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Arslan Ahmad’s Curriculum Vitae

Professional Summary

  • Doctoral candidate with research experience of 4+ years in Electrical Power Systems
  • Data scientist with over 5 years of experience in Python, Excel, MATLAB, and C#
  • Technical Manager with 6+ years of management experience in Power Distribution Systems
  • Over 7 years of freelancing experience with 90+ projects in Software Programming and Debugging

Technical Expertise

Power Systems Analysis: PSS/E, PSLF, PSCAD, PowerWorld Simulator, OpenDSS, ETAP, MatPower, Simscape, Simulink
Machine Learning: Regression, Classification, Feature engineering, Supervised & unsupervised learning, Time-series modeling (ARIMA, Exponential Smoothing, Prophet, LSTM), TensorFlow, PyTorch, OpenCV, NLTK, SpaCy, NLP (BERT)
Data Analysis: Python (Pandas, NumPy, SciPy, Scikit-learn), SQL, R, Mathematica, MATLAB, Microsoft Excel (advanced with VBA)
Statistical Analysis: Statistical inference, Hypothesis testing, A/B testing, Bayesian analysis, Regression analysis, ANOVA, EVT, Uncertainty quantification, Risk analysis, Survival Analysis
Data Visualization: Power BI, Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly, Bokeh
Data Engineering: Data pipelines, ETL workflows, PySpark, MLOps, Docker, MySQL, Microsoft Access, AWS, MS Power Platform
Programming Languages: C#, C++, C, Ruby, Java, PHP, HTML
AI Tools: Cursor, Codex, GitHub Copilot, Antigravity
Miscellaneous: Version Control (Git), LaTeX, Adobe Creative Cloud, MS Office

Education

Iowa State University (ISU), Ames, Iowa, USA Aug 2023 – May 2026

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Electrical Engineering

Thesis: Quantifying Power Systems Resilience Using Utility Data and Evaluating the Benefits of Resilience Investments
Advisor: Prof. Ian Dobson
Committee Members: Dr. Zhaoyu Wang, Dr. Manimaran Govindarasu, Dr. Bai Cui, Dr. Alice Alipour
GPA: 3.9/4.0

Iowa State University (ISU), Ames, Iowa, USA Jan 2022 – May 2024

Graduate Certificate, Business Analytics

GPA: 4.0/4.0

Iowa State University (ISU), Ames, Iowa, USA Aug 2021 – May 2023

Master of Science (M.S.), Electrical Engineering

Thesis: Quantifying the Impact of Investments on Distribution System Wind Resilience Using Area Outage Rate Curves
Advisor: Prof. Ian Dobson
GPA: 4.0/4.0

University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands Sep 2015 – Jan 2016

Master of Science (M.S.), Electrical Engineering

GPA: 7.0/10.0

University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan Dec 2009 – Dec 2013

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Electrical Engineering

Thesis: Cost Effective Solution for Minimization of Medical Errors and Acquisition of Vitals By Using Autonomous Nursing Robot
Advisor: Dr. Danish Arif Siddiqi
GPA: 3.9/4.0

Professional Experience

ECpE, Iowa State University (ISU), Ames, Iowa, USA May 2022 – Present

Graduate Research Assistant

  • Researched and developed novel data-driven methods and metrics using statistical and ML techniques with 20+ years of utility data, weather data, extreme events, and infrastructure data (1M+ records) to quantify resilience and reliability
  • Conducted steady-state load flow, contingency analysis (ACCC), dynamic simulation, and fault analysis in PSS/E
  • Developed projects for demand forecasting using weather and operations data employing statistical (ARIMA, Exponential Smoothing) and ML methods (LightGBM, XGBoost, Prophet, LSTM)
  • Worked on optimization projects involving Production Cost Modeling, SCOPF, LMPs, and Unit Commitment
  • Developed practical, defensible, and tractable methods to quantify the benefits of various grid hardening investments
  • Published first-author research in premier IEEE Transactions on Power Systems and IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution, demonstrating scholarly productivity in power and energy systems
  • Collaborated with industry (ComEd, Alliant Energy, FEMA, Argonne National Lab, and multiple electrical utilities) and academic institutes (Georgia Tech, Washington State, University of Birmingham) on integrated research projects
  • Contributed to professional service through active participation in IEEE working groups and standards development task forces on power system resilience metrics and evaluation methods

North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Atlanta, GA, USA Aug 2024 – Jan 2025

Engineering Intern

  • Evaluated Transmission Resilience Investments: Used the TADS outage data to quantify the resilience benefits of various investments and projects in the transmission system. Demonstrated this methodology by calculating the benefits of infrastructure hardening and faster restoration investments
  • Integrated Data for Resilience Analysis: Supported the resilience analysis of bulk power systems by integrating weather data with TADS and GADS datasets. Created GIS mappings of transmission and generation assets to enable weather-based resilience analysis
  • Assessed Large Load Integration Impacts: Investigated the impacts of rapid integration of large-scale loads, such as data centers, by identifying and analyzing risk regions prone to wide-area instability
  • Analyzed Unreasonable Generator Inertia CQM: Performed statistical analyses on the performance of the unreasonable generator inertia constants case quality metric, gaining insights into generator inertia distributions and addressing identified concerns
  • Enhanced Data Extraction Processes: Assisted in revamping data extraction scripts for PSLF case files, enabling efficient and automated quality assessment of PSLF case files

EPRI, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA May 2024 – Aug 2024

Student Employee

  • Developed statistical methods to conduct Risk Analysis, Cost/Benefit Analysis, and Sensitivity Analysis for the integration of Grid Enhancing Technologies (DLR and AAR) in transmission planning and operations
  • Validated analytical methods through case studies on the South Carolina 500-bus test system using PSS/E with Python automation

