CV

Education

• MEng. in Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, 2027 (expected)
• B.S. in Computer Engineering, Union College, 2025

Coursework

• Advanced Image Processing *
• Deep Learning *
• Artificial Intelligence
• Intro to Logic and Set Theory
• Linear Algebra
• Evolutionary Robotics Seminar
• Algorithms Design and Analysis
• Control Systems
• Internet of Things
• Gaming Theory
• Computer Architecture

Work experience

• Jan - Mar 2026: Open Source Contributor
  • ROS 2 Navigation Stack (Nav2)
  • Duties included: Resolving state-synchronization issues in costmap layers and improving dynamic parameter handling in navigation middleware
  • Supervisor: Open Source Maintainers / Nav2 Working Group
• Sep 2024 – Jun 2025: Helpdesk Coordinator & Technical Tutor
  • Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering Department, Union College
  • Duties included: Mentoring students in embedded systems, digital logic, and programming; coordinating laboratory assistance and tutoring schedules
  • Supervisor: ECE Department Faculty
• Jun - Aug 2024: Embedded Engineering & Backend Developer Intern
  • Research And Development With Innovation (RADWI)
  • Duties included: Developing low-level microcontroller firmware, designing sensor communication pipelines, and deploying TinyML models to edge hardware
  • Supervisor: Engineering Team Lead
• Apr 2022 – Jun 2025: Lead Researcher & Backend Developer
  • Evolutionary Robotics Lab, Union College
  • Duties included: Developing 2D voxel-based soft robot simulation pipelines, analyzing evolved locomotion gaits, and co-authoring research published at IEEE RoboSoft 2024
  • Supervisor: Professor John Rieffel

Projects

• May - Jun 2026: Limit Order Book Simulator & Quoting Engine
  • Quantitative Systems & Financial Engineering
  • Key features: Built a high-performance matching engine in Python to simulate electronic order matching, depth charts, and automated market-making algorithms
  • Technologies: Python, Data Structures, Market Microstructure Modeling, Unit Testing
• Dec 2025 - Present -: Single-Camera Cricket DRS & Trajectory Predictor
  • Computer Vision & Motion Tracking
  • Key features: Engineered an automated ball-tracking and trajectory projection pipeline for single-camera video streams using recursive state estimation
  • Technologies: Python, OpenCV, Kalman Filtering, MediaPipe
• Apr 2024 – Mar 2025: Fast-Bowling Biomechanics Computer Vision Pipeline

  • Senior Capstone Project

    Union College

  • Key features: Developed an end-to-end machine learning and multi-planar vision framework to classify bowling kinematics, arm-angles, and delivery biomechanics
  • Technologies: Python, OpenCV, MediaPipe, Scikit-learn, Kinematic Analysis
• Sep 2021 – Jun 2025: Autonomous Maze-Solving Micromouse

  • Union College Robotics Crew

    IEEE Region 1 Competition

  • Key features: Designed, fabricated, and programmed an autonomous embedded robot using flood-fill search algorithms, leading the team to a 5th-place competition finish
  • Technologies: C/C++, Embedded Firmware, Sensor Fusion, Microcontrollers
• Jun 2025: Campus Microclimate & Environmental Sensor Network
  • Union College Systems Project
  • Key features: Deployed BME680 environmental sensor clusters across legacy campus infrastructure to monitor humidity, pressure, and thermal distribution patterns
  • Technologies: C++, BME680 Sensors, I2C/SPI Communication, Data Analytics

Skills

• Programming Languages
  • Python
  • Java
  • C++
  • Bash / Shell Scripting
• Robotics & Autonomous Systems
  • Costmap Layers & State Synchronization
  • Soft Robotics Simulation & Gait Modeling
  • Flood-Fill & Maze-Solving Algorithms
• Computer Vision & Signal Processing
  • OpenCV & MediaPipe
  • Image Processing Techniques
• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
  • PyTorch
  • Scikit-learn
• Embedded Systems & Hardware Interfacing
  • Microcontroller Firmware
  • Sensor Communication Protocols (I2C, SPI)
  • Sensor Fusion & Environmental Monitoring
• Software Engineering & Tools
  • Linux / Unix Environments
  • Git & GitHub Collaboration
  • Modular System Design & Unit Testing

Publications

Robustness in Diversity: Quality-Diversity Driven Discovery of Agile Soft Robotic Gaits

Muhammad Farooq. (2024). "Robustness in Diversity: Quality-Diversity Driven Discovery of Agile Soft Robotic Gaits".

Service and leadership

• Sep 2021 – Jun 2025: Co-President, Captain & Technical Mentor
  • Union College Robotics Crew
  • Responsibilities: Led technical workshops on embedded systems and autonomous algorithms, managed club hardware and budget, and captained the Micromouse team to a 5th-place finish at IEEE Region 1
• Oct 2022 – Jun 2025: Co-Founder & President
  • Union College Cricket Club
  • Responsibilities: Founded the official collegiate club, organized regional fixtures and tournaments, directed player recruitment, and managed logistics and equipment operations
• Aug 2022 – Jun 2025: Resident Advisor (RA)
  • Office of Residential Education, Union College
  • Responsibilities: Fostered an inclusive residential community for undergraduate students, managed conflict resolution and crisis response, enforced campus policies, and organized educational and community-building programs