I am a Senior AI Engineer with 8+ years of experience owning large-scale data and AI infrastructure for foundation model pretraining, fine-tuning, and multimodal AI systems. I have deep expertise in Apache Spark, PySpark, Ray, and distributed data processing, and I have delivered LLM and multimodal data pipelines, training data curation, and vector databases/embedding systems. I bring a strong background in production ML, MLOps, and reliability engineering, with end-to-end ownership of secure, observable, high-throughput systems across AWS, Azure, and GCP. I excel at cross-functional leadership, mentoring, translating advanced AI research into scalable, mission-critical infrastructure aligned with product and business goals, with a focus on frontier LLM infrastructure, system optimization, and responsible AI engineering.

Dr. Syeda Shafia Rubbani

I am a Senior AI Engineer with 8+ years of experience owning large-scale data and AI infrastructure for foundation model pretraining, fine-tuning, and multimodal AI systems. I have deep expertise in Apache Spark, PySpark, Ray, and distributed data processing, and I have delivered LLM and multimodal data pipelines, training data curation, and vector databases/embedding systems. I bring a strong background in production ML, MLOps, and reliability engineering, with end-to-end ownership of secure, observable, high-throughput systems across AWS, Azure, and GCP. I excel at cross-functional leadership, mentoring, translating advanced AI research into scalable, mission-critical infrastructure aligned with product and business goals, with a focus on frontier LLM infrastructure, system optimization, and responsible AI engineering.

Available to hire

I am a Senior AI Engineer with 8+ years of experience owning large-scale data and AI infrastructure for foundation model pretraining, fine-tuning, and multimodal AI systems. I have deep expertise in Apache Spark, PySpark, Ray, and distributed data processing, and I have delivered LLM and multimodal data pipelines, training data curation, and vector databases/embedding systems.

I bring a strong background in production ML, MLOps, and reliability engineering, with end-to-end ownership of secure, observable, high-throughput systems across AWS, Azure, and GCP. I excel at cross-functional leadership, mentoring, translating advanced AI research into scalable, mission-critical infrastructure aligned with product and business goals, with a focus on frontier LLM infrastructure, system optimization, and responsible AI engineering.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
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Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
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Language

English
Fluent
Urdu
Fluent
Hindi
Fluent
Kannada
Fluent
Sanskrit (Saṁskṛta)
Fluent
Arabic
Advanced
Chinese
Beginner
German
Beginner

