Mathematics Division
Education
2021 - 2025
BS in Computer Science, BS in Mathematics, Minor in Data Science
University of South Carolina, Columbia