My time at RARE Lab was truly fun and rewarding. I first got to build the recipe recommender robot, and later worked on Blossom, a social robot, from scratch. Along the way, I also learned to use real-world technologies like git, which I know will be very valuable in the future. Just as importantly, it was a great experience working in a team of cool, like-minded people. To anyone reading this, I’d definitely recommend applying to RARE Lab. A summer well spent!
— 8/22/2025
Hi! I am Deep Akbari, a rising sophomore majoring in computer science at the University of South Florida with a strong passion for AI, data systems, and full-stack development. I’m fascinated by how we can use intelligent technologies to solve real-world problems—whether that’s building bots or scraping massive datasets. Working at RARE Lab, my aim is to collaborate with a team to create a robot that will positively impact people’s lives.
In my projects, I enjoy combining powerful backends with interactive user experiences. For instance, I created Apocalorie, a smart calorie tracker using FDA data, Gemini AI, and Mapbox, compressing a 450K-item dataset into a highly usable tool. I’ve also built a crypto bot used by over 50 users and deployed real-time apps using Firebase and Linode. I’ve served as Tech Lead at GDSC, organized large-scale hackathons, and collaborated with international research teams. I’m always eager to learn! And work on something that makes tech more meaningful and accessible.
— 5/12/2025