The Viterbi-India program is jointly funded by the Indo US Science, Technology Forum (IUSSTF) and the USC VSoE. Each student in the Viterbi-India program will receive stipend and travel reimbursement. These students will come to USC and join one of the labs under EE department during May 20 and July 18, 2015.

After a competitive review process, there will be 20 spots for the Indian students in the program. Among those strong Indian students, Vikranth Reddy is the one who will join MCL in 2015 summer as an intern. We conducted a short interview with him about his previous experiences and future expectations.

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself? (Previous research/project experience, research interest and expertise)

I am Vikranth Dwaracherla, a third year undergraduate from IIT Bombay, India. I am currently pursuing my major in Electrical Engineering and minors in Computer Science. My previous research projects include neural networks, device simulations and image processing. I am very interested in the fields of computer vision and robotics. I have been working on a project on autonomous fruit collecting robot.

2.What was your first impression of USC and MCL?

USC is a wonderful place and provides opportunities for all people invariant of their interests. It is a wonderful place where people can pursue their goals. The members in the lab are all very kind and willing to help others. I would like to thank all the members of MCLab for the hospitality shown towards me.

3.What is your further expectation of being an MCL member?

I am very happy to be selected into the Viterbi- India Program and come to USC, one of the leading institutions in the field of Engineering and Technology. I am also very pleased to join MCLab, and to have the opportunity to work with those people who have similar research interests with me. I will be working on computer vision – more specifically, stereo vision with Prof. Kuo, and hope that I will make some inspiring progress during my two-month stay here. I am looking forward to have wonderful time with all of you.