Urmi Saha
I am currently a Ph.D. student in Information Science, concentrating in Health Informatics, at the University of North Texas (UNT) , Denton, Texas, where I work under the supervision of Dr. Bishnu Sarker. My research interests lie at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Computational Biology, with a particular interest in AI-driven antibody design, generative AI, and biological sequence modeling. Previously, I pursued my Master's degree in Computer Science at Wake Forest University , where I conducted research on neural operator learning for systems biology and brain dynamics in Dr. Minghan Chen's Modeling and Learning Lab . Before joining graduate school in the United States, I served as a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Bangladesh Army University of Science and Technology (BAUST) . I earned my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) .
Education
University of North Texas
Ph.D. in Information Science (Health Informatics Concentration)
- Research Advisor: Dr. Bishnu Sarker
- Research Interests: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computational Biology, AI-driven Antibody Design
Denton, Texas, USA
August 2026 – Present
Wake Forest University
Master's in Computer Science (Thesis Track)
- Cumulative GPA: 4.0/4.0
- Thesis Title: AI SURROGATE MODELING FOR BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS.
- Funding: Full scholarship with Teaching Assistantship (Fall 2024 – Spring 2025) and Research Assistantship (Fall 2025 – Spring 2026).
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
August 2024 – May 2026
Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
- Cumulative GPA: 3.71/4.0
Chittagong, Bangladesh
November 2021
Cantonment College, Jashore
Higher Secondary School Certificate, Science
- GPA: 5.00/5.00
Jashore, Bangladesh
August 2015
Gazirhat Hazi Naimuddin Secondary School, Khulna
Secondary School Certificate, Science
- GPA: 5.00/5.00
Khulna, Bangladesh
May 2013
Current Research Interests
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
- Computational Biology
- AI-Driven Antibody Design
- Generative AI for Biological Sequences
- Large Language Models & Protein Language Models
- AI Model Evaluation & Benchmarking
Research & Professional Experience
Graduate Research Assistant
University of North Texas
- Research Area: Artificial Intelligence, Computational Biology, and AI-Driven Antibody Design.
- Research Advisor: Dr. Bishnu Sarker.
Denton, Texas, USA
Fall 2026 – Present
Graduate Research Assistant
Wake Forest University
- Research on tau-protein propagation modeling using neural operator frameworks for PDE-based brain dynamics.
- Collaborated with the Raj Lab at UCSF on connectome-scale modeling of neurodegenerative disease progression.
- Generated datasets across multiple systems biology models for operator learning and sampling strategies.
Winston-Salem, NC
Aug 2025 – Spring 2026
Summer Research Intern
Chen's Modeling and Learning Lab
- Implemented AI surrogate models including Fourier Neural Operators, Wavelet Neural Operators, Laplace Neural Operators, and DeepONet.
- Developed a generalized pipeline for trajectory prediction across brain regions and time steps.
- Achieved trajectory prediction error below 4 × 10⁻⁴ MSE.
Wake Forest University
Jun 2025 – Jul 2025
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Wake Forest University
- Assisted teaching for Introduction to Computer Science and Problem Solving with Python.
- Mentored students in debugging, algorithmic thinking, and programming concepts.
Winston-Salem, NC
Aug 2024 – May 2025
Lecturer
Bangladesh Army University of Science and Technology
- Taught courses including Computer Systems, OOP, Numerical Methods, DBMS, and Applied Statistics.
- Developed course materials following Outcome-Based Education (OBE) guidelines.
- Advised undergraduate students on research and academic planning.
