Sara Aly · Portfolio

Welcome! I am Sara Aly

I am a highly motivated Master's Student in Computer Engineering with a strong academic background and a passion for applying software engineering principles to solve real-world challenges. Experienced in algorithm design, system development, and software testing, eager to contribute innovative solutions in data structures, machine learning, embedded systems, and hardware design.

Programming Languages

Programming Languages

Python Java JavaFX C C# C++ HTML CSS VHDL Verilog System Verilog MATLAB
Software Tools

Software Tools

Arduino IDE Microsoft Office Figma JIRA Confluence Azure DevOps NI Multisim Pspice Jupyter Google Colab Visual Studio Visual Studio Code GitHub Django Vivado Synopsys VCS
Database

Database

SQL MySQL PostgreSQL Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Power BI AWS RDS
Hardware

Hardware

ARM7 LPC2148 Board Terasic DE10-Lite Xilinx FPGA board CMOS Beetle ESP32 - C3 Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 (Sense) ESP32­ WROOM­ 32 Zedboard Zybo PCM1052A

Work Experience

Resume

Projects

In progress Thesis

Hardware-accelerated deep learning for multimodal biomedical monitoring

On-device adaptive learning on a resource-constrained SoC with Python and C++. M.S. thesis work.

Publication Thesis Poster
In progress Research

VERA: Closed-Loop Feedback for Grounded Vision-Action Policies via Experience and Reasoning

Exploring reinforcement learning as a conditioning signal for a vision-language-action (VLA-style) policy: multimodal perception, language grounding, and action outputs under RL feedback.

  • PyTorch
  • RL
  • Python
Research

DDCA in a ring network for distributed machine learning

Distributed dual coordinate ascent in a ring topology for multi-node optimization, implemented and analyzed in MATLAB.

  • MATLAB
Publication
Research 2023–24

Smart prosthetic arm & foot controller

Bluetooth-enabled foot controller integration with a biomechanical prosthetic prototype: embedded C++ firmware and low-latency wireless links between controllers and the arm.

Publication Lab site Report Flowcharts
FPGA

AES-128 hardware implementation

Efficient AES-128 in Verilog with simulation and FPGA verification—focused on throughput and correct, robust operation in hardware.

Outline Report
Machine learning

Parkinson’s disease screening from voice

Comparative study of classifiers in MATLAB on voice biomarkers for early detection, with analysis of model accuracy and tradeoffs.

Publication
Application

Lost & found management system

JavaFX client for reporting and claiming items with a Java persistence layer for reliable storage and retrieval.

FPGA

Sensor-driven traffic light controller

VHDL design with live sensor inputs and adaptive timing, deployed and verified on Xilinx FPGA hardware.

  • VHDL

Education

Master of Science in Computer Engineering

California State University Northridge • 2026

  • GPA GPA: 4.00
  • Award Dean's List: Spring 2025 - Fall 2025
  • Award Teaching Associate (TA) Fee Waiver: Spring 2025 - Spring 2026
  • Award ARCS Fellowship
  • Award GRAD Center Conference Travel Funding Award
  • Award Student Travel & Academic Research (STAR) funding
  • Award CSUNposium 2026: 1st Place for M.S. thesis project (Poster)
Coursework

Relevant Coursework

Deep Learning SoC Design FPGA/ASIC Design ASIC Development Machine Learning

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

California State University Northridge • 2024

  • GPA GPA: 3.94, Summa Cum Laude
  • Award Dean's List: Fall 2022 - Spring 2024
  • Award Joe and Nancy Owens Engineering Annual Scholarship
  • Award Outstanding Senior of ECE Department
  • Award Half-Ride Scholarship (AUBH)
Coursework

Relevant Coursework

Data Structures and Algorithms Machine Learning Software Engineering FPGA Design using Verilog and VHDL Electrical Engineering Fundamentals Embedded Systems Operating Systems Digital Electronics
Diploma Transcript

Publications

Peer-reviewed and forthcoming work in edge ML, distributed learning, assistive devices, and clinical ML. Links are included where a permanent publication URL is available.

S. Aly and S. Mirzaei

Hardware-Aware Edge Deep Learning for Multimodal Biomedical Monitoring on Resource-Constrained SoCs

IEEE International Conference on Healthcare Informatics (ICHI), 2026 Accepted

M. Cho, S. Ali, M. Asadinia, L. Lai, and W. Xu

Distributed Dual Coordinate Ascent in a Ring Network for Distributed Machine Learning Process

2025 59th Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems, and Computers, Pacific Grove, CA, USA, 2025, pp. 1806–1811 Accepted

DOI

Keywords: structural rings, computers, network topology, trees, spanning trees, distributed databases, machine learning, minimization, regression tree analysis, convergence, distributed machine learning, distributed dataset, machine learning over communication networks, ring network, distributed dual coordinate ascent.

P.L. Bishay, G. Funes Alfaro, I. Sherrill, I. Reoyo, E. McMahon, C. Carter, C. Valdez, N.M. Riyaz, S. Ali, A. Lima, A. Nieto, J. Tirone

The Foot Can Do It: Controlling the “Persistence” Prosthetic Arm Using the “Infinity-2” Foot Controller

Technologies, vol. 13, no. 3, p. 98, Mar. 2025

DOI (open access)

S.K. Abdelhakeem, Z.M. Mustafa, H. Kadhem

Diagnosing Parkinson's Disease Based on Voice Recordings: Comparative Study Using Machine Learning Techniques

In Proc. 6th International Conference on AI & Virtual Reality (AIVR 2022), Springer Nature, pp. 49–60, 2023

Springer chapter

Certifications & Activities

Certifications

Professional Certifications

.Net Full Stack Foundation

Professional
View Certificate

Six Sigma White Belt

Quality Management
View Certificate

Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED

Safety
View Certificate

Additional Certifications

Udacity Future Work in Digital: Data Analysis Udacity Future Work in Digital: Web Development Udacity Full Stack Developer Track CITI Program: Biomedical Research - Basic/Refresher (Issued Apr 2026, Expires Apr 2029, Credential ID 76295640) CITI verification link
Activities

Extracurricular Activities

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Member of the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines

IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN)

Member of the electrical and computer engineering honor society, recognizing excellence in the field

ARCS Foundation

Fellow of the ARCS Foundation, supporting outstanding scholars in science, engineering, and medical research