Rishita’s Introduction

Author

Rishita Kollu

Published

May 23, 2025

Rishita Kollu

About Me

Hello! I’m Rishita Kollu, a sophomore at Iowa State University majoring in Computer Engineering with a minor in Cybersecurity Engineering. I’m originally from Pune, India and am passionate about using technology to make a positive difference. I’m excited to be a part of the DSPG program this summer!

Why DSPG?

I’ve always been interested in using technology not just for entertainment or gaming, but as a tool to create meaningful impact. I’m especially drawn to the local, real-world focus of the DSPG program — knowing exactly who you’re helping and why truly motivates me. Working on projects that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals makes this opportunity deeply rewarding.

What Skills Do I Bring?

Hard Skills

  • Python
  • SQL
  • C
  • Java
  • HTML/CSS
  • Git

Professional & Interpersonal Skills

  • Strong communication
  • Leadership and team coordination
  • Effective collaboration
  • Public speaking and mentoring

Areas for Growth

  • Enhancing creativity and problem-solving approaches
  • Improving time management and efficiency
  • Gaining hands-on experience with data science tools and workflows
  • Learning R, a language I have not used before and am excited to explore this summer

My Goals

My long-term goal is to pursue research at the intersection of technology and the natural sciences, particularly physics and chemistry, to address global challenges like those outlined in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The DSPG program is an ideal environment to grow toward this path — giving me the opportunity to work on socially relevant projects, collaborate with peers, and build a strong foundation in data science.

Project Timeline

2022
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Personal Finance Tracker - High School Capstone

Skills: Python, SQL, Matplotlib

Personal Finance Tracker

An application to help users manage finances, set savings goals, auto-pay bills, categorize expenses, and visualize patterns using charts. Hoping to develop and secure it future with Data Science and CyberSecurity skills!

Fall 2024
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Research Internship – Ames National Laboratory

Skills: Python, GitHub, WSL

Ames Lab Project

Helped develop a library of “composite methods” for NWChemEx to improve approximations of the Schrodinger equation using combinations of computational chemistry models.

Spring 2025
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Power Systems - First-Year Honors Mentor Project

Skills: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Data Analysis

Power Systems Project

Collaborated on an electrical engineering project focused on energy conservation and smart power systems, including data visualization and web development.

Spring 2025
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Electronic Mood Ring – CPRE 1860

Skills: Arduino, Java, HTML, CSS, Node.js

Mood Ring Project

Created an interactive temperature sensor that changes color based on the user’s emotional input, integrating hardware with a dynamic web interface.

Summer 2025
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DSPG – Data Science for the Public Good

Skills: In Progress!