Hi, I'm Kaylani!
I'm a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign pursuing my Bachelor's in Computer Science with a minor in Game Studies & Design. I'm passionate about increasing diversity across the field of Computer Science, with a particular interest in video games, AI, and other innovative areas. Nationally recognized for my aspirations in technology, I aim to make my dreams a reality by being the first in my family to graduate from college. Feel free to reach out to chat!
Education
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a Minor in Game Studies and Design
Expected Graduation: May 2026
- GPA: 3.8/4.0
- Relevant coursework: Data Structures, System Programming, Computer Architecture, Discrete Structures, Linear Algebra
- Clubs: Association for Computing Machinery, HackIllinois, Women in Computer Science, Adventure Club
- Honors: James Scholar, President’s Award Program Scholarship, State Farm Computer Science Scholarship
Experience
Infrastructure Chair
As Infrastructure Chair at ACM, I lead the development of the core management platform using React/TypeScript and AWS Lambda, delivering event management and membership services to 1000+ users with 99.9% uptime. I developed and implemented automated membership APIs to streamline access to internal services, resulting in 40% increase in paid memberships and simplified user authentication across all ACM platforms. Additionally, I established technical standards and best practices across various teams while modernizing ACM's platforms to improve user experience and operational efficiency.
Teaching Assistant
As a Teaching Assistant for the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program, I managed 60 students in my classroom and evaluated student work daily, sharing personalized constructive feedback to support their growth and understanding of game development concepts. I also provided individualized support and mentorship to students, addressing their questions and concerns both during class and asynchronously to foster a positive and inclusive learning environment. Additionally, I facilitated breakout rooms, provided guidance during advisory, and hosted student hours to enhance their learning!
Co-Director
As the Co-Director of HackIllinois, the largest student-run hackathon in the Midwest, I led the planning of this event by managing over 50 staff members in coordinating various event aspects for over 800 participants. To accomplish this, I fostered a sense of community among staff through team-building activities to ensure successful collaboration. I was also responsible for managing the event budget, determining the effective allocation of resources to maximize the success of the event!
Projects
See my programming skills in action through my passion projects, ranging from fun games to play in your downtime to ways to organize your life!
Recipe Sorter - HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Developed a data-driven recipe organization system, leveraging a spreadsheet foundation to create a searchable database
- Implemented advanced filtering and sorting algorithms to efficiently categorize and retrieve recipes based on attributes
- Designed a scalable architecture by using Google Apps Script to automatically update data when the app is loaded
Gamify - Java, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Conceptualized and developed a digital framework for life task management, applying game design principles to enhance user engagement and productivity
- Implemented a quantifiable progress tracking system, utilizing data visualization to provide users with tangible feedback
- Engineered a flexible task categorization structure, allowing for customizable ”quests” to accommodate diverse lifestyles
Melodify - Python, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Used AI to create custom music from text prompts and delivers personalized song recommendations based on your unique listening history and preferences, making music discovery effortless
- Enhanced traditional music streaming apps with built-in music creation tools, allowing listeners to seamlessly transition from enjoying music to creating their own
- Developed and led by a Women in CS team which I was the project manager of from initial concept through final presentation, demonstrating innovative integration of AI technology in music streaming
Casino Simulator - Java
- Utilized Java to make a gambling simulator where players wager money to guess randomly generated winning numbers, with their balance updating in real-time based on their success or failure
- Featured an innovative shuffle mechanic that allows players to reshuffle numbers at will, while automatically triggering a shuffle after 10 rounds to maintain game fairness
- Incorporated strategic gameplay elements with clear win/lose conditions, ending when players either deplete their funds or reach a predetermined winning threshold
Go Fish Simulator - Python
- Created an AI algorithm for bot players, employing array-based data structures and search algorithms to mimic human-like decision-making in card selection and matching
- Devised an efficient card management system, utilizing custom functions to parse and manipulate card attributes for streamlined gameplay and scoring mechanisms
Skills
- Programming Languages: C/C++, Java, Python, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Assembly, React, Verilog, LaTex
- Tools & Technologies: Google Workspace, GitHub, VS Code, Docker, AWS, Azure, Cloudflare, AI, Unity
- Technical Applications: Website Development, Game Development, Cybersecurity, Robotics, and Data Science
- Multilingual: English, Spanish, Assyrian