Education

2007-2011 PhD: Caltech, Pasadena, CA, USA
Computer Vision Group, Electrical Engineering Department
Thesis Title: Searching Large-Scale Image Collections
2005-2007 MSc: Caltech, Pasadena, CA, USA
Electrical Engineering Department, GPA 4.0
2003-2005 MSc: Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
Computer Engineering Department
Preliminary Courses: Distinction (96.8%), Rank: 1st / 100
Thesis Title: Enhanced Ensemble Learning Technique With A Case Study Of Video Network Traffic Forecasting
1998-2003 BSc: Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
Computer Engineering Department, Distinction (96.5%), Rank: 1st / 76
Graduation Project: Design and implementation of microcontroller based device to calculate Islamic prayer times and Qiblah direction anywhere on earth
1995-1998 General Secondary School Certificate
98.5%, Rank: 98 / 250,000

Research Experience

May'04-Jun'05 Enhanced ensemble learning technique
The thesis involved enhancing a new ensemble learning algorithm and comparing it to existing approaches like bagging and boosting
Jan-May 2004 Sparse Basis Selection and MPEG Traffic Prediction
This paper applied a new adaptive sparse basis selection algorithm to the problem of predicting MPEG movies traffic over the network

Teaching Experience

Fall'07 Teaching Assistant, Electrical Engineering Department, Caltech
TA for CS/CNS/EE156a: Learning Systems.
Sep'03-Jun'05 Teaching Assistant, Computer Engineering Department, Cairo University
Working as a TA involved instructing practical sessions and labs, preparing lab material and assignments, marking assignments and mid-term exams
Spring'05 Computer Engineering Department, Cairo University
teaching assistant for Microprocessors, lab instructor for Programming techniques and Priciples of Object Oriented Programming
Fall'04 Computer Engineering Department, Cairo University
teaching assistant for Microprocessors, lab instructor for Database Systems
Spring'04 Computer Engineering Department, Cairo University
teaching assistant for Information Technology and Advanced Computer Architecture, lab instructor for Operating Systems
Fall'03 Computer Engineering Department, Cairo University
teaching assistant for Microprocessors and Parallel and Distributed Computers, lab instructor for Digital Logic Design

Professional Experience

Jun'04-Aug'05 Arkan Integrated Solutions - Software Engineer (part-time)
Involved in planning and designing of Web applications
Jul'02-Aug'02 University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
Worked on developing CBT applications for teaching foreign languages
Jul'01-Aug'01 IBM Egypt
Technical training in network installation and administration

Honors and Awards

2005 Atwood Graduate Fellowship
Electrical Engineering Department, California Institute of Technology
2002 Ideal Student
Computer Engineering Department, Cairo University
2001 Ideal Student
Computer Engineering Department, Cairo University

Standard Test Scores

Sep'04 General GRE CBT
800/800 Quantitative, 660/800 Verbal, 5.5/6 Analytical Writing
Aug'04 TOEFL CBT
290/300: 30/30 Reading, 29/30 Listening, 28/30 Structure and Writing, 5.5/6 Writing

Extracurricular Activities

  • President of the CalMSA'05-06 (Muslim Students Association at California Institute of Technology
  • Scoutmaster in Maadi Club Scouting team, Maadi, Cairo
  • Member of the Scientific Society for Computer Engineering (SSCE), Computer Engineering Department, Cairo University
  • Sports: squash, soccer, table tennis, swimming, fencing, chess

Various Skills

Programming Languages
  • ANSI/Visual C/C++
  • Java
  • Python
  • Perl/CGI
  • Linux/Unix Shell Scripting
  • Visual C#.NET
  • Visual Basic
  • PHP
  • Pascal
  • XHTML/CSS/Javascript
  • ASP
Specific Languages
  • Matlab
  • OpenGL
  • Prolog
  • Embedded C for 8051/2 family of microcontrollers
  • VHDL
  • Lex-Yacc