Nidhi Kirani

Electrical and Computer Engineering student at Carnegie Mellon University focused on digital IC design, computer architecture, and semiconductor research. My interests lie in understanding how devices, circuits, and architectures come together to enable the next generation of high-performance and AI computing systems. As a Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) Scholar and REU researcher, I work on semiconductor device fabrication and characterization, gaining hands-on experience with microfabrication processes, lithography, deposition, etching, SEM characterization, and cleanroom workflows. My research has exposed me to the practical challenges of translating device concepts into manufacturable silicon. Beyond semiconductor research, I enjoy building hardware from the ground up—from analog circuits and timing systems to embedded and digital designs—and exploring the performance, power, and design trade-offs that shape modern computing hardware. My projects and research have also spanned sensing systems, energy harvesting, and machine learning applications for engineering problems. At Carnegie Mellon, I'm developing a strong foundation in RTL design, SystemVerilog, computer architecture, and hardware design methodologies while seeking opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge silicon and hardware research. My long-term goal is to help design the processors and specialized hardware that power the future of AI, high-performance computing, and intelligent systems.