🐊Hi, I'm Amber! I'm pursuing my Master's in Robotics at Northwestern University. I have 3 years of backend engineering experience, and my interests are in embedded software engineering and computer vision.
My projects
Vision-Guided Pen Recognition and Robotic Grasping
RGB-D pen detection with OpenCV and RealSense alignment with Interbotix/ROS2 control for closed-loop grasping.
Visit Project- Python
- OpenCV
- Intel RealSense
- ROS2
- Interbotix
SMMARTS Programming Volunteering
C# Unity application to measure arterial perforation accuracy in ultrasound-guided simulations.
Visit Project- C#
- Unity
Critter Collector
Backend services for an educational Pokemon Go-style mobile game.
Visit Project- Node.js
- MongoDB
- REST APIs
- Unreal Engine 5
My skills
- ROS/ROS2
- Python
- C/C#/C++
- OpenCV
- Intel RealSense
- Interbotix SDK
- Algorithms
- SystemVerilog
- OCaml
- Linux
- CAD
- AWS
- TypeScript
- GraphQL
- Prisma
- Ruby on Rails
- Node.js
- MongoDB
- Git
- Swift
- SQL
My experience
Started my education at University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Began in Biology, then pivoted to Computer & Information Science & Engineering after leading in GatorTech. Built a strong CS foundation while exploring robotics and systems.
May 2019 - May 2024CodePath iOS Tech Fellow
Gainesville, FL
Co-led a 14-week course for 25+ students with two fellows. Taught Swift app dev (networking, REST APIs, auth), ran code reviews, and mentored students—sharpening communication and teamwork.
August 2021 - December 2021SMMARTS Programming Volunteer Research at CSSALT
Gainesville, FL
Developed a C# Unity tool to quantify arterial perforation accuracy in ultrasound-guided simulations. Implemented real-time probe analytics and presented findings with clinicians to iterate on algorithm design.
January 2022 - May 2022Software Engineer Intern
Infotech | Gainesville, FL
Worked on a web product (JavaScript/Vue) and led a cohort of interns through an agile cycle. Collaborated across design/engineering to ship features aligned to user needs.
May 2022 - August 2022Research for Critter Collector
Gainesville, FL
Backend engineer on a PokémonGo-like educational app. Built Node.js/MongoDB services with a 4-engineer team and partnered with researchers/designers; migrated from Unity to Unreal Engine 5 for mobile performance.
August 2023 - May 2024Software Engineer
Infotech | Gainesville, FL
Architected an AWS/Python PDF pipeline for state DOT plan documents, then led a 3-engineer team to customize deployments per DOT. Built backends with TypeScript/GraphQL/Prisma, Ruby on Rails, and AWS; served as client liaison to align features with requirements.
September 2022 - August 2025Began my Master's in Robotics at Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
MS in Robotics with interests in embedded software and computer vision. Projects include RGB-D pen localization and manipulation (PincherX 100 + RealSense), calibration, and control.
September 2025 - PresentContact me
Please contact me directly at amberhandal@outlook.com or through this form.