Ayesha Akhtar

Fulbright Scholar, Robotics Engineer & AI Researcher

Education

Master of Science in Robotics Engineering

Worcester Polytechnic Institute • Worcester, USA

Fulbright Scholar
2023-2025

Pursuing advanced studies in robotics engineering with focus on continuum robotics, motion planning, and human-robot interaction. Awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to pursue graduate studies in the United States.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Fatima Jinnah Women University • Rawalpindi, Pakistan

2014-2018

Graduated with strong foundation in computer science fundamentals, algorithms, and software engineering principles.

Projects

Designed and implemented an advanced robotic grasping system using depth-informed topological analysis for multi-object manipulation. Created algorithms for valley detection, three-point grasp planning, and dynamic collision avoidance, integrated with ROS for real-world robotic applications.

ROS Ubuntu Python Computer Vision Intel RealSense D455

Designed and implemented a Fin Ray gripper using SolidWorks and Arduino, integrating it with a computer vision-based waste classification system to autonomously sort recyclable and non-recyclable items on a conveyor belt.

SolidWorks Arduino Python Computer Vision

Built and programmed a low-cost, modular Concentric Tube Robot platform, implementing kinematics in MATLAB and conducting tip-tracking experiments.

MATLAB Robotics Control Systems

Implemented a novel grasping algorithm based on AnyGrasp for Motion Planning under uncertainty to grasp objects with occlusions, incomplete geometric information, and sensing limitations.

Python ROS Linux Motion Planning

Developed undergraduate Capstone project - a Windows IDE application featuring Speech accessibility to make programming easy for visually impaired developers using Microsoft Speech API.

C# AlterNet Microsoft Speech API Accessibility

Skills

Languages & Platforms

Python C/C++ SQL Git Linux ROS MATLAB SolidWorks Atlassian Jira & Confluence

Libraries & Frameworks

pandas NumPy Matplotlib Tableau PowerBI Apache Hadoop Apache Spark Kafka

Specializations

Robot Dynamics Robot Controls Human-Robot Interaction Motion Planning Advanced Robotic Navigation Computer Vision Natural Language Processing Machine Learning Continuum Robotics Project Management

Experience

Associate Analytics Engineer

Jazz PMCL • Islamabad, Pakistan

Jun 2021 – Jul 2023
  • Excelled in high-pressure environment, collaborating with clients and business teams to assess project scope, deliver time-sensitive ad-hoc reports, and resolve 100+ complex issues monthly
  • Managed ETL operations, building Data Lake for swift data access and analysis. Implemented real-time HTTP & file-based triggers for DPI & segmentation using Apache tools (Hadoop, Spark, Kafka, Zookeeper)
  • Executed data integration & automation using diverse tools (Informatica, shell scripting, Python), translating business needs to interactive reports/dashboards (MSTR, Tableau)
  • Conducted Pre/Post campaign analysis (Unica), including Control and Target group analysis for stakeholders

Co-Founder

TactonBiotic • Islamabad, Pakistan

Apr 2021 – Jun 2021

Conceived Retail-assisting project Yugen, secured PKR 500,000 grant & incubation as top-5 winner (out of 30) in Dr. ASK 500K Grant Challenge at IoBM University.

Research Associate

TUKL – NUST R&D Center • Islamabad, Pakistan

Mar 2020 – Mar 2021
  • Developed Judicial Automation with Verdict Prediction system with Supreme Court of Pakistan using NLP (BERT)
  • Developed algorithm using OpenCV and NLP for data extraction and processing from Guitar Catalogue

Associate Software Engineer

Code for Pakistan • Islamabad, Pakistan

Sep 2018 – Feb 2020
  • Spearheaded development of Android app for Islamabad Administration (ICTA), facilitating citizen services
  • Contributed to development of Pakistan Citizens Portal app with PMDU, enhancing nationwide complaint resolution
  • Led design & development of Pakistan's first Open Data Portal, democratizing data access

Leadership & Activities

Founder & President

Pakistani Students Association, WPI

Session Chair Volunteer

Grace Hopper Conference

Discussion Panelist

DevFest 2022, GDG Islamabad

Chapter Lead

Pakistani Women in Computing (PWiC)

Trainer

Women Techmakers Hackathon x Google Study Jam

Vice Chairperson

IEEE Computer Society, FJWU Student Branch

Tech Lead

Google Developers Group (GDG), Islamabad

ML Course

Andrew Ng, Coursera