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AISHA SYED

Skills & Experience

SUMMARY

Highly motivated and analytical GIS Specialist with experience in GIS programming, development, and statistical and spatial analysis. Proficient in Python, R, SQL, and GIS software (ArcGIS and QGIS). I am experienced in managing and visualizing spatial data, developing predictive models, and translating data-driven findings into impactful strategies for academic research and policy-making.

 

I am passionate about utilizing data to address real-world challenges, particularly in the domains of health and environment.

EXPERIENCE

Experience Highlights

September 2023 - June 2024

TEACHING ASSISTANT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Courses Taught: Health Geography (Summer 2024), Introduction to Data Science for Social Science (Winter 2024), Geographic Information Systems and Mapping II (Winter 2024), Geovisualization (Fall 2023)​

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  • Assisted in the preparation of lesson materials, including developing a Python handbook for beginner coders.

  • Instructed discussion sections of 25 undergraduate students, focusing on the application of geospatial theory and statistical analysis on demographic data using GIS software (ArcGIS Pro).

  • Developed and taught GIS teaching materials in PowerPoint and Python to 13 undergraduate students for diverse applications of geospatial analysis to prepare for urban data science internships.

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March 2023 - June 2023

COMMUNITY OUTREACH FELLOW, OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI

  • Organized 2 events in the areas of the opioid epidemic and combatting religious discrimination to engage community members with elected officials

  • Wrote over 200 letters of commendation on behalf of Congressman to support local elected officials and community organizations

  • Collaborated with 30 community organizations to connect constituents to policymakers to help inform policymaking process

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February 2023 - June 2023

RESEARCH COORDINATOR, HEALTHY REGIONS & POLICIES LAB

  • Managed 4 undergraduate research assistants in performing statistical analysis on and visualizing spatial epidemiology data using agile project management

  • Collaborated with University of Illinois HR Department to recruit, interview, and hire 3 research staff positions

  • Coordinated 2 key research stakeholder meetings to support social determinants of health research

  • Oversaw creation of metadata for open-source environmental health data dashboard.

  • Created cartographic visualizations of environment data for a general audience to inform community-informed health initiatives

  • Prepared 2 IRB submissions and revisions

  • Coordinated 4 professors across 3 institutions to prepare and submit federal grant to finance social determinants of health research

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EDUCATION

My Studies

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September 2023 - November 2024

M.A. Human Geography, University of Toronto

GPA: 4.00

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Relevant Coursework: Advanced Quantitative Methods (R), Ethnoracial Disparities in Health

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Master’s Thesis Title: Immigrant Impact: Deconstructing the Production of the South Asian Urban Food Environment

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Fall 2023 Geography Recruitment Award

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Fall 2024 - Fall 2025 Canadian Graduate Scholarship - Master's

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Block I

August 2019 - December 2022

B.S. Geography and GIScience, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

GPA: 3.63

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Relevant Coursework: Spatial Analysis, Environmental Data Science (R), CyberGIS & Geospatial Data Science (Python, SQL), Spatial Problem Solving (ArcGIS Pro)

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Fall 2021 & Spring 2022 Dean's List

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Fall 2021 & Spring 2022 Illinois Engineering Achievement Scholarship Recipient

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Gamma Theta Upsilon (International Geography Honor Society) Member

PROJECTS BLOG

Academic and Research Projects and Papers

  • github
  • LinkedIn

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