Saidpur, Bangladesh
Nov 2021 – Jul 2024
Publications
BNO-Tau: Brain Neural Operator for Tau Transport Model
N. Barron, H. Rao, U. Saha, Y. Gu, G. Yu, F. Yang, A. Raj, M. Chen
Submitted to Nature Computational Science
2026
MAMBAxBrain: A Multi-task Neural Framework Linking Brain Functional Dynamics
Y. Xia, F. Arab, U. Saha, B. Sipes, M. Chen, A. Raj
Submitted to Nature Communications + bioRxiv
2025
Predicting Depression Level Based on Human Activities and Feelings
U. Saha, S. M. M. Hossain, I. H. Sarker
Data Science and Management (Elsevier), 2024
2024
Honors and Awards
- Graduate Teaching Assistantship Scholarship, CS, WFU (Fall 2024 – Spring 2025)
- University Merit Scholarship, CUET, Bangladesh (2016–2021)
- Secondary School Certificate Merit Scholarship, Jashore Board, Bangladesh (2013)
- Junior School Certificate Merit Scholarship (3rd in Centre), Jashore Board, Bangladesh
- Primary School Certificate Merit Scholarship (1st in Centre), Jashore Board, Bangladesh (2008)
- Class Topper Scholarship / Prize successively for class 1–10 (2003–2012)
Technical Skills
- Programming Languages: Python (advanced), Java (intermediate), C, C++
- Deep Learning & Machine Learning: PyTorch (advanced), TensorFlow, scikit-learn, Neural Operators, Transformers, Mamba, Autoencoders, LLMs, Computer Vision
- Computational Biology: Biological Sequence Analysis, Protein Language Models, Sequence Alignment, BLASTp
- Data Science & Analytics: NumPy, pandas, SciPy, Matplotlib, Cleanlab
- Databases: MySQL, Oracle
- Web Development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
- Tools & Environments: High Performance Computing (HPC), Visual Studio Code, Jupyter/Colab, Git, Anaconda, PyCharm, IntelliJ
Coursework Projects
Human Activity Classification with Transformers and Mamba Models
- Designed sliding-window segmentation pipelines and implemented a baseline RLinear classifier for the UCI HAR70+ dataset.
- Integrated advanced time-series encoders such as PatchTST, iTransformer, and Mamba for multichannel sensor-based activity recognition.
- Achieved 99%+ macro-F1 with Mamba using optimized hyperparameters and improved sequence modeling strategies.
Spring 2025
Counterfactual Policy Similarity Metric (PSM) for RL Explainability
- Applied entropy-based measures to detect critical vs. non-critical states in the Taxi domain.
- Reimplemented the PSM algorithm from scratch and derived optimal and alterfactual policies for explainability.
- Visualized state-level divergences using heatmaps and analyzed limitations in sparse-state environments.
Spring 2025
Adaptive Huffman Coding Enhancement
- Extended the M-Adaptive Huffman Algorithm with compression-size tracking and bitstream encoding for image compression.
- Implemented both Python and C++ versions, reducing memory usage from 3.1 MB to 125 KB.
- Developed modular components and conducted large-scale tests for runtime efficiency and robustness.
Spring 2025
EZParking – Smart Parking Management App (Team Project)
- Developed a cross-platform mobile application using React Native and Expo.
- Integrated Google Maps API for real-time parking spot detection, routing, and navigation features.
- Collaborated in an agile environment using Personas, Mural, Jira, and Balsamiq for UI/UX and sprint planning.
Fall 2024
Language Proficiency
- Bengali: Native
- English: Listening – 6.5; Reading – 7.0; Writing – 6.0; Speaking – 6.0 (IELTS overall – 6.5)
Service & Leadership
Graduate Diversity & Inclusion Chair
Graduate Student Association, Wake Forest University
- Initiated and led the "Language Café" to promote cultural and linguistic exchange among graduate students.
- Organized diversity-centered engagement events during campus activities such as Tailgate Football Tournaments.
Winston-Salem, NC, USA
April 2025 – 2026
Active Member
Women in Computer Science (WiCS), Wake Forest University
- Introduced the "Educative Platform" initiative to help undergraduate and graduate students learn data structures and algorithms for coding interviews.
Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Fall 2024 – 2026
Member
ACM Student Chapter, Wake Forest University
- Engaged in reproducibility work for ACM research papers under the guidance of Dr. Natalia Khuri as part of Data-Centric AI coursework.
Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Fall 2025 – 2026
Active Member
WFUke: Wake Forest University Ukulele Group
- Learned and performed basic ukulele sessions through workshops led by faculty mentors.
Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Fall 2024 – 2026
Assistant Hall Provost
Bir Pratik Taramon Bibi Hall, BAUST
- Mediated student conflicts and addressed disciplinary matters within the residential community.
- Organized cultural and academic programs including Women's Day Celebration, Rag Day, Musical Night, and Programming Contests.
- Collaborated with university officials to refine and implement hall policies.
Saidpur, Bangladesh
December 2021 – August 2022