Dr. Beena Ahmed is the epitome of a STEM SUPERSTAR as she is actively paving the way with data and machine learning algorithms to improve our lives and assist in the work of healthcare providers.

As the Senior Lecturer at the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications at the University of New South Wales, Dr. Ahmed works at the intersection of health and technology to find solutions for disordered speech detection, dementia detection from speech, disordered sleep monitoring and stress prediction and self-regulation.

Guest Blog by Dr. Beena Ahmed

As a girl, I was fond of making puzzles, solving math problems and baking. I loved the challenge they presented and the sense of accomplishment they gave me.

I also loved going out in the bush to explore the unknown. 

Exploring a love of the unknown

Because of my fascination with the unknown, I would follow the NASA Space Shuttle launches, marvelling at how it was possible for the astronauts to send video messages from outer space. When in year 12 I learned that these messages were all the work of electrical engineers, I knew that this was the profession for me. Where else would I get to use my math skills to build systems to send and recover hidden patterns in data?

From fascination to life-enhancing research

In my research today I still work on uncovering hidden patterns in data or signals as we call them in electrical engineering. However, I didn’t have to go to space to find the unknown. There is so much we don’t understand in speech and electrical signals from the human body.

I apply signal processing and machine learning on these signals to determine if people are at risk of dementia or insomnia, give children feedback on whether they are doing speech therapy or language learning exercises correctly, and help people regulate their stress levels. The excitement of being able to solve problems that can help improve our lives is what I love most about my field.

Advice for future female mathematicians

To all those girls considering careers in Mathematics, I say - don’t let anyone discourage you. Mathematics is not a talent you are born with, but rather, it is a language that anyone can learn.

When you learn how to speak maths, you learn how to express ideas from any field into universally understandable terms. Speaking maths will open the door to a multitude of different career paths for you; careers where you too can use maths to solve the problems you are passionate about, just like me!”

Dr Ahmed is passionate about not only attracting girls to the field of engineering but also mentoring them to stay. She has been an advisor for Women in Engineering student groups and has developed mentorship and leadership development programs for these students. Dr Ahmed has also created design-based engineering outreach activities to attract female high school students specifically.

Thanks for sharing your story with our girledworld community, Dr Ahmed.

Learn more about Dr Ahmed’s work.