Suraj Krishna Banavalikar

About Me

I am a 2023-2027 batch Computer Science and Engineering student at MSRIT, specializing in building highly concurrent backend systems and scalable APIs. I thrive on solving complex algorithmic challenges and engineering software for high-stakes environments, such as modular architectures for autonomous drone systems and space-weather-aware navigation.

Beyond traditional development, I am deeply passionate about education. I run the "Debugging Doubts" platform, where I break down intricate computer science concepts, like Operating System concepts, using interactive web animations and relatable analogies to make learning accessible and engaging.

Technical Skills

Languages

C/C++ Java Python JavaScript

Web Development

HTML/CSS React.js Node.js REST APIs FASTAPI

Databases & Tools

PostgreSQL MySQL MongoDB Redis Docker Linux Git & GitHub

CS Fundamentals

DSA OOP OS DBMS Computer Networks

Featured Projects

Campus Helpdesk - AI Powered Chatbot

MERN Stack Python Javascript Pinecone Redis PM2 Clustering +

Campus Helpdesk is an AI-powered chatbot designed to assist students with campus-related queries, reducing manual workload for staff and department.

Built an AI-powered query resolution system using vector search (Pinecone + hybrid BM25 re-ranking), reducing manual query handling by ~40% and improving response accuracy.
Designed a distributed backend architecture using PM2 clustering (currently10 instances or customizable instances) to enable horizontal scaling and load balancing across CPU cores, supporting ~50-80 concurrent users with stable latency.
Optimized database performance using MongoDB connection pooling and multi-database architecture, ensuring efficient handling of concurrent requests and reducing connection overhead under load.
Built an asynchronous email queue system with batch processing (20 jobs/cycle) and retry logic, decoupling email workflows from request handling to improve system responsiveness under concurrency.
Implemented rate limiting (up to 100 req/15 min per user) and API-level throttling to prevent overload and ensure fair usage during peak traffic.

GitHub Repo

StellarRoute

FastAPI Leaflet.js NASA APIs +

StellarRoute is a GPS-independent navigation system designed for high-interference environments like Solar Storms.

Designed and implemented a GPS-denied navigation system using inertial navigation (IMU-based dead reckoning).
Processed accelerometer and gyroscope data to estimate position in high-interference environments, such as solar storms, to calculate position without satellite dependency.
Integrated NASA's NOVA API for live kp index values and proposed future integration with ISRO's Aditya-L1 real-time telemetry.

GitHub Repo

Zero Server AI Privacy Gateway

JavaScript IndexedDB +

Zero Server AI Privacy Gateway is a privacy-preserving browser extension that intercepts ChatGPT/Claude prompts and sanitizes sensitive data locally before transmission without any proxy server.

Developed a privacy-preserving browser extension that intercepts ChatGPT/Claude prompts and sanitizes sensitive data locally before transmission.
Built a multi-layer PII detection engine using C++ → WebAssembly, regex validation, and heuristic analysis to detect 19+ categories of sensitive information.
Implemented IndexedDB-based placeholder vault and automatic response restoration using DOM MutationObserver, ensuring seamless user experience.
Achieved real-time processing with ~2.86 ms median latency and 92% detection accuracy while maintaining a zero-server architecture.

GitHub Repo

Autonomous Obstacle Avoidance Robot Car

Arduino C +

An autonomous robot car equipped with ultrasonic sensor to detect and avoid obstacles in real-time.

Built an embedded autonomous navigation system using real-time sensor feedback and decision algorithms.
Implemented closed-loop control for obstacle avoidance with dynamic path planning (turn, move, reverse).
Analyzed limitations such as sensor noise, drift, and scalability, proposing system-level improvements.

Video Demo Source Code

Booking System using Redis

Redis Database JS Web Sockets +

A real-time, concurrency-safe flight booking engine built with Node.js and Redis to handle simultaneous seat reservations without data collisions.

Engineered distributed locking using Redis (SET NX EX) to solve race conditions and guarantee 100% transaction safety for concurrent users.
Architected an event-driven WebSocket server for instant, bi-directional UI synchronization, completely eliminating inefficient HTTP polling.
Optimized database performance by batching bulk Redis queries (e.g., MGET), successfully mitigating N+1 bottlenecks and minimizing network requests.

GitHub Repo Live Demo

Hand Gesture Game Controler

OpenCV Game Controller Project Screenshot

Python OpenCV MediaPipe +

Developed a real-time gesture-to-keyboard interface that translates hand landmarks into direct hardware inputs for gaming and system control.

Engineered a multi-hand logic engine to map complex gestures to concurrent keyboard actions, such as simultaneous steering and acceleration.
Implemented low-level Win32 API calls to bypass standard OS input limitations, ensuring compatibility with high-performance, full-screen applications.
Integrated MediaPipe Hands to track 21 3D landmarks, enabling high-precision detection of hand states (Open/Closed/Mid) with minimal latency.
Made a tutorial for others, on my youtube channel.

GitHub Repo Youtube Tutorial

Debugging Doubts

MERN stack +

This is my youtube channel platform, to help to learn computer science basic concepts with animations and also to track their progress.

Created a youtube based video platform for tracking progress of students
Uploaded the HTML, CSS, Js based animations, refering textbook, on some useful concepts

GitHub Repo Live Demo

TwinStep Sort

Java Algorithms +

The Hybrid algorithm for the sorting function to switch Merge sort and Quick sort as per required by the algorithm.

Created a hybrid sorting algorithm fusing the stability of Merge Sort with the speed of Quick Sort.
Optimized performance using an adaptive switching mechanism based on dataset partition size and pattern.

GitHub Repo

Education

M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT), Bengaluru

CGPA: 9.21/10

B.E. in Computer Science and Engineering | Oct 2023 - Present

Relevant Coursework: Object Oriented Programming using Java, Database Management System, Discrete Mathematics, Data Structure and Algorithms, Operating Systems, Computer Networks, Microcontrollers & Internet of Things.

St. Joseph's PU College, Karwar

Grade: 96.16%

Course in PCMC | Aug 2021 - March 2023

Relevant Coursework: Object Oriented Programming using C++, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science.

St. Joseph's High School, Karwar

Grade: 98.40%

SSLC | July 2021

Experience

Software Engineer - Avionics Member

May 2025 - Present

RIT S.T.A.R.D.U.S.T Club

Contributed to early-stage development of software modules for autonomous drone systems.
Assisted in simulation and testing of navigation and control logic.

Content & Teaching

Debugging Doubts

Simplifying CS concepts through animation

I believe the best way to solidify technical knowledge is to teach it. On my channel, I explain about some Computer Science fundamentals and same I build custom HTML/JS visualizers to explain algorithms, operating systems, and core engineering concepts step-by-step.

Visit Channel View Animated Visualizations

Awards & Certifications

Awards

Secured 2nd Place in WHACKiest 2025 (24-hour hackathon at MSRIT)
Built the StellarRoute backend using Node.js/Express. View Certificate

Certifications

Data Structures and Algorithms with LeetCode Solving Udemy Verify Credential
Python Programming Course Udemy Verify Credential
Software Engineering NPTEL Verify Credential
wHACKiest 2025 MSRIT Verify Credential
Full Stack Web Development Udemy Verify Credential
Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon 2025 ISRO Verify Credential