Ardavan Shahrabi
Software Developer & Machine Learning Engineer
Ontario, Canada
Hi There!
I'm Ardavan Shahrabi, a recent Computer Science graduate with a passion for problem-solving, algorithms, and building impactful software. I love turning complex challenges into elegant solutions and writing code that makes people's lives easier.
I have experience in full-stack development, Machine Learning, and cybersecurity, with certifications in Cybersecurity from Dalhousie University and DevOps from ShiftKey Lab at Dalhousie University. Whether it's optimizing performance, automating workflows, or crafting user-centered solutions that remove friction from everyday digital interactions, I enjoy diving deep into technology to create efficient and scalable solutions.
Recently, I played a key role in developing an AI-driven networking application, collaborating with a talented team in a high-pressure 10-hour hackathon where we secured first place. I worked across multiple areas, from database architecture to OpenAI API integration, ensuring the project's success and technical excellence.
Beyond competitions, my work includes academic research in combinatorial pattern matching, where I helped optimize query processing for large-scale genomic datasets. My research aimed to significantly reduce data processing time and memory usage, making large-scale analyses more efficient.
I'm always eager to learn, build, and innovate—whether it's developing intuitive applications, enhancing system security, or solving intricate coding problems. Let's connect and create something awesome!
I'm deeply committed to leveraging my technical expertise to create more accessible and inclusive technology. My ultimate goal is to develop solutions that break down barriers and make digital experiences more intuitive for everyone, regardless of their background or abilities. I believe technology should serve humanity by simplifying complex tasks and creating equal opportunities. Whether through designing user-friendly interfaces, optimizing performance for those with limited resources, or building adaptive systems that accommodate diverse needs, I aim to use my skills to bridge technological divides and empower communities that have traditionally been underserved by technology. What drives me most is seeing how thoughtfully designed software can transform daily challenges into seamless experiences, giving people more time and freedom to focus on what truly matters to them.
3+
Years Experience
5+
Projects Completed
10+
Technologies
1
Hackathon Win
Education
Sep, 2020 - May, 2024
Halifax, NS
Dalhousie University
Bachelor of Computer Science with honours (First Class Honours), (GPA: 3.93 / 4.3)
Skills & Technologies
Programming Languages
Frontend
Backend & Databases
DevOps & Tools
Experience
Nov, 2024 - Present
Halifax, NS
Founder & Developer
WhoRU? (Startup)
What started as an ambitious idea in a high-pressure AI hackathon has now evolved into a full-fledged startup. Our AI-powered networking app is designed to help professionals seamlessly capture, organize, and recall key details about the people they meet. From intelligent voice transcription to smart suggestions, we're continuously refining the platform—iterating on AI capabilities, conducting user testing, and ensuring the product aligns with real-world networking needs. This journey began with a winning hackathon project, but our vision extends far beyond that. We're transforming an innovative prototype into a market-ready solution, redefining how professionals build and maintain meaningful connections.Click here
Dec, 2023 - January, 2025
Halifax, NS
IT Help Desk
ByDesign Embroidery & Screen Print
As an IT Support Specialist, I provided hands-on technical support, ensuring company systems ran smoothly and securely. From setting up workstations for new employees to troubleshooting software and hardware issues, I worked to maintain a seamless digital workspace. Beyond solving immediate technical problems, I focused on empowering users. I developed an internal knowledge base with 10+ step-by-step user guides covering essential IT procedures, from printer setup to remote access. Additionally, I led bi-weekly training sessions for teams of 5-10 employees, equipping them with the skills to navigate Microsoft Office and company-specific software confidently. By combining technical expertise with user education, I helped bridge the gap between IT and everyday workflows—making technology more accessible, efficient, and secure.
Feb, 2023 - Aug, 2023
Halifax, NS
Research Assistant
Dalhousie University
As a Research Assistant at Dalhousie University, I contributed to cutting-edge work in combinatorial pattern matching, co-authoring a research paper published in Volume 259, pages 26:1-26:14, 2023. My focus was on optimizing algorithms for large-scale data processing, with real-world applications in genomics and beyond. By refining query processing techniques, I helped reduce computational time by over 50%, significantly accelerating data retrieval. Additionally, I developed space-efficient indexing methods, cutting memory usage in half and enabling more scalable solutions for handling vast genomic datasets. This research has the potential to transform how large datasets are processed, reducing analysis times from several hours to under an hour—opening doors to faster, more efficient insights in data-intensive fields.
June, 2023 - Oct, 2023
Halifax, NS
Student Coordinator at Shiftkey Lab (Volunteer)
Dalhousie University
As a Research Assistant at Dalhousie University, I contributed to cutting-edge work in combinatorial pattern matching, co-authoring a research paper published in Volume 259, pages 26:1-26:14, 2023. My focus was on optimizing algorithms for large-scale data processing, with real-world applications in genomics and beyond. By refining query processing techniques, I helped reduce computational time by over 50%, significantly accelerating data retrieval. Additionally, I developed space-efficient indexing methods, cutting memory usage in half and enabling more scalable solutions for handling vast genomic datasets. This research has the potential to transform how large datasets are processed, reducing analysis times from several hours to under an hour—opening doors to faster, more efficient insights in data-intensive fields.