Work Experience

ICURe Researcher at University of Warwick
May 1, 2023 - May 1, 2023
Conducted market validation research under the ICURe program, assessing real-world potential for AI-driven healthcare technologies and identifying a £300M opportunity in healthcare solutions.
Adjunct Professor at Heriot-Watt University
December 1, 2019 - December 1, 2019
Designed and delivered graduate-level courses in 3D Graphics, Animation, and Knowledge Management, increasing student enrollment by 35%.
Assistant Professor at MS Engineering College
September 1, 2017 - September 1, 2017
Taught and mentored over 500 undergraduate students, organizing workshops and contributing to the academic output of the department.
Lecturer at Islamiah Institute of Technology
August 1, 2011 - August 1, 2011
Delivered undergraduate courses in Programming and Algorithms, modernizing the curriculum to include emerging technologies.
Applied AI Researcher at Heriot Watt University
September 12, 2017 - June 22, 2025
Conducted advanced AI research in Machine Learning, signal processing & dynamic optimization, analyzing Shannon’s capacity of edge AI protocols for M2M systems. Designed experimental frameworks ensuring reproducibility, and translated models into real-world solutions through research–industry collaboration. Supervised postgraduates & mentored researchers on cutting-edge methodologies. What I Deliver: ✔️ Real-world Edge AI & IoT experiments (ThingSpeak, PubNub, Azure, GCP). ✔️ AI-driven optimization with TensorFlow, PyTorch & Scikit-learn. ✔️ Smart sensing & embedded AI on Contiki OS, CC3200 & TMP006. ✔️ Performance analysis with MATLAB, Octave, Wireshark, ANOVA, Power BI & A/B Testing. ✔️ Multi-agent & distributed systems for next-gen automation. ✔️ Advanced network simulation with NS2, Cooja, NCTUns & Eureqa. My Results: ✅ Boosted Shannon’s capacity: 50–70% (baseline) → 60–80% (dynamic) → 70–90% (neuroevolutionary AI) → up to 640% with MIMO (8×8), delivering 6× smarter edge performance. ✅ Real-time sentiment analysis with Node-RED, achieving 91% accuracy in NLP. ✅ Published 6+ peer-reviewed articles, boosting institutional AI citations by 15%. ✅ Led AED 50K funding (Dubai Expo 2020) for AI-enabled surveillance. ✅ Presented at 15+ international conferences, expanding global AI partnerships. ✅ Winner of 3-Minute Thesis Competition. Leadership & Recognition: ✔️ Facilitated academia–industry partnerships, securing PhD internships as PGR Rep (2018–2021). ✔️ Represented HWU at doctoral committees (RCC, RDC), UKRI Annual Meeting and the Festival of Research & Enterprise. ✔️ Nominated for the InnoChange Program (sustainable AI solutions). ✔️ Led AI outreach events in India & UAE, driving global awareness. ✔️ Mentored intercampus PhD students at Research Futures workshops, fostering collaboration.
Applied AI Researcher at Heriot-Watt University
September 1, 2017 - June 1, 2025
Led applied research on Edge AI communication protocols for M2M systems, advancing understanding of AI-driven distributed communication. Improved edge system performance by up to 640% using dynamic optimization, neuroevolutionary methods, and 8×8 MIMO frameworks. Secured AED 50K funding for AI-enabled surveillance solutions, demonstrating research-to-market translation. Delivered 91% NLP accuracy through real-time sentiment analysis integrated with edge and distributed AI systems. Authored 6+ peer-reviewed publications, contributing to a 15% increase in institutional AI citations, and presented work at 15+ international conferences. Represented 100+ PhD researchers as Postgraduate Research Representative, influencing doctoral policy. Awarded 3-Minute Thesis recognition and nominated for the InnoChange Program for sustainable AI innovation.
Adjunct Professor at Heriot-Watt University
September 1, 2018 - December 1, 2019
Designed and delivered graduate-level modules in 3D Graphics, Animation, and Knowledge Management; aligned with UKPSF standards. Increased student enrollment by 35% through new curricula in collaboration with Edinburgh faculty. Supervised 30+ final-year projects, with 4 published in peer-reviewed venues and presented at academic conferences. Improved exam performance by 25% by integrating active learning and data visualization techniques. Delivered guest lectures and fostered academia–industry collaboration to improve employability outcomes.
Assistant Professor at MS Engineering College
August 1, 2014 - September 1, 2017
Taught and mentored 500+ undergraduate students, achieving a 95% pass rate across core computer science subjects. Supervised 25+ student projects, with 5 selected for state-level technical symposiums and innovation competitions. Organized 4 national-level workshops and coding hackathons, engaging 400+ participants. Co-authored 3 conference papers with students and faculty, strengthening institutional research output. Consistently received 90%+ positive student feedback, recognized for excellence in teaching and 100% results in Java & J2EE courses.
Lecturer at Islamiah Institute of Technology
September 1, 2010 - August 1, 2011
Delivered undergraduate courses in Programming, Algorithms, and Database Systems to 150+ students, achieving a 93% pass rate. Supervised 10+ mini-projects, including 2 state-level symposium presentations on IoT and cloud applications. Modernized the Database Management curriculum by introducing NoSQL technologies (MongoDB, Cassandra). Designed and implemented automated grading systems, reducing evaluation inconsistencies by 20%. Collaborated with senior faculty on curriculum development and academic quality initiatives.
AI Commercialization Lead (ICURe Program) at University of Warwick
March 1, 2023 - May 31, 2023
Produced a commercial feasibility and business development report identifying a £300M opportunity in regulated AI healthcare solutions. Conducted market validation with 55+ stakeholder interviews to assess demand and refine go-to-market strategy; designed competitive landscape model; collaborated with clinicians to shape a human-centered COPD smart mask.
