About Me
I'm Riyaj Chaulagain, a Computer Science student at Southeastern Louisiana University maintaining a 3.96/4.0 GPA (President's List, multiple semesters) and minoring in Mathematics. Originally from Nepal, I came to the U.S. with a singular drive: to build technology that matters. I specialize in full-stack engineering, large language model fine-tuning, and cloud-native AI systems that ship to production — not just live in notebooks.
My engineering philosophy is simple: write code that is readable, scalable, and purposeful. Whether that's a distributed Rust backend powering real-time multiplayer games, a fine-tuned Phi-2 model serving as an AI mock interviewer, or a React Native IoT app monitoring farmland in real time — I care deeply about the craft at every layer of the stack. I don't just build features; I architect systems with longevity and user impact in mind.
Beyond the keyboard, I serve as Vice President of the Nepalese Student Association and Treasurer of the Association of Applied Cybersecurity at SELU, where I mentor students, manage budgets for technical workshops, and foster a community that bridges cultures and disciplines. As a Teaching Assistant, I've helped 30+ students improve their exam scores by an average of 20% — because the best engineers are also great communicators and teachers.
I'm actively seeking internship and full-time opportunities in software engineering and AI. If you're building something ambitious and want someone who brings both deep technical skill and genuine intellectual curiosity to the table — let's connect.
Technical Skills
Languages
Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, C#, Java, SQL, Rust — strong grasp of OOP, functional paradigms, and algorithmic complexity.
Full-Stack & Web
End-to-end apps with React, Angular, Next.js, .NET, Spring Boot, Flask, FastAPI — pixel-perfect UI to secure, scalable backends.
AI / ML & LLMs
Fine-tuning LLMs (Phi-2, DeepSeek), RAG pipelines, vector embeddings, PyTorch, TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, Vertex AI, LangChain.
Cloud & DevOps
Multi-cloud deployments on GCP, Azure, AWS with Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, Firebase, and container orchestration.
Databases
Relational and NoSQL — PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis — with expertise in schema design, query optimization, and real-time pipelines.
Mobile & IoT
Cross-platform React Native apps with Arduino/Raspberry Pi IoT integrations, real-time sensor processing, and embedded systems.
Proficiency
Resume
Download PDFSoutheastern Louisiana University
B.S. Computer Science — Minor in Mathematics
GPA: 3.96/4.0
Coursework: Data Structures & Algorithms, Software Engineering, AI, Machine Learning, Computer Networking & Security, Database Systems.
Southeastern Louisiana University
Teaching Assistant — Computer Science
- Mentored 30+ students individually and in groups across core CS topics including Java, Python, OOP, Data Structures & Algorithms, pseudocode design, and computer ethics.
- Designed and delivered 50+ structured study guides, problem sets, and mock exams aligned with course curriculum to close knowledge gaps and improve exam readiness.
- Ran weekly one-on-one and group tutoring sessions with step-by-step visual frameworks that demystified abstract algorithmic concepts.
- Students improved exam scores by an average of 20%; all 30+ students reported significantly boosted confidence across the semester.
Southeastern Louisiana University
Mathematics Tutor
- Provided individualized and group mathematics tutoring to 30+ students across Geometry, Algebra, Calculus (Derivatives & Antiderivatives), and Statistics courses.
- Created 50+ customized lesson plans, problem sets, and mock exams targeting each student's specific weaknesses with real-world analogies and visual teaching methods.
- Organized weekly collaborative group sessions to tackle the most challenging topics and build shared problem-solving confidence ahead of high-stakes exams.
- Achieved a full letter-grade increase for 90% of students; measurably improved critical thinking, problem-solving speed, and exam confidence across all tutored courses.
Southeastern Louisiana University — R&D
Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Engineered an LLM benchmarking platform using React and Firebase to evaluate OpenAI API, Gemini, and Claude — measuring response quality, latency, accuracy, and usability across standardized prompts; presented findings directly to Dr. Minh Huynh.
- Architected a secure Angular-based digital e-library with session-based access control, real-time Firebase database architecture, and Git-managed version history — adopted as the department's primary digital resource platform.
