Hands-On Research Experience

As a student at Carnegie Mellon University, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to be part of the MAIL Lab (Mechanical and Artificial Intelligence Lab), working under the guidance of Professor Amir Barati Farimani. The research I’m involved in is at the cutting edge of protein engineering, where we use machine learning models to predict how mutations in proteins will affect their properties. By feeding our model a protein sequence and a mutation, we can predict how the mutation alters the protein’s behavior—whether it enhances its function or changes its structure. This approach is revolutionizing how we think about designing proteins with specific functions, and it’s something I’m excited to contribute to every day.

What makes working in the MAIL Lab so special is the focus on applying machine learning to solve real-world problems in biotechnology. We’re not just analyzing existing data but developing models that can anticipate how proteins will behave when they are altered in specific ways. In my own research, I’ve had the chance to experiment with different machine learning models, such as transformers, to predict the effects of protein mutations. This work has direct implications for fields like drug development, enzyme engineering and even disease treatment — areas where small changes in protein structure can have big consequences.

The collaborative, interdisciplinary environment in the MAIL Lab has been an invaluable part of my experience at CMU. Working alongside experts in biology, computer science and engineering, I’ve had the chance to explore innovative approaches to solving complex problems. It’s also been incredibly inspiring to see how my research fits into the broader mission of the lab, where our goal is to push the boundaries of what’s possible in molecular biology and apply our findings to real-world challenges, from healthcare to environmental sustainability.

For prospective students considering CMU, the opportunity to engage in this kind of cutting-edge research in a supportive and collaborative environment is something truly special. The MAIL Lab, under Professor Farimani’s mentorship, provides an ideal space for students who are passionate about exploring the intersection of biology and machine learning. If you're excited by the possibility of making meaningful contributions to science and technology through research, CMU offers the perfect platform to bring your ideas to life.