About

Building trustworthy AI for learning and coaching

I have completed my Ph.D. in Computer Science and now work at the University of Florida College of Education with the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies. My research blends machine learning, learning sciences, LLMs, and interaction design to transform multimodal learning data into insights that educators, coaches, and families can use.

I develop audio-, video-, and text-based data mining frameworks embedded in web applications, with a focus on early childhood learning, caregiver and classroom interactions, and responsible analytics that support practitioners in real settings.

Current Appointment

University of Florida, College of Education, Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies.

Focus Areas

  • LLM-enabled learning analytics for programming and early childhood education.
  • Audio, video, text, and sensing-data mining for classroom and caregiver interactions.
  • Responsible AI tools that surface actionable insights for educators and coaches.

Previously

Ph.D. researcher at Utah State University's Data Science and Applications Lab, Research Associate at Pakistan's National Center of Artificial Intelligence, and Project Engineer at USPCAS-E.

Research

Human-centered AI that supports real learning progress

Multimodal Learning Analytics

Designing audio-, video-, text-, and sensing-data pipelines to map learning and coaching interactions and deliver timely support in education settings.

  • Classroom sensing
  • Caregiver interactions
  • Adaptive feedback

LLMs for Education

Embedding LLMs in web applications that generate learning materials, interpret student work, and help practitioners turn complex signals into usable guidance.

  • Programming exercises
  • Human evaluation
  • Web applications

Responsible & Funded Research

Building collaborative research programs through proposals, publications, and AI tools that support existing sensing-technology grants and community partnerships.

  • Grant collaboration
  • Model interpretability
  • Ethical deployment
Projects

Tools and studies shaping equitable learning experiences

Architecture diagram for the CodeClimberAI platform

CodeClimberAI Exercise Generator

Full-stack intelligent tutoring system delivering 11,700 curated Python exercises across five modalities with keystroke analytics, OAuth authentication, and a MySQL-backed progress history.

Flask Vue MySQL Learning Analytics
Explore the project
Visualization of the PCIndFair framework for fairness in AI

PCIndFair: Individual Fairness in AI

A novel framework that diagnoses and mitigates individual fairness violations in probabilistic classifiers, offering interpretable dashboards for decision makers.

Responsible AI Python Fairness Metrics
See the framework
Animation illustrating keystroke analytics for programming behavior

Deciphering Student Coding Behavior

Interpretable keystroke features and ensemble strategies that achieve 80% accuracy in predicting CS1 student performance while providing actionable feedback for instructors.

Ensemble Learning Education Data Mining Python
View code & data
Remote sensing visualization showing limestone mapping results

Cloud-based Limestone Mapping

Machine learning workflows in Google Earth Engine that fuse multispectral imagery and feature-oriented PCA to map industrial rock deposits for sustainable mining.

Remote Sensing Google Earth Engine FPCA
Read the study
Publications

Selected work and collaborations

A reverse chronological snapshot of my scholarship. For the full record, download my CV or visit my Google Scholar profile.

Latest

  1. Student-perceived cognitive load of LLM-generated programming exercises

    Muhammad Fawad Akbar Khan, Ludia Eka Feri, Ha Nguyen, Hamid Karimi · 2025 IEEE 12th International Conference on Data Science and Advanced Analytics (DSAA) Paper Repository

    Measures how CS1 students experience LLM-generated exercises using keystroke telemetry, code metrics, and survey data, providing actionable guidance for balancing difficulty and scaffolded AI feedback.

  2. Human Evaluation of GPT for Scalable Python Programming Exercise Generation

    M.F.A. Khan, M. Ramsdell, H. Nguyen, H. Karimi · IEEE International Conference on Data Science and Advanced Analytics (DSAA) 2024 · Oct 2024 · pp. 1–10 Paper

    Benchmarks GPT-4 Turbo for curriculum-aligned Python exercise generation, producing 11,700 CS1 problems and studying student and instructor feedback on quality and effort to scale intelligent tutoring systems.

  3. Assessing the Promise and Pitfalls of ChatGPT for Automated Code Generation

    M.F.A. Khan, M. Ramsdell, E. Falor, H. Karimi · 17th International Conference on Educational Data Mining (EDM) 2024 · Jul 2024 · pp. 83–95 Paper Code & data

    Contrasts ChatGPT and human developers across 131 programming prompts using 14 code quality metrics, highlighting strengths in data analysis tasks and revealing gaps in visual reasoning scenarios.

Research, Teaching & Service

Building supportive learning experiences

Utah State University · Graduate TA

2021 — 2026

  • Facilitated labs and recitations for introductory programming and analytics courses, supporting 100+ students each semester.
  • Designed interactive modules and data-driven feedback loops inside Canvas and custom learning tools.
  • Coordinated grading, mentoring, and onboarding for undergraduate research assistants.

Mentorship & Outreach

  • Mentor undergraduate researchers on keystroke analytics, fairness in AI, and data storytelling projects.
  • Organize workshops on ethical AI practices and data literacy for local educators and community partners.
  • Volunteer judge and coach for regional hackathons and STEM education events.

Industry & Research Leadership

  • Led ML projects at Pakistan's National Center of AI focused on geospatial intelligence and industrial analytics.
  • Developed predictive maintenance pipelines for aircraft hydraulics and wind energy assets at USPCAS-E.
My Life

Moments beyond research

A peek at the places, people, and events that keep me inspired outside the lab.

Fawad receiving his undergraduate diploma on stage
Enojoying a sunset with friends after classes.
Fawad and classmates taking a selfie in graduation gowns
Celebrating commencement with classmates who turned late-night study sessions into lasting friendships.
Fawad holding graduation certificate with professors
Undergraduate graduation, a proud moment shared with faculty who championed my research curiosity early on.
Fawad talking with fellow Utah State students outdoors
Welcoming new Aggies at international banquet with the International Student Council.
Fawad with Utah State students during a campus campaign
Cheerful walks with classmates after classes.
Film club friends posing in front of the Utah State Capitol
Film club adventures in Salt Lake City—capturing stories on and off camera.
Film club members planning at a roundtable discussion
Presenting research at ICMLA 2022 and discussing ideas.
Film club posing outside a theater with movie posters
Premiere night with the film club—our favorite way to learn from directors we admire.
Fawad and friends bundled up in the snow taking a selfie
Brainstorming sessiong at the Filmmaking Club
Fawad seated with colleagues at the International Student Council banquet
Filmmaking Club Marketing, recruiting storytellers at the USU club fair—inspiring students to explore filmmaking
Fawad standing at a filmmaking club booth during campus fair
Script-writing and scene planning sessions with the Filmmaking gang. together.
Friends jumping in front of the Utah State Capitol building
Geeking out over space tech during a NASA outreach event—dreaming about AI beyond Earth.
Fawad visiting a NASA exhibit with a colleague
A snow-day selfie every day needs a little adventure with good company.
Fawad working at a computer analyzing colorful remote sensing data
Late nights at the lab, immersed in remote sensing data that sparked my research journey.
Contact

Let’s collaborate

I’m always open to new research collaborations, invited talks, and partnerships that align AI innovation with meaningful learning outcomes.

Office

3022 Norman Hall
PO Box 117050
Gainesville, FL 32611-7050

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