Personal Statement – Computer Science

Sani Nura Muhammad

My passion for advancing the frontiers of knowledge in computational sciences and my

aspiration to contribute to solving real-world problems have motivated me to apply for the
ISTA Ph.D. program. With a strong academic foundation, research experience, and a clear
vision for my future, I am eager to join ISTA’s vibrant community of scholars to pursue cutting-
edge research in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

My interest in computing dates back to my secondary school days when I actively took part
and represented my school in Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientist (JETs) competitions.
Prior to enrolling at Gombe State University (GSU) for my bachelor's, I had always looked
towards securing admission at Informatics Academy Kazaure; however, due to my humble
background and lack of the necessary funding, I settled for a less costly tertiary institution.
Nonetheless, the lack of financial support did not deter me from pursuing my goals. As a result,
I had already learned web development and started writing C programs even before I began my
first year at GSU. During my bachelor's at GSU, I developed a keen interest in programming
and other IT-related courses, such as networking and database management and administration.
Having lost my dad at an early age, I had to fend for myself by working part-time, teaching
web development to my peers and juniors, as well as working at internet cafes. These activities
were the real source of the funds I used to pay for my university tuition fees and day-to-day
living expenses. Despite the challenges, financial and moral hardships did not stop me from
graduating with a second-class upper division.

During the one-year compulsory national service (NYSC), I was privileged to teach
Information Technology (IT) related subjects in a secondary school. Securing a job after NYSC
was equally challenging. Despite not having a regular paid job, I empowered myself by
developing desktop applications for small businesses, teaching IT subjects on an hourly paid
basis, and enhancing my knowledge by reading books and learning new programming
languages such as Python. While all areas of computing are equally important, my interest lies
in Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and Networking. I have always had a passion
for teaching, and in fact, I have made a living teaching. Thus, besides becoming an
entrepreneur, I aspire to see myself teaching in a tertiary institution, thereby motivating the
younger generation, especially those from a humble background.
Research Experience and Skills

During my academic journey, I developed a strong foundation in computer science, earning a

Bachelor’s degree with a CGPA of 4.03 and a Master’s degree with a CGPA of 4.53 from
Gombe State University, Nigeria. Additionally, I earned a Master of Computer Application
(MCA) with distinction from Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, India.
My academic journey equipped me with advanced skills in machine learning, deep learning,
data science, and mathematical modeling.

My Master’s dissertation focused on constructing a hybrid ensemble learning model to enhance

the prediction accuracy and reliability of chronic kidney disease (CKD). By combining
algorithms such as Decision Trees, Naïve Bayes, Support Vector Machines (SVM), Random
Forest, and K-Nearest Neighbor, I developed a robust model for disease prediction. This project
honed my skills in feature engineering, data preprocessing, and algorithm integration.

Subsequently, I worked on snake species identification using deep learning and developed a
hybrid model for eye glaucoma detection, combining convolutional neural networks and
random forest. I also explored heart disease prediction by integrating artificial neural networks,
decision trees, and logistic regression. These projects enhanced my expertise in image
processing, neural network architectures, and model evaluation metrics.

As a Lecturer III at Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo, I teach a variety of courses in the Computer
Science department, including Java, C++, VB.NET, Introduction to Internet, Computer
Application Packages, CRM125 "Essentials of Information Technology," and many others.
Additionally, I serve as the Departmental SIWES Coordinator, overseeing students' industrial
work experience placements and ensuring alignment with academic and professional standards.
I tailor content to meet the interdisciplinary needs of my students, including those in the Crime
Management department. This role has deepened my ability to communicate complex ideas
effectively and foster collaboration in diverse teams.
Motivation for Applying to the ISTA Ph.D. Program

ISTA’s interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on fostering collaboration across scientific

domains resonate deeply with my research aspirations. The institute’s cutting-edge resources
and vibrant intellectual community provide an ideal environment to advance my expertise and
contribute to impactful discoveries. I am particularly inspired by ISTA’s focus on leveraging
computational and mathematical models to address challenges in diverse scientific fields.

Future Research Goals and Alignment with ISTA Research Groups

The first phase in the graduate school is aimed at getting the academic affiliation, thus trying
to find a research group to join. With my research knowledge and professional experiences in
machine learning, computer vision, and data science, I have found three research groups at
ISTA that coincide with my capabilities and academic goals.

1. Lampert Group: Machine Learning and Computer Vision

My studies in deep learning and image processing with the Lampert group will fit me fine.
During my master’s studies at Gombe State University, I was involved in projects involving
image recognition and deep convolutional neural networks, such as disease detection on rice
leaves using transfer learning with VGG16, Xception, and ResNet50 models and chronic
kidney disease prediction using a hybrid ensemble learning model. Such projects well suit the
Lampert Group's activities in automatic image analysis and task-oriented transfer learning
across the disciplines of computer science. Their development of software that can learn how
to complete different tasks interests me, as I have the vision of improving machine learning
models that can work under different environments. This cross-disciplinary approach expands
the possibility of learning more about multi-task learning and AI dealing with images, which
is one of the crucial areas of my study.

2. Locatello Group: Causal Learning and Artificial Intelligence

What particularly excites me about the research carried out at the Locatello Group is the
usage of the causal inference approach and its integrations in machine learning. I have
participated in projects aimed at increasing the prediction precision of several models that
involve building hybrid systems incorporating decision trees and random forests. This
experience enables me to gain both the knowledge and skills that would enable me to join the
group’s work on causal models, interventions, and changes in data distribution. The Locatello
Group’s studies on how to make AI systems reason and understand causality would let me
work on more powerful and interpretable machine learning pieces, which I am ready to work
on as part of my Ph.D. program.

3. Mondelli Group: Data Science, Machine Learning, and Information Theory

The work of the Mondelli Group on wireless communication systems and machine learning
from the perspective of information theory is in line with my aim of solving challenging
inference problems using mathematically sound models. I investigated a number of data
science approaches, for example, statistical modeling and hybrid models for the prediction of
diseases, even heart diseases. I believe a steady exposure to the Mondelli Group’s work on
effectiveness in information usage in data analysis would solidify my grasp of theoretical
concepts in data analysis. In addition, their focus on low-complexity algorithms for inference
would help me appreciate more the current quest to optimize machine learning models for
practical use.

While these are my top choice groups with regard to my research interests, I would be willing
to join other groups in ISTA. I appreciate its multidisciplinary orientation and am confident
that this background creates the best conditions to engage in interlinking my knowledge on AI,
ML, and data science with new research in these fields.