- Built and maintained additional academic web apps in ReactJS, Angular, and Ionic; integrated OpenAI API chatbot for user-specific queries across platforms.
- Research findings directly guided the department's model selection and reduced manual LLM evaluation workload by 5+ hours per week.
Incubate Nepal
Mechanical Designer & Developer — Internship
- Designed mechanical prototypes in Autodesk Fusion 360 and produced functional 3D-printed components for electromechanical systems, including an Arduino-driven model car.
- Programmed Arduino microcontrollers in C++ to govern motor speed, directional wheel rotations, steering servo integration, and sensor feedback — enabling stable handling across varied terrain types.
- Collaborated with cross-functional engineering teams on design reviews, iterative durability testing, and stakeholder presentations using Canva and PowerPoint.
- Delivered multiple functional prototypes that passed performance testing across various terrains; built foundational embedded systems skills that directly inform current IoT and hardware projects.
Vice President
2024 — PresentNepalese Student Association at SELU (NSAS)
Co-lead organizational strategy, cultural showcases, and mentorship programs for Nepalese and international students. Act as a bridge between the Nepalese community and the broader SELU campus, fostering intercultural dialogue and professional development opportunities for all members.
Treasurer
2024 — PresentAssociation of Applied Cybersecurity (AAC)
Manage the organization's budget and coordinate funding for cybersecurity workshops, CTF competitions, and industry certification prep sessions.
Member
2024 — PresentAssociation of Computing Machinery (ACM)
Actively participate in competitive programming events, hackathons, and technical workshops. Collaborate with CS peers on algorithmic challenges and open-source contributions.
Treasurer
2024 — PresentGoogle Developer Group — Southeastern (GDG)
Engage with Google-led workshops on GCP, Firebase, Flutter, and modern AI tools. Connect with industry professionals and mentors in the regional tech ecosystem.
Member
2024 — PresentInternational Student Union (ISU) — SELU
Contribute to events celebrating cultural diversity, advocate for international student rights, and assist in organizing cross-cultural programs and orientation sessions.
Projects
AI Smart Stick
Assistive Technology for Visually Impaired — Raspberry Pi 4 · YOLOv5 · ExpressJS
- Developing an AI-powered smart stick using Raspberry Pi 4, camera module, ultrasonic sensor, and vibration motor — with YOLOv5 model for real-time object detection, distance sensing, and audio/haptic alerts to assist visually impaired users.
- Building a responsive monitoring web app with ExpressJS and a Python backend to enable GPS tracking and image-based alerts, allowing caregivers to monitor user safety remotely.
- Integrating real-time sensor fusion across visual and proximity inputs to enable confident, safe navigation in dynamic environments.
ACTIV-ATE
Fitness Tracking Web App — C# .NET · React · MySQL
- Built a full-stack fitness application using React (TypeScript) + Mantine CSS frontend and C# .NET MVC backend with MySQL — implementing Model-View-Controller patterns for scalable, maintainable architecture.
- Engineered secure RESTful APIs with JWT authentication, role-based access control, and full CRUD operations managing fitness logs, calorie goals, and performance analytics.
- Designed interactive dashboards with dynamic Chart.js visualizations tracking user fitness trends, calorie deficits, and workout progress over time.
PriceHawk AI
AI Price Intelligence & 7-Day Forecasting — Next.js · FastAPI · scikit-learn
- Built a full-stack price intelligence platform with Next.js 15 frontend and FastAPI + scikit-learn backend — using Playwright-powered scraping of Amazon/Flipkart with automated price normalization.
- Developed a Gradient Boosting regression model with feature-engineered time-series inputs (rolling averages, lag values, price velocity) to forecast 7-day price movements with confidence scoring.
- Architected a microservices backend with Redis job queues, PostgreSQL (Neon) storage, and Resend API email alerts — deployed on Railway with Upstash Redis for production reliability.
AI Mock Interviewer
LLM Fine-Tuning + RAG Simulator — Phi-2 · React · GCP · K8s
- Fine-tuned Microsoft Phi-2 using PyTorch on domain-specific interview corpora, enabling accurate, role-specific interview simulation across technical and behavioral question categories.
