Vihaan Shah has always been into building things. At home, he used to get around town on an electric bike he jerry-rigged using motorcycle batteries. UConn helped him build more sophisticated devices—and it also helped him build community. He’s been part of numerous design teams, done robotic additive manufacturing research, and cofounded Hacklab. His best advice for incoming students is to get involved. You never know what you might create.
Why did you choose UConn?
I honestly chose UConn because I was offered a scholarship, and that made a big difference for me. While it wasn’t originally at the top of my list, I was able to find a good group of friends, take on meaningful projects, and make the most of the opportunities here, and it turned into something really valuable.
What’s your major or field of study, and what drew you to it?
I’m a computer science student, but most of what I’ve focused on, both in and out of the classroom, has been in robotics. I was always curious about building things, not in a super serious way, but enough to mess around with robotic kits, electronics, and small programming projects. I even built a cheap electric bike once using car batteries. Definitely not the sleekest setup, but it worked.
At the time, I didn’t think of myself as someone deeply into robotics or hardware. I enjoyed applied math, so computer science felt like the right fit. During my freshman year, I joined a large robotics project, and that’s what really got me into it. That experience helped me figure out that I want to build things, and especially, write complex software for hardware.
Did you have a favorite professor or class?
I have a list of great professors and classes, but I will say I really enjoyed Professor Derek Aguiar’s classes in the School of Computing. I took two courses with him and an independent study. His classes are packed with valuable content. They might be challenging, but they’re incredibly useful. He’s also a lot of fun and always willing to take time to help students. He’s definitely a professor you want to befriend.
What activities were you involved in as a student?
I was involved in quite a few things during my time at UConn. I spent two years doing research in robotic additive manufacturing (essentially fancier 3D printing with multiple arms) at the Intelligent Systems and Controls Lab and also participated in summer research in the Computational Biology Research Group, which led into two more semesters of research in that group. I was part of UConn’s NASA Big Idea Challenge team, held three teaching assistantships, and co-founded Hacklab, a student club for building cool hardware and software projects. Through Hacklab, we help students get access to hardware and a community of other builders.
What’s one thing that surprised you about UConn?
I was surprised by how easy it is to get involved at UConn. Nothing feels gate-kept; if you’re genuinely interested, you can usually just reach out or show up. You can knock on a professor’s door and end up doing research, join a club and grow into a leadership role, or even start something new if you see a gap. People are open to ideas, and there’s a lot of room to take initiative.
I also met some faculty and staff who are incredibly student focused. They’re willing to solve problems with you and help navigate roadblocks when you’re tackling hard challenges, like starting a new initiative or taking on a tough project. Having that kind of support made a big difference for me.
What are your plans after graduation/receiving your degree?
I’m starting a master’s in robotics at the University of Pennsylvania. I’m hoping to gain a lot of industry experience and contribute meaningfully to the field, though my long-term path is still unfolding.
How has UConn prepared you for the next chapter in life?
The opportunities I was able to pursue at UConn taught me a lot, not just about what to do, but also what not to do. I’m leaving with a clearer understanding of how I work, what kind of problems I enjoy solving, and what it takes to bring an idea to life. I leave with a stronger sense of what I can achieve, and how to keep building on it.
Any advice for incoming students?
Do a lot of things. Do a variety of things. Do hard things. Learn more outside the classroom than inside. Learn one skill really well. I didn’t follow all of this perfectly myself, but the more I leaned into it, the more I got out of my time here. Whatever your field, use UConn as a springboard to build real experience.
What’s one thing everyone should do during their time at UConn?
Go to a game at Gampel Pavilion or the XL Center, even if you’re not into sports. The energy is unreal and it really makes you feel part of something bigger.
What will always make you think of UConn?
Late night walks on campus, when everything’s quiet and empty, the only company being the deer in the distance.
