New teaching faculty member Hina Mahmood comes to UW-Madison from earning her PhD at McMaster University in Canada. She hopes students will come away from her classes with “a robust problem-solving mindset” and with “both the confidence and capability to approach complex problems creatively and tackle them with a lifelong enthusiasm for learning.” Mahmood is looking forward to connecting with new colleagues and engaging with students in ” a fresh and dynamic environment,” as well as hiking around Madison and exploring new restaurants!
Hometown:
Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan – A city surrounded by the stunning Margalla Hills, known for its lush greenery, tranquil beauty, and a harmonious blend of urban life and natural serenity.
Educational/professional background:
I earned my Ph.D. in Software Engineering from McMaster University, Canada, in 2023. Prior to that, I obtained my M.S. in Software Engineering from International Islamic University, Islamabad, in 2012, and my B.S. in Software Engineering with Academic Gold Medal and Distinction from the same university in 2008.
Professionally, I bring over 10 years of hands-on experience teaching a variety of computer science, software engineering and information technology courses, both in-person and online, to a diverse cohort of students across three countries. I am experienced in collaborating with cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams of academic and non-academic personnel, both as a team lead and a productive team member. I have been honored with the Best Faculty Performance Award and several Certificates of Appreciation in recognition of my remarkable contributions to teaching and student mentorship and for my commitment to upholding the highest academic standards and delivering exceptional educational experiences.
How did you get into your field of research?
I was drawn to the field of software engineering through a combination of academic curiosity and practical experience. My initial interest was sparked during my undergraduate studies when I developed a tool called Model Executor (ME), which supports executable UML and automates the process of generating Java code from UML models. This experience ignited my passion for solving intricate software problems and motivated me to pursue advanced studies in software engineering. As I progressed through my graduate studies, I became increasingly interested in automating complex software development tasks to enhance efficiency and reliability of the software development process, where I found a compelling intersection of theory and practical application.
What are your areas of focus?
My graduate research broadly spans two distinct, yet interconnected fields of software engineering: Supervisory Control of Discrete-Event Systems (DES) and Model-Driven Software Engineering.
For my doctoral dissertation, I delved into the areas of DES, supervisory control theory, and formal methods. Specifically, I devised a formal approach to automatically generate formal automata timed DES (TDES) supervisor models from system controllers. This allows practitioners to formally specify and verify their control systems without acquiring formal methods expertise and designing formal TDES models by hand. In my Master’s thesis, I focused on model transformation and devised a structured approach to automatically generate software code from UML design models without predefined translation rules. This makes the automatic code generation process convenient for designers by eliminating the need for manual rule set definition and maintenance.
What main issue do you address or problem do you seek to solve in your work?
In today’s world, software plays a crucial role in our daily lives, from morning routines to nightly pursuits. The software development process involves various activities, with software design, verification and implementation being pivotal, yet challenging phases that require considerable time, cost, effort, skills and expertise. Manual handling of these tasks is not only laborious and demanding, but also susceptible to human errors. Over-budget, delayed and error-prone software could potentially lead to user frustration, data and financial loss, and customer churn. It may even pose a risk to human life in the case of safety-critical systems.
To mitigate these challenges, my research focuses on devising and implementing approaches and tools to automate the activities of designing and verifying software models, and writing the corresponding implementation code. My aim is to facilitate software engineers in the development of premium software by improving the efficiency of the software development process, minimizing the manual effort and reducing the development costs, while ensuring the creation of reliable and error-free software solutions. This ultimately contributes to the advancement of software development practices and makes them more dependable and economically viable.
What’s one thing you hope students who take a class with you will come away with?
One key takeaway I hope students gain from my class is a robust problem-solving mindset. My goal is not only to help them master theoretical concepts but also to instill the ability to apply these concepts to critically analyze and effectively address complex real-world software problems. Additionally, I want them to develop a passion for continuous learning and adaptability, which will be crucial for their success in the ever-evolving fields of computer science and software engineering. Ultimately, I aim that my students leave my class with both the confidence and capability to approach complex problems creatively and tackle them with a lifelong enthusiasm for learning.
What attracted you to UW-Madison?
I was drawn to UW-Madison because of its steadfast commitment to academic excellence and its vibrant, collaborative community. The university’s strong emphasis on research and innovation aligns perfectly with my passion for advancing software engineering and exploring new technological frontiers. I was particularly attracted to the opportunity of working alongside distinguished faculty and contributing to the intellectual growth of future generations.
Another aspect that stood out to me is the UW-Madison’s dedication to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and supportive environment for both students and faculty. The diverse and dynamic campus culture, coupled with the university’s focus on preparing students for real-world challenges, resonates deeply with my educational philosophy. I look forward to engaging with a community that values continuous learning and interdisciplinary collaboration and contributing to its mission of excellence in both teaching and research.
What are you looking forward to doing or experiencing in Madison?
As someone new to Madison, I am excited to experience everything this vibrant city has to offer. I look forward to exploring the local culture, discovering new dining spots, and enjoying Madison’s beautiful natural surroundings, including its lakes and parks, as I settle into my new home. Professionally, I am enthusiastic about starting my journey at UW-Madison, connecting with my new colleagues, and engaging with students in a fresh and dynamic environment. This new chapter presents a wonderful opportunity for both personal and professional growth, and I am keen to embrace all the experiences that come with it.
Hobbies/other interests:
I enjoy hiking and traveling, which offer opportunities to explore nature and immerse myself in different cultures. I also love baking, as it is both rewarding and a perfect way to satisfy my sweet tooth. Occasionally, I also engage in glass painting to express my creativity.