Rimshah Jawad

Master of Public Informatics, Class of 2026

Areas of Interest: AI, data analytics, EdTech, first-generation student success
Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan
Activities at Rutgers: Vice President, Public Informatics Student Group; Women’s Leadership Panel, First-Generation Graduate Student Support Initiatives; Office of Graduate Student Life, Volunteer; 2025 New Jersey Gubernatorial Debate (Bloustein School)

Rimshah Jawad’s path to public informatics began in a high school computer science classroom. At home in Pakistan, she taught programming and coding for over a decade, often introducing these subjects to high school students for the first time.

“I completed my bachelor’s in electrical engineering, but soon after, I got married and had children,” she said. “Instead of working in that field, I transitioned into teaching, and that’s what I’ve been doing for the past decade. I’ve worked in renowned schools in Pakistan and also with international schools as an online tutor.”

Over time, she saw the computer science curriculum evolve. “AI and machine learning started becoming an integral part of what I was teaching. That exposure sparked something in me, I wanted to dive deeper.”

Enrolling in the Master of Public Informatics program served a dual purpose. Not only is she returning to the career she temporarily put aside, but it is also strengthening her technical foundation, helping build expertise in AI and data analytics.  “We live in a world driven by data, and being able to apply it to solve real-world problems is something that truly excites me. I want to be part of that space where technology meets impact,” she said. “The MPI degree isn’t just a career move for me, it’s a second chance to build the kind of impact I’ve always dreamed of.”

As Vice President of Bloustein’s Public Informatics Student Group, she organized multiple AI and data analytics panels that created valuable opportunities for students to connect and network with industry professionals. She helped out with a similar panel for the Women’s Leadership group. “Having worked in education for many years, I’ve seen firsthand the barriers that exist in developing countries. This is my chance to keep learning, and to apply what I learn to improve access and outcomes for others,” she said.

Rimshah first heard about Bloustein’s MPI program through a friend who praised its supportive academic environment. “As an international student and a parent, I faced several challenges early on,” she said. “But being at Rutgers made all the difference. Bloustein’s Student Services department was incredible—guiding me through everything from settling in to balancing coursework and family life.”

She credits much of her success to the mentorship of faculty and staff. “Program director Jim Samuel’s teaching has been pivotal in shaping my interest in AI. I took his studio course, where we worked on a research paper that was submitted to a conference,” she said. Rimshah went on to present the group paper, titled ‘MOMCare with AI: A Dual Embedding-based RAG-LLM Chatbot for Postpartum Depression,’ at the 10th International Conference on Information and Communication Technology for Intelligent Systems. A related poster won an honorable mention at the 2025 New Jersey Big Data Alliance Symposium’s student poster competition. Building on this work, Rimshah developed the chatbot into a multi-agent system and is continuing to build on this research with her team. She also presented a second paper, “Unlocking Business Value with Generative AI! Economic Value Assessment for Chatbots and Gen AI ROI Discovery,” at the 2025 Northeast Business & Economics Association Conference.

Rimshah continued, “As someone returning to school after a decade, my advisor, Professor Clint Andrews, provided guidance on how to approach research. His support helped me rebuild my academic confidence and navigate this new phase with clarity.” She has been working with Professor Andrews on a directed study, where she is researching the impact of air pollution on the elderly population in Elizabeth, which focuses on understanding environmental risks in vulnerable communities.

Professors Radha Jagannathan, Mehmet Kaplan, and Will Payne also played a key role in helping Rimshah master complex topics, from working with real-world data to maps and spatial analysis, and made them approachable, exciting, and meaningful. “Each of these professors has shaped my journey in different but equally impactful ways, and I’m grateful for the foundation they’ve helped me build.”

Her long-term goal is to work at the intersection of education and technology, with a focus on improving outcomes for underserved communities. “I want to apply data-driven insights to improve learning outcomes and educational access,” she said. “Given my background as an educator and my growing skills in informatics, this path feels like a natural fit.”

Towards the end of last year, she was a guest on The FirstGen Lounge, a podcast highlighting the experiences of first-generation students in higher education. She reiterates one of her messages from that discussion for students considering the MPI program: choose a university that knows how to welcome international students, not just one that accepts them. 

“At Bloustein, you’ll find faculty and staff who are genuinely friendly, cooperative, and invested in your success,” she said. “The resources are there, you just have to be willing to seek them out and make the most of them. Whether it’s academic guidance, career support, or adjusting to life in a new country, you won’t feel alone here.”

Outside of class, Rimshah is a mom of two who’s often learning alongside her kids. “As they grow and explore the world around them, I find myself growing too, whether it’s through helping with a school project or diving into new concepts in my own studies.” She was also featured by the Office of Graduate Student Life during National Student Parent Appreciation Month, recognizing her journey as a graduate student parent.

Over the past year, Rimshah has been working with the startup InPerson+ as a Strategic Initiatives and Data Consultant, where she has supported executive initiatives, streamlined operations through workflow automation, and contributed to shaping the company’s early growth strategy. She has also been involved in research and initiatives focused on first-generation student experiences. She has also been selected to present her research on first-generation student success at the 2026 NASPA Student Success in Higher Education Conference this summer.

Last fall, Rimshah worked alongside Bloustein Student Services staff to welcome the newest cohort of international students and help them adapt to life in their new country. She was also selected from the MPI program to volunteer at the 2025 New Jersey Gubernatorial Debate, gaining behind-the-scenes experience in a major public policy event. Rimshah also volunteers at panels and networking events across other universities, supporting students in building confidence and professional skills. She recently participated in a speed networking event at Middlesex College and an online panel at Rowan University. She was also featured by GlobalMindED, as part of their STEM Leaders series, highlighting her journey as a first-generation researcher and educator working at the intersection of technology, education, and student access.

“Balancing graduate school, parenting, and a career change has been a unique journey, but it’s taught me persistence, empathy, and how to make every minute count. I’m passionate about learning things that make a difference, and I’m excited to see where this path leads next,” she concluded.