> MEGH_PATEL
// I Like To Build Stuff
EDUCATION_LOG
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
B.S. Computer Science · GPA: 3.84/4.00
Expected Dec 2027
Champaign, IL
Building a strong foundation through both systems-level and theoretical coursework at UIUC.
// Coursework:
THE_JOURNEY
My journey into computer science began not in a classroom, but in front of a console, captivated by the intricate systems and immersive worlds of Nintendo. That early fascination quickly evolved into a drive to build systems of my own — leading me to the CS program at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
From building a Random Forest crop yield predictor and a CNN plant disease classifier, to shipping PantryPal (a multimodal RAG app with MCP for image-based pantry tracking), each project has been a self-imposed challenge to master new technology with real-world purpose.
Today I focus on production infrastructure and systems work — as Infrastructure Chair at ACM UIUC, I provision CloudWatch alarms, build cross-cloud IAM sync endpoints, and architect high-throughput event platforms for 2,000+ students. I also built low-level tooling in Rust: Synapse, a stealth SYN scanner with a hand-rolled DNS resolver from raw sockets.
> CORE_PHILOSOPHY:
Technology is a powerful tool for localized, meaningful change.
AWARDS_LOG
Caterpillar Design Award
MechMania 31 Hackathon
Recognized for creativity by Caterpillar Inc. alongside teammates Caleb Goodman and Tanish Inamdar. A rewarding night of collaboration and innovation.