- Implemented a RAG pipeline with vector embeddings and session history — enabling context-aware follow-up questions by referencing uploaded resumes and job descriptions.
- Deployed on Google Cloud Run + Kubernetes with Vertex AI — scaling gracefully under concurrent load with sub-2-second response latency.
Cargo Games
Distributed Real-Time Multiplayer Platform — Rust · React · WebSockets
- Engineered a real-time multiplayer platform using Rust (Tokio async) backend and React frontend with WebSocket bi-directional communication achieving sub-100ms message latency.
- Built a fault-tolerant matchmaking system using event-driven architecture with async concurrency — ensuring game state synchronization under high concurrent player load.
- Automated CI/CD pipelines for reliable deployment of game logic updates without service interruption.
Agri-Tech
IoT Farm Monitor + AI Insights — React Native · Flask · GCP · Gemma 2 9B
- Built a React Native IoT monitoring app ingesting real-time sensor data — temperature, pH, humidity, soil moisture — with predictive fire-risk alerts for proactive farm management.
- Integrated Gemma 2 9B LLM via Flask backend to deliver AI-driven agronomic insights and actionable crop recommendations from live sensor readings.
- Deployed on GCP Cloud Run + Kubernetes with Docker for horizontal auto-scaling and Cloud Storage for persistent IoT data streams.
LLM Document Assistant
Fine-tuned Phi-2 PDF Q&A — Python · HuggingFace · LangChain
- Fine-tuned Phi-2 (Hugging Face) using PEFT/LoRA on domain-specific documents — enabling accurate, document-grounded answers without expensive full retraining.
- Built a LangChain RAG pipeline with FAISS vector retrieval — locating relevant passages and synthesizing precise answers grounded in source material rather than hallucinations.
- React frontend for PDF upload, natural language querying, and streamed answers with source passage citations.
Everest Airline Management System
Enterprise Booking Platform — Spring Boot · Angular · PostgreSQL
- Building a full-stack airline management system with dual user/admin dashboards — flight search, seat booking, mock payment, real-time scheduling, and route analytics using Angular + Spring Boot.
- Built a JWT-secured REST API (Spring Boot) managing booking workflows, real-time availability, and admin-level flight management — containerized with Docker.
- Designed a normalized PostgreSQL schema supporting complex relational queries across flights, users, tickets, and routes — architected for future ML route demand prediction.
Riyaj Utensils Shop
E-Commerce + AI Chatbot — React · Firebase · Vertex AI
- Built a production e-commerce platform with React + Tailwind CSS featuring HD product photos, demo videos, and a personalized video-request feature improving purchase confidence.
- Integrated a Vertex AI chatbot trained on the product catalog — enabling 24/7 natural-language product queries, comparisons, and purchase recommendations.
- Backend on Firebase + MongoDB with real-time inventory updates, user session management, and an admin dashboard for order tracking.
Electric Race Car Design
Electromechanical Prototype — Fusion 360 · Arduino · 3D Printing
- Designed a small-scale electric race car prototype in Autodesk Fusion 360 — modeling chassis, drivetrain, suspension geometry, and aerodynamic body panels with tolerances suited for 3D printing.
- Programmed Arduino C++ embedded control systems governing motor speed, wheel rotation synchronization, steering servo integration, and sensor feedback — enabling stable handling across terrain types.
- Conducted iterative durability testing across multiple terrain conditions — refining both firmware and physical design based on empirical performance data until target specifications were met.
Certifications
Verified industry credentials. New certifications are continuously being earned and added here.
Google Cloud Professional Developer
Google Cloud
In Progress
Currently Pursuing...AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02)
Amazon Web Services
Planned 2025
PlannedMore certifications will be added as earned. Currently pursuing Google Cloud Professional Developer and AWS Cloud Practitioner.
Contact
Let's Build Something
Remarkable Together
Whether you're a recruiter, a researcher, or a fellow developer — I'd love to connect. I respond within 24 hours.
Schedule a Google Meet
Book a 30-minute call directly on my Google Calendar — great for project discussions, interviews, or collaborations.
Book on Google CalendarOr use the form to request a specific time →