Tara Sawrikar

Tara Sawrikar

OpenUSD renderer output showing seven PBR materials, a robot scene, and runtime scene diagnostics
OpenUSD scene pipelineBlender → USD → GPU

At the moment I am…

Selected work

Open each GitHub repository for implementation details.

Animated comparison between a Blender-authored scene and its imported real-time renderer output

01 — GRAPHICS ENGINEERING · 2026

Physically Based OpenUSD Renderer

An individual C++17 renderer that imports Blender-authored OpenUSD scenes and reconstructs geometry, hierarchy, cameras, lights, and materials for interactive OpenGL rendering.

  • Cook–Torrance BRDF using GGX, Smith geometry, and Schlick Fresnel
  • Recursive USD traversal with hierarchical transform propagation
  • Material and scene diagnostics through Dear ImGui
C++17OpenGLGLSLOpenUSDBlenderCMake
View GitHub ↗
Animated demo of the Maya Asset Publisher validating and publishing an asset

02 — PIPELINE · 2026

Maya Asset Publisher

An individual Python tool that validates Maya scenes, blocks invalid publishes, versions assets, captures thumbnails, writes metadata, and exports Maya ASCII and USD deliverables.

PythonMaya APIOpenUSDJSON
View GitHub ↗
Animated demo of the Unity Asset Validator scanning assets and applying a quick fix

03 — EDITOR TOOLING · 2026

Unity Asset Validator

An individual Unity 6 editor extension that scans textures, materials, and prefabs; groups actionable findings; supports selected quick fixes; and exports CSV reports.

C#Unity Editor APIIMGUICSV
View GitHub ↗

Experience

Production software, research, and leadership.

May–Aug 2026Boston, MA

Software Engineering Intern QSimulate

  • Developed production frontend features for interactive quantum-simulation results, using TypeScript, WebAssembly, and JSON scientific data to render molecular structures and orbitals.
  • Led the implementation of Vitest screenshot-testing infrastructure, establishing visual-regression coverage across the frontend; the framework was merged and adopted in the production repository.
  • Authored component and integration tests for complex scientific workflows while contributing approximately 200 GitHub contributions across the production codebase.
ReactTypeScriptVitestWebAssembly
Jan 2026–PresentHarvey Mudd

Student Researcher FICUS Lab

Apply machine learning, Python data analysis, and quantitative modeling to atmospheric and environmental research. My work spans terpene emissions, atmospheric chemistry, field data collection, and computational studies of how plants interact with air quality and climate.

For my independent study, I analyzed eddy-covariance CO₂ flux and rainfall data from coastal sage scrub to identify short-lived rainfall-triggered respiration pulses known as the Birch Effect. I presented the results in a research poster, including the limits imposed by rain-related sensor noise and a small number of usable storm events.

PythonMachine LearningEnvironmental DataQuantitative Modeling
Research poster titled Rainfall-Triggered CO2 Pulses in the California Coastal Sage ScrubOpen full research poster ↗
2024–PresentHarvey Mudd

Leadership, Engineering & Community Harvey Mudd College

Lead and support student organizations at the intersection of accessibility, engineering, mentorship, outreach, and community building.

Adaptive Design at Mudd team members at a community toy drive with adapted products and project displays
Adaptive Design at Mudd
  • Adaptive Design at Mudd — Leadership Team & Pilgrim Place LiaisonAdapt products to increase accessibility for people with disabilities and coordinate the team’s community partnership with Pilgrim Place.
  • Harvey Mudd Racing — TreasurerSupport the design and construction of an internal-combustion Formula SAE car for competition.
  • Gender Equity in Math — Leadership TeamBuild mentorship, community, and outreach for underrepresented genders in mathematics.
  • Science Day — Leadership TeamCreate hands-on STEM activities through Science Bus to inspire curiosity in local communities.
  • APISPAM — MentorBuild community and advocate for Asian and Pacific Islander students through mentorship and campus initiatives.

About

Where engineering and visual storytelling meet.

I’m a Computer Science and Mathematics student at Harvey Mudd College interested in graphics programming, rendering, production pipelines, and developer tools. I build systems that make complex workflows clearer and more useful for artists.

Outside of code, I paint, watch movies, play Minesweeper, and work on sustainability and accessibility projects.

See my artwork ↗

Languages

Python · C++ · C# · TypeScript · JavaScript · Java

Graphics & DCC

OpenUSD · OpenGL · GLSL · Maya · Blender · Unity

Libraries & Tools

React · Vitest · Dear ImGui · GLFW · GLEW · GLM · CMake · Git

Let’s connect

Interested in exploring graphics, tools, and creative technology together?

I’m always excited to exchange ideas, expand my knowledge, and explore new projects, collaborations, and opportunities.

View resume