About Me

Hi, I’m Warda, a PhD candidate in Computer Science at Brigham Young University. I am fortunate to be supervised by Dr. Daniel Zappala. My research explores the intersection of technology and human behavior.

While I have my undergraduate level training mostly focused towards traditional computer science disciplines, such as mobile app development, studying computer networks, and implementing computer security algorithms, I have recently found my love for understanding how users interact with technology and vice versa. I am fascinated by how people interact with technology and the choices they make in navigating complex systems. My research focuses on understanding these socio-technical interactions to ensure that technologies are not only powerful but also accessible and intuitive for everyone. I believe that by considering human behaviors and decision-making, we can design systems that are more inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of users.

At the heart of my work is a desire to make technology safer and more usable, allowing all individuals, regardless of their expertise, to interact with it confidently. I strive to bridge the gap between technical advancements and real-world user experiences, ensuring that human needs are central to how we build and deploy technological solutions.

Journey

I come from a very humble background, and belong from a small, beautiful village located in Soon Valley, Pakistan. In 2019, I got my undergraduate degree in Computer and Information Sciences from Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences. In 2020, I started my PhD in Computer Science at Brigham Young University.

Being in Pakistan while applying to grad schools in the United States, I struggled with finding advice on how to go about the application process. If you are considering applying for CS grad schools in the United States, you are welcome to glance through the PhD Application Guide.