Hi! I'm Farishta!

Nice to see you here!

Profile Picture

Know more about me!

As a recent graduate in Computing Science with a strong inclination toward exploring data-driven technology, I am interested in exploring human-computer interaction research, especially in usable privacy and security and the psychosocial domain. Currently, as a Research Assistant in the Practical Usable Privacy and Security (PUPS) Research Lab under Professor Bailey Kacsmar, I am working on usable privacy and security research projects to navigate through user perceptions and extract actionable insights, address user challenges, understand privacy and fairness in data science, and propose effective solutions that enhance user experience and safety in digital environments. My professional academic experience includes the role as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Alberta and an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant at BRAC University, which has enabled me to explore instructional expertise. Over two years, I led interactive labs, guided hands-on activities, and supported students each term, helping them develop a solid foundation in database management.

I am a certified Data Analyst and enthusiastic about business data analytics and data science! I am interested in front-end development/web designing and UI/UX designing as well! My previous roles in software ventures, telecom sector, and non-profit organizations have further solidified my interest of bridging technical solutions with user-centric approaches; I am looking forward to contribute and collaborate! Besides, I love anthropology, music, art, travelling and movies!

My Education

Here is a summary of my academic journey.

Master of Science in Computing Science
University of Alberta, Sep 2022 - Jun 2024
Capstone Research Paper: Digital Footprints and User Privacy Understanding: A Quantitative Approach to Analyze the Interplay between Educational Attainment, Expertise, and Awareness of Online Privacy
Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Computer Science and Engineering
BRAC University, Jan 2018 - Jan 2022
Undergraduate Thesis: Multi-Classification Based Alzheimer’s Disease Detection with Comparative Analysis from Brain MRI Scans Using Deep Learning

Professional Experience

A brief overview of my key roles and responsibilities.

Research Assistant
Practical Usable Privacy and Security (PUPS) Lab — University of Alberta (2024 - Present)
Conducting research on privacy and security practices, focusing on usability to propose actionable insights that improve digital safety.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Alberta (2022 - 2024)
Led interactive lab sessions, guided hands-on activities, and supported students in database management and computing science fundamentals.
QA Analyst, Software Quality and Assurance Team
Master Wizr (2021 - 2022)
Performed end-to-end testing, managed defect resolution, proposed feature enhancements, and improved software quality and usability through agile methodologies.

Academic Publications

You can have a look at my past research contributions published as academic papers.

Multi-Classification based Alzheimer's Disease Detection with Comparative Analysis from Brain MRI Scans using Deep Learning

Published in TENCON 2021 - 2021 IEEE Region 10 Conference (TENCON), 2021

Alzheimer’s Disease, the leading cause of dementia, lacks a definitive diagnostic test. Our proposed multi-classification model, based on OASIS data, employs an 18-layer architecture and unique preprocessing of MRI scans across anatomical planes, achieving over 80% accuracy in multi-class settings and 92% in binary classification. Comparative analysis with models like Inception V3 and VGG19 demonstrates its superior performance and reliability.

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Follow My Instagram Photo Blog: Footprints of Farishta!

I love travelling and photography. Even though I am not consistent, this photo blog is a small compilation of some of my favourite shots.

My Blog & Publications!

I love to pen my thoughts sometimes. Explore some of my thoughts, insights, and some of the pieces I curated as a professional content writer in 2020-2021.

Blog 1
COVID-19: The Necessary Evil (2022)

The editorial piece was accepted and published by the Global Commons in their inaugural Spring 2022 issue under the 'Arts & Society' Chapter. Global Commons is a student-run multimedia publication supported by the Open Society University Network.

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Blog 2
Social Media Marketing Content Portfolio (2020-2021)

A collection of notable pieces created during my undergraduate years as a member and lead of the Social Media Marketing team for various clubs.

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Blog 3
10 Hidden Travel Destinations of the US (2020)

A curated list for travel enthusiasts, highlighting underrated travel destinations in the US for a trip of a lifetime.

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Blog 4
Cheap Things to Do in Vegas (2020)

A well-curated budget-friendly list of the best things to do in Las Vegas, perfect for exploring the city on a budget.

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Blog 5
Best Destinations to Travel in March in the US (2020)

A handpicked list of the best destinations to visit in the United States during March for an unforgettable trip.

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Blog 6
Product/Brand Marketing Blog: Athleta vs Lululemon (2021)

An in-depth comparison for fitness enthusiasts choosing between Athleta and Lululemon, highlighting the best features of both brands.

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Get in Touch

Feel free to reach out for collaborations, inquiries, or just to say hi!