Waqas Ahmed Profile Photo

Waqas Ahmed

Geospatial Data Scientist & Researcher

Professional Summary

Geospatial Data Scientist and Researcher with 8+ years of industry experience applying AI, computer vision, and remote sensing techniques to transportation and urban analytics. Developed MobilAI, an AI-powered platform for road safety analysis from UAV footage. Leading research within an emerging aerial-ground collective perception initiative at IMOB that combines UAV sensing, intelligent transportation systems, and social robotics for safer urban mobility.

Career Highlights

Doctoral Researcher | Hasselt University
2023 – 2027
  • Developed MobilAI, a UAV-based computer-vision video-to-mapping solution for road-user trajectory reconstruction, speed estimation, pedestrian-flow monitoring, and crowd analysis, while applying PMP-aligned project monitoring and management practices within an Agile development approach.
  • Developed and experimentally validated a pixel-to-world calibration method for dynamic drone footage, achieving a root mean square error (RMSE) of 54.9–95.9 cm under experimental conditions, laying the foundations for MobilAI.
  • Established a new research collaboration with the Cooperative Autonomous Systems group at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, focusing on autonomous systems and human–robot interaction. Conducted applied research on V2X communication in infrastructure-light environments, resulting in 3 research papers on communication systems, robot traffic moderation, and road-user interaction.
  • Authored 8 peer-reviewed publications spanning photogrammetry, GeoAI, computer vision, road safety, and behavioral analytics.
Geospatial Data Scientist | Aga Khan University
2023 – 2024
  • Contributed to a Gates Foundation Global Grand Challenges research project focused on identifying vulnerable populations and strengthening climate resilience.
  • Developed a peer-reviewed, multidomain vulnerability index and validated it in Pakistan using three nutrition-related outcomes from NNS 2018: BMI, anemia, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), achieving correlations above 0.95.
  • Increased the geographic resolution of vulnerability classification from country or subregional level to Admin 2, producing actionable district rankings for BEP allocation and anticipatory action.
  • Supported the development of an open-access geospatial dashboard for use by country teams, government ministries, and development partners.
Planning & Scheduling Engineer | Minconsult-EA-CEC JV
2022 – 2024
  • Supported the project-management and contracts functions for a US$661 million infrastructure project co-financed by ADB, AIIB, AFD, GCF, and the Government of Sindh.
  • Developed and maintained the integrated project schedule, aligning engineering activities, contractual milestones, operational requirements, and stakeholder deliverables.
  • Performed critical-path analysis, schedule-risk assessment, delay-impact evaluation, and progress monitoring to support management decisions and contractual reviews.
  • Coordinated schedule inputs across multidisciplinary engineering teams and monitored progress against contractual milestones and planned completion dates.
Deputy Manager (Projects) | RE2 Renewable Resources
2020 – 2022
  • Managed planning and execution activities for 4 utility-scale wind energy projects valued at approximately US$260 million.
  • Led project scheduling, risk assessment, progress monitoring, and stakeholder coordination across multiple project phases.
Independent Contractor | Construction Projects
2016 – 2020
  • Provided project-management and engineering services for multiple small-scale residential and commercial construction projects.
  • Supported project planning, scheduling, contractor coordination, progress monitoring, and on-site execution to facilitate timely delivery.

Education

PhD in Transportation Sciences | Hasselt University, Belgium
2023 – 2027
  • Focus: AI and Drones for Road Safety
Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Computational Science & Engineering | NED University of Engineering & Technology
2024 – 2026
  • Focus: Python, machine learning, high-performance computing
Master of Studies (MS) in Remote Sensing & GIS | University of Karachi, Pakistan
2018 – 2022
  • Focus: Spectral index-based road feature extraction
  • Output: Publication in Elsevier journal Array
Bachelors of Urban Engineering (B.E.) | NED University of Engineering & Technology
2012 – 2016
  • Focus: Urban Mass Transportation, Urban Sociology, Traffic Engineering, Geographical Information Systems

Technical Skills & Competencies

Core Competencies

Python (Data Science & AI) Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Project Management Computer Vision Remote Sensing

Languages

  • English: Bilingual Proficiency
  • Dutch: Elementary Proficiency

Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)®
Project Management Institute (PMI)

EU Drone Pilot Certificate (A1/A3)
Belgian Civil Aviation Authority
Issued: March 2025