Hi, I'm Ishmael

Engineer • Programmer • Researcher

About Me

Introduction

Hi, I’m Ishmael! I’m an 18-year-old recent graduate of NEST+m High School and current freshman at Binghamton University, born and raised in New York City. I’m passionate about blending my love for both programming and engineering: writing code, building tangible projects, and exploring how software and hardware connect. Whether I’m prototyping devices, coding for embedded systems, or conducting research, my goal is to turn ideas into real-world innovations and support other first-generation, low-income students like myself.

My Story

I grew up in South Richmond Hill, Queens as a first-generation Guyanese-American with a deep curiosity for how things work but limited access to technology. From building with LEGO and Snap Circuits to discovering Scratch programming in 3rd grade, I was drawn to creating from a young age, yet at home, an outdated computer couldn’t support my interests. With help from my grandparents, I saved for a secondhand ASUS VivoBook in middle school and pushed it to its limits despite its worn hard drive and 4GB of RAM, teaching myself programming, debugging software, and repairing hardware as things broke. That persistence carried into high school, where I worked to access better resources and blended computer science with hands-on engineering through makerspaces, research labs, and school teams, building projects that connected code to the physical world. Today, I see technology not just as a skill, but as a way to create projects of my dreams, teach others, and create opportunities for others from communities like mine.

Current Focus

  • University Engineering/CS Coursework & Studies
  • Building a tech startup (coming soon!)
  • Personal Projects (Self-Research, AI/ML, Trading, etc.)
  • Creating content centered around STEM, College, and Projects (@ishgineering)
  • Vision of becoming a recognized Guyanese-American Engineer/Computer Scientist and Student Researcher
Ishmael working on project Ishmael presenting research Ishmael building circuit Ishmael building circuit
Programming
C/C++
Proficient
Python
Proficient
Java
Intermediate
JavaScript
Proficient
Node.js
Proficient
React/Vue
Intermediate
SQL
Learning
HTML/CSS
Proficient
Scratch
Advanced
Engineering/Hardware
Arduino
PCB Design
Fusion 360
SOLIDWORKS
LaTeX
Model Rocketry
Raspberry Pi
NI LabView
Roblox Studio
Soldering
3D Printing
Robotics
Circuitry
Laser Cutting
Bandsaw
Prototyping
Soft Skills & Languages
Leadership
Public Speaking
Research
English
Native
Spanish
Learning
Recognition
QuestBridge Scholar
Amazon Future Engineer
Science Olympiad
NYCSRM Researcher
NEST+m Ethos Award
HackMIT '23
Hobbies
Biking
Exploring NYC
Traveling
Cooking
DJing
3D Modeling
Investing/Trading
Basketball
Badminton
DIY Projects
Cars
Content Creation/Video Editing

Projects

Screenshot of Smart Home Dashboard

High-Power Model Rocket w/ Arduino-Based Flight Computer

Summer 2023

I designed and built a high-power model rocket that incorporated an Arduino-based custom flight computer. The computer was equipped with a barometric pressure sensor (BMP390), an accelerometer, and a gyroscope (MPU6050) to record altitude, velocity, and orientation throughout the flight. I programmed the Arduino in C++ to log flight data through an SD Card and control an onboard buzzer for recovery. The rocket’s airframe was built from lightweight composites with a PVC payload section to house the electronics.

C++ Arduino Model Rocketry
Screenshot of Portfolio Builder Interface

Science Olympiad Projects (Electric Vehicle, Detector Building)

2024, 2025

Completed Science Olympiad projects in Electric Vehicle and Detector Building, designing precision devices under competition constraints. For Electric Vehicle, I modeled and 3D-printed a custom chassis inspired by the Tektite Electric Vehicle Kit, integrating encoder feedback and tuning drivetrain efficiency, braking, and mass distribution to achieve repeatable stopping accuracy. For Detector Building, I built and calibrated an Arduino-based ORP probe, processing voltage readings to estimate diluted solution concentrations in ppm with reliable repeatability.

Arduino STM32 Robotics 3D Printing Physics
Graph of Sentiment Analysis Results

NYC High School Discord Bot

2021-2023

The NYC High School Discord Bot (v1.4.0) is a community-focused Discord bot built to connect NYC high school students and inform prospective students through a centralized educational server on Discord. It is primarily developed in JavaScript using discord.js, with early-stage development in Python via discord.py. The bot emphasizes student connection, information sharing, and hands-on coding experience, while maintaining high reliability through hosting and monitoring with UptimeRobot. This project is open-source for showcasing purposes only and is intentionally designed for specific educational servers.

Python JavaScript Discord discord.js
More Coming Soon...

