Hi, I'm

Harshitha Sivalingala.

I’m a software developer passionate about building scalable, user-centered solutions that make a real impact. Driven by curiosity and a love for innovation, I’m constantly exploring new ways to create intuitive, accessible products that put people first.

Ever since I was very young, I used to wonder how the internet seemed to know everything.That little spark of curiosity grew into a big passion for software development and eventually led me to pursue a Master’s in Computer Science at Iowa state University, turning childhood wonder into my dream career.

Harshitha Sivalingala

Professional Experience

UX and security Research on Mixed Reality @ Iowa State University

Aug 2024 - Present

  • Developed and implemented continuous authentication mechanisms tailored for multi-user access on MR (Mixed Reality) headsets, overcoming the challenge of devices originally designed for single-user operation.
  • Enabled real-time, seamless transitions between users, maintaining an uninterrupted immersive experience while ensuring secure identity verification.
  • Improved device usability in public safety and healthcare sectors by allowing secure and accountable access to shared MR devices, minimizing data leakage risks and reducing downtime for authorized users.
  • Research outcomes support the development of scalable identity frameworks for shared XR environments, contributing to safer and more efficient workflows in critical domains.

Skills I Developed Through My Journey

The Foundations

My adventure began with the basics: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. I spent nights tweaking layouts, debugging scripts, and marveling at how a few lines of code could create something interactive. The more I built, the more I craved structure. That’s when Sass entered my life, turning my messy CSS into something organized and powerful.

Frontend Revolution

Front-end development hooked me, but I knew there was more. React changed everything. Suddenly, I could build reusable components, manage state efficiently, and create seamless user experiences. Adding Redux felt like unlocking a new level, complex apps no longer scared me.

Backend Discovery

Yet, I wanted to understand the full picture. The back end was a mystery I was determined to solve.Node JS and Express became my tools of choice. I built APIs , handled HTTP requests, and connected everything to databases. SQL taught me the importance of structured data, while MongoDB showed me the flexibility of schema less designs.

Full-Stack Evolution

Version control was a game-changer. Git saved me countless times rolling back mistakes, collaborating with others, and maintaining clean code history. I was no longer just a front-end or back-end developer. I was full-stack developer, capable of building entire applications from scratch.

Advanced Tooling

But the learning never stopped. TypeScript brought order to my JavaScript chaos. Python opened doors to automation, scripting, and even Machine Learning. I dabbled in AI, trained models, and explored data science, realizing how much more there was to discover.

DevOps & Deployment

Deployment became my next frontier. CI/CD pipelines with Jenkins automated my workflows. Docker let me package apps neatly, and AWS gave me the power to scale globally. Firebase made real-time apps effortless, while Unity introduced me to Mixed Reality, blending code with immersive experiences.

System Architecture

As systems grew, so did complexity. Microservices taught me to break down monoliths into manageable pieces. DevOps became essential automating infrastructure, monitoring performance, and ensuring reliability. I wasn’t just coding anymore; I was architecting systems.

Beyond Coding

Design mattered just as much as functionality. Figma helped me visualize interfaces before writing a single line of code. OOPs kept my logic clean, and mixed reality pushed me into uncharted creative territory.

The Never-Ending Journey

The journey never truly ends. Every day brings new challenges, new frameworks, new tools, new paradigms. But that’s the thrill of it. From front-end animations to AI- powered backends, from local databases to global Cloud deployments, the adventure continues.

Some Things I’ve Built

Defining moments

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Led a team of 6 that ranked #1 among 75 teams in the WISE program.

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Google UX Design Professional Certificate.

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Gained practical experience with Google Cloud, including Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure optimization.

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Women In Software Engineering program Scholar.

Certifications

What's it like to work with me ?

I had the opportunity to work with Harshitha during her time as a master’s student in Computer Science at Iowa State University. Harshitha approaches her work with confidence and determination, and she brings a focused mindset to the tasks she takes on. I wish her success as she enters the job market.

Regis Kopper

Professor at Computer Science at Iowa State University

I had the pleasure of working with Harshitha during our undergraduation in 2023, on a full-stack project involving React and NodeJS, and I was thoroughly impressed by her technical skills and dedication.From designing clean and responsive front-end components in React to integrating back-end logic, she consistently delivered high-quality work with precision and care.Beyond her technical strengths, what truly stands out is her collaborative spirit. She’s an exceptional team player who brings a positive attitude to every discussion, is always open to feedback, and never hesitates to lend a hand when someone needs support. Her commitment to deadlines, problem-solving ability, and attention to detail made a significant impact on the success of our project.I highly recommend Harshitha to any team looking for a skilled, motivated, and reliable developer. She’s a valuable asset wherever she goes.

Pratyusha Paluchani

Engineering Analyst at Goldman Sachs

I have had the privilege of collaborating with Harshitha on open source contributions and our hobby project, ChargeShare — a platform designed to make EV charger sharing seamless and scalable. What truly sets her apart is an exceptional commitment to quality and a relentless drive for improvement. Every feature, UI detail, or code refactor isn’t just completed it’s refined. She dives deep into research, never settling for a surface level solution. Even when something “works,” it’s not enough unless it meets and often exceeds the standard we have set. In addition to technical brilliance, she is an amazing collaborator thoughtful, supportive, and always open to feedback.

BaluChander Deshamoni

Software Developer at JP Morgan Chase & Co

I had the opportunity to collaborate with Harshitha on various technical projects, coding trainings, WISE(Women in Software Engineering) powered by talent sprint during years 2021-2023. I've consistently been impressed by her leadership skills, dedication, and problem-solving mindset. She's a talented full-stack developer, with strong experience in the MERN stack, and brings a great balance of frontend creativity and backend logic to her work. Harshitha also has a solid grasp of data structures and algorithms, UI designing, web development, and Python, making her a truly versatile developer. Her ability to build scalable applications while ensuring a smooth and intuitive user experience is one of her strongest traits.

Spandana Gujjarlapudi

Software Developer at Deloitte

What’s Next?

Get In Touch

I'm currently seeking internship or entry-level opportunities in software development. I'm passionate about building impactful solutions and always eager to learn and grow. If you think I’d be a good fit for your team or just want to connect, feel free to reach out — I’d love to chat!