Rida Naeem
Welcome to my website! I'm a graduating senior studying Neuroscience and Computer Science at Boston University. Scroll through to learn more about my
education
,
experience
, and
projects!


Outside of my academics and work, I really enjoy finding opportunities to embrace my creative side, whether that be through playing the guitar, taking photos, or painting!

Education
My degree has allowed me to gain a truly interdisciplinary understanding of both Neuroscience and Computer Science, with coursework ranging from biology, chemistry, and physics, to the principles of computational modeling and computing.

Boston University: Sep 2020 - May 2024
  • B.A. Neuroscience, minor Computer Science
  • GPA: 3.73

Relevant Coursework
  • Object Oriented Programming, Data Structures, Software Engineering, Software Engineering Practicum, Web Application Development, Introduction to Artifical Intelligence
  • Discrete Math, Linear Algebra, Multivariate Calculus, Differential Equations
  • MATLAB Programming for Research, Computational Models of Brain and Behavior, Principles and Methods of Neural Modeling, Neuroscience Arduino Modeling Lab
Experiences
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Meyer Laboratory
Sep 2022 - present
  • Python
  • R
  • Jupyter Notebook
  • Programming
  • Data Analysis
  • Work with DeepLabCut (Python, deep learning model) to collect data on freezing behaviors
  • Score hundreds of videos of mice in elevated plus maze, recording freezing and analyzing subsequent data in Microsoft Excel and R
  • Handle mice during fear-conditioning and perform wet lab experiments, using a cryostat and vibratome to slice and mount mouse brains
Peer Tutor & Training Leader
BU Educational Resource Center
Sep 2021 - present
  • Chemistry
  • Teaching
  • Organization
  • Work one-on-one with undergraduate students to improve their understanding of general chemistry and plan study strategies for four to six hours each week
  • Run tutor training sessions, overseeing and providing feedback to tutor demonstrations
PR Coordinator & Full Stack Developer
Women In Neuroscience
Dec 2020 - present
  • React
  • Software Engineering
  • Social Media
  • Designed and currently developing scientific article-sharing platform for undergraduate students at BU doing research as part of initiative to promote undergraduate professional development
  • Organize/promote club events and maintain club's social media presence to 300+ followers
Instructor
Sylvan Learning
Jun - Aug 2022, 2023
  • Teaching
  • Organization
  • Planning
  • Planned curriculum alongside center director and led one cohort of SAT Camp, working with eight high school students twice a week to prepare for the SAT exam
  • Worked with K-12 students for one hour each, up to three at a time to remediate math and reading skills by delivering lesson plans and assessments
Projects
Easier Recipe
Full Stack Developer
  • MongoDB
  • Express
  • React
  • Node
  • Oauth
  • Redux
The home page of Easier RecipeThe main recipe page of Easier Recipe
  • Designed in Figma and proceeded to develop a MERN web application for virtual recipe storing and sharing with redux state management and Google OAuth integration
  • Implemented feature for seamless conversion between imperial and metric units
  • Integrated multiple recipe scraper APIs to enable URL-to-recipe functionality
Pikmin Progress Tracker
Full Stack Developer
  • React
  • TypeScript
  • Next.js
  • Tailwind
The home page of Pikmin Progress TrackerThe home page of Pikmin Progress Tracker with some pikmin selected
  • Created a React application using TypeScript and Next.js to locally track user progress in the mobile game Pikmin Bloom, with features for data visualization
  • Currently implementing SQL database storage and user sign-in for cross-device use
ExploRx - Tech For Change Hackathon 2024
UI/UX Designer
  • React
  • MongoDB
  • TypeScript
  • Figma
  • Using Figma, designed mobile app for aggregating and comparing prescription and medical procedure costs with various insurance plans
Culinary Community
Front-End Developer, UI/UX Designer
  • MongoDB
  • React
  • TypeScript
  • Next.js
The home page of Culinary CommunityThe recipes page of Culinary Community
  • Collaborated with a back-end developer to design and develop the front-end of a MERN web application, showcasing strong UI/UX design skills as part of a 24 hour BostonHacks project
Neural Modeling Projects
Computational Neuroscience
  • MATLAB
  • Mean-Field Modeling
  • Neural Networks
  • Data Analysis
  • Scientific Design
The normalized activity of neurons in a recurrent neural network with a specified signal function, visualized as a 2D plotThe normalized activity of neurons in a recurrent neural network with a specified signal function, visualized as a surface plot
  • Modeled changes in neuron voltage in MATLAB and Python using the Hodgin-Huxley, leaky integrate-and-fire, shunting, outstar, and instar equations/models
  • Produced final project evaluating existing fear conditioning neural network and mean-field models, modifying them to account for sex differences in amygdala activity