Madhav Anand Menon

Year in School
Sophomore

Major

Research Interests

Research Mentor

Research/Engagement Experience

Interests

Project Title

How did I get interested in Computer Science?
My first real exposure to CS was during my freshman and sophomore years of high school, when I took CS as one of my IGCSE subjects. I then went on to teach myself Python, web-development, and C++, which served as a foundation for working on real-world projects. I had the opportunity to conduct a computational astrophysics research project with a postdoc from UC Irvine, where we simulated various dark matter candidates to better understand a phenomenon called the “Missing Satellite Problem.” It was there that I saw the true power of technology: being able to model the world around us and understand it more deeply. Since then, I have fallen in love with virtually every part of CS.

What social interests matter to me?

Why did you choose Illinois?
UIUC had the perfect mix of a strong undergraduate program in computer science and physics, limitless opportunities for research and exploration, and a vibrant student culture in a true college town. I wanted to be in an environment where I was challenged but also supported, and I’ve never looked back since I got here.

What are your passions outside of computing?
Outside of computing, my academic interests lie in physics and mathematics. I love self-studying advanced topics, getting stuck, and challenging myself to deeply understand the material. I am also passionate about STEM outreach: I founded my school’s STEM club and had the opportunity to give a TEDx talk on mathematics. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and learning from others, and there is no better way to do that than through outreach. I am especially excited for the outreach aspect of CS STARS.

What has been one of your favorite experiences at Illinois that you would like to share with prospective students? (For Continuing UIUC Students)

What has been one of your favorite experiences as a CS STAR? (For Returning CS STARS)

What is my most impactful college experience?

These are a few of my favorite things!
Watching movies, playing chess, teaching myself new things, going to the gym, making new friends, and, more recently, cooking (with my air-fryer)!

Research Description

Biography
Hi! My name is Madhav, and I’m a sophomore majoring in Computer Science and Physics, with a minor in Mathematics. I was born in India and have spent half my life there, with the other half in Singapore. I’m deeply interested in scientific computing, machine learning, and computational modelling. I speak five languages, and my favourite food is chicken biryani! I also love travelling and learning about new cultures.