ECpE, Iowa State University (ISU), Ames, Iowa, USA Aug 2021 – May 2022

Graduate Teaching Assistant

  • Taught 3 electronics courses to 60+ undergraduates and was acknowledged as the best Teaching Assistant
  • Collaborated with 3 professors in conducting exams and grading homework
  • Delivered laboratory instruction and recitation sessions to 60+ undergraduate students across 3 undergraduate power electronics courses, developing hands-on demonstrations and problem-solving workshops
  • Provided individual mentorship through office hours, supporting students with diverse backgrounds and learning needs
  • Assessed student performance through homework grading, examination grading, and laboratory reports evaluation
  • Received recognition as Best Teaching Assistant for exceptional student engagement and instructional quality
  • Courses Taught: EE442-Introduction to Circuits and Instruments, EE448-Introduction to AC Circuits and Motors, EE201-Electric Circuits

Multan Electric Power Company, Multan, Pakistan Feb 2016 – Aug 2021

Assistant Manager (Operations)

  • Led two teams of 60+ persons in operations and maintenance of two different 11 kV distribution networks serving 40,000+ customers each, ensuring compliance with protection and safety standards for high-risk electrical systems
  • Minimized technical and administrative losses of the distribution system by 0.3%, saving $181,000
  • Designed and implemented in-house data analytics tools (Python, SQL) for performance and revenue collection monitoring and loss assessment, increasing operational efficiency by 6%
  • Improved reliability through systematic analysis and removal of power system constraints across 130+ network nodes
  • Led the DER integration initiative in the company with the collaboration of the Asian Development Bank
  • Led the AMR and AMI deployment drive at the company, providing support in the initial installation and debugging
  • Performed network planning, augmentation, rehabilitation, and reconfiguration studies in Synergi
  • Supervised field crews in equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of distribution feeders and substations

Fiverr, Remote Mar 2015 – Aug 2021

Software Development Freelancer

  • Programmed and debugged 90+ software projects in Python, C#, C++, Java, PHP, and HTML
  • Designed, fabricated, and delivered 40+ electronic hardware projects and solutions
  • Promoted to Level 2 Seller for excellent customer service, based on feedback from more than 85 clients

American University of Ras Al Khaimah, RAK, UAE Sep 2015 – Jan 2016

Software Implementation Research Associate

  • Implemented the algorithms of Patient Scheduling for an ongoing research project
  • Achieved the required results using MATLAB and C++ for software implementation and Arduino for the hardware

Pak Elektron (PEL), Lahore, Pakistan Jul 2012 – Aug 2012

Intern

  • Studied the assembling of Energy Meters in EMP (Energy Meter Plant) department
  • Developed a report comprising of suggestions to improve the EMP assembling process

Leadership and Volunteering Experience

Iowa State University Career Fair Feb 2026 – Feb 2026

Ambassador

  • Volunteered in organizing the 2026 Iowa State University Career Fair

Fulbright Students and Scholars Organization at ISU (FSSO) Aug 2023 – Aug 2025

Treasurer

  • Promoted the Fulbright program, organized events to help students, and managed the FSSO’s transactions

The State Science & Technology Fair of Iowa (SSFTI) Mar 2023 – Mar 2026

Judge

  • Volunteered as the Judge for 6th-12th-grade student projects

Sports Board Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan Aug 2012 – Feb 2014

Ambassador and Team Lead

  • Organized the first largest youth sports festival in Pakistan in liaison with the sports board
  • Recruited 2 teams of 7 volunteers and led them in the event registration campaign
  • Conducted 8 motivational workshops in 6 universities, resulting in 4790 student registrations

Research Konnect, University of British Columbia, Canada Jul 2012 – Dec 2013

Institutional Executive Officer

  • Coordinated with fellow team members in organizing the first largest Youth Guidance Conference 2012
  • Promoted and publicized the event in print and electronic media, resulting in 750+ student attendance

Academic Service

Journal Peer Review

Conference Peer Review

Professional Standards Development

Distinctions & Awards

Scholarships

  • Fulbright Scholarship from the U.S. Department of State for M.S. studies in the U.S. 2021 – 2023
  • Scholarship from edX for Artificial Intelligence online course 2020 – 2020
  • The University of Twente Scholarship for M.S. in University of Twente, Netherlands 2015 – 2017
  • Top Five Students Scholarship during Bachelors (BSc), by Punjab University 2010 – 2013
  • DIP Scholarship in Bachelors (BSc), by Punjab Government 2010 – 2011
  • Merit Scholarship in Bachelors (BSc), by Punjab University 2009 – 2013
  • Merit Scholarship in High School (FSc), by Punjab College 2007 – 2009

Awards

  • Ivy Emerging Leader, awarded by the Ivy College of Business, Iowa State University in 2023
  • Fulbright Foreign Student Program Award, awarded by the Iowa State University in 2021
  • Nominated for membership of Sigma Xi (the scientific research honor society) in 2026
  • Nominated for membership of Tau Beta Pi (the engineering honor society) in 2025
  • Nominated for membership of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN) in 2023
  • Won Silver Medal for securing 2nd position out of 173 students in B.Sc. Electrical Engineering
  • Got 1st position out of 23 projects in the Project Exhibition at GIKI All Pakistan Science Fair 2014
  • Secured 2nd position in Project Exhibition at Pakistan Auto Show (PAPS) 2014
  • Attained 1st position in the IEEE Industrial Project Competition 2013, competing in 50 projects
  • Secured 1st position out of 30 teams in Circuit Designing Competition at UET TechnoFest 2012
  • Got 3rd position out of 75 participants in the Matrix Programming Competition at UCP Engineering Olympiad 2012

Certifications

Courses and Trainings

Memberships

Last updated on: 03/2026