Ishani Narwankar

Creating the foundational software and autonomy stack for the Orpheus Ocean Deep Sea Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (6000m rated robot). Conducting field test work and demos. Represented company for 1 month aboard the Nautilus in Guam/Mariana Trench Region (May 2025) as lead software operations -- prepared vehicle (pre-dive and post-dive), wrote 6 missions for vehicle to carry out at 5000-6000m depth in the mariana trench region, processed data collected from each dive and packaged for customer.

• Developed classical and machine learning point cloud registration methods in C++ and Python. • Generated synthetic datasets from PNW field data using Multibeam Echosounder sonar. • Evaluated accuracy and reliability of registration methods on generated datasets.

This summer, I worked on two main projects: building a water test rig (for long term rain testing and general product IPX2 testing in house) and was the reliability engineer point of contact working on one of Skydio's new products releasing at the end of 2023. As the temporary reliability engineer point of contact for one of Skydio's new products, I worked closely with the electrical engineering and product design teams to provide feedback and work on design changes necessary to meet product specifications and help with product bring-up.

• Successfully completed four rigorous test stages to become an Analog Astronaut final candidate for the Asclepios IV Mission. • Demonstrated resilience and physical fitness through in-person holistic exams and overnight resilience training hike. • Developed strong communication and problem-solving skills throughout the selection process.

I oversaw and initiated the planning of projects and showcases for the Texas Aerial Robotics Organization. I formed and was involved in a competitive undergraduate team to compete in the 2023 Raytheon Drone Innovation Showcase (where we represented UT Austin and won 2nd place overall). In preparation for this competition, I ran consistent working meetings alongside one other co-captain from August 2022 to April 2023. These meetings consisted of designing, prototyping, building, coding, and debugging unmanned ground and aerial vehicles.

Worked as an undergraduate assistant within the Autonomous Group under the Oden Institute from the University of Texas at Austin. Working on two projects under graduate student, Alexander Nettekoven: 1. Designing, building, and coding a hexacopter to 3D print in the millimeter scale 2. Swarm Technology My main jobs within this role consist of: Project 1: - Using CAD softwares to analyze, design, and redesign parts for the drone for project - Optimized the 3D printing nozzle holder - Using MATLAB to create a code to calculate the inertia matrix of the drone using its flight data - Analyzing the data from other quadcopters to test the validity of the inertia matrix model - Set up, code, and debug Singletact force sensors to place near the printing nozzle on the drone Project 2: - Using ROS2, Python, and C++ to control multiple TELLO drones at a time - Use ROS2 to set up the workspace to communicate with the TELLO drones - Code test programs in Python to test on the drones I have recently started working more on the Swarm Technology project, however I am still contributing to the 3D Printing Hexacopter project by designing the 3D printing cooling system to put on the drone.

Currently, I am the Responsible Engineer for Recovery Avionics Hardware. Along with working with the other Recovery System REs, I am responsible for the configuration, mounting, and protection of the electronics within the Recovery System. I am also a member of the Director of Operations Team. As a part of this team, I am responsible for organizing internal and external events that share knowledge about the work that we are doing in TREL. While I am an active member of the Engineering Team, I also help the Business Team with PR work.

Intern at ThriveOnLife a media consulting business built to help individuals and businesses thrive! Learning how to build a personal brand, create macro and micro content, build a start up, and consult.ThriveOnLife is not just a business but also a lifestyle of helping people help people. Strive together. THRIVE TOGETHER. 1st Week: - Created mock landing page for website - Recorded podcast segment - Learned how to create macro/micro content - published micro content on personal brand page 2nd Week: - Created 7 min. video + separated it into micro + macro content - Started planning for 1st Mastermind for ~10-15 students (created graphic + pitch) 3rd Week: - Setting up 1st Mastermind + continue networking with invited students - Ran mastermind successfully for 12+ students - Created post mastermind feedback form and email - Learning to lay out personal website 4th Week: - Beginning planning schedule for future masterminds - Finalizing I Kid You Not (personal brand) website - Making the website live + driving traffic to it 5th Week: - Designing another website (coming up with color palette, landing page set up, and organization) - Working on website analytics (determining how to change the layout of a website based on analytics) 6th Week: - Organizing and leading workshops (planning, organizing, and hosting value-oriented workshops)

Minor in Entrepreneurship + Innovation