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Hi, I'm Zayn Abbas, a passionate software developer and researcher based in Guelph, Canada. I specialize in creating tools that bridge the gap between complex technical models and real-world applications, especially in areas like fishery science and AI emotion interpretation. I love making technology accessible and impactful, whether through developing visual programming toolkits or innovative frameworks that challenge existing paradigms. Outside of coding and research, I also enjoy mentoring and leading teams, as I do at the Gryphons Athletic Center, where I focus on improving customer service and operational efficiency. I'm excited to continue learning and contributing to meaningful projects that combine technology, psychology, and community service.…Hi, I'm Zayn Abbas, a passionate software developer and researcher based in Guelph, Canada. I specialize in creating tools that bridge the gap between complex technical models and real-world applications, especially in areas like fishery science and AI emotion interpretation. I love making technology accessible and impactful, whether through developing visual programming toolkits or innovative frameworks that challenge existing paradigms. Outside of coding and research, I also enjoy mentoring and leading teams, as I do at the Gryphons Athletic Center, where I focus on improving customer service and operational efficiency. I'm excited to continue learning and contributing to meaningful projects that combine technology, psychology, and community service.

Zayn Abbas

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Hi, I'm Zayn Abbas, a passionate software developer and researcher based in Guelph, Canada. I specialize in creating tools that bridge the gap between complex technical models and real-world applications, especially in areas like fishery science and AI emotion interpretation. I love making technology accessible and impactful, whether through developing visual programming toolkits or innovative frameworks that challenge existing paradigms. Outside of coding and research, I also enjoy mentoring and leading teams, as I do at the Gryphons Athletic Center, where I focus on improving customer service and operational efficiency. I'm excited to continue learning and contributing to meaningful projects that combine technology, psychology, and community service.…Hi, I'm Zayn Abbas, a passionate software developer and researcher based in Guelph, Canada. I specialize in creating tools that bridge the gap between complex technical models and real-world applications, especially in areas like fishery science and AI emotion interpretation. I love making technology accessible and impactful, whether through developing visual programming toolkits or innovative frameworks that challenge existing paradigms. Outside of coding and research, I also enjoy mentoring and leading teams, as I do at the Gryphons Athletic Center, where I focus on improving customer service and operational efficiency. I'm excited to continue learning and contributing to meaningful projects that combine technology, psychology, and community service.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Zayn Abbas, a passionate software developer and researcher based in Guelph, Canada. I specialize in creating tools that bridge the gap between complex technical models and real-world applications, especially in areas like fishery science and AI emotion interpretation. I love making technology accessible and impactful, whether through developing visual programming toolkits or innovative frameworks that challenge existing paradigms.

Outside of coding and research, I also enjoy mentoring and leading teams, as I do at the Gryphons Athletic Center, where I focus on improving customer service and operational efficiency. I’m excited to continue learning and contributing to meaningful projects that combine technology, psychology, and community service.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Intermediate

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Software Developer (Mitacs Intern) at Nature Analytics

July 31, 2025 - July 27, 2025

Developed a visual programming toolkit that democratized fishery science, enabling non-technical stakeholders to interact with Management Procedure models and reducing technical barriers by 70%. Built a Blockly-to-R code generator with interactive visualizations for Harvest Control Rules, transforming complex statistical models into actionable insights and improving decision-making efficiency by 65%. Implemented Management Strategy Evaluation simulation capabilities across 8+ fishery case studies, contributing to more sustainable fishery management practices.

Graduate Research Assistant (Project Link) at University of Guelph

August 31, 2025 - July 27, 2025

Led a three-part study examining alignment between human and zero-shot AI interpretations of emotions in text, conducting experiments with 25 participants and 3 state-of-the-art models (ChatGPT, Gemini, Cohere). Challenged emotion detection paradigms by demonstrating the pluralistic nature of human emotion interpretation, developing a position-weighted scoring system for evaluating AI-human alignment. Integrated psychological emotion theories with AI evaluation methodologies, creating a framework valuing interpretive flexibility and contextual sensitivity over rigid classification. Presented findings at Canadian AI 2024 Conference and Graphics Interface 2024 Graduate Symposium.

Technical Solutions Developer at Hope House Guelph

May 31, 2025 - July 27, 2025

Designed and implemented a custom food bank inventory management system using Google Sheets and Apps Script, reducing inventory tracking time by 75%. Developed an automated stock-level monitoring solution that sends real-time alerts when essential items reach critical thresholds, decreasing food waste by 30% and preventing inventory shortages.

Cloud Infrastructure Engineer at Nature Analytics

October 31, 2024 - July 27, 2025

Designed and implemented an automated cross-datacenter backup solution for Digital Ocean Spaces (S3), reducing potential data loss risk by 90%. Engineered a cost-effective solution utilizing a low-cost Droplet, decreasing backup infrastructure costs by 85% compared to commercial alternatives while maintaining robust protection. Automated the entire backup process, eliminating 15+ hours of manual IT work monthly.

Emotive Translation Researcher (Project Link) at Collaborative Systems Laboratory

May 31, 2023 - July 27, 2025

Led research on visualizing emotions between English and Korean, resulting in publication and presentation at Graphics Interface 2023 conference. Designed and implemented an interactive visualization system representing emotional content in multilingual live streams.

Precision Livestock Farming Researcher (Paper Link) at Collaborative Systems Laboratory

October 31, 2024 - July 27, 2025

Published a peer-reviewed paper on vision-based approaches to livestock monitoring, synthesizing insights from wildlife studies to advance agricultural monitoring techniques.

Client Services Lead at University of Guelph - Gryphons Athletic Center

April 1, 2023 - Present

Led and mentored a team of 20+ customer service representatives, implementing structured training programs that improved service quality scores by 38%. Mentored service representatives in conflict resolution and customer satisfaction skills. Improved customer satisfaction from 76% to 94% by training staff on better service techniques and creating clear standards.

Aquatics Team Supervisor at University of Guelph - Gryphons Athletic Center

April 30, 2023 - July 27, 2025

Supervised a team of 80+ lifeguards, creating efficient scheduling systems accommodating student academic schedules. Implemented streamlined communication protocol reducing response time to pool incidents from 45 seconds to under 20 seconds. Coordinated special events and swim programs supporting over 4,000 aquatic facility users monthly.

Lifeguard/Aquatic Instructor at University of Guelph - Gryphons Athletic Center

June 1, 2018 - Present

Maintained constant vigilance lifeguarding 20+ hours weekly, ensuring swimmer safety through proactive monitoring and rule enforcement. Instructed Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, and National Lifeguard certification courses, training 100+ future lifeguards. Provided first aid and emergency response for pool-related and facility incidents.