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About Me
Iqra Waheed is a Pakistani-American researcher and student leader based in New York City. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Waheed's interdisciplinary focus is based on religion, computer science, policy, law, and emerging technologies, with a particular focus on religious ethical frameworks governing artificial intelligence and digital systems.
She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a minor in Science and Public Policy at Barnard College, Columbia University, where she serves as President of the Class of 2027.
Waheed has in a variety of intense positions ranging from serving as a Diplomat Advisor at the United Nations for a year to AI governance in higher education, combining research with practical leadership. Her work revolves around developing ethical technologies and creating public policy, all with an emphasis on attentiveness to culture, religion, gender equity, accessibility, and social contexts.
Education
Columbia University | Barnard College
Bachelor of Arts, Religion
Minor: Science + Public Policy
December 2024 โ May 2027
John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY)
Completed coursework toward a double major in Law & Society and Computer Science
August 2023 โ December 2024
James Madison High School
Advanced Regents Diploma ยท AP Capstone Diploma
September 2019 โ June 2023
Previously
Diplomat Advisor โ United Nations
Waheed served as a Diplomat Advisor to Pakistan's Mission to the United Nations, advising across both the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Issues) and the Sixth Committee (Legal). She conducted multilingual treaty research, supported the drafting of speeches and reports, and assisted in legal and policy analysis related to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. She represented Pakistan's Mission to the United Nations by giving statements during security council meetings on a variety of topics, including Pakistan's stance on Saudi Arabia's Line City, NEOM.
Currently
Leadership Council, Northeast Network Ambassador โ American Pakistan Foundation
In her current role, Waheed serves on the Leadership Council of the American Pakistan Foundation as the NYC Network Ambassador. Her work involves civic engagement initiatives, community programming, research, and other forms of outreach efforts aimed at strengthening political participation and leadership development within Pakistani-American communities.
Personal Interests and Technologies
Waheed's interests span both technical and humanistic sectors. She is particularly engaged in questions surrounding artificial intelligence ethics, religious and legal frameworks, child and youth online safety, and the societal implications of emerging technologies.
Her technical experience includes foundational web development (HTML, JavaScript, CSS), alternative data visualization (Datawrapper, Svelte, Flourish), content analysis software (CAQDAS including NVivo and ATLAS.ti), policy research, and case management platforms (MyCase, LexisNexis) used in legal practice by large firms. She is also experienced in public speaking, archival research, event planning, debate, and multilingual translation, with native, reading, and writing prfoeciency in Urdu, professional speaking fluency in Hindi and Punjabi, and reading proficiency in Arabic.
Her interests beyond academia, policy, and code include app and web design (including this very website), ethical skincare/makeup research, video game development, fashion and jewelry design, henna art, Edgar Allen Poe and Shakespearean literature, PC buidling, and watching Formula One racing.