FASTRAC Program Scholars

Afaq Anwar

Degree/Major: B.S. in Computer Science
Expected Graduation: 2023
Hometown: Pakistan

Afaq Anwar, Class of 2023, is pursuing his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science at New York Tech. Coming all the way from his home country of Pakistan, Afaq chose New York Institute of Technology because of its enhanced Computer Science courses, the opportunity to work directly alongside his professors, and the ability to showcase his skills through hard work and collaboration with other students. He decided to major in Computer Science because of an interest in computers from a young age and his fascination with the nearly limitless capabilities of software. Afaq is looking to become a software engineer or developer in the hopes of starting his own company, and plans to participate in technology-oriented internships in the near future. New York Tech's programming courses were especially attractive to Afaq because of the opportunity to work on final projects. Afaq's previous work can be found on his GitHub page.

Michael Aquino

Degree/Major: B.S. (and hopefully M.S.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2023
Hometown: Queens Village, N.Y.
Achievements:

• 2nd Place, The 7th ETIC Cyber Hackathon
• 1st Place, The 8th ETIC Cyber Hackathon, 2021
• Scholar of the NSF NYIT REU program, Summer 2021
• Presented the paper "Toxic Comment Detection: Analyzing the Combination of Text and Emojis" at the 7th National Workshop for REU Research in Networking and Systems (REUNS 2021)

Michael Aquino, Class of 2023, is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and is hoping to take advantage of the Accelerated Master's Program offered by the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences. He chose New York Institute of Technology primarily due to its proximity to his home in Queens Village, New York. Michael's application to the FASTRAC scholarship was important to him because he wanted to ease the financial burden on his mother, who is the only person supporting him through college. He also saw an opportunity to get acquainted with some of the CoECS faculty through FASTRAC. Michael has many interests, such as filmmaking and digital arts, and upon applying to New York Tech, he felt that Electrical and Computer Engineering was the most applicable program for him. He hopes to establish a career at a hardware manufacturer such as AMD where he can help design and develop new processors. He is also looking to participate in extracurriculars such as IEEE to network with other like-minded students. Michael is also an aspiring voice actor, and enjoys dubbing over various shows in his own style. He is looking forward to the next three years at New York Tech with the support of FASTRAC.

Ambica Chaki

Degree/Major: B.S. in Computer Science
Expected Graduation: 2024
Hometown: Queens, N.Y.

Ambica Chaki, Class of 2024, is a Computer Science student from Queens, New York. As she researched colleges and universities to apply to, New York Tech's stellar rankings in computer science and engineering caught Ambica's attention. Compared to other schools, this was the best fit for her desired major. Ambica applied for FASTRAC looking for assistance toward her goal of graduating in four years with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and thought it was best not to let the opportunity for this scholarship pass her by. Ambika found her calling in Computer Science because it is oriented towards problem solving and critical thinking. During her time at New York Tech, she hopes to get involved in extracurriculars such as SASA, SWE, UREP, New York Tech Benchers, and more. Ambica is looking forward to a fresh start and four great years at New York Tech.

Mohamed Elsayed

Degree/Major: B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology
Expected Graduation: 2024
Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y.
Achievements:

• Scholar of the NSF NYIT REU program, Summer 2022
• Presented the paper "Investigating the Effect of Machine-Translation on Automated Classification of Toxic Comments" at the 8th National Workshop for REU Research in Networking and Systems (REUNS 2022) and received the Best Paper Runner-up award

Mohamed Elsayed, Class of 2024, is studying Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology, and hopes to graduate with a Master's degree in 2025 through the Accelerated Master's Program offered by the CoECS. Hailing from Staten Island, Mohamed chose New York Tech because of its reputation and rankings in the field of engineering. He has nurtured a lifelong interest in the engineering industry, and discovered that Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology was the perfect fit for his interests. Mohamed hopes to use his degree to work at companies like Tesla or Apple where he would be able to improve the lives of others through innovation. During his time at NYIT, Mohamed has already started working on research in virtual reality technology for therapeutic use, and he hopes to gain more experience through the clubs and projects made available to him along the way. Alongside his love of learning, the support Mohamed receives from the FASTRAC scholarship will bolster his efforts as he strives for success at New York Tech.

Ali Elshehawi

Degree/Major: B.S. in Computer Science
Expected Graduation: 2025
Hometown: Manhattan, Kansas

Ali Elshehawi, Class of 2025, chose New York Tech because he was impressed with the amount of help and aid they give their students. Being situated in the middle of the city also presented a lot of opportunities for students, whether in internships, future career paths, or simply networking. He has always had a passion for computer science and problem-solving. During his senior year in high school, Ali joined a robotics competition that made him fall in love with computer science. He believes that the possibilities that computer science unlocks make me a more creative person. Ali was looking forward to meeting new people and moving to a new place. He has loved building connections with different people throughout college. He also prefers to work in groups because it helps me understand different ways of approaching a problem.

