Class of 2024: Sami Kunaish bridged cultures and innovation through machine learning

Class of 2024: Sami Kunaish

College: Engineering

Degree: Bachelor of Science in computer science

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

Plans after Graduation: Kunaish will return to the D.C. area, where he aims to apply his Virginia Tech computer science skills at a software development company. 

Favorite Hokie Memory: "The campfire farewell party for one of the members of my lab is my favorite memory. He was returning to his home country to continue studying at his university, and many members of our lab got together to make s’mores, talk, and learn from each other. It was an experience that matched my expectations for college and an event I will never forget."

Sami Kunaish, a computer science major from Washington, D.C., has distinguished himself both through his undergraduate research in the Department of Computer Science and by mentoring fellow students aspiring to enter the tech industry. His exceptional work earned him the honor of being named the outstanding graduating senior in computer science this fall.

Hands-on learning

As an undergraduate researcher in the Machine Learning Lab, led by Associate Professor Hoda Eldardiry, Kunaish contributed to a significant project, gaining valuable hands-on experience in chemical compound identification and machine learning.

He described his work with Eldardiry’s group as a pivotal part of his time at Virginia Tech.

“Working in Dr. Hoda’s lab boosted my confidence and willingness to pursue research roles and consider academia in the future,” Kunaish said. “It gave me a clear understanding of what these roles entail and helped me develop the skills to fulfill them.”

Though he joined the lab with no prior machine learning experience, Kunaish quickly became an integral part of the team. His research focused on chemical compound identification and particle morphology modeling, both of which required advanced machine learning techniques.

“I was initially apprehensive about machine learning and whether I could effectively learn and develop models. However, the environment and resources in Dr. Hoda’s lab eased my concerns, and I’ve gained so much throughout my time there,” Kunaish explained.

Kunaish’s contributions did not go unnoticed.

“He showed great enthusiasm for learning and played a crucial role in advancing the project,” said Hoda Eldardiry, associate professor in computer science and director of the Machine Learning Lab. “This growth reflects Sami’s dedication to mastering complex concepts and applying them to real-world challenges.”

Adam Lahouar, a master’s student in the lab, praised Kunaish for his ability to manage team logistics and keep projects on track, despite their complexity.

Living Ut Prosim

Beyond academics and research, Kunaish has made a lasting impact on his community by mentoring high school students through the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program. This program, aimed at D.C. youth aged 14-24, provides work experience, skill development, and paid summer employment to prepare participants for future careers.

In this role, Kunaish helped students connect with the tech industry, fulfilling his goal of inspiring the next generation of tech leaders, while gaining valuable teaching experience himself.

He also credited his experience living in Virginia Tech’s Mozaiko Living-Learning Community as an important part of his college journey. Located in Harper Hall, the community fosters diversity by bringing together both domestic and international students. It offers an opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures and develop leadership skills for the future.

This experience broadened Kunaish’s intercultural perspective, which proved invaluable in collaborative research projects and interactions with people from various fields. 

Looking ahead

As Kunaish prepares for life after graduation, he is excited to apply his machine learning skills—ranging from research to data analysis and problem-solving—in his future career.

Whether he remains in Washington, D.C., or explores opportunities elsewhere, Kunaish feels confident that his Virginia Tech experience has prepared him to tackle complex challenges and make meaningful contributions to the tech community at large.

“The Virginia Tech community has always been incredibly welcoming,” he said. “It has helped me build new connections and friendships on top of gaining invaluable research experience.”

Written by Julie Deacon, a Class of 2024 graduating senior in the Department of English.