Academic Research

Python-Based Test Setups for UV/Neutron Detectors in Harsh Environment Applications

2025 ETHER Lab @ Columbia University Ishmael Lallmahamad, Cierra Anderson, Prof. Savannah Eisner

Built combined hardware and software testing platforms for 2DEG and MSM-based UV and neutron photodetectors fabricated at Columbia University’s ETHER Lab. The system integrates precision source-measure units, high-speed oscilloscopes, and custom fixtures with Python automation for efficient data collection and analysis. Key measurements include pulse waveforms, multi-terminal electrical sweeps, and Schottky barrier height extraction. This platform improves testing speed, accuracy, and consistency for detectors designed to operate in harsh, radiation-intense environments.

View Research Poster
Image of Microfluidic Device Setup

NEST+m Science Fair Research

2024, 2025 NEST+m Famin Ahmmed, Ishmael Lallmahamad

Quantum Tunneling in Diodes (2025): This research studied quantum tunneling in Zener, Schottky, and switching diodes by measuring reverse-bias leakage current and temperature changes near breakdown. A controlled circuit with precision current sensing and real-time thermal monitoring was used to distinguish tunneling behavior from avalanche breakdown. Results showed measurable tunneling currents increasing with voltage before avalanche effects occurred, while temperature remained relatively stable in this region. Unexpected thermal behavior suggested that resistance and external factors influenced energy changes more than electron collisions alone.

Thermal Demagnetization (2024): Investigated the thermal magnetization and demagnetization behavior of iron and nickel in the 300–500 K range to evaluate low-temperature deviations from classical ferromagnetic theory. The study employed controlled heating, neodymium magnetization, and Gauss-meter–based field measurements to approximate magnetization and compare trends against established experimental models. Results showed nickel followed expected demagnetization behavior, while iron exhibited significant deviations—likely due to oxide layers—yet both materials demonstrated near-reversible magnetization upon cooling.

Quantum Tunneling Abstract (Coming Soon!)     View Thermal Demagnetization Abstract
Image of Drone Flight Path Optimization

Adapting Robotics to Develop Wearable Technology Device to Assist Patients' Communication with Body Disabilities

2023 New York University Science & Technology Entry Program (STEP) Ishmael Lallmahamad, Rafi Uddin, Kunga Gurung

Disabilities are on the rise, with new cases doubling every decade. One particular disability is paralyzation, specifically through Locked-In Syndrome or other-related conditions, where one's body is paralyzed everywhere except for their eyes, and is still conscious to an extent. Our research targets this patient group, and pitches a low-cost, effective, and innovative solution to assist these patients with communication and potentially saving their lives, created through 3D Design, Prototyping, Circuitry, C++, a User Interface, and the wearable goggles device.

View Research Poster
Image of Drone Flight Path Optimization

Experience

Incoming ETS Technician

Binghamton University · Emerging Technology Studio (ETS)
Spring 2026
  • Incoming ETS Technician at Binghamton University, specializing in providing support for 3D printing, fabrication, and prototyping projects.
3D Printing CAD Makerspace

Student Researcher

Columbia University · ETHER Lab
Summer 2025
  • Conducting research under Prof. Eisner on the fabrication and testing of UV and neutron detector devices for advanced applications in FLASH Radiotherapy and space exploration.
  • Programmed a Schottky Barrier Height Calculator in Python; Configured high-precision lab instrumentation, including probe stations, oscilloscopes, SMUs, and power supplies, to enable accurate electrical measurements.
Semiconductors Embedded Systems Python Solid-State/Applied Physics

Student Researcher

Algoverse · Spring AI Research Program
Feb-Aug 2024
  • Contributed to early research on AAVENUE, a benchmark evaluating LLM performance on NLU tasks in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) vs. Standard American English (SAE), analyzing five state-of-the-art models with fluency, BARTScore, and coherence metrics to identify translation biases and disparities.
Artificial IntelligenceMachine LearningLinguistics

Web Development Intern

Engram, LLC · learnwithengram.com
Jul-Sep 2023
  • Contributed to learnwithengram.com under Columbia PhD mentorship; implemented interactive AP History learning tools with‬ ‭JavaScript, Vue.js, and Sass.‬ ‭
  • Analyzed AP History student data to design an AI-based essay grading feature and AP-Style quiz/assessment modules.‬ ‭
Web DevelopmentJavascriptFigma

Student

City College of New York · STEM Institute
Jul 2022 - Aug 2023
  • Completed 6+ college courses in Engineering, Robotics, and Mathematics, earning grades of 90+ in all courses.‬ ‭
  • Designed and launched low-power (B-motor) and high-power (H120 motor) model rockets using 3D modeling and CAD for‬ ‭mechanical parts and OpenRocket software for testing and simulations.‬ ‭
  • Built and programmed an Arduino-based flight computer integrated into model rockets to track and analyze flight metrics,‬ ‭including temperature, altitude, pressure, 3D orientation, and flight performance.
RoboticsEngineeringMathematicsRocketry

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