Ali applied for the New York Tech FASTRAC scholarship because it offered more opportunities to develop more potential under the guidance of professors/peers. The FASTRAC scholarship offers more experience and headstarts that one might not gain without the help of the program. Ali would like to pursue a career in Data Science. With the help of New York Tech's 4 + 1 program at New York Tech and the FASTRAC program, he trusts the process will be smoother. He has joined a couple of clubs since the start of the school year, such as the Music club and Green club, but he is interested in joining the Counseling and Wellness team, as well as Residential life.

A surprising fact about Ali is that he has never owned a pet but adores animals.

Luna Ferraro

Degree/Major: B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2023, perhaps 2024 if I can pursue the Master's degree offered with this program
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
Achievements:

• Scholar of the NSF NYIT REU program, Summer 2021

Luna Ferraro, Class of 2023, is an undergraduate student from New York City pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. She chose New York Institute of Technology due to its proximity, the appeal of a smaller, more focused college experience, and the bountiful opportunities she saw at the university, including the Accelerated Master's Program that she may pursue. Luna applied for the FASTRAC scholarship because she felt encouraged by both the support the scholarship could give her along with the resources available through New York Tech. She is looking to pursue her passions and career through her education at New York Tech, and is considering positions involving large-scale machinery such as railway systems. Contrarily, Luna prefers walking to most places rather than driving or taking public transit. She is looking to continue gaining experience through her coursework, involvement with engineering clubs, and future internships.

Meredith Foe

Degree/Major: B.S. in Computer Science
Expected Graduation: 2025
Hometown: Queens, N.Y.
Achievements:

• 1st Place for Using a New Programming Language, United Engineering the first Hackathon on April 9, 2022

Meredith Foe, Class of 2025, chose New York Tech because she believes their advanced courses would prepare her to excel as an engineer. A degree from New York Tech would create more opportunities for her in the future. She looked forward to connecting with many like-minded peers and faculty. Meredith was always interested in how devices such as phones, or laptops operated from its hardware, to its software. She knew that ECE was a perfect match for her. Meredith hopes to find a career as a hardware engineer or a researcher where she can apply her knowledge to design, develop, and test circuit boards or processors. She is currently enrolled in UREP. Her group is exploring energy efficient wireless power transfer in implantable medical devices. Additionally, Meredith serves as the current treasurer of SWE. She's able to collaborate with others to create events that educate people about new technology. Meredith also hopes to join IEEE, too. Applying to FASTRAC gave Meredith the opportunity to fully concentrate on her studies while freely participating in clubs and collaborating with others on projects.

A surprising fact about Meredith is that she loves listening to classical music.

Brandon Green

Degree/Major: B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2023
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.

Brandon Green, Class of 2023, is an undergraduate Electrical and Computer Engineering major from Brooklyn, New York. He chose New York Institute of Technology due to its proximity to his home, the diverse programs offered, and the thriving community of students and faculty. The chance to get a headstart on research opportunities and potential connections with his peers and professors drove Brandon to apply for FASTRAC. As for his major, Brandon was motivated to attend New York Tech for Electrical and Computer Engineering due to the lack of diversity in the field and wants to motivate other minority students to follow suit. Brandon wants to establish a career in public transportation, working to make travel more energy efficient, safer, and cleaner for commuters. He is looking forward to getting involved with NSBE's New York Tech chapter, and hopes to intern with the MTA in the future. For Brandon, his time at New York Tech means more independence in his studies and the chance to learn amongst a diverse student body. With the help of the FASTRAC scholarship, he is excited to continue his journey through college.

Vadim Kan

Degree/Major: B.S. in Computer Science
Expected Graduation: 2025
Hometown: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Achievements:

• 1st Place for Benefit NYIT Community, United Engineering the first Hackathon on April 9, 2022

Vadim Kim, Class of 2025, chose New York Tech because of its appealing location in the middle of Manhattan. He looked forward to his commute to campus on the subway, his stop at Columbus Circle, and the realization that he made it. Vadim believes New York Tech offered the opportunity for him to obtain the knowledge he needs for his dream profession. Computer Science has always fascinated Vadim. He has always interacted with technology, whether it be older generations of smartphones and desktop computers. From this fascination grew a desire to repay a debt to his parents for all the sacrifices they have made for him, whether it be monetary, or the very opportunity to attend university in the United States.

