Maha Shabbir

CS at LUMS | HCI Researcher bridging the gap between Deep Learning & Human-Centered Design

Overview

Computer Science student at LUMS with a focus on Human-Computer Interaction and Deep Learning. Experienced in conducting qualitative user research for health-tech applications and developing novel object detection models for archaeological data. Proven leader in logistics and community building within the tech space, currently seeking to apply HCD principles to cutting-edge research.

Lahore, Pakistan

Experience

2026 – May 2026

WORK

Directed Course Work - Data Annotation

Center of Speech and Language Technologies (CSaLT)

Supported research in the CSaLT lab by analyzing, categorizing, and contextualizing data according to cultural relevance and contextual fit within a Pakistani setting.

•Supported research in the CSaLT lab by analyzing, categorizing, and contextualizing data according to cultural relevance and contextual fit within a Pakistani setting.

May 2025 – Aug 2025

INTERNSHIP

Technical Content Writing Intern

Dtech Systems

Researched and authored a series of technical blog posts and guides explaining a complex SaaS platform to diverse audiences, from non-technical users to business decision-makers.

•Researched and authored a series of technical blog posts and guides explaining a complex SaaS platform to diverse audiences, from non-technical users to business decision-makers.

SaaS

Oct 2024 – May 2025

WORK

Research Intern

Center of Speech and Language Technologies (CSaLT)

Collected and analyzed migraine-related data to identify patient trends while evaluating app functionality and user engagement, providing actionable feedback to the R&D team to improve data quality and feature development.

•Collected and analyzed migraine-related data to identify patient trends while evaluating app functionality and user engagement, providing actionable feedback to the R&D team to improve data quality and feature development.

Key Achievements

→Identified a critical 'incentive gap' in digital migraine reporting, discovering that users were significantly more likely to report symptoms verbally than via the app due to a lack of perceived benefits.

→Managed 7 concurrent patient journeys, conducting qualitative user research through personal onboarding and direct feedback sessions to identify systemic UX flaws.

→Proposed a value-driven incentive model (predictive findings) to the R&D team to improve long-term app engagement after identifying real-time dashboard synchronization issues.

→Managed 7 concurrent patient journeys

→Identified key UX flaws in real-time dashboard updates and data synchronization

→Triangulated backend Excel data with direct user feedback to identify reporting trends

Feb 2025 – Apr 2025

INTERNSHIP

Operations Intern

Code Kids

Developed standardized operational protocols and an instructor onboarding system to streamline internal workflows.

•Developed standardized operational protocols and an instructor onboarding system to streamline internal workflows.

Project Portfolio

PERSONAL

Present

CS 460: Human-Computer Interaction - Decluttering App

UX Designer/Researcher

Developed a user-centered decluttering app by conducting user research interviews, creating iterative prototypes, and performing usability testing to validate design decisions and improve user experience.

Figma

Live

PERSONAL

Present

CS 437: Deep Learning - Petroglyph Object Detection

Developer

Developed a novel deep learning approach for petroglyph object detection on images from Pakistani archaeological sites by adapting a Soft Teacher semi-supervised model.

Python

ACADEMIC

Present

OS Kernel File System Implementation

Developer

Implemented a hierarchical file system within a custom kernel, managing nested directories, file partitions, and block-level storage.

C++C

ACADEMIC

Present

CS 360: Software Engineering - University Tutoring Platform

Developer

Built a full-stack university tutoring platform enabling students to find and book tutors with features including live leaderboards, badge rewards, shared resources, and integrated scheduling.

JavaScriptFirebase FirestoreFigma

ACADEMIC

Present

CS 334: Principles and Techniques of Data Science - Student Social Media Addiction Analysis

Data Scientist

Explored a student social media addiction dataset through EDA, PCA, clustering, and machine learning techniques to identify key behavioral patterns and predictors of addiction scores across 700+ students.

PythonKaggle

Education

Sep 2023

BS Computer Science

Lahore University of Management SciencesSpecialization in Computer Science

GPA: 3.9

Relevant Coursework

Software EngineeringPrinciples and Techniques of Data ScienceDeep LearningHuman-Computer Interaction

Societies & Activities

LUMS Women in Computing Society (LWiC)

Jun 2023

High School Diploma

Al Faris International School

GPA: 4

Impact & Recognition

Awards

Lahore University of Management Sciences · 2025

Dean’s Honor List 2023 - 2025

Lahore University of Management Sciences · 2025

Merit Scholarship Recipient 2025 - 2026

Governance & Advisory

LUMS Women in Computing Society (LWiC)2024 – Present

Director of Logistics

OTHER

Coordinated coding camps, panels, and events, including Women in Tech Fest, the largest society-led, women-only tech event in Pakistan, engaging 100+ students across high schools and universities. Streamlined operational processes for the society, enhancing efficiency and overall organization.