Aarav Shah
|
About Me
Aarav Shah
@ashah80
Hi! I’m Aarav, a senior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy interested in machine learning, AI robustness, and human-centered technology.
I’ve worked on projects ranging from adversarial learning and media authentication to full-stack web and app development, and I love tackling hard problems and collaborating with curious people!
When I'm not coding, you can find me playing chess, studying, reading, volunteering, or just hanging out with friends somewhere on IMSA campus.
I'm always open to learn and grow with new opportunities, so feel free to reach out via email at aaravshah820@gmail.com!
"The best way to predict the future is to invent it."
Experience
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Student Researcher
- • Research in adversarial learning, focusing on attacks on AI models in self-driving cars
- • Developed countermeasures to enhance autonomous vehicle safety
- • Gold Medal at IJAS State Science Competition
Alchemy Software LLC
Software Engineering Intern
- • Developed "Half Full" productivity app with React Native, Kotlin & Electron JS
- • Created first reactive screen time app on the market
- • Deployed to App Store and Google Play Store
APS Data Technologies LLC
Mobile App Development Intern
- • Built mobile app with City of Aurora & Paramount Theater using React Native + AR
- • Integrated TensorFlow ML models to help construction workers find building codes
Venturepoint.vc
Web Development & AI Intern
- • Created websites for CasperMaster.ai and Readably.ai using Tailwind & React
- • Explored ML, deep learning, and natural language processing technologies
NIU EdSystems
Student Research Intern
- • Researched math, CS, and work-based learning for the Illinois Math Badging Initiative
- • Presented at the Illinois Work-based Learning Innovation Network Conference
Eye Level Learning Center
Teacher & Grader
- • Tutored K-8th grade students in math, reading, and ELA
- • Administered assessments and provided personalized feedback
Projects
SpamSleuth
🏆 CAC Winner Click to flipSpamSleuth
SpamSleuth is an AI-powered application that aims to educate and protect the elderly from online scams. It uses Flask to combine a React JS frontend with a Tensorflow and OpenAI API Python backend. This app won the Congressional App Challenge in 2025, and I had the opportunity to present it at the House of Code in Washington D.C.!
Learning Enrichment Engine
Education Platform Click to flipLearning Enrichment Engine
A platform built in collaboration with the Illinois Association for Gifted Children (IAGC) and the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) to increase access to free learning opportunities for students across Illinois. The website has over 10,000 users, and I even co-founded an IMSA club to continue development!
Destination Aurora
Mobile App Click to flipDestination Aurora & IBCez.ai
These are both projects I worked on during my internship at APS Data Technologies. Destination Aurora is an interactive city guide app, and IBCez.ai is a machine learning-powered building code lookup tool, aiming to make construction work safer.
Half Full
Mobile App Click to flipHalf Full
Half Full is a productivity app available on both mobile and desktop. During my internship, I worked on the mobile end of Half Full, developing the first reactive screen-time feature on the market from scratch using Kotlin and React Native!
Personal Website
You're here! Click to flipashah80.github.io
Chess-themed portfolio website featuring interactive puzzles, flip-card projects, and custom animations!
CPU from Scratch
Hardware Design Click to flipCPU from Scratch
Built a complete 16-bit RISC Computer Processing Unit from scratch using Verilog, designing everything from the Instruction Set Architecture to the control unit. Created for Elements of Computing Systems I capstone project, and complete with a fibonacci calculator program written in binary!
IMSA Peer Tutor Website
Education Platform Click to flipIMSA Peer Tutor Website
IMSA's first full-stack peer tutoring platform, built with React, Node.js, and SQLite. I proposed this project and served as co-lead for the development team. The website now connects students with tutors across subjects and manages scheduling, improving access to peer tutoring for the entire school community! Only available internally for security reasons.
JHMC Website
Mu Alpha Theta Click to flipJunior High Math Competition
As a Junior High Math Competition (JHMC) Chair for Mu Alpha Theta, I contributed to and maintained the official contest website, overseeing the addition of the "Textbook", "Reach", and "Past Winners" sections. I also proposed and led the shift to a new online testing platform!
Community Connect
HS Hacks 2024 Click to flipCommunity Connect
A platform that aims to connect high schoolers to volunteer opportunities in their community. Developed for the HS Hacks Hackathon in 2024, and one of my first web development projects!
Achievements
National Merit Finalist
Top 1% • 2026
Recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program based on outstanding PSAT performance, placing in the top 1% of test-takers nationwide.
IHSA Chess
Team Captain • 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Competed at the IHSA State Chess Tournament representing IMSA. Served as Team Captain and 1st/2nd board. Tied for 2nd place at 2025 IHSA State Championship, and went undefeated in the 22-23 season.
Congressional App Challenge
Winner • 2025
Built SpamSleuth, an AI-powered application protecting vulnerable communities from online scams. Presented at the 2025 House of Code in the U.S. Capitol.
NCSSS Student Conference
Research Presenter • 2025
Presented adversarial AI autonomous vehicle research at the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools Student Research Conference in Alabama. Sponsored by IMSA for the 3-day conference!
ICTM State Math Competition
IMSA Math Team • 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Part of IMSA's competitive math team. Placed Top 10 in Precaculus regional individuals, Top 5 in 8-person state, and 8th at state overall in the 4A division.
Pitch Competition Finalist
2x Finalist • 2025
Finalist in both the IMSAxFermilab and IMSA AI Center pitch competitions. Presented innovative project ideas to panels of judges and industry professionals, including a ML migration tracker and an AI-powered college advisor.
IJAS State Science Competition
Gold Medal • 2025
Presented research on adversarial learning and AI vulnerabilities in autonomous vehicles. Won gold at both the regional and state levels.
USCF Tournament Player & Director
1800+ Rating • Top 3% U18
Certified USCF Tournament Director with 10+ years of competitive play experience. Top 3% of under 18 players with an 1800+ USCF rating.
IMSAloquium Presenter
Research Symposium • 2024, 2025
Presented research twice at IMSA's annual student research symposium showcasing independent inquiry projects.
MathCON National Finalist
Top 1.4% • 2020, 2023, 2024
Placed top 60 out of 4,200+ students nationwide in algebra, geometry, combinatorics, and number theory-based competition math.
ACSL National Finalist
American Computer Science League • 2024
Qualified for and competed in the American Computer Science League national finals, showcasing competitive programming skills.
I-WIN Conference Presenter
Illinois Work-based Learning • 2024
Presented research on math, CS, and work-based learning at the Illinois Work-based Learning Innovation Network Conference to over 50 educators, hosted by Northern Illinois University Education Systems.
Chess Tournament Wins
Multiple Titles
Placed top 10 in the Chicago Open Tournament, top 3 in the Illinois Open State Championship, and more.
Class Rank #1
1st/667 • 2023
Ranked 1st out of 667 students in freshman class. Afterwards, I transferred to IMSA, which does not calculate class rank, but I maintained a 4.0 GPA.
Chess Puzzle
Think you can find the winning move? This puzzle is from one of my actual games!
Black to Play
From one of my games!
25...e4! 26.Rxd4 exf3+ 27.Kxf3 Rxd4
A beautiful pawn push leading into a discovered attack! After e4, if white moves the bishop, then after Nf6, the rook on d1 falls. And if white plays Rxd4, then we can make an intermediate move to win the bishop!
Want to play a game? Challenge me on lichess!
Contact Me
Feel free to reach out! I'm always open to new opportunities, collaborations, and conversations, whether it's about tech, chess, or anything else!