ICT is running a series of articles to highlight the work of our Graduate Research Assistants. In this essay we hear from Tanmay Rode, who is about to graduate with a Masters in Computer Science from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and works as a Software Engineer in the Virtual Human Therapeutics Lab (VHTL) under the supervision of Sharon Mozgai, Director, VHTL
BYLINE: Tanmay Rode, Software Engineer, Virtual Human Therapeutics Lab, USC ICT
The origins of a technical career are often marked by abstraction—algorithms, equations, frameworks. Mine began with a far more tangible experience: programming a basic electricity bill calculator as a school assignment. What struck me was not the mechanics of the program but the fact that a few lines of logic could translate into something functional—something useful.
That early experiment catalysed a sustained interest in the practical side of technology – building systems, writing code, and watching ideas come to life. What began as a curiosity in school gradually evolved into a clear academic and professional path. As I explored various domains within computer science, I came to appreciate both its depth and versatility. From early on, it felt like the right fit, and every step since has only strengthened that conviction.
During my graduate studies in Computer Science at the University of Southern California, I sought to move beyond theoretical competence and apply engineering principles to domains with direct human impact. My engagement with the Virtual Human Therapeutics Lab (VHTL) at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies represented such an opportunity. The lab’s focus—integrating AI, virtual humans, and behavioral health—resonated immediately. It was not merely a compelling technical challenge; it was an invitation to build systems that matter.
Applied Research Meets Software Engineering
Under the supervision of Sharon Mozgai, Director of the Virtual Human Therapeutics Lab (VHTL), I worked on Battle Buddy, an iOS application designed to support veterans experiencing mental health crises.
The app functions as a digital companion, aiming to deliver real-time coping strategies, reinforce behavioral health routines, and connect users to emergency resources. It is engineered not only as a set of features but as a system that seeks to understand and respond with contextual sensitivity.
I also worked on the Bravemind – MST platform, as well as on enhancements for Bravemind’s existing Combat Scenarios. The Bravemind platform is a Virtual Reality (VR) exposure therapy system used to alleviate emotional and psychological stress in patients. The platform enables patients to reprocess and experience various distressing scenarios within a virtual world, under very safe and controlled conditions.
Both these projects demonstrate how software can be more than transactional—it can foster a meaningful connection. Building these applications required a deep sensitivity to the needs and vulnerabilities of its users.
The stakes were high: systems that fail in this context don’t simply produce bugs; they risk breaching trust or delivering inadequate care at moments of psychological distress.
Engineering as Translation
A recurring theme in my work at ICT has been translation: not linguistic, but conceptual. Software engineering in applied research settings often requires converting abstract principles into functional systems. In this respect, engineering becomes a form of interdisciplinary negotiation—between technological limitations and user needs, between data fidelity and emotional nuance.
This translation requires a deep attentiveness to context. Systems like Battle Buddy and Bravemind are not simply technical artefacts; they are effective technologies. Their success hinges as much on their psychological plausibility as on their technological brilliance.
Earlier in my career, while at Fidelity Investments, I gained foundational experience in building scalable systems through better architecture, improved API responsiveness, and cleaner database schemas.
These experiences instilled habits of precision and scalability that have proven invaluable at ICT, where even experimental platforms must remain dependable under load. But the shift to behavioral health technology added another layer of complexity—and responsibility.
Defining Success in Human Terms
The most consequential moment of my time at ICT wasn’t just about a successful product launch or a solved technical bottleneck. It was the realization of the fact that something I helped build, carried the power to improve the lives of people and offer support during difficult times. That sense of purpose was deeply fulfilling.
It clarified the stakes of my work in a way that metrics never could. It gave me a new perspective on the definition of engineering success. In such settings – performance, uptime, and maintainability remain essential, but they are not sufficient. In contexts where users are vulnerable, technology must not only function—it must affirm presence, care, and reliability. It taught me to approach my work with a deeper awareness of the human consequences behind technical decisions, aiming to create solutions that are not just functional but genuinely supportive.
Technical Curiosity and Creative Experimentation
Outside the lab, I continue to explore the creative boundaries of software through personal projects. One such effort, an AI-powered sports recap tool, was awarded second place at the “Multimodal AI in Media & Entertainment Hackathon.” Its aim was to allow users to query sports press conference videos helping fans quickly access key moments of interest without sifting through hours of content. The tool leveraged these user prompts to condense lengthy sports press conferences into clear, concise summaries and engaging highlight videos.
Just as satisfying as the outcome, was the experience itself. Spending an entire weekend at a beach-facing bungalow in Playa Del Rey, surrounded by hundreds of developers, each focused on bringing their ideas to life. It made for a refreshing learning environment, where casual conversations often sparked useful insights and idea exchange felt natural and easy. Being part of that atmosphere reinforced how much technical growth is tied not just to building things individually, but to staying open to new ideas, different perspectives, and unexpected collaborations — habits that continue to fuel my curiosity and creative experimentation in software development.
Post-Masters
As I complete my graduate programme at USC, I’m energized by the opportunity to take the next step in my journey as a software engineer. I remain animated by the question that brought me to ICT: How can we build software that matters?
This is not a rhetorical inquiry but a technical one. It challenges us to think more expansively about the purpose of engineering. The past few years have been about laying a strong foundation – now, I’m ready to build. I’m driven by the challenge of solving complex problems and creating systems that are not only technically sound, but impactful at scale.
What excites me most is the chance to contribute to meaningful work – products and platforms that move the needle, shape user experiences, and push technology forward. Whether it’s through intuitive design, intelligent infrastructure, or innovative applications, I aim to be part of building something that matters. This next chapter is about turning curiosity into creation – and I’m ready to dive in.
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