CV
View as PDF
Email: martasm2@illinois.edu
LinkedIn: marta-markowicz
Education
- Ph.D. in Computer Science
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2021-Present
- B.S. in Computer Science, GPA 3.9
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 2017-2021
Skills and Relevant Coursework
Robotics: Motion planning, SLAM, Kalman Filter, Kinematics, Computer Vision, Autonomous Vehicles
Machine Learning: Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning
Programming Languages: C++, Python, Java, Node.js, SQL
Frameworks and Environments: ROS, Gazebo, Linux, Git, CUDA, OpenGL, AWS, Qt
Electronics: Microcontrollers, Real-time Systems, Arduino, Altium Designer
Publications
S Ashur, M Markowicz, M Lusardi, J Motes, M Morales, S Har-Peled, NM Amato, “SPITE: Simple Polyhedral Intersection Techniques for modified Environments,” 16th International Workshop on the Algorithmic Foundations of Robotics , Chicago, IL, USA, October 2024.
Posters
[1] M Markowicz, M Lusardi, S Ashur, J Motes, M Morales, S Har-Peled, NM Amato, “SPITE: Simple Polyhedral Intersection Techniques for modified Environments,” 40th Anniversary of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Rotterdam, Netherlands, September 2024.
Work experience
Robotics Graduate Researcher, 2021-Present
Advisor: Dr. Nancy Amato, University of Illinois
- Conducting research on motion planning algorithms for dynamic and uncertain environments using C++ and ROS
- Developed SPITE, a novel dynamic roadmap for replanning in changing environments, achieving up to 60% faster updates with significantly less pre-processing [C.1]
- Further optimizing dynamic planning through lazy collision evaluation, parallelization, and collision approximation
- Constructing novel temporal planning techniques to integrate with dynamic roadmaps, enabling safer and more reliable autonomous navigation around predicted obstacle trajectories.
- Open sourcing Parasol Planning Library and benchmarking planning algorithms
Robotics Research Assistant, 2017-2021
Advisor: Dr. Stephen J. Guy, University of Minnesota
- Developed novel space-time path planning algorithm for dynamic environments
- Leveraged safe intervals to achieve asymptotic optimality with temporal sampling-based planning
Autonomy Software Design Intern, Jun-Sept 2020
Caterpillar
- Designed software for autonomous soil compactor testing, improving efficiency in field testing operations
- Enabled real-time remote management of five machines by building user interface in C++ using Qt framework
- Enhanced productivity of equipment testers by reducing on-site monitoring requirements by 40%
Software Development Intern, Jan-Mar 2019
Cybercom Poland
- Developed proof-of-concept solutions integrating hardware and cloud-based software *ystems
- Designed Arduino module with water sensors and implemented AWS Lambda functions for real-time data collection and monitoring
- Achieved a 60-hour monthly time savings for city technicians in pipe inspection workflows
Projects
Autonomous Vehicle Motion Planning, Spring 2024
Tools: ROS, Gazebo, Git
- Designed and implemented motion planning components for Polaris GEM e2 vehicle using Hybrid A* and Model Predictive Control (MPC).
- Developed solutions for road driving and parking scenarios, incorporating a dynamic vehicle model to optimize trajectory planning.
Real-Time Systems for Path Planning, Fall 2021
Tools: Autoware
- Engineered a resource scheduling algorithm for autonomous vehicle path planning using Autoware
- Enhanced planning efficiency by parallelizing tasks with virtual gang scheduling, achieving an 8% improvement in execution time
Model-based reinforcement learning algorithm for exploration, Fall 2021
Tools: MuJoCo, PyTorch
- Implemented Model-Ensemble Trust-Region Policy Optimization for learning dynamics and policy
- Enhanced convergence speed by 14% through integration of Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) and model discrepancy evaluation
Solar Vehicle Project: Controls, 2017-2019
Tools: Altium, FreeRTOS
- Led a team of five to design and fabricate a PCB for a steering wheel control system using Altium
- Programmed real-time functionality with FreeRTOS, communicating via a CAN bus
- Troubleshot issues during international race, ensuring system reliability under competitive conditions
Honors and Wards
Broadening Participation in Computing Fellow, 2022-Present
University> of Illinois
- Mentoring undergraduate women pursuing research, fostering growth in technical and academic skills
- Running CS Student Ambassadors/Research Scholars (CS STARS) for engaging students in research and outreach
Andrew and Shana Laursen Fellowship, 2021
University of Illinois
- Awarded to top graduate students in recognition of academic excellence and promise in advanced research
- Utilized fellowship support to develop novel planning techniques for robots in unpredictable environments
Hopper-Dean Scholarship honoring Dr. Vipin Kumar, 2020
University of Minnesota
- Honored for academic excellence and outstanding contributions to undergraduate research
- Conducted research advancing space-time navigation algorithms, improving efficiency and scalability
Mentoring
Parasol Lab, 2022-Present
University of Illinois
- Sarah Dowden (Undergrad): Mentoring in robotics planning, leading to successful implementation of temporal features and simulation testing for SPITE project
- Jin Fan, Relena Li (Undergrads): Guided students in developing and open-sourcing planning library, resulting in comprehensive algorithm benchmarking
- Andrew Kindratenko, Sanjay Selvam, Aashini Sanapala (High School students): Taught students motion planning fundamentals, enabling them to contribute to algorithm benchmarking research
CS Student Ambassadors/Research Scholars, 2022-Present
University of Illinois
- Mentoring up to 50 undergraduates a semester on research pursuits, coursework, and career advice
- Awarded Broadening Participation in Computing Fellowship in recognition of mentorship
