Ciriculum Vitae

Objective
Pursuing an advanced degree in space technology, urban planning, engineering, development, & policy

GPA 3.8 / 4.0  

Education
2019 , University of Alabama, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering
Minors in Mechanical Engineering, Computer-Based Honors, and Public Policy
 
2018, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT Summer Research Program
Supervised by Dr. Danielle Wood, Space Enabled Group, MIT Media Lab


Research Project Experience
2018 – Present          
Remote Sensing and Sustainable Groundwater Policy, Senior Thesis
Researched the public policy applications of satellite water measurements. Completed literature review, case studies of policies, and draft proposal.
-Under Dr. Jay Famiglietti, NASA JPL, University of Saskatchewan

Summer 2018            
Application of Earth Observation Satellite Technology to Track & Model Invasive Water Hyacinth in West Africa, Summer Research
Conducted satellite data analysis to differentiate invasive water hyacinth plants and generated maps to help quantify historical bloom trends. Also contributed to stochastic modeling of future plant growth trends.
-Under Dr. Danielle Wood, Space Enabled, MIT Media Lab

2017 – 2018               
Optimization of Real-Time Flood Inundation Map Generation from Point Observation Sources
Produced flood depth and extent maps using point observation data and calibrated interpolation model by employing inputs from Hurricane Joaquin landfall in 2015. Also confirmed feasibility of near real-time processing.
-Under Dr. Sagy Cohen, Surface Dynamics Modeling Lab, University of Ala.

2016 – 2017               
Dynamic Family Language Policy as an ‘Experiment’ in Heritage Language Retention: Case Study of a Bilingual Arabic Family in US
Explored the dynamics of Arabic language retention in a bilingual Libyan-American family using qualitative methods and critical discourse analysis. Also completed the translation and transcription of all collected data.
-Under Dr. Bedrettin Yazan, College of Education, University of Ala.

 
Technical Skills
ArcGIS, SolidWorks, Python, JavaScript, FORTRAN, AutoCAD, Excel, Arduino, SQL, C++

Languages
English (native), Arabic (native), Turkish (fluent)

Publications

Publications
1.   (Accepted) Yazan, B. & Ali, I. (2018).
Family language policies in a Libyan immigrant family in the U.S.: Language and religious identity. Heritage Language Journal. Volume 15(3).
 
Invited Talks & Conference Presentations
1.   “Space Technology is an Opportunity for Justice and Development”. Invited to give a TIDE Talk (TED-style presentation). The University of Alabama. December 2018.

2.   “Prototyping an Observatory to Support Sustainable
Development Goal 15”. Engineering Science Symposium at SHPE National Convention. Cleveland, Ohio. November 2018.

3.   “Satellite Earth Observation to Track Invasive
Plants in W. Africa”. Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium. Rice University. Houston, Texas. October 2018.
 
4.   “Application of Sat. Tech. to Track & Model Invasive Water Hyacinth Growth in West Africa”. Public talk at the MIT Media Lab. Cambridge, Massachusetts. July 2018.
 
5.   “Optimization of Real-Time Flood Inundation Map Generation from Point Observation Sources”. The 3rd Annual Water Policy Summit. NOAA National Water Center. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. April 2018.
 
6.   “Family Language Policy as an ‘Experiment’ in Heritage Language Retention”. Randall Research Scholars Live Broadcast Presentation. The University of Alabama. December 2017.
 
7.   “Dynamic Family Language Policy: Case Study of Libyan Arabic in the US “. Multi-disciplinary Approaches to Language Policy & Planning Conference. University of Toronto (OISE) Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Toronto, Canada. August 2017.
 
8.   “Hydraulic & Hydrological Simulations to Inform Flood Susceptibility in Coastal Mississippi”. Poster. The 2nd Annual Water Policy Summit. NOAA National Water Center. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. April 2017.

9.   “Hydraulic & Hydrological Simulations to Inform Flood Susceptibility in Coastal Mississippi“. Won 4th place poster at the Alabama Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Conference. The University of Alabama. March 2017.

10.  “Design of a Detention/Retention Basin and Bio-swales: Alleviating Flooding and Water Quality Issues near Bryant-Denny Stadium”. The SEC Academic Conference: The Future of Water. 1st Place, Campus Water Matters Competition. Mississippi State University. March 2017. 

11.  “Family Language Policy; Case Study of Bilingual Families in the United States”. Randall Research Scholars Live Broadcast Presentation. The University of Alabama. December 2016.