Connector Spotlight: Gashin Ghazizadeh

Gashin Ghazizadeh, a machine learning engineer who loves to try new recipes in the kitchen, watch Friends over and over again, and has a clever book she’d bring if she were stuck on a deserted island.

Tell us a bit about the projects you’re working on.

I am currently working on Project Sentinel with a leading automotive manufacturer. We are working toward improving security for vehicles with the power of Machine Learning. Our team consists of many talented engineers and scientists that handle all the parts from Hardware to Machine Learning and Marketing of the products we are working on.

What’s the most interesting challenge about the project?

Working with a limited amount of data and building a system that can generalize to different scenarios is a very big and interesting challenge part of Project Sentinel.

Where did you work prior to Connected?

I studied Computer Engineering for my undergrad and decided to work on a machine learning thesis. Since then I have pursued my passion for the field by studying my master of computer science with a focus on Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Computer Vision (CV). After my academic life and prior to working at Connected, I worked at an NLP startup company called Alexsei. Alexsei is a legal tech startup that uses AI to review and synthesize documents and produce high-quality memos for law firms.

What achievement are you most proud of in your career to date?

I have always delivered Models that I have been confident enough to use myself and I am proud of that. Also I have always been active in groups and activities for promoting women in engineering and that is very important for me. I take pride that I am currently the co-leader of the Women in Engineering group at Connected and work to promote equity, inclusion, and representation in tech!

Do you have a mantra you live by?

I am ready. This mantra is very simple and powerful for me. On those days that I don’t have enough energy, it reminds me that I might not feel like it but I am ready to do what I am meant to do.

What do you love to do outside of work?

Binge watching Friends! I share my love for this timeless show with other fellow Connectors in a TV-fanatics Slack channel we have at the company which has also been awesome for TV show recommendations to watch. I currently live in beautiful Halifax and love going on scenic hikes. I also really enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. My favourite dish to make is a Persian yogurt soup called ashe doogh. It reminds me of home and my family in Iran! 

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what album, movie, and book would you take with you?

Adele 25, I would take every season of Friends instead of a movie (surprise, surprise), probably a best-selling book about how to survive in the wild.

Describe yourself in three words.

Energetic, punctual, tough.

And finally, what is your favourite product and why?

Any Video chat/conferencing app, because that’s the only way I can be with my family, who live far away from me (I miss them, dearly!)