Maruf Rahman Email & Phone Number

In my current role I have been leading the update process for a Python-based vulnerability modelling system for high-value electricity infrastructure. Once developed, the system will be by stakeholders in Southeast Asia used for assessing weaknesses in critical infrastructure. The findings will be key to generating prioritised options for consideration of senior government officials and industry executives working to develop mitigation strategies. The role also requires me to undertake stakeholder management and communicate complex ideas to non-technical audiences. To facilitate the development process, I have also developed a documentation management system for the work. I have also worked with scientists and hydrological modellers to develop a process model for an inundation simulation workflow that includes multiple stakeholders, data sources, datasets, and complex interdependencies.

My team was responsible for providing the technical capability for CIPMA (Critical Infrastructure Program for Modelling & Analysis). CIPMA was a high profile effort funded by the Federal Attorney General’s Department to enhance the security of selected industry sectors critical to the Australian economy and normalcy of public life. I was the chief modeller within the team for Australian telecommunications and electricity transmission networks. I was also in charge of assessing the impact of disasters on the ability of these networks to deliver critical services to the people and businesses. Some of my key achievements in this role were: • Produced analytical reports for complex failure scenarios specified by stakeholders. • Developed strong working relationships within a multidisciplinary team, which included GIS analysts, data modellers, engineers, a mathematician, economists, and demographers, to ensure coordinated development of products that met the requirements. • Maintained and quality-tested models for communications (including Telecommunications, Broadcasting, and Submarine Cable industries) and electricity transmission network assets. • Successfully engaged with stakeholders for data acquisition, knowledge transfer, and validation. • Developed the documentation template that was adopted for the entire team.

Clayton, Victoria

I was the main modeller for Australian communication networks for the CIPMA project (Critical Infrastructure Protection Modelling & Analysis). I worked very closely with other modellers in the team working for Electricity and Financial sectors to develop an integrated capability that allowed us to investigate cross-sectoral impacts of natural or man-made disasters. My professionalism and dedication in working with project partner Geoscience Australia won me deep respect and recognition from colleagues and senior managers.As part of my work, I developed System Dynamic models for Telecommunications, Broadcasting, and Submarine Cable industries. The models were designed to be abstractions of real assets that were simplified but still captured the key characteristics important for understanding the questions we were trying to answer.The work to elicit system information and model validation required me to work with large and diverse portfolio of industry stakeholders, which included Telstra, Optus, Australia Japan Cable, Southern Cross Cable, REACH, ABC, SBS, Broadcast Australia, and TXA.Our work represented a powerful ground-breaking methodology for assessing infrastructure risk that combined infrastructure models with the right level of detail, access to real data through trusted private-public information exchange networks, the ability to model interdependencies across complex networks, hazard scenario modelling, scenario-based simulations, and geospatial visualisation.

Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia

The research agenda for this role was to experimentally investigate the propagation of wireless network signals within industrial buildings in support of deploying wireless tools for monitoring product quality and improving production efficiency. I designed experiments, set equipment specifications that were built by a partner agency, and was responsible for equipment purchase decisions. I liaised with several large corporations (Ford, Isuzu, and Pilkington) to undertake experiments in their facilities. A key part of my work was to analyse the collected data to detect patterns and statistics that were later used to support the development of simulation software for wireless signal propagation within industrial buildings.

Blacksburg, Virginia

The teaching assistant role was part of a full scholarship that covered my post-graduate study at Virginia Tech. This role saw me maintaining coordination with students in up to ten remote campuses. My key responsibilities included grading assignments and exams, and assisting students with understanding the course material. An interesting challenge was to explain complicated ideas over email and phone to students on remote campuses. I also assisted the Professor maintain the class website.

Master Of Science, Telecommunication Engineering

Activities and Societies: Melbourne University Karate Club - won multiple medals for my university in inter-club and inter-varsity.

Bachelor Of Science, Electrical Engineering

Activities and Societies: Member and treasurer of Eta Kappa Nu (US honour society for Electrical Engineers), Virginia Tech branch. Member.