Projects
Portfolio Website
I created a modern and interactive portfolio website to showcase my skills, projects, and experience. The website is built with Next.js, ensuring fast page loads and excellent SEO. I incorporated Framer Motion to add smooth, engaging animations for a dynamic user experience. The design is made using ShadCN, which helped me craft a sleek, responsive interface with modern design elements.
Key Features:
- Dark/Light Mode Toggle: Easily switch between dark and light themes for a personalized browsing experience.
- Smooth Page Transitions: Seamless transitions between pages powered by Framer Motion, creating a smooth and engaging user experience.
- Responsive Design: The website is fully responsive, ensuring it looks great and functions perfectly on all devices, from desktops to mobile phones.Click here
JuniorDevForge
As part of a team of 6, I helped develop JuniorDevForge, a platform designed to support junior developers by enabling collaborative project development and providing access to industry-relevant resources. The platform allows users to form teams and work together on real-world projects, fostering learning and growth in a practical setting. I contributed to the project by designing and implementing the database architecture with MongoDB, ensuring efficient data management and scalability. Additionally, I applied design thinking principles to create an intuitive and user-friendly interface, enhancing the overall user experience. The platform was successfully deployed, empowering junior developers to collaborate, learn, and build impactful projects.
Key Features:
- Collaborative Project Development: Enables junior developers to form teams and work on real-world projects together, promoting teamwork and skill growth.
- Seamless Deployment: The platform was successfully deployed, allowing junior developers to access it anytime to collaborate on projects.
- MongoDB Database Integration: Designed and implemented a scalable database architecture to manage user data, project information, and team collaborations efficiently.
- User-Friendly Interface: The platform's interface was built with a focus on usability, incorporating design thinking principles to make it easy for users to navigate and interact with.Click here
MONI-k
MONI-k is a project focused on indexing large text datasets for genetics studies. I implemented efficient data structures and algorithms in C to enhance the indexing process, enabling faster and more accurate data retrieval for genetic analysis. My work contributed to optimizing the data processing capabilities of the project, which is crucial for large-scale genomic studies. Additionally, I co-authored a paper detailing the project, which was accepted for presentation at the Annual Symposium on Combinatorial Pattern Matching.
Key Features:
- Efficient Data Indexing: Developed data structures and algorithms to efficiently index large-scale genetic datasets, improving processing speed and accuracy.
- Genetics-Focused Algorithms: Specialized in algorithms that optimize text indexing for genomic data, addressing the unique challenges of large genetic datasets.
- Paper Publication: Co-authored a research paper accepted by the Annual Symposium on Combinatorial Pattern Matching.Click here
Maverick
Led a 5-developer agile team designing and implementing a task management website with RESTful API. Implemented CI/CD pipelines and runners with GitLab for reliable development, achieving 66% test coverage. Facilitated mob programming sessions to enhance code ownership among all team members. Completed the project with the highest grade in the class.
Key Features:
- Agile Team Leadership: Led a 5-developer team using agile methodologies, ensuring efficient collaboration and timely delivery of the task management platform.
- RESTful API: Designed and implemented a RESTful API for seamless communication between the front-end and back-end of the website.
- CI/CD Integration: Set up and maintained CI/CD pipelines and GitLab runners to automate testing and deployment.
- Mob Programming: Facilitated mob programming sessions to promote team collaboration and code ownership.
Academic Performance Analysis
In this project, I worked with a team of three to analyze a comprehensive dataset from Kaggle, which focused on variables influencing students' academic performance. Using Python and data visualization tools, we explored and visualized the data to uncover meaningful insights. I developed a linear regression model to quantify the impact of various factors, with a particular focus on mathematics performance. Our key finding was that student absences had the greatest negative impact on academic performance. Additionally, we discovered that parental support and study habits played significant roles in influencing students' success. To communicate our findings, I created impactful data visualizations and presented them to the team and stakeholders. The project concluded with actionable insights that can guide educational interventions and student support strategies.
Key Features:
- Linear Regression Model: Developed a linear regression model to quantify the impact of factors such as student absences, parental support, and study habits on grades.
- RESTful API: Designed and implemented a RESTful API for seamless communication between the front-end and back-end of the website.
- Data Visualizations: Created compelling visualizations to communicate key findings, making complex data more accessible and understandable.
- Data Analysis: Analyzed a large dataset from Kaggle to identify key variables that affect students' academic performance using Python and data visualization tools.
- Key Findings: Found that student absences were the most significant negative factor affecting academic performance, while parental support and study habits contributed positively to students' success.
Get In Touch
I'm open to new opportunities, collaborations, and interesting projects. Whether you have a question or just want to say hi, I'll do my best to get back to you as soon as possible!