This career path would allow him to pay back what he owes to my family as well as pursuing a passion. Vadim would like to pursue a career in freelance programming in three different fields: web, app, and software development. Vadim likes that freelance programming provides a degree of freedom unknown to corporate settings. He also hopes to pursue some of the research opportunities offered at New York Tech, as well as internships for different companies to bolster his resume. He applied for the New York Tech FASTRAC scholarship because he believed the support and mentorship offered through the program would ease his transition into college. The tuition coverage also served as an additional motivation to study hard.

A surprising fact about Vadim is that he is Korean and speaks fluent Russian, but many assume he is Uzbek.

Ali Khachab

Degree/Major: B.S. in Computer Science
Expected Graduation: 2026
Hometown: Queens, N.Y.

Ali Khachab, Class of 2026, is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science. He chose New York Tech for a number of reasons; it was highly recommended by his peers, and offered strong research and co-op opportunities while being close to home. The scholarship not only offered his financial and academic support, but the chance to network and engage with his peers. Ali loves coding, and has always been interested in it since he was a child. Although he isn't absolutely certain of what he hopes to achieve in the future, he hopes to transition to software engineering, app development, game development, etc. If he decides to pursue a Ph.D., he may focus on machine learning or A.I. He hopes to involve himself with esport games on campus, or research clubs or teams that focus on the development of new technology or mastering programming skills. In his free time, Ali is teaching himself graphic design.

Abraham Mejia

Degree/Major: B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2026
Hometown: Jamaica, Queens (N.Y.)

Abhraham Mejia, Class of 2026, is pursuing a bachelor's in Electrical and COmputer Engineering. He chose NYIT because he believed that the university would provide a strong foundation for success. Abraham has always wanted to be an engineer. It was just a matter of selecting the field of study that interested him the most. He aspires to work for Verizon or ConEd. He has strong networking connections with both companies, and their mentorship and guidance encouraged him to become an engineer. He hopes to follow in their footsteps and work for a prestigious company.

Abraham takes advantage of the NYSC membership given to commuters. He loves meeting new people, and connecting with others at the gym is no different. In his free time he also loves improving his coding and collecting brand-named shoes and clothes.

Maleshia Motilall

Degree/Major: B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2025
Hometown: Queens, N.Y.

Maleshia Motilall, Class of 2025, is pursuing a bachelor's in Electrical and Computer Engineering. She chose New York Tech because of its accessibility, and its impressive rankings and opportunities for such a unique major. Maleshia's father would often bring her to his construction worksites growing up. He would brainstorm ideas with her, introduce her to the tools and software used, and encourage her to participate in determining the best plan of action. His impact introduced her to the hardware branch of technology.

Today, she is the first woman in her family to pursue a STEM degree. Maleshia is proud of herself for breaking away from stereotypical career choices, and is ready to grow a new branch in her family history. Applying for the FASTRAC scholarship provided networking and mentorship opportunities for Maleshia with professors and peers. She was also interested in the competitive research opportunities that could give her an edge in the job market. She isn't certain what specifically she hopes to do with her degree, but throughout her college experience, she hopes to narrow down her options. In her free time, she enjoys reading and singing.

Arif Rashid

Degree/Major: B.S. in Computer Science – Network Security Concentration
Expected Graduation: 2024
Hometown: Farmingville, N.Y.
Achievements:

• 1st Place, The 7th ETIC Cyber Hackathon, 2021
• Scholar of the NSF NYIT REU program, Summer 2021
• Presented the paper "Toxic Comment Detection: Analyzing the Combination of Text and Emojis" at the 7th National Workshop for REU Research in Networking and Systems (REUNS 2021)

Arif Rashid, Class of 2024, is from Farmingville, New York, and is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science with a concentration in Network Security. New York Tech's reputation in the field of Computer Science and the networking opportunities that come with a location in New York City were the main draws to the university for him. Arif applied for the FASTRAC scholarship because he was interested in collaborative learning and the project and research opportunities. The constant evolution and challenging problems inherent to the field of Computer Science were what inspired Arif to choose his major, and he hopes to establish a career in cybersecurity because the technology used to maintain secure connections is constantly at the forefront of such evolution. Having moved from Pakistan to the United States in 2014, Arif is excited to build connections with students and faculty that he shares similar interests with.

