PhD researcher at Dr. Krešo's lab, University of Houston
I work at the intersection of computational neuroscience, dynamical systems, and neural data analysis, with an interest in how mathematical structure can help explain neural computation and representation.
Questions I am interested in
My research interests connect mathematical modelling with neural computation, population-level representations, and data-driven analysis.
Neural Representation
Neural Circuit Modelling
Neural Data Analysis
A little about me
Officially I’m Abdul Rahman, also known as Shafiq, and I often go by A.B. (/eɪ biː/) — pick your favorite.
I am a PhD researcher in Applied Mathematics at the University of Houston. My mathematical background spans dynamical systems, probability, stochastic analysis, mathematical biology, statistics, and mathematical finance. I am especially interested in using mathematics and computation to understand complex biological systems, particularly the brain.
Before beginning my PhD, I completed an M.Sc. in Mathematics at IIT Madras. My earlier research interests included limit-order-book modelling, stochastic processes, machine learning, agent-based simulation, reinforcement learning, and time-series methods in financial markets.
Outside academics, I enjoy painting, photography, soccer, chess, fitness, and thought-provoking films. I am always happy to connect with people interested in mathematics, neuroscience, computation, or interdisciplinary research.
Academic journey
- Master’s thesis: Technical Analysis in Mathematical Finance
- Institute Merit Scholarship recipient
- Coursework included stochastic calculus in finance, stochastic processes, probability and measure theory, mathematical finance, applied statistics, differential equations, functional analysis, and data visualization.
- Undergraduate project: Linear Algebra and its Applications in Machine Learning
- Minor coursework in Physics and Statistics
- First Rank Holder · Gold Medalist
Professional highlights
Professional Memberships
- Organization for Computational Neurosciences (OCNS), Student Member
- Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), Student Member / UH Student Chapter
Honors & Awards
- PhD
- 2026: NSM Alumni Association (Eckhard Pfeifer/Carolyn Farb) Scholarship, University of Houston Alumni Association Foundation (UHAAF), 2026–2027 Academic Year
- Master's & Undergraduate
- 2025: Qualified CSIR NET, JRF — Eligible to be Assistant Professor in India
- 2024: Qualified Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
- 2022: All India Rank 196 in IIT-JAM (among 12,716 mathematics aspirants)
- 2021: Rank 1, Department of Mathematics, Government Arts College, Coimbatore
- 2018: District Runner, Mathematics Model Exam, CSI College of Engineering, Nilgiris, India
- 2018: Rank 1, Young Ramanujam of School Award, Dhanish Ahmed Institute of Engineering, Coimbatore
- 2016: Nilgiri District Achiever, Tamil Nadu School Associations
- 2016: Kaitlyn Jeyaraj & Bryan Wood Cash Award for Centum in Mathematics
Talks & Presentations
- PhD
- Master's & Undergraduate
- June 2024: Contributory lectures on “Gaussian Functions, Errors and Stirling’s Approximations” — Summer Workshop on Pure Mathematics
- April 2024: Presented “Itô's Rule” proof under Prof. Neelesh Upadhye, IIT Madras — Mathematical Finance
- Feb 2024: Presented approximation of a class of functions by simple functions using convolution and measure theory under Prof. Barun Sarkar, IIT Madras
- Feb 2024: Seminar on “Itô's Integration” for research scholars under Prof. Barun Sarkar, IIT Madras
- May 2023: Seminar on “GCD over Euclidean Domains” — Mathematics Training and Talent Search Programme, IIT Madras
- May 2022: Co-led discussion on “Significance of Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors” with Dr. Saranya, Government Arts College, Coimbatore
Workshops & Conferences
- PhD
- 2026: Probabilistic Inference in Neuroscience ,Workshop at NITMB , Chicago (Nov 2-4)
- 2026: Summer School on Stochastic Dynamics and Persistence in Biology, Texas A&M (Jun 21–27)
- Master's & Undergraduate
- 2024: Mini Course on Markov Chains by Prof. Manjunath Krishnapur, IISc Bangalore
- 2024: International FDP on Financial Mathematics, SPDE Theory, and Mathematical Modeling — VIT AP University
- 2024: International Conference on Stochastic Calculus & Applications to Finance — King’s College London & IIT Madras
- 2024: Workshop on Valuation of Equity Options using the Black–Scholes Model — IIQF
- 2024: Python in Finance & Open Range Breakout Strategy Workshop — StockGro at IIT Madras
- 2024: Statistical Modeling & Quant Challenge — Millennium Investment Management, IIT Madras
- 2024: Advanced Training School on PDEs & MATLAB — K. J. Somaiya College, Mumbai
- 2023: One-month Summer School integrating Linear Algebra, Probability, Markov Chains, and Differential Equations — IIT Madras
- 2023: MTTS Programme — Linear Algebra, Complex Analysis, Topology, Module & Ring Theory, IIT Madras
- 2023: Mathematics In-house Symposium — IIT Madras
- 2022: National Conference on Computational Mathematics — NIT Puducherry
- 2022: Workshop on Nonlinear Phenomena in Mathematical Biology — IIITM Gwalior
- 2021: NPTEL Modern Algebra Course — Madurai Kamaraj University
- 2021: KLA Workshop on AI & HPC in Semiconductor Manufacturing — IIT Madras
- 2020: Initiation into Linear Algebra — International Workshop, Mar Thoma College
- 2020: Vedic Mathematics & Foundations — Government Arts College, Coimbatore
Entrepreneurial & Extracurricular Activities
- Professional Coaching — Theory & Thought: Guided thinking and mentorship in Mathematics and Statistics for graduate learners (Jun 2025–Present)
- Organizer & Initiator: Weekly Student Seminar Series, Department of Mathematics, IIT Madras (Nov 2023–May 2024)
- Student Chief Coordinator: MTTS Programme, IIT Madras (May 2023) — Facilitated 150+ students
- Super Coordinator: FORAYS 23, IIT Madras (Feb 2023) — Annual mathematics fest
- Founder: SMART CART OFFICIAL — Online art & craft studio (Jan 2019–Jun 2025)
- Photographer: EYES OF ABDUL — Photography & videography portfolio