TA Spotlight: Niranjan Kumar
Niranjan Kumar is a TA for CS 6475: Computational Photography. Keep reading to learn more about Niranjan!
What do you do professionally?
I am a PhD candidate at Georgia Tech, and my research aims to equip robots with advanced exploration strategies that enhance their perception and comprehension of surrounding objects. Perception is often treated as a one-way flow of information from the world to the robot. But in my work, I look at flip the idea, and look at actions a robot could take to better understand the environment and objects around it. For example, searching for hidden objects in a cluttered scene. In my latest work, I developed a framework to train interactive navigation strategies on a quadruped robot that could be used for exploring unknown scenes.
Why do you TA for OMSCS?
Teaching computer science to enthusiastic individuals has been a personal delight for me. Moreover, my role as a TA has enabled me to comprehend the subject matter with a greater depth. As they say, the best way to learn is to teach, and I believe this adage holds true in my experience.
What is your advice for future OMSCS students?
Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. To truly understand something, you should build it. Start from the simplest version of the problem you are trying to solve and gradually add complexity. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. We TAs have been in your shoes and are always looking to help you throughout the course.
What hobby or activity are you looking forward to getting back to once you're done with OMSCS?
I have a dozen hobbies I want to continue once I get out of grad school. Top of my list are woodworking and FPV drones.
Find Niranjan on...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kniranjankumar/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kniranjankumar0
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kniranjankumar_/
Personal Website: https://www.kniranjankumar.com/