NAME: Zainab Aamir
EDUCATION (What and where): Ph.D. in Computer Science – Stony Brook University, Undergraduate in Computer Science from Lahore University of Management Sciences(LUMS)
RESEARCH INTERESTS: Software and system security, programming languages
CURRENT RESEARCH: (What do you study and what are the implications of that work?): Working on regular expressions in programming languages and how they can be exploited, how to resolve the Regular Expression Denial of Service Attack
FUTURE GOALS: To play my part in fixing some security vulnerabilities, especially for developers, and creating more secure programs and software.
Why did you want to be a part of GWiSE?
I want to play my part in helping more women reach their full potential through the opportunities that were presented to me. Also, I have a strong group of women around me always!
What/who got you interested in your field?
I’ve always had particularly great luck with math and science teachers growing up, and when I started my undergraduate, one of the first courses I took was CS 100 – Introduction to Programming – it’s all been computer science since!
When did you know you were interested in pursuing a degree in science/engineering?
Being labeled as the “mad scientist” of the class in Grade 6 went a long way!
What do you think needs to happen for there to be more women in science/engineering?
More organizations like GWISE! Outreach programs, women raising other women always.
Favorite way to spend a free day:
A nice walk, some tea, and snacks with friends while we watch a movie/binge watch a show.
If your childhood had a smell, what would it be?
The smell of wet soil, after fresh rain – think the official term is petrichor.
What career did you want to pursue when you were in elementary school?
Astrophysicist (still a dream of mine)
Graduate Women in Science and Engineering @ SBU 