Professor and Director, Data Management Research Lab (DaMRL)
Janki Bhimani’s primary research focus revolves around Flash-Based Storage Systems, Big Data Processing, Cloud Computing, High-Performance Computing, and Parallel and Distributed Computing. Her research interest also includes Performance Modeling, Resource Management, and Capacity Planning for various emerging inter-disciplinary research domains. With her extraordinary expertise and extensive experience in the field of new emerging flash-based storage systems and devices, she has made significant contributions to the data storage management community. She is the recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Research Award of 2019 from Northeastern University. She also received Best Paper Awards from flagship conferences. Her work is published in highly selective conferences and journals. She is also the main inventor of top graded patents. Hand-in-hand with her research, she is very passionate about teaching and mentoring. Prior to joining at Florida International University, she previously served Northeastern University as an instructor. She also closely worked with research scientists at Samsung Semiconductor Research Labs towards evolving flash-based SSDs. In her free time, Janki is a creative visual artist. Far from home, amidst nature, she finds her inspiration to paint. She enjoys understanding the impact of art on human psychology, and she can painterly bring motivation, healing, and encouragement through the canvas.
Graduate Students
MANOJ PRAVAKAR SAHAManoj P. Saha is a Ph.D. Candidate working with Prof. Janki Bhimani at Florida International University in Data Management Reserach Lab (DaMRL). His research focuses on flash-based storage systems, data management, and scalable systems. He is currently working on emerging Key-Value SSD technology. Prior to joining DaMRL, he earned a master’s in Computer Science from The University of Texas at El Paso, an MBA in Marketing from the Institute of Business Administration at the University of Dhaka, and a BS in Electronics and Telecommunication from North South University. He has worked in telecommunications, digital media and marketing industries for seven years.
DANIEL CARLSONdcarl026@fiu.edu
Daniel Carlson is a Ph.D. student working with Prof. Janki Bhimani at Florida International University in Data Management Reserach Lab (DaMRL). He graduated with B.S. in Computer Science at Florida International University in 2022. He was awarded Outstanding Student Award 2022 by KFSCIS, FIU. His research interests include efficient memory management on tiered and disaggregated memory systems, distributed deep learning, and cloud computing.
ALI BIN OMER QURESHI aqure017@fiu.edu
Ali Bin Omer Qureshi is currently pursuing Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from Florida International University, with Professor Janki Bhimani as his Advisor. Ali successfully completed his undergraduate studies in Computer Science Engineering in Hyderabad. His research interest spans various domains, with a particular focus on cloud computing, memory optimization, and storage systems, among other areas of interest. Beyond his academic endeavors, he has a profound passion for working with data and finds joy in the creative process of developing applications.
MAYUR AKEWAR Mayur Akewar is a Ph.D. student under the guidance of Prof. Janki Bhimani at Florida International University, working in the Data Management Research Lab (DaMRL). His research areas include applied machine learning, neuro-symbolic AI, accelerating data-intensive algorithms, resource management and optimization, and scalable systems. Mayur brings five years of industrial experience in designing, training, and deploying machine learning and deep learning models for multimodal data (text, image, audio, video). He also has academic experience from his time at Pune University in India. He holds a B.E. and an M.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering.
MUTTAHAR KHALID mkhal035@fiu.edu
Muttahar Khalid is a dedicated and ambitious Computer Science professional currently engaged in Master’s studies at Florida International University, with his educational journey rooted in a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from Hyderabad. He has developed a solid foundation across various technical domains, with a particular focus on advancing his expertise in computer science. Muttahar’s academic and professional pursuits are driven by a strong commitment to continuous learning and knowledge enhancement. His research interests lie in the realms of Machine Learning and storage systems, reflecting a keen desire to delve into complex problems and contribute innovative solutions in these cutting-edge areas.
Undergraduate Students
AMANDA DI PERNA adipe001@fiu.edu
Amanda Di Perna is a distinguished graduate of Florida International University, holding a B.S. in Marine Biology and honored with the 2023 Outstanding Graduate Award. Passionate about advancing STEM education, she leads initiatives within the NSF-funded Project VOCES at the STEM Transformation Institute. She manages Project VOCES’ website and social media while spearheading a project aimed at enhancing undergraduate recognition of STEM skills. Committed to environmental conservation, Amanda serves as the Programs Manager for Debris Free Oceans, a Miami-based non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring local communities to go zero waste.
FEDERICO MONTEVERDI fmont079@fiu.edu
Federico is an accomplished senior at Florida International University, majoring in Computer Science with a notable GPA of 3.82. His academic journey is distinguished by his role as a Teaching Assistant for Discrete Structures and his current focus on optimizing tiered memory systems as an undergraduate researcher. Federico’s project work includes “StellarSight,” a machine learning-based image recognition project. With a forthcoming position as a Software Engineering Consultant in summer 2024, Federico is poised to leverage his research insights and project experience in advancing the tech industry.
gzava004@fiu.edu
Gabriel Zavala is a dedicated Computer Science student at Florida International University, poised for graduation in December 2023 with a GPA of 3.45. He has honed his skills in various programming languages like Java, Python, C, C#, and SQL, as well as in technologies such as Git, Linux, and MongoDB.
