Nonprofit Bridge the Gap Robotics Foundation: 1,290+ STEM kits, 26 chapters, 8 countries bridgethegaprobotics.com ↗
AAHANA BASAPPA
DOC: PORTFOLIO / REV 2027 SCALE: 1:1 STATUS: ACTIVE LOCATION: FRISCO, TX

Aahana
Basappa

Hi, my name is Aahana Basappa! I'm a high school senior from Frisco, TX, passionate about computer engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, and making STEM accessible to everyone.

I've always loved finding connections between seemingly unrelated fields, whether it's tracing the bridges between fantasy worlds in the books I've read or discovering parallels between sculpture in AP Art History and subtractive etching in PCB manufacturing. I tend to see the world in systems and layers, searching for the hidden threads that tie everything together.

That fascination with order (and a little bit of chaos!) has led me down more paths than I ever expected, each one shaping how I think, create, and explore.

Scroll to discover the threads I've followed along the way!

Portrait of Aahana Basappa
FIG. 01 · A. BASAPPA
Spec Sheet
SchoolFrisco Centennial HS
Class2027
InterestsRobotics · Soft Robotics · AI/ML · Access
Based inFrisco, TX
SHT. 02
EDUCATION

Education

A STEM-focused course load alongside programs in debate, AI, and entrepreneurship.

Frisco Centennial High School

Senior · August 2023 - Present
Frisco, TX
SAT 1570
  • Enrolled in STEM-focused APs, clubs, and competitions
AP Courses 20 courses · 12 completed
AP Courses Completed 12 courses
AP Human GeographyMay 20245
AP Computer Science PrinciplesMay 20245
AP Physics 1May 20255
AP Computer Science AMay 20255
AP Calculus BCMay 20255
AP World HistoryMay 20255
AP SeminarMay 20255
AP BiologyMay 20265
AP European HistoryMay 20265
AP English Language & CompositionMay 20265
AP United States HistoryMay 20265
AP Physics 2May 20265
Taking Senior Year 8 courses
AP Art HistoryMay 2027In progress
AP US Government & PoliticsMay 2027In progress
AP EconomicsMay 2027In progress
AP StatisticsMay 2027In progress
AP Physics C: MechanicsMay 2027In progress
AP Physics C: Electricity & MagnetismMay 2027In progress
AP English LiteratureMay 2027In progress
AP Environmental ScienceMay 2027In progress

Zenith Speech and Debate Academy

August 2023 - Present
  • Developed advanced public speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking skills and competed in tournaments

Inspirit AI Scholars Program

July 2024
  • Gained hands-on experience with machine learning applications in real-world scenarios and collaborated on projects focused on health-related AI detection software

Young Entrepreneurs Academy

August 2023 - April 2024
  • Acquired essential entrepreneurship skills, including business planning and marketing, and presented a business concept, winning $750 for the development of Resumake
SHT. 03
RESEARCH & INNOVATION

Research

Applied machine learning, robotics, and hardware research, from vision-language model failure analysis to surgical tissue tracking, robot kinematics, and shaped e-paper displays, across a university lab, a startup, and independent research teams.

AMVICC: A Novel Benchmark for Cross-Modal Failure Mode Profiling for VLMs and IGMs

Co-First Author · June 2025 - Present
5-person research team under a University of Washington undergraduate researcher
6 Workshops
  • Developed the AMVICC benchmark for cross-modal failure mode profiling of 11 state-of-the-art vision-language models (VLMs) and 3 image generation models (IGMs)
  • Engineered a scalable Python multimodal evaluation framework (PyTorch, NumPy, Matplotlib, API-driven model access) to analyze robustness and reasoning consistency across reasoning scenarios
  • Designed and tested 600+ prompts exposing inconsistent reasoning and wide performance variance; accuracy ranged from 33% to 100% across 9 elementary visual reasoning categories
  • Co-first author of a technical paper accepted to 6 conference workshops at NeurIPS 2025, ICML 2026, and COLM 2026
NeurIPS 2025: VLM4RWD ICML 2026: Combining Theory & Benchmarks ICML 2026: Efficient Multimodal QA ICML 2026: Failure Modes in Agentic AI COLM 2026: AI Measurement Science COLM 2026: Efficient Reasoning

