About Me
Hi, I’m Fabiha — I rake through tangled legacy systems so they can evolve again.
I am a PhD candidate in Computer Science at the University of Southern California (USC) and a member of the SoftArch research group, working under the supervision of Prof. Nenad Medvidović. My work primarily lies at the intersection of Software Engineering and Machine Learning.
My research focuses on leveraging ML techniques and Large Language Models (LLMs) to support software modernization—especially understanding, refactoring, and improving the modular structure of large, aging codebases. I aim to build practical, AI-assisted tools that make legacy systems easier to analyze, evolve, and transition toward modern architectures. My work also spans deep learning–based software vulnerability detection frameworks, with an emphasis on understanding model behavior, benchmarking robustness, and identifying gaps in current methodologies.
Before joining USC, I worked as a software engineer in Bangladesh, where I spent several years building and maintaining enterprise systems using .NET, SQL Server, SharePoint, and Angular. This industry background continues to shape my research interests and motivates my focus on practical, impactful solutions for real-world software modernization challenges. I completed my B.S. in Software Engineering at the Institute of Information Technology (IIT), University of Dhaka, where I was a member of the DSSE Research Group, which laid the foundation for my software engineering research journey.
News
Publications
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Are We Learning the Right Features? A Framework for Evaluating DL-Based Software Vulnerability Detection Solutions
Experience
Teaching Experience
I have been actively involved in teaching assistant duties for multiple graduate and undergraduate courses at USC. My responsibilities included holding office hours, creating and reviewing exam and assignment questions, preparing grading rubrics, leading lab sessions, grading student work, and providing one-on-one mentoring and academic guidance.
- CSCI-585: Database Systems (Fall 2025, Summer 2024)
- CSCI-572: Information Retrieval (Spring 2025)
- CSCI-591: Computer Science Research Colloquium (Spring 2024, Fall 2024)
- CSCI-103: Introduction to Programming (Fall 2023)
Industry Experience
I worked as a full-stack engineer on large-scale enterprise systems across logistics, insurance, and finance. I helped redesign and modernize the Intermodal Maintenance and Repair System (IMRS) for Kaleris using ASP.NET MVC, WCF, SQL Server, and jQuery, improving workflow performance and maintainability. I also co-developed the MetLife Agency Digitization (AD) platform with .NET Core Web API and Angular, streamlining agent onboarding and reducing operational delays.
I developed internal business solutions such as purchase workflows, reporting dashboards, and mobile banking front-end systems for Bangladeshi financial institutions. Gained hands-on experience with ASP.NET, SQL Server, RDLC reporting, Windows mobile development, and production deployments.
Education
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Ph.D. in Computer ScienceUniversity of Southern California (USC)Research focus: AI-assisted Software Architecture Modernization; Software Modularization; AI4SE; Software Engineering
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M.Sc in Computer ScienceUniversity of Southern California (USC)Coursework included Advanced Algorithms, Advanced Natural Language Processing, User-Experience Research, Software Architecture, Information Retrieval
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B.S. in Software Engineering (BSSE)Institute of Information Technology (IIT), University of DhakaFocus on Software Engineering, System Design, Database Design, and Software Project Management
Service
- Program Committee Member, Software Vulnerability Management (SVM 2026) Workshop , co-located with the ACM/IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE 2026).
- Member, Women in Computing Club (WinCC), USC — actively involved since Jan 2023. Organized multiple seminars for CS and EE PhD students and faculty, including “Bridging Worlds: Lessons from Academia, Industry, and Life in Tech” featuring Dr. Tingshan Huang (Akamai Technologies).
- Certified Mentor, USC Viterbi Mentorship Program — supporting graduate students through academic guidance, professional development, and peer connection.
Beyond Research
Outside doing research and engineering work, I enjoy contributing to communities through leadership, volunteering, and event organization. I am also passionate about social engagement, mentoring younger students. I also love traveling, hiking, and discovering the hidden beauty of Southern California.
- Vice President (2024-2025), Bangladeshi Students Association (BDSA), USC — Initially served as Treasurer (2023) and later promoted to VP. Led cultural events representing Bangladeshi heritage and coordinated student demonstrations to show solidarity during the 2024 political unrest in Bangladesh.
- Volunteer, Fulki ICT Workshop, Chittagong, Bangladesh — Helped school students learn basic programming concepts and develop early interests in technology.
- Volunteer, BASIS SoftExpo – Digital World 2014 — Represented JICA and supported event operations during one of Bangladesh’s largest ICT expositions.
- Founding Member & First General Secretary, IIT Software Engineers Community (IITSEC) — Played a key role in establishing the club, fostering a collaborative engineering community at IIT Dhaka. Facebook Page
- Organizing Member, IIT Freshers’ Reception — Contributed to planning and hosting annual welcome events for new undergraduate students.