Meet Our Fall 2026 MS Student Ambassadors

Our CS MS Student Ambassadors are current students who help welcome and support the MS community. They share their experiences, help students navigate campus resources, participate in department events, and help build connections across the CS community.

Name: Aditya Unnikrishnan

Pathway: MS- Software Systems

Personal Intro:
Hi! I am Aditya, pursuing my Master’s here at Columbia. One of the key areas I am interested in is Post Quantum Cryptography and Quantum Cryptography (two separate fields despite similar terms!) and their applications in computer systems and security. Aside from tech, I bring energy to music and community-building through cultural initiatives, and I always enjoy connecting with people who value creativity, innovation, and long-term impact.

Favorite Part of Columbia/CS:
The resources and community within the University. The cutting-edge courses, on-campus and off-campus events, incredible facilities, the location in New York City, and opportunities to contribute through programs like the Student Ambassador program have made my experience especially rewarding.

One Fun Fact About Yourself:
I’m always exploring the city and taking long trips by bike.

Name: Berkay Baris Turan 

Pathway: MS- Machine Learning

Personal intro : Hi! I’m Baris from Istanbul, Türkiye, and currently pursuing my Master’s in Computer Science at Columbia with a focus on Machine Learning. Before Columbia, I worked at Deloitte as an Engineering Consultant, where I gained experience applying technology and AI to real-world business problems. You can usually find me somewhere on campus enjoying a cup of coffee, so don’t hesitate to join me for one!

Favorite part of Columbia/CS : One of my favorite parts of Columbia CS is the opportunity to learn directly from professors and industry professionals who bring experience from some of the world’s leading technology companies and research organizations into the classroom. I also love the unique balance of Columbia’s location—the campus feels like a peaceful, almost hidden garden within the city, while everything New York has to offer is just a few steps away.

One fun fact about yourself : It doesn’t take much to convince me to join—good coffee, a sunset, or a game of billiards usually does the trick.

Name: Gautam Agarwal

Pathway: MS-Machine Learning

Personal Intro:
Hi! I’m Gautam, an M.S. Computer Science student specializing in Machine Learning and a recipient of Columbia’s PDL Fellowship and PDS Scholarship. Before Columbia, I earned my B.S. from UW–Madison and worked at Epic Systems. I’m currently on the Google Photos Modeling team and am passionate about reinforcement learning, speech-to-text technologies, and large language models.

Favorite Part of Columbia/CS:
Having access to an incredible roster of adjunct faculty from companies like IBM and Google, ensuring coursework stays aligned with cutting-edge industry standards.

One Fun Fact About Yourself:
I once fell off a cliff on an ATV and walked away without a single scratch!

Name: Himanshu Jhawar

Pathway: MS-Machine Learning

Personal Intro:
Hey everyone! I’m a former Software Engineer with two years of industry experience. On campus, I serve as the Director of External Affairs for the Venture Entrepreneurship & Capital (VECE) Society and as a CS Master’s Student Ambassador. I’m usually hopping between hackathons, tech talks, and startup events, and I love brainstorming ideas around AI, startups, blockchain, marketing, and emerging technologies.

Favorite Part of Columbia/CS:
The Columbia CS ecosystem. Whether collaborating on ambitious AI projects, participating in hackathons, working as a TA, or attending talks by industry leaders, there’s always an opportunity to learn something new and challenge yourself.

One Fun Fact About Yourself:
I’m always up for exploring a new café or walking through a new neighborhood after a long day of coding.

Name: Nicolas Hunt
Pathway: MS-Computer Security(CVN)

Personal Intro: Aloha! I’m Nic, a part-time CVN student with an interest in Computer Security and AI. I currently work as a Security Consultant performing network and application penetration tests. I enjoy meeting new people, working on side projects, and attending security conferences. Hack the planet!

Favorite part of Columbia/CS: The CVN program allows me to travel the world while earning my degree.

Fun fact about me: I’m studying for the N3 Japanese language exam!

Name: Sanskriti Bansal

Pathway: MS- Machine Learning

Personal Intro:
Hi everyone! I’m Sanskriti, a second-year M.S. Computer Science student with a strong interest in Machine Learning and AI. Before joining Columbia, I worked as a Software Engineer, and I now serve as a CS Master’s Student Ambassador. I’m always happy to chat about life at Columbia, research, internships, career opportunities, or exciting developments in AI and technology.

Favorite Part of Columbia/CS:
One of the things I appreciate most about Columbia CS is how easy it is to find people who are excited about creating something meaningful. Collaborating on AI projects, working as a TA, attending inspiring tech talks, and meeting people with diverse backgrounds have made my experience incredibly rewarding.

One Fun Fact About Yourself:
I’m always up for exploring new places and discovering hidden gems around the city.