ROBOKINE: Configurable Serial-Manipulator Kinematics & ML Inverse Kinematics

Lead Researcher · June 2026 - Present
Free Python platform for up to 6-DOF serial manipulators
Accepted · IJRA
  • Built a free graphical platform (Tkinter/ttk GUI, embedded Matplotlib) for configurable manipulators with revolute, prismatic, or fixed joints
  • Integrated forward kinematics, damped least-squares inverse kinematics, Monte Carlo workspace generation, Jacobian-based singularity evaluation, and cubic, quintic, and parabolic-blend trajectory planning
  • Trained ML inverse kinematics models (Random Forest, KNN, Neural Networks) on synthetic datasets, reaching a 95.2% success rate on predicted joint angles with Neural Networks
  • Benchmarked against Robotics Toolbox, Pybotics, MoveIt, RoboDK, and CoppeliaSim in a comparative literature review
  • Paper accepted to the peer-reviewed IAES International Journal of Robotics and Automation; secured a UK Registered Design for the accompanying SolidWorks robotic arm
PythonKinematicsNeural NetworksSolidWorks

ML Point-Tracking for Surgical Tissue Deformation

Student Researcher · June - July 2026
Dong Qian Lab Group, University of Texas at Dallas · Mentored by PhD student Zhiqi Mao & Prof. Dong Qian
  • Fine-tuned an open-source ML point-tracking model (CoTracker3, wrapped with LiteTracker) to track tissue deformation during laparoscopic suturing on silicone training models
  • Generated 120+ physics-based FEM simulations (100,000+ frames) in SOFA modeling a crural repair for a hiatal hernia, converting output into ground-truth labels and reducing error by 40% from the baseline model
  • Contributed to a low-latency tissue stress/strain evaluation method with potential clinical applications in surgical training
CoTracker3SOFA (FEM)Surgical Robotics

Shaped E Ink Displays for Wearables

Directed Research Intern · July 2026 - Present
AIM Colours, a sustainability-focused wearable technology start-up
  • Evaluated direct-drive, passive-matrix, and active-matrix architectures for moving E Ink Prism displays from segmented regions to shaped pixel grids, identifying frontplane electrode design as the key blocker and a printed diode-per-pixel backplane as the bridge
  • Identified manufacturing routes for irregular-shaped displays, including outline-routed pixel layouts and kirigami strain-relief perimeters for stretchable wearables, and proposed a staged shift to inkjet-printed backplanes linking circuit printing and laser cutting in one file
  • Designed and led a blind pixel-resolution study of luxury monograms, patterns, and script across seven grid sizes; synthesized 30+ papers, patents, and industry sources into two formal research briefs for new product R&D
SHT. 04
VENTURES

Founded & built

Three ventures born from the same instinct: notice a gap, then design something concrete to close it.

Sentinel

Founder & CEO · June 2025 - Present
AI-powered digital safety platform using NLP and behavioral classification to identify risky online content and improve digital footprint awareness
  • Built a three-platform product (iOS, Android, and web via Expo React Native) with a Node/Fastify backend and a Python/FastAPI analysis service calling AWS Bedrock (Claude) to generate an AI-scored 0-100 Digital Footprint Score
  • Won 2nd place and a $1,500 cash prize at the YEP Pitch Competition
  • Selected to pitch at the Startup Cube of the ITServe Synergy annual conference in Puerto Rico (2025), presenting to 3,000 investors and attendees
  • Raised $700 and reached the semi-finals of the Diamond Challenge
NLPReact NativeFastAPIAWS Bedrock

OnePress

Founder & CAD Designer · Feb - May 2026
One-touch pill bottle for adults with dexterity limitations
  • Modeled a spring-loaded cam mechanism inside the cap in CAD that opens in three steps: palm press, cam-triggered unlock, and pop open
  • Named to the Blue Ocean Competition Top 500, top 2% internationally
  • Finalist (40 of 600) at the McFerrin Center High School Ideas Challenge

