Headshot

Žiga Kovačič

Undergraduate Researcher
@ Cornell University


I will be applying for PhD programs in Fall 2025!

I'm a Cornell University College Scholar pursuing a B.A. in Mathematics and Computer Science.

My interests lie at the intersection of physical simulation, machine learning (code generation), and tools for computer graphics.

I'm fortunate to work with Professor Kevin Ellis. Previously I worked with Abe Davis on time-lapse generation and modal analysis for resimulation.

[github] [scholar] [twitter] [resume] [email]
Publications
Refactoring Codebases
Refactoring Codebases through Library Design, Ž. Kovačič*, C. Lee*, J. T. Chiu*, W. Zhao, K. Ellis, In submission, arXiv: 2506.11058, (2025). [project] [pdf] [method] [benchmark] [show bibtex]
Physics-Based Simulation Book Cover
Physics-Based Simulation, Minchen Li, Chenfanfu Jiang, Zhaofeng Luo, Wenxin Du, Chang Yu, Ž. Kovačič, Tianyi Xie, Open-Source Online Book, (2025). [book]
Pocket Time-Lapse, E. M. Chen, Ž. Kovačič, M. Agrawal, A. Davis ACM SIGGRAPH (2025). [project] [show bibtex]
Projects
MLS-MPM and CPIC (2025)
Implementation of the Moving Least Squared Material Point Method, CPIC, various materials, and mesh extraction in 2D and 3D. [github]
Path Tracing in OCaml (2025)
A path tracer featuring distributive ray tracing, reflections, refractions, volumetrics, emissive objects, and a BVH. [github]
Pen-2-Graph
Pen-2-Graph (2024)
Automates generation of node-edge graph programs from sketches using vision-language models and differential evolution. [github]
Image Space Modal Basis (2024)
Implements "Image-Space Modal Bases for Plausible Manipulation of Objects in Video", extending it with modal warping. Features a Python pipeline and custom JS rasterizer. [github (coming soon)]
Obstruction Removal - SliceSplatting (2024)
Modifies Gaussian Splatting to remove obstructions blocking the view of objects of interest in 3D scene reconstruction. [github (coming soon)]
MelodyMesh
MelodyMesh (2023)
3D music visualizer that deforms meshes based on audio frequencies. [github] [video]
Experience

Recursion and Learning Lab
Undergraduate Researcher
Cornell University | Mar. 2025 – Present

Graphics & Vision Lab
Undergraduate Researcher
Cornell University | May 2023 - Mar. 2025

Teaching

CS 4787: Large Scale Machine Learning | Head TA | Fall 2025

CS 4782: Introduction to Deep Learning | Head TA | Spring 2025

CS 4620: Introduction to Computer Graphics | TA | Fall 2024

CS 4780: Introduction to Machine Learning | TA, TA Award | Spring 2024

CS 2110: Object Oriented Programming and Data Structures | TA | Spring 2023

Personal

In my free time I enjoy bouldering, cooking, and playing the guitar.