Applied AI Engineer (Forward-Deployed) at Heriot-Watt University
September 1, 2017 - June 1, 2025
Designed, deployed, and optimized secure edge, distributed, and cloud AI systems for safety-critical production environments. Delivered substantial performance gains through dynamic optimization and neuroevolutionary methods; implemented 8x8 MIMO architectures and real-time distributed AI pipelines with monitoring to achieve high NLP accuracy. Secured funding by translating prototypes into mission-ready surveillance solutions. Led academia-industry collaboration and contributed to publications.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy at Heriot Watt University
September 21, 2017 - June 21, 2025
Thesis: Analyzing Edge AI Protocols Through Shannon’s Lens for M2M Communication: A Connected Universe. Research Achievements: ✔️ Optimized M2M communication in distributed edge systems by analyzing edge AI protocols through Shannon’s theory, contributing to protocol standardization. ✔️ Created advanced MIMO-based mathematical frameworks and Neuroevolutionary AI models, significantly enhancing Shannon’s capacity benchmarks for real-world edge applications. Technical Skills: ✔️ Certified in Microsoft Azure (DP-203) courses. ✔️ Proficient in Python, MATLAB, Octave, Cooja, NS2, NCTUns, ANOVA, MS Power BI, Node-Red, RabbitMQ, PubNub, ThingSpeak. Leadership: ✔️ PGR Representative, serving on Research Coordination Committee (RCC), Research Degrees Committee (RDC), and UKRI. ✔️ Nominated for InnoChange 2021, Eötvös Loránd University. ✔️ Volunteered for outreach workshops to promote AI literacy in India and the UAE. My journey embodies a passion for futuristic AI research.
Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence at Heriot-Watt University
September 12, 2017 - June 22, 2025
M.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2011 - May 1, 2013
B.E. in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2006 - May 1, 2010
Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence (School of MACS) at Heriot-Watt University
September 1, 2017 - June 1, 2025
Global Innovation Challenge (Entrepreneurship) at Heriot-Watt University
January 1, 2023 - April 1, 2023
European Entrepreneurship Micro Minor (Master’s) (Digital Transformation, Sustainable Business Models, Mission-Oriented Innovation) at Aalto, Rennes, Trento, Politécnica de Madrid
March 1, 2023 - May 1, 2023
Creativity, Responsibility & Entrepreneurship at Eötvös Loránd University
October 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022
Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching (PGCiLT) at Heriot-Watt University
September 1, 2018 - July 1, 2021
M.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2011 - May 1, 2013
B.E. in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2006 - May 1, 2010
PhD in Artificial Intelligence at Heriot-Watt University (School of MACS)
September 1, 2017 - June 1, 2025
Global Innovation Challenge (Entrepreneurship) at Heriot-Watt University
January 1, 2023 - April 1, 2023
European Entrepreneurship Micro Minor (Master’s) at Aalto University; Rennes School of Business; Università di Trento; Politécnica de Madrid
March 1, 2023 - May 1, 2023
Creativity, Responsibility & Entrepreneurship (IKP-9288) at Eötvös Loránd University
October 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022
Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching (PGCiLT) at Heriot-Watt University
September 1, 2018 - July 1, 2021
M.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2011 - May 1, 2013
B.E. in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2006 - May 1, 2010
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Artificial Intelligence at Heriot-Watt University
September 1, 2017 - June 1, 2025
Global Innovation Challenge (Entrepreneurship) at Heriot-Watt University
January 1, 2023 - April 1, 2023
European Entrepreneurship Micro Minor (Master’s) at Aalto, Rennes, Trento, Politécnica de Madrid
March 1, 2023 - May 1, 2023
Creativity, Responsibility & Entrepreneurship at Eötvös Loránd University
October 1, 2021 - January 31, 2022
Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching (PGCiLT) at Heriot-Watt University
September 1, 2018 - July 31, 2021
M.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2011 - May 31, 2013
B.E. in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2006 - May 31, 2010
Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence at Heriot-Watt University
September 1, 2017 - June 30, 2025
M.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2011 - May 31, 2013
B.E. in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2006 - May 31, 2010
PhD in Artificial Intelligence at Heriot-Watt University
September 1, 2017 - June 1, 2025
Global Innovation Challenge (Entrepreneurship) at Heriot-Watt University
January 1, 2023 - April 30, 2023
M.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2011 - May 1, 2013
B.E. in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2006 - May 1, 2010
European Entrepreneurship Micro Minor (Master’s) at Aalto University; Rennes 1; Trento; Politécnica de Madrid
March 1, 2023 - May 31, 2023
InnoChange EU-funded Program at Eötvös Loránd University
October 1, 2021 - January 31, 2022
Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence at Heriot-Watt University
September 1, 2017 - June 1, 2025
M.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2011 - May 1, 2013
B.E. in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2006 - May 1, 2010
Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence at Heriot-Watt University
September 1, 2017 - June 1, 2025
M.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2011 - May 1, 2013
B.E. in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2006 - May 1, 2010
PhD in Artificial Intelligence at Heriot-Watt University
September 1, 2017 - June 30, 2025
M.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2011 - May 31, 2013
B.E. in Computer Science & Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University
September 1, 2006 - May 31, 2010