Resumake

Founder · Aug 2023 - Apr 2024
Young Entrepreneurs Academy
  • Built a framework that helps students find activities and plan out all four years of high school
  • Won $750 to fund development after presenting the business concept
  • Learned business planning and marketing through the Young Entrepreneurs Academy program
SHT. 05
SENTINEL APP
Coming Soon

Sentinel is on its way

An AI-powered app that scores your Digital Footprint from 0 to 100 and flags risky online content before it follows you, launching on iOS, Android, and the web.

iOSAndroidWeb
SHT. 06
ROBOTICS & LEADERSHIP

Leadership

Robotics leadership and mentorship since 2022, from captaining an FTC team to leading a 145-member FRC program and an international STEM nonprofit.

McKinney STEAM Academy

Team Captain & Program Captain · Nov 2024 - Present
Mercenary Robotics FRC Team · McKinney, TX
  • Led software and systems integration for the competition team, coordinating robot architecture, control systems, autonomous functionality, manufacturing, and iterative hardware-software testing across a 145-member FRC program
  • Trained in 3D printing, aluminum fabrication, and laser cutting (SRPP, plywood); used Onshape CAD to design and fully develop elevator, outtake, and intake mechanisms
  • Led outreach for the 360-person McKinney STEAM Academy program spanning 14 FLL and 9 FTC teams, plus elementary STEM demonstrations, scrimmages, and trainings
  • Built a 40+ topic training curriculum for software and hardware onboarding and coordinated veteran-rookie pairings for sustainable learning, strategic design, and game strategy
  • Program spans 61 schools and 11 ISDs with 24 initiatives; reached 2,500+ people through STEAM Nights and library demos
  • Donated 50 LEGO kits to 20 countries, including Cameroon and Nigeria via the Pan-African Robotics Competition
  • Networked with 150+ companies for FIRST advocacy; ran 14 summer camps; logged 8,000 volunteer hours
  • Hosted 7 FIRST events; assisted 10 FRC and 12 FTC teams; taught CAD workshops for 30+ students; founded a new FTC team

Bridge the Gap Robotics Foundation

Founder & Executive Director · Aug 2024 - Present
Frisco, TX · bridgethegaprobotics.com ↗
  • Expanded STEM access to 3,400+ kids through 15 partnerships and outreach programs
  • Raised $3,000+ and donated 1,290+ custom kits to underserved communities through a growing network of 26 chapters across 8 countries
  • Delivered kits from Arduino starter sets and 3D printers to rubber-band helicopters and mechanical grabber arms, with curriculum spanning AI, cybersecurity, kinematics, vibe coding, chemistry, biology, physics, and 3D printing
  • Hosted 4 major events and organized student-led research labs, STEM kit drives, corporate sponsorships, and fundraisers
  • Hosted NEXTGEN 261, a 180-student hardware and AI hackathon for 20+ rural schools in Chennai, awarding Arduino kits to winning teams

McKinney STEAM Academy SWENext

President & Founding Member · Aug 2024 - Present
Society of Women Engineers · McKinney, TX
  • Secured $20,000 in AMDOCS sponsorships for chapter-led STEM and robotics outreach that sparks interest among young women, plus a makerspace for children to experiment with fabrication tools
  • Collaborated with the WAAW Foundation, AAU, and other STEM education organizations to reach 1,000+ students, host 14 female-focused events, and bring in 10 industry speakers

FIRST LEGO League & FIRST Tech Challenge

Student Mentor & Camp Volunteer · Aug 2024 - Present
McKinney, TX
  • Mentored 30+ students across 4 FTC and FLL teams in robotics design, coding, and competition prep, logging 300+ volunteer hours, with teams advancing to FTC Semi-Regionals and the FLL North Texas Regional
  • Designed scrimmages for 4 MSA FTC teams and 3 MSA FLL teams to give them competition practice ahead of tournaments

Syntech Robotics FTC Team

Team & Engineering Captain · Aug 2022 - May 2024
Frisco, TX
  • Led team operations and engineering, designing and prototyping robots for competitive success
  • 2022-23: Design Award, League Tournament Finalist, Semi-Regionals qualifier; raised $750 and reached 100+ people
  • 2023-24: 1st Place Innovate Award (X-League), 2nd Place Think Award (Regionals), 3rd Place Inspire Award (X-League), State Runner-Up, Tournament Winning Alliance; reached 6,000+ people, including robotics workshops for a center for adults with special needs
SHT. 07
COMPETITION & AWARDS

Recognition

District, state, national, and world-level results across robotics, business, debate, and entrepreneurship competitions.

