About
Hi, I’m Taha
I like building things that make life easier (or at least less annoying). Lately, that’s meant developing AI workflows to automate repetitive tasks so I can focus on more creative projects. I’m a CS student at Columbia, and a lot of what I’ve learned has come from online resources and experimenting with technologies I find interesting. I also care about giving back to my community: I mentor underclassmen through Columbia’s Mentoring Initiative (CMI) and facilitate peer-led workshops in the Columbia Emerging Scholars Program, helping students navigate intro to CS classes, internships, and college life. Much of my recognition has come from volunteering, including the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Congressional Award Gold Medal.
Leadership & Professional Development
Teaching Assistant — New York, NY
- Facilitate 75-minute, weekly peer-led workshops for a cohort of 14 students in introductory-level CS courses.
- Guide small groups of students in algorithmic thinking, debugging strategies, and clear written and verbal communication of solutions while promoting collaborative problem-solving.
Scholar — New York, NY
- Selected for a weekly peer-led program supporting underrepresented students, building confidence and motivation to pursue the CS major through collaborative problem-solving and mentorship.
- Solved open-ended logic puzzles and advanced CS problems developed by PhD students with faculty input, covering topics including natural language processing, machine learning, computer vision, and more.
Honors & Awards
President's Lifetime Achievement Award
May. 2024
Amazon Future Engineer Scholar
Mar. 2024
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program Semifinalist
Jan. 2024
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition
Dec. 2023
The Gates Scholarship Semifinalist
Dec. 2023
United States Senate Youth Program Semifinalist
Nov. 2023
QuestBridge National College Match Finalist
Oct. 2023
Congressional Award Gold Medalist & STEM Star
Sept. 2023