# Aarushi Kumar > Incoming @ Siemens | Computer Engineering + CS @ UC Santa Cruz | Generative AI | CAD & Hardware Design Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/aarushikumar Hi, I’m Aarushi! I’m a Computer Engineering student at UC Santa Cruz with a passion for AI, CAD/hardware design, and sustainable technology. My experience spans generative AI research (RAG, prompt engineering), CAD modeling with Siemens NX, and full-stack/mobile development, giving me the opportunity to work on projects from spacecraft design at NASA’s L’SPACE Academy to sustainable fog water harvesting. I thrive at the intersection of innovation and problem-solving. I’m always looking for ways to grow, learn, and make an impact, and I’m excited to connect with industry professionals, mentors, and peers who can help guide my journey and explore new opportunities together! ## Work Experience ### Sustainable Technology Engineer @ Baskin Engineering at UCSC Jan 2024 – Present | Santa Cruz, California, United States • Researching fog water harvesting as a sustainable solution to water scarcity alongside other engineering students • Designing and deploying fog collectors in collaboration with North Coast County, funded by the UCSC Carbon Fund • Designed and 3D printed a model fog collector- now on public exhibit at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center in Santa Cruz • Contributing to the development of a real-time water sensor and piping system to measure collected water volumes and environmental data, in in collaboration with the CITRIS grant ### Generative AI Researcher @ Tech4Good @ UCSC Jan 2025 – Present | Santa Cruz, California, United States • Enhancing AI models using prompt engineering and dataset curation under Professor David Lee at UCSC, focused on improving Human-AI experiences • Working on fine-tuning models, implementing Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and optimizing AI workflows for a career guidance chatbot to strengthen community connections • Collaborating on a research publication, highlighting the lab’s findings on human-centered applications of generative AI. ### Consultant @ 180 Degrees Consulting Jan 2026 – Present | Santa Cruz, California, United States • Collaborate on cross-functional consulting teams to deliver data-driven recommendations that improve nonprofit operational efficiency and client outcomes ### Junior Consultant @ 180 Degrees Consulting Jan 2025 – Jan 2025 | Santa Cruz, California, United States • Completed an intensive consulting training program covering project scoping, structured problem-solving, and client communication • Practiced breaking down ambiguous, real-world problems into actionable analyses and recommendations • Participated in case workshops and mock client engagements, strengthening teamwork, presentation, and stakeholder-facing skills ### DSI Center Asisstant @ University of California, Santa Cruz Jan 2025 – Present | Santa Cruz, California, United States • Assist students with the use of 3D printers, Glowforge laser cutters, and Cricut Machines. • Manage front desk operations including events and library projects, customer service, and technical support. ### Student Ambassador @ Adobe Jan 2025 – Present | Santa Cruz, California, United States • Promoting Adobe Creative Cloud tools on campus through workshops, demos, and training sessions for students ### Computer Hardware Engineer @ NASA L'SPACE Program Jan 2025 – Jan 2025 • Supported the design of a spacecraft to carry out the mission’s science objectives, specifically the development of the Command and Data Handling Subsystem • Performed trade studies between subsystems to determine which would best satisfy the mission’s science objectives while maintaining the mission design constraints for mass, power, cost, and schedule • Completed CAD design of the subsystem by using Siemens NX, and ensured that the design maintained compatibility between the other subsystems interfaces • Selected as one of 3 presenters to formally present the final PDR to NASA panelists ### Digital Strategy and Analytics Intern @ Kaiser Permanente Jan 2025 – Jan 2025 • Conducted data analysis on patient engagement to inform digital health campaigns addressing nutrition, mental health, sleep, and substance-abuse. • Produced blogs and social content supported by metrics, while addressing challenges in accessibility, data personalization, and user adoption. ### Extern at Beats by Dre @ Extern Jan 2025 – Jan 2025 • Developed advanced data analysis skills by conducting qualitative and quantitative research to uncover customer insights related to Gen Z trends, behaviors, and preferences for audio devices • Leveraged Python, data science libraries, and natural language processing tools like Gemini AI to perform sentiment analysis and visualize consumer feedback across multiple audio device brands. • Synthesized insights and presented findings through a detailed data dashboard and visual presentations for actionable business strategies ### Swim Instructor @ American Swim Academy Jan 2023 – Jan 2024 ### Product Design and Development Intern @ Cognixion Jan 2023 – Jan 2023 • Designed a speech recognition feature for their headset product meant to give a voice to speech-impaired people • Logged 400+ texts to analyze how people communicated & studied and categorized trends, slang, etc • Tracked progress, conducted research, collected data and feedback of product ### Summer Research Intern @ Wispr AI Jan 2023 – Jan 2023 • Led research project on implementations of neural interfaces in entertainment, education, healthcare • Made an implementation plan with benefits, drawbacks, budget plan, timeline, etc of neural interfaces ### Tutor and Center Assistant @ Kumon North America, Inc. Jan 2022 – Jan 2023 ## Education ### Bachelor of Science - BS in Computer Engineering University of California, Santa Cruz ### Washington High School ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/aarushi-kumar-664881279 --- Source: https://flows.cv/aarushikumar JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/aarushikumar/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-13