Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan
Why did you choose McCourt? I was looking for a program that not only covers computational and statistical techniques but also provides policy foundations in data privacy, open-access ecosystems, and inclusive technologies. The MS in Data Science for Public Policy at McCourt perfectly aligns with these interests. Given my experience of working in and around governments, Georgetown has always been my dream school, particularly because of its location in Washington, D.C. The program offers the ideal combination of technical training, policy perspectives, and networking opportunities.
What professional/ work experience did you have prior to coming to McCourt? I am a government affairs and public policy professional with experience in helping organizations navigate political systems and regulatory frameworks to achieve their priorities. My work spans international development and technology policy, with organizations such as the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). While I have primarily focused on South Asia, I have also contributed to projects across the broader Asia-Pacific region.
What has been the best part of your experience so far? I have enjoyed the steep learning curve and the overall teaching environment in my coursework. The emphasis goes beyond simply completing assignments, but using them to deepen understanding. While data science coursework is inherently technical, the instructors are highly intentional about student learning, ensuring that we grasp both the intuition and concepts behind computational techniques, particularly in a policy context.
Undergraduate University, degree, and major: Lahore University of Management Sciences, Humanities and Mathematics
Hobbies/ Interests: I am interested in leveraging electronic health record (EHR) systems to improve patient outcomes. This includes exploring data structures, interoperability protocols, and privacy policies that enable medical research organizations to utilize patient data for machine learning models that strengthen both diagnosis and prognosis capabilities. I am also interested in open data ecosystems, such as government open data platforms, to improve public access to information.
Reach out to me about: Feel free to reach about the Fulbright network, moving to DC, the health and fitness infrastructure around the city.