Rachana Lingutla

Education

Experience

Portfolio

Slantometer

Viral-Communications

Quantifying bias in mainstream news media

Spoke

Computer Networks - MIT

Ad-hoc network for disaster zones

Slantometer: Viral Communications

Sept 2017-Present

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Given the many rapid changes to our political landscape in the past few years, it is important to see just how much slanted (biased or selectively chosen) information the media is feeding to the public.I am currently working on a research project that aims to quantify bias in mainstream media. The goal of this study aims to examine how much the presence of slant in a particular topic has changed over time. The study will examine the coverage of news events (such as natural disasters, mass shootings, etc.) in several news outlets. Over the past two months we conducting a sample study within the lab group in order to determine the data we needed to proceed with the study. This project is currently in the information gathering phase and preliminary quantification phase.

Spoke

Sept 2017-Present

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For the final project for Computer Networks (EECS-MIT), my group is implementing the networking architecture needed to create ad-hoc networks in areas effected by natural disasters. The design of our project involves a simple web interface that citizens can use to request emergency aid. Users can connect to the wifi network that is reachable from a civic infrastructure (PREPHubs, created by the Urban Risk Lab at MIT). The information is then propagated through the network of PREPHubs via Adafruit packet radios. With this setup, emergency responders can view the web-page from any PREPhub and determine which locations and people need help.

On-A-Whim

Hack MIT - MIT

Find destinations within your budget for a quick getaway

On-A-Whim

Sept 2017

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On A Whim is the result my work for Hack MIT-2017. The site helps a traveler figure out where they might want to go for a quick getaway. The interface allows a traveler to enter their starting destination, range of departure dates and maximum budget. The app displays a map of the places that the traveler can get to within their budget, with pins on a map indicating the possible locations. When the user clicks on a particular location they can see a list of events that are happening in the destination and determine if the location is right for them. With these features, On-A-Whim makes it easy for people to find a new place to explore.

ScrumSpace

Web Programming - UMass Amherst

A simple interface for managing agile development

ScrumSpace

Jan 2016- May2016

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ScrumSpace is web app that supports an online Scrum space for teams supporting remote developers. The goal of this web app was to increase the efficiency of a team’s remote workflow, as opposed to being a buffer in the team’s agility. With ScrumSpace, developers can easily create sprints and tasks within a project. The interface allows tasks to be assigned to people and be moved around from task board to task board. ScrumSpace has been designed to be as simple and intuitive as the classic white board and post-it Scrum, without any unnecessary complexity.ScrumSpace aims to keep the workflow process intuitive and simple.

Forest-Tycoon

Hamp Hack - Hampshire College

A game that teaches kids about the harmful impact humans are having on the environment

Forest Tycoon

Feb 2016

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This game is similar in structure to Roller Coaster Tycoon(a popular computer game that allows users to build and manage a theme park). Players are given a piece of forest and are instructed to maintain its health (displayed in a corner bar). The forest contains 2 types of trees (pines and oaks) and deer (depicted by the cubes).

The player's forest is threatened by man-made and natural disasters and the player can help avert these disasters by answering multiple choice questions. Correct answers stop the calamity and give the players points to help develop their forests into an ecologically healthy environment. Incorrect answers cause the disaster to remain and thus. decrement the health of the environment.

Skill set

Interests

A cause I am quite passionate about is education. I led efforts within the computer science department at UMass-Amherst to bring educate younger students in the field of cybersecurity and the opportunities the discipline held. As the president of the cybersecurity club, I restructured the club and held events such as bringing in speakers from the industry, hosting workshops and Capture the Flag competitions, and working with the administration to offer introductory cybersecurity courses to younger students. Outisde of the club, I continued to stay involved with the younger students by serving in department's student leadership committees. I was responsible for advising and tutoring younger students in the major.

In my down time I enjoy reading and dancing. I am quite particular about the literature I consume and tend to read classic European & American novels and popular books written in the 21st century. Check out my recommendations! Dance is a more lightweight commitment of mine and I partcipated in a seminar on Modern Dance at UMass and was involved with Dance-Troupe at MIT. I am interested in learning more about contemporary and modern dance.