Elioth Tapia

Degree/Major: B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2026
Hometown: Salinas, Ecuador

Elioth Tapia, Class of 2026, is pursuing a bachelor's in Electrical and Computer Engineering. The way society has used mathematics to systemize and understand the world inspired him to do the same. Electrical and computer engineering is in everything we interact with, from our smartphones to our daily routines, it is the epicenter of human progression. Elioth chose New York Tech because of its close proximity to home and the amount of research it provided within his designated career choice. He looked toward exploring the diversity of the campus, while participating in active research. The FASTRAC scholarship was an opportunity for Elioth to develop connections with other students who share similar passions. Besides the financial support it provided to pursue a career in engineering, the exposure the program introduced seemed like a program that will benefit his future. After graduation, Elioth would like to attain an entry-level position in a technology company. In his free time, he loves to play soccer.

Guang Too

Degree/Major: B.S. in Computer Science
Expected Graduation: 2024
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Achievements:

• 1st Place, The 8th ETIC Cyber Hackathon, 2021
• Scholar of the NSF NYIT REU program, Summer 2021
• Presented the paper "Platform for Comparative Study of Focus and Retention in Virtual Reality and Online Learning" at the 7th National Workshop for REU Research in Networking and Systems (REUNS 2021)
• 1st Place for Benefit NYIT Community, United Engineering the first Hackathon on April 9, 2022

Guang Too, Class of 2024, is a Computer Science major from Brooklyn, New York. Guang chose New York Institute of Technology because of its proximity and specialization in technology fields. He applied to FASTRAC to help lower his costs for attending New York Tech, and was glad to find out that there were many other applicants with similar interests and goals for projects. Guang chose Computer Science because it will grant him the fundamentals he needs to understand multiple programming languages and work on more diverse projects in the future. He enjoys optimizing programs and is intrigued by the power and potential of virtual reality technology. During his time at New York Tech, Guang is hoping to get involved in esports in any way possible, and is looking forward to the unique opportunities and interesting students that populate the university.

Muhammad Umar

Degree/Major: B.S. in Computer Science
Expected Graduation: 2023
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Achievements:

• 1st Place, The 8th ETIC Cyber Hackathon, 2021
• Scholar of the NSF NYIT REU program, Summer 2021

Muhammad Umar, Class of 2023, is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, but hopes to join the 4 + 1 program with a master's degree in Cybersecurity.

Muhammad applied to New York Tech following the recommendation of a high school advisor. He has always been interested in computers so it transitioned well into a career opportunity. He hopes to pursue a career with a reputable tech firm. The FASTRAC scholarship offered him the financial support he needed to pursue all his academic interests. I chose to attend NYIT because I was recommended to the ed by a professional assistant from my High school.

On campus, Muhammad is involved with Valorant Esports team. In his free time, he plays chess.

Tyler Williams

Degree/Major: B.S. in Computer Science
Expected Graduation: 2025
Hometown: New York City

Tyler Williams, Class of 2025, chose New York Tech because of its proximity to home as well as the small tight-knit community New York Tech has in addition to all of the research and internship opportunities New York Tech offers its Students. He applied for the New York Tech FASTRAC scholarship because of the potential research opportunities as well as the financial and academic support the FASTRAC scholarship provides.

Tyler chose to pursue Computer Science because he wanted to be part of the effort to make technology as advantageous and sustainable as possible. He can see the endless possibility of what can be created or optimized in the technological field, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology. Becoming a computer scientist will allow him the opportunity to work on these technologies alongside a collaborative team of people with different skills that he can continue to learn from. With his degree, he hopes to pursue a career in cybersecurity or software programming.

Tyler would eventually like to involve himself in New York Tech's esports team because of his interest in gaming.

A surprising fact about Tyler is that he loves to write, but hates reading. He often tells others that he'd rather write a book than read a book.

Alan Yuan

Degree/Major: B.S. in Computer Science
Expected Graduation: 2026
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.

Alan Yuan, Class of 2026, is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. New York Tech was recommended to him by faculty in his high school. Through his own research, he determined it was the best fit for him. The scholarship allowed him the opportunity to pursue his interests without financially burdening his family. He looks forward to a change of scenery on campus. After browsing social media around a year ago, Alan came across a basic instructional video on JavaScript. It intrigued him, so he continued to learn about the programming language.

He showcased so much potential that he was eventually introduced to his mentor. He started learning HTML, CSS, and Javascript before branching off into Angular, Firebase and now, Java for Android development. After graduation, Alan hopes to have accumulated enough experience from all the NYIT programs, internships, and chances to help me find my way into a profession in software development.

Alan loves to take advantage of the free gym membership provided to New York Tech commuter students. He is currently collaborating with fellow FASTRAC scholar Guang Too on his UREP project, UREP project, VR Cybersickness but would like to partake in the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, too.