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy
September 12, 2017 - June 21, 2025
Awarded.
Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching
September 1, 2018 - July 1, 2021
Global Innovation Challenge (Entrepreneurship)
January 1, 2023 - April 1, 2023
European Entrepreneurship Micro Minor (Master’s)
March 1, 2023 - May 1, 2023
Learning How to Learn (Microsoft)
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Introduction to Data Science (Microsoft)
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Data Engineering with Azure (Microsoft)
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Data Storage in Azure (Microsoft)
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Machine Learning Pipelines with Azure ML Studio
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Azure REST API with NodeJS Serverless Functions
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Investment Risk Management (Coursera)
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Signal Classification using LSTM (NPTEL)
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
AI Agents: From Prompts to Multi-Agent Systems
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Learning How to Learn
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Introduction to Data Science (Microsoft)
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Data Engineering with Azure (Microsoft)
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Data Storage in Azure (Microsoft)
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Machine Learning Pipelines with Azure ML Studio
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Azure REST API with NodeJS Serverless Functions
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Investment Risk Management (Coursera)
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Signal Classification using LSTM (NPTEL)
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Learning How to Learn
January 11, 2030 - December 27, 2025
Introduction to Data Science (Microsoft)
January 11, 2030 - December 27, 2025
Data Engineering with Azure (Microsoft)
January 11, 2030 - December 27, 2025
Data Storage in Azure (Microsoft)
January 11, 2030 - December 27, 2025
Machine Learning Pipelines with Azure ML Studio
January 11, 2030 - December 27, 2025
Azure REST API with NodeJS Serverless Functions
January 11, 2030 - December 27, 2025
Investment Risk Management (Coursera)
January 11, 2030 - December 27, 2025
Signal Classification using LSTM (NPTEL)
January 11, 2030 - December 27, 2025
AI Agents: From Prompts to Multi-Agent Systems
January 11, 2030 - December 27, 2025
Microsoft Azure: Data Engineering, Data Storage, ML Pipelines
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2026
AI Systems: LSTM Signal Classification, AI Agents & Multi-Agent Systems
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2026
Foundations: Data Science, Learning How to Learn, Investment Risk Management
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2026
Microsoft Azure: Data Engineering, Data Storage, ML Pipelines
January 11, 2030 - January 7, 2026
AI Systems: LSTM Signal Classification, AI Agents & Multi-Agent Systems
January 11, 2030 - January 7, 2026
Foundations: Data Science, Learning How to Learn, Investment Risk Management
January 11, 2030 - January 7, 2026
Microsoft Azure: Data Engineering
January 11, 2030 - January 7, 2026
Microsoft Azure: Data Storage
January 11, 2030 - January 7, 2026
Microsoft Azure: ML Pipelines
January 11, 2030 - January 7, 2026
AI Systems: LSTM Signal Classification
January 11, 2030 - January 7, 2026
AI Systems: AI Agents & Multi-Agent Systems
January 11, 2030 - January 7, 2026
Foundations: Data Science
January 11, 2030 - January 7, 2026
Foundations: Learning How to Learn
January 11, 2030 - January 7, 2026
Foundations: Investment Risk Management
January 11, 2030 - January 7, 2026
Microsoft Azure: Data Engineering, Data Storage, ML Pipelines
January 11, 2030 - January 8, 2026
AI Systems: LSTM Signal Classification, AI Agents & Multi-Agent Systems
January 11, 2030 - January 8, 2026
Foundations: Data Science, Learning How to Learn, Investment Risk Management
January 11, 2030 - January 8, 2026
Microsoft Azure: Data Engineering, Data Storage, ML Pipelines
January 11, 2030 - January 14, 2026
AI Systems: LSTM Signal Classification, AI Agents & Multi-Agent Systems
January 11, 2030 - January 14, 2026
Foundations: Data Science, Learning How to Learn, Investment Risk Management
January 11, 2030 - January 14, 2026

Industry Experience

Healthcare, Education, Software & Internet, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment, Other, Life Sciences