AESS Student Interviews: Rahul Muthuraman Shanmugam

My name is Rahul Muthuraman Shanmugam, I am currently an undergraduate student at Virginia Tech pursuing a major in Computer Engineering. My sole authored paper in Signal Processing, written under the guidance of Dr. Mary Lanzerotti, was accepted to the MIT Undergraduate Research and Technology Conference this semester. I was fortunate enough to attend the conference in person as my conference trip was funded by the IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society, The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech and The Virginia Tech College of Engineering.

Attending the IEEE MIT Undergraduate Research and Technology Conference was an incredible experience that significantly impacted both my academic and professional development. Presenting my research on Signal Processing: Noise Cancellation Properties of Color Noises and Their Uses, allowed me to engage with experts and peers from all across the country, and allowed me to discuss the applications of noise-canceling techniques in real world scenarios. The opportunity to receive feedback from experienced professionals and peers not only increased my understanding of the subject but also provided insights into areas for further exploration, helping me identify new areas for future research topics.

This experience has improved my confidence in presenting complex ideas to a technical audience and solidified my passion for pursuing graduate studies in Electrical and Computer Engineering. This conference also offered me a platform to network with professors and peers who are interested in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, which exposed me to potential career paths and collaborations. Learning about innovative technologies and emerging trends from other participants and keynote speakers also broadened my perspective on the field's evolving landscape, and about opportunities in Computer Engineering.

I am sincerely grateful to the IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society, the Virginia Tech Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the Virginia Tech College of Engineering for their generous support in funding my trip to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Their investment in my development made it possible for me to attend this prestigious conference, which has been instrumental in shaping both my academic pursuits and professional aspirations.

Written by Rahul Muthuraman Shanmugam