Throughout his internship at Dell Technologies, Gabriel made a direct impact by improving tech note publishing times and mitigating user-reported bugs. His coursework has encompassed a wide array of subjects, ranging from machine learning and software engineering to artificial intelligence, which has bestowed him with a robust educational foundation.
ANABEL TENORIO ateno008@fiu.edu
Anabel Tenorio is a graduate of Florida International University, with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. She has been working with NSF-funded Project VOCES at the STEM Transformation Institute to develop her own project based on STEM resilience stories of graduate students to help motivate students pursuing similar paths. Within Project VOCES she also manages the website and helps with admin tasks. Anabel is also pursuing Medical school and is currently working towards that goal.
CHRISTOPHER LUKAS KVERNE
ckver001@fiu.edu
Christopher Lukas Kverne is an undergraduate researcher pursuing a B.S in Computer Science, plus a minor in Mathematics, with a cumulative GPA of 3.93. His interests lie in optimizing and improving the value of analyzing large data sets. Christopher has built various projects including a “Fake news detector”, that has landed him an internship for a European company called NG Group during the summer. After his graduation, Christopher is planning to dive deeper into academia to pursue his Ph.D. in computer science.
ALEJANDRO CAMPOS acamp238@fiu.edu
Alejandro Campos is an undergraduate student pursuing two B.S. degrees in Physics and Mathematical Sciences. He has been working on education research in the NSF-funded VOCES Project where he has analyzed course barriers to graduation and now focuses on improving the experience of students in physics and lower-level physics lectures. Alejandro is also a part of the social media team for VOCES where he is working on the project’s website and is managing event organization.
NICCHOLAS REIZnreiz001@fiu.edu
Niccholas is an undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science. He has been working as part of NSF-funded Project VOCES at the STEM Transformation Institute researching stress reduction initiatives in Calculus 1. Within Project VOCES, he works on social media duties, website development, and other admin tasks. Niccholas is also a DHS ADMIRE Center fellow at FIU researching drone communications.
ADRIAN GONZALEZ
Adrian Gonzalez is a computer engineering student with a Minor in Engineering Mathematical Sciences at Florida International University. He has a strong passion for cybersecurity and embedded systems. Adrian’s experience includes work with the city of Coral Gables, where he worked on an iOS app with AR technology. He has worked on a few technical projects, including a proof-of-concept website that tracks prescriptions for patients, and uses machine learning and video detection to count and categorize pills. He has participated in clubs such as INIT and SHPE, holding a Junior Treasurer position for the latter. After graduation, Adrian is planning to start graduate studies and work towards his Master’s degree.
Graduated Students
ADNAN MARUFAdnan Maruf graduated with Ph.D. in computer science at Florida International University (FIU), Miami in 2023 and joined Missouri State University as Tenure Track Assistant Professor. He received his B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET), Bangladesh. His research interests are storage systems, persistent memory, Key-Value SSD, system reliability, and distributed systems. Before joining the Ph.D. program at FIU, he worked as Sr. Software Engineer at Samsung R&D Institute, Bangladesh for three years.
ASHIKEE GHOSH Ashikee Ghosh graduated with M.S. in computer science at Florida International University (FIU), Miami in 2022 and joined Amazon as Software Engineer. He received his B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET). His research interests are systems for machine learning, persistent memory, storage systems, and distributed systems. Before joining the Ph.D. program at FIU, he worked as Software Engineer at Reve Systems Ltd, Bangladesh for three years and as Software Engineer Intern at Samsung R&D Institute, Bangladesh.
nvale010@fiu.edu
Natalia Valencia graduate with B.S. in Computer Science at Florida International University as started her Ph.D. Prior to that, she had earned a B.A. in Liberal Studies with a focus on Continental Philosophy and Postcolonial Theory. Her research interests include parallel computing, storage systems, and key valued SSDs
Sashri Brahmakshatriya graduated with B.A. in Computer Science at Florida International University. Prior to that, he was seeking experience gathering opportunities and was fortunate enough to learn of DaMRL so early in his college career. His research interests include hardware benchmarking, memory optimization, and data storage systems.
ARIS DUANI ROJASAris Duani Rojas graduated with B.S. in Computer Science at Florida International University and continued with this Ph.D. His research interests include persistent memory, storage systems, multi-stream SSDs, and key-value SSDs.
Christopher Meadows graduated with B.S in Information Technology program at Florida International University. He received his Associate in Arts from Miami Dade College in Computer Information Systems in 2019. His research interests include networking, computer security, automation, and cloud-based storage solutions. In his free time, he enjoys designing 3D printed projects and experimenting on his home lab.
MAIMUNA BEGAM KALI Maimuna’s research interest is to work on Optimizing Parallel Operations within BigData Processing Platforms.
DWARAKA PRASAD MOHEN BABUDwaraka Prasad graduated with M.S. in Computer Science at Florida International University. His research interests include data indexing and management within multi-stream SSDs to reduce the garbage collection and wear-leveling overheads.
ROBERTO MARTINEZRoberto Martinez graduated with B.S. in Computer Science at Florida International University. During his tenure with DaMRL, he worked towards optimizing the parallelism of different types of operations within KVSSDs.
KEVIN NORDMANKevin Nordman graduated with B.A. in Computer Science at Florida International University. His research interests include data indexing and machine learning.
