Tarana Rangwala

02 · Experience

Internships

In high school, I pursued two internships to see classroom science in action and explore potential college majors. I chose two very different environments. My first role was at an environmental startup called Project Adopt-A-Queen. There, I wore many hats as a researcher, fundraiser, and community builder. The second was at Harsha Engineers International Limited, a public corporation with structured roles and clear responsibilities. Experiencing both settings taught me how large businesses and startups operate differently and why. More importantly, it showed me that when science solves real problems, everyone wins: customers, employees, companies, and the planet. Seeing that alignment firsthand gives me genuine hope for my generation and the future.

Operations Intern, Project Adopt-A-Queen (PAQ)

Ahmedabad · October 2025 – Present

PAQ is a biodiversity-focused agritech startup that supports farmers by supplying beehives to boost crop pollination and honey production. Each hive is equipped with integrated sensors to monitor colony health and local environmental conditions in real time. Because upfront costs can be prohibitive for farmers, PAQ uses a community-adoption funding model: individuals and corporations sponsor hives, which can then be distributed to farmers at no cost. In exchange, donors receive pure honey and organic produce harvested from PAQ's partner farms. (projectaq.org)

I have worked with PAQ since October 2025 across several diverse initiatives. Early on, I took the initiative to contribute wherever my skills could add value.

  • Research & Development — PAQ developed the B469, a patented handheld analyzer that tests solids and liquids in under a second. It verifies purity, authenticity, and quality without reagents or sample destruction, helping reward farmers who produce superior crops. Drawing on my background at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and my passion for marine ecosystems, I collaborated with PAQ's engineering team to explore how this spectrometer could be adapted for marine health monitoring.
  • Donor Fundraising through CSR — In India, companies meeting certain thresholds are legally mandated to allocate 2% of their net profits to corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. PAQ's biodiversity model aligns directly with these sustainability mandates. Leveraging local networks, I spearheaded outreach to more than 10 major corporations in my city to pitch PAQ's hive-adoption program. My goal is to secure funding for at least 20 beehives for local farmers.
  • Community Outreach — As part of the PAQ for Youth initiative, I organize and lead interactive school workshops to educate students on the vital role bees play in biodiversity and food security.

Engineering Intern, Harsha Engineers International Limited

Ahmedabad · 2025 – 2026

Harsha Engineers International Limited is a distinguished manufacturer and exporter of precision bearing cages and high-precision components with a strong global presence. I worked with the design engineering team on three projects:

  • Laser Cladding Process — Studied the development of the laser cladding process to achieve an optimal cladded surface, and analysed the failure modes behind it, in order to produce a stable and consistent cladded surface for wind bearing-box shafts.
  • Automated Part Feeding — Studied the design of an automated part-feeding system for high-speed machines using a pick-and-place arrangement, working through the design approach and the mechanism required to load parts safely at high speed. Read the report →
  • Cam System Design — Designed a cam system that converts rotary motion into reciprocating motion, applying the design principles of motion and geometry involved in the process.