CV

Contact Information

Name Khoshrav Piran Doctor
Professional Title Computer Scientist & Robotics Researcher
Email kdoctor@cs.umass.edu
Location Amherst, Massachusetts MA 01002

Professional Summary

Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science at UMass Amherst specializing in robotics and autonomous decision making systems operating under uncertainty. Experienced in building real-world robotic systems, developing learning-based models, and deploying scalable software solutions.

Experience

  • 2017 - present

    Amherst, MA, USA

    Research Assistant
    Laboratory for Perceptual Robotics, UMass Amherst
    • Developed learning-based exploration and model-learning methods for partially observable robotic systems, improving sample efficiency by up to 4× and enabling more effective belief space planning under uncertainty
    • Investigated methods to learn reusable skills hierarchically to speed up grasping and transport of objects
    • Implemented control systems for a 3 degree of freedom robotic head with an RGB-D camera
    • Performed routine diagnosis, maintenance and repair in the uBot robotic platform
    • Technologies used: ROS (C++ and Python development), Gazebo, Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning
  • 2016 - present

    Bloomington, IN, USA

    Research Affiliate
    Indiana University
    • Analyzed IMU movement data to develop computational, non-invasive and objective approaches for detecting Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and their comorbidity
    • Designed Deep Learning and Machine Learning algorithms based on systems neuroscience to achieve 71% accuracy
    • Published and presented relevant work at numerous physics and neuroscience meetings
  • 2025 - 2025

    Amherst, MA, USA

    Head Teaching Assistant
    Platform for Ethical and Responsible Computing Education (PEaRCE)
    • Led two teams to integrate ethics into CS curriculum (~1100 students)
    • Built tools to automate TA workflows and scale operations
    • Coordinated across students, instructors, and research staff
    • Led ethics discussion sessions across 5 courses
    • Improved website usability and infrastructure
  • 2021 - 2023

    Houston, TX, USA

    Graduate Robotics Intern
    TRACLabs, Inc.
    • Developed multi-agent coordination systems to improve teleoperator situational awareness by leveraging additional heterogeneous robotic agents
    • Improved multi-agent path planning algorithms for real-time robotic systems
    • Built visualization and debugging tools (RViz) to analyze planning behavior, system performance, and failure modes
    • Contributed towards experimental design and writing for research papers, reports, and documentation of projects
  • 2016 - 2017

    Mumbai, India

    Software Developer
    AITOE Video Analytics Pvt. Ltd.
    • Designed and implemented online video analysis platform Newton for Search, Summarization and Statistics
    • Developed and maintained aiSentinel Security Suite features like Camera Tampering Detection and Asset Tracking
    • Researched technologies such as CMT to be implemented for Object Tracking
    • Interacted directly with potential clients to identify and implement their requirements into our products
    • Technologies used: C++, NodeJS, Python, PHP, Caffe, QT
  • 2014 - 2015

    Mumbai, India

    Technical Head
    Computer Society of India, K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering Branch
    • Developed content and trained council members to deliver workshops and seminars to the student body
    • Responsible for management of the Technical Team of 4 individuals
    • Responsible for the quality of the website and Android application of the Council
    • Organized and delivered numerous workshops, seminars and technical competitions
  • 2014 - 2015

    Mumbai, India

    Electronics Head
    Team Eta, K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering
    Team Eta comprises of a group of students who create a fuel-efficient gasoline prototype vehicle annually to participate at the Shell Eco Marathon Asia. Team Eta ranked 5th in 2015 and was the highest ranked Indian team in its category.
    • Responsible for the entire electronic system of the vehicle, including the Engine Control Unit, started motor and kill switch
    • Designed and implemented an Arduino based GPS tracker to monitor key performance metrics
  • 2013 - 2014

    Mumbai, India

    Drivetrain Team
    Team Eta, K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering
    • Researched possible technologies suited to efficiently transmit torque to the wheels
    • Fabrication and assembly of the prototype

Education

  • 2020 - 2026

    Amherst, MA, USA

    Doctorate of Philosophy
    University of Massachusetts Amherst
    Computer Science
    • Laboratory for Perceptual Robotics
  • 2017 - 2020

    Amherst, MA, USA

    Master of Science
    University of Massachusetts Amherst
    Computer Science
    • Laboratory for Perceptual Robotics
    • Relevant Coursework: Robotics, Reinforcement Learning, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Feedback Control Systems
  • 2012 - 2016

    Mumbai, India

    Bachelor of Engineering
    K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering
    Information Technology

Publications

Skills

Programming: C, C++, Python, Java, MATLAB, Arduino, Processing
Robotics & ML: ROS, Reinforcement Learning, Deep Learning, Planning, SolidWorks
Web Development: HTML, JavaScript, CSS, PHP
Databases: SQL, MongoDB

Interests

Robotics: Autonomous Systems, Active Exploration, Robot Learning, POMDPs, Multi-Agent Systems
Computational Neuroscience: Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Projects

  • Spatial Model Building Using a Robotic Head
    • Built probabilistic spatial models using deep learning
    • Used models for goal-directed action selection
  • Chess Automated (Physical Chessboard)
    • Developed online and physical hybrid chess system
    • Built Android control system for robotic board
    • Debugged Arduino-based X-Y plotter mechanism
  • PowerShare: A Distributed Processing System for Android Devices
    • Developed distributed processing system for Android devices using Bluetooth and WiFi-Direct
    • Implemented task scheduling and load balancing algorithms
    • Evaluated system performance on real-world applications

Teaching

  • Teaching Assistant, University of Massachusetts Amherst
    • Platform for Ethical and Responsible Computing (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Fall 2025)
    • COMPSCI 589 (Spring 2024): Machine Learning
    • COMPSCI 683 (Spring 2023): Artificial Intelligence
    • COMPSCI 187 (Fall 2022): Programming with Data Structures
    • COMPSCI 603 (Spring 2020): Robotics
    • COMPSCI 503 (Fall 2018): Embedded Systems Engineering
    • COMPSCI 240 (Spring 2018): Reasoning Under Uncertainty
    • COMPSCI 220 (Fall 2017): Programming Methodology

Awards

  • 2024
    Summer 2024 Dissertation Writing Fellowship
    Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences, UMass Amherst
  • 2023
    Fall 2023 Proposal Writing Fellowship
    Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences, UMass Amherst
  • 2016
    1st Place Project Competition
    Tatva Convergence 2016
  • 2016
    2nd Place Project Competition
    Prakalpa 2016
  • 2014
    Highest Committed Student Branch Activist
    Computer Society of India
  • 2013
    Jewel of Somaiya Award for Outstanding Performance
    Somaiya Education Trust
  • 2009
    Best Cadet Award of the N.C.C Naval Wing Troop
    National Cadet Corps, Campion School Troop, India\
  • 2008
    Cardinal Simon Pimenta Scholarship for Social Service
    Campion School, Mumbai