FRC Robotics: Mercenary Robotics
★
Engineering Inspiration Award, Curie Division
FIRST World Championship
World
★
Curie Division Finalist
FIRST World Championship
World
★
State & World Qualifier, Top 1% in the World (2×)
FIRST Robotics Competition
World
★
FIRST Leadership Award Semi-Finalist
FIRST Robotics Competition
State
★
FRC Texas State Champion
FIRST in Texas
State
★
Texas State Engineering Inspiration Award
FIRST in Texas
State
★
District Champion
FIRST in Texas
District
★
District Engineering Inspiration Award
FIRST in Texas
District
★
Presidential Volunteer Service Award, Gold (2025)
100+ individual service hours in one year
National
FTC Robotics: Syntech Robotics
★
State Runner-Up
FIRST in Texas
State
★
1st Place Innovate · 2nd Place Think · 3rd Place Inspire Award
FIRST Tech Challenge
Regional
Business & Entrepreneurship
★
International Finalist: Principles of Entrepreneurship
DECA
International
★
Best Roleplay Scorer: Top 20 Internationally
DECA
International
★
Texas State Champion
DECA
State
★
District Champion: Entrepreneurship Series & Principles of Entrepreneurship
DECA
District
★
Top 10 National Finalist & Best in Show: Social Media Marketing
Business Professionals of America
National
★
State Qualifier: Network Administration
Business Professionals of America
State
★
Regional Finalist: Economic Research Team
Business Professionals of America
Regional
★
Blue Ocean Competition Top 500, Top 2%
OnePress
International
★
McFerrin Center High School Ideas Challenge Finalist, 40 of 600
OnePress
State
★
2nd Place, YEP Pitch Competition, $1,500 Prize
Sentinel
National
★
Diamond Challenge Semi-Finalist
Sentinel
International
Debate & Computing
★
1st Place Team Policy Debate · 3rd Place Debate Speaker
Zenith Academy
Tournament
★
AiC High School Award: Honorable Mention
Greater Dallas-Fort Worth
Regional
SHT. 08
SKILLS & CERTIFICATIONS

Toolkit

The languages, tools, and methods behind the research, robots, and ventures above.

Programming

PythonJavaPyTorchNumPyMatplotlibTkinterFastAPI

AI & ML

Model Fine-Tuning (CoTracker3)Neural NetworksRandom ForestKNNMultimodal Model EvaluationAWS Bedrock

Robotics & Mechanical

OnshapeSolidWorks3D PrintingAluminum FabricationLaser CuttingKinematicsTrajectory Planning

Simulations

SOFA (FEM)Monte Carlo Workspace Analysis

Business

Outreach LeadershipFundraisingPublic SpeakingTechnical ResearchPitching

Certifications

IT Specialist: JavaIT Specialist: PythonEntrepreneurship & Small BusinessPMI Project Management ReadyGenerative AI Foundations
SHT. 09
BEYOND THE LAB

Off the clock

Fourteen years at the piano, a lifelong Bharatanatyam dancer, and a varsity tennis player, because the same discipline that goes into a benchmark or a robot build shows up here too.

Dance Aahana in traditional Bharatanatyam costume at a classical Indian dance recital
Bharatanatyam
Classical Indian dance, performed since early childhood
Piano Aahana with her piano instructor at a grand piano, holding a recital award
Piano, since age 3
Fourteen years of classical training and recitals
Tennis Aahana and the Lawler Tennis team celebrating a championship win with a trophy
Lawler Tennis
Team championship celebration
Press Aahana dancing on stage as a young child, featured in a Frisco community magazine spread
"One Day in Frisco: Center Stage"
Featured performer, Frisco community magazine · Photo by Melissa Southam