Hi, my name is Nibras Ar Rakib. I am a PhD student focusing on the intersection of Information Retrieval, Artificial Intelligence, and Human-Centered AI.
My work involves developing computational methods and interactive systems to solve real-world problems and deliver impactful applications, while contributing to understanding users’ intent and providing relevant information.
email: nibras.rakib@mail.utoronto.ca | nibras.rakib@gmail.com
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8725-5809
Scholarship & Awards
- International Experience+ Award, University of Toronto (2025)
- SGS Conference Grant, University of Toronto (2024)
- Master’s Merit Scholarship in Biomedical & Health Informatics (2022-2023, Full-Funding), Carolina Health Informatics Program
Education
University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
PhD in Information, Faculty of Information
3 September 2024 – Current
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
MPS in Biomedical and Health Informatics, Carolina Health Informatics Program
11 May 2022 – 17 December 2023
BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
M.Eng. in Computer Science and Engineering
CGPA: 3.55 out of 4
14 September 2014 – 21 August 2016
Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh
B.Sc. in Computer Science and Engineering
CGPA: 3.22 out of 4
5 November 2007 – 28 December 2011
Work Experience
Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant
3 September 2024 – Current
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
System Analyst
13 February 2024 – 16 August 2024
Wake Technical Community College, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
Instructor of Computer Science Apps
1 June 2024 – 27 June 2024
School of Information and Library Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
Graduate Research Assistant
11 May 2022- 17 December 2023
icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Senior Programmer
1 August 2013 – 30 July 2022
Teaching Assistant & Tutor Marker
- Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Data Modeling and Database Design (INF1343)
- Course Description: https://ischool.utoronto.ca/course/data-modeling-and-database-design/
- Data Modeling and Database Design (INF1343)
- SUNG KYUN KWAN University (International Summer Semester – 2025), Seoul, South Korea
- Health Data Analytics & AI (3310)
- Course Description: https://it4.world/
- Health Data Analytics & AI (3310)
Skills
- CentOS
- ETL
- Data visualization
- Interoperability
- REDCap/DHIS2
- Google Cloud (Compute engine, Cloud run, Cloud SQL)
- Docker
Research interest
- Information retrieval
- Artificial Intelligence
- Human-Centered AI
About
I became interested in informatics while developing an interactive web-based health facility mapping tool as a system support assistant using the geospatial data of Dhaka city corporation with a multi-disciplinary team after joining an international health research organization (icddr,b) in 2013. The aim was to present the location and services of the health facilities through a central web portal for public use, improving findability. The project was well-received by stakeholders, and I was excited to see how computing systems can transform information into action and benefit society.
For the next few years, I was engaged in developing and maintaining a nationwide Routine Health Information System (RHIS) that provides insights into the health indicators of Bangladesh. These systems and dashboards rely on data pipelines, enabling the Government to track program performance and make evidence-based decisions.
Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with the informatics team on several successful projects at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, icddr,b led by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and International Development Research Centre (IDRC). After nine years of experience and building expertise in developing and maintaining nationwide routine health information systems and analyzing electronic health records, I enrolled in a PhD in Information to stay up-to-date with the rapidly evolving digital health landscape.