My name is Vishnu. I'm a 5th year Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science at Columbia University, specializing in human-computer interaction (HCI), accessibility, and design with interests in digital media, navigation within spaces, generative AI, and virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR).

My research focuses on building and studying interactive systems to grant people new abilities that enrich their lives. My work thus far has centered on users with disabilities and their experiences within virtual, digital, and physical contexts. I have developed accessibility tools for video games, built tools for making digital images more accessible to blind audiences, and designed accessible navigation technologies for indoor spaces.

Beyond research, I have pursued startup opportunities, worked to convert my work into tools that developers can use, and have taken opportunities to gain hands-on experience in industry. Of note, my NavStick project will be released as a plugin for the Unreal Engine this year, and I interned at Microsoft Research during the summer of 2023.

I am looking for research scientist intern and UX research intern positions for the summer of 2024! Feel free to email me or message me on LinkedIn.

You can also find a more detailed overview of my experiences here.