About
Ajay Kumar is a passionate computer science lover. He is raised to play with computers whether they are video games or tons of coding. Academically, he is living his journey of being a novel computer scientist, currently a Ph.D. student (3rd year) in the Scalable Data Science (SDS) Lab at the University of Missouri, USA.
Ph.D. Computer Science ( on the way ✈️ )
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it."
- Birthday: 22nd December 1997
- Website: www.ajay-kumar.com
- Phone: +1 573 801 5748
- City: Missouri, USA
- Age: 28
- Degree: Doctorate
- Email: ajay.kumar@missouri.edu
- Freelance: Available
Training 10,000 hours to become a proficient coder with problem-solving skills in interdisciplinary areas. Trained 100+ scientists through conferences and workshops. Worked with 200+ researchers on diverse research problems at the Scalable Data Science (SDS) Lab under Dr. Praveen Rao.
Facts
Discover the facts that shape our world. From the fascinating to the mind-boggling, from the fun to the serious, we delve into the details that make our universe so rich and diverse. Join us on this journey of knowledge and exploration, and you might just see the world in a whole new light.
Lines of code
Projects
Lectures attended
People worked with
Programming Languages
AI / ML & Generative AI
Big Data, Cloud & Data Analysis
Skill Overview
Research & Technical Expertise
From large-scale distributed computing and GPU-accelerated genomic pipelines to LLM-powered agents and deep learning models — Ajay's skill set spans the full data science stack. With a 4.0 GPA PhD and hands-on experience across academia and industry, he brings both depth and breadth to every problem.
- Machine Learning & Deep Learning (TensorFlow, PyTorch)
- Generative AI & LLMs (Agents, RAG, Fine-tuning)
- Big Data & Cloud (Spark, Hadoop, AWS, FABRIC)
- Bioinformatics & Genomics (GWAS, Variant Calling)
- Research & Scientific Writing (7+ publications)
Curriculum Vitae
Latest resume available on request. ➡️
Summary
Ajay Kumar
Ph.D. Candidate in Computer Science (graduating Dec 2026) · Graduate Research Assistant at the Scalable Data Science (SDS) Lab · Vice President, ACM Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE) at Mizzou. Actively seeking Software Engineering, Data Scientist, and Machine Learning Engineer roles in industry.
- Columbia, MO, USA
- +1 573 801 5748
- ajay.ducs@gmail.com
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Computer Science
Aug 2022 - Dec 2026
University of Missouri-Columbia, MO, USA
GPA: 4.0/4.0
Thesis: Optimized scientific workflows on the FABRIC national research testbed, advancing large-scale distributed computing capabilities.
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Praveen Rao
Master of Science, Computer Science
2018 - 2020
Banaras Hindu University (BHU), India
Grade: 8.23/10 · Research-oriented program covering AI, deep learning, data science, and computational theory. Thesis supervised by Dr. Manoj Kumar Singh (GIST, South Korea).
Bachelor of Science, Computer Science
2015 - 2018
University of Delhi, India
Professional Experience
Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) · SDS Lab, University of Missouri
Aug 2022 - Present
Columbia, MO, USA
- First-author paper on GPU-enabled variant calling (2× speedup) — ACM BCB 2025.
- First-author paper on BrainScale: FreeSurfer parallelism optimization on FABRIC — submitted to INDIS Workshop, Supercomputing 2025.
- Scalable 650GB genomic variant analysis using Knowledge Graphs on NSF-funded FABRIC/CloudLab infrastructure.
- Established AWS × IRRI partnership boosting genomic computational resources by 50%.
Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) · University of Missouri
Jan 2025 - May 2026
Columbia, MO, USA
- CS 4080 — Parallel Programming for High Performance Computing (HPC)
- CS 3910 — Advanced Cybersecurity
- CMP_SC 1300 — Computing with Data in Python
- CS/ECE 4001 — Integrated Cyberinfrastructure & Biomedical Engineering
Project Associate-I (Statistical Genomics) IRRI South Asia Hub
2020 - 2022
South Asia Hub, IN
- Led in the establishment of a partnership of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) South Asia Hub (ISAH) and South Asia Regional Center (ISARC).
- Trained 100+ Indian scientists/professors on "R programming, GWAS, QTLSeqR, GenomicSelection, and PythonAutomation".
- Performed statistical, exploratory, and predictive analysis/modeling using machine/deep learning, four research papers are in the manuscript (also 150K+ views on Quora answers).
- Conducted collaborated research with plant breeders, pathologists, molecular biologists, and bioinformaticians to solve domain-specific problems using machine/deep learning, performed data science analytics, and also, wet hands with computational biology skills.
Research Journey
Key milestones from my academic and professional career.
Software Engineer Intern · SPA, New Delhi
Built govt urban planning site (15K visitors) & biodiversity Android app
Research Scientist · IRRI South Asia Hub, India
Led AWS-IRRI partnership, trained 100+ scientists, 4 research papers, 200K+ Quora views
PhD Student · University of Missouri, USA
Started at SDS Lab under Dr. Praveen Rao. FABRIC, GPU computing, Knowledge Graphs
First Major Paper · VariantKG
Scalable genomic variant analysis on 650GB dataset using Knowledge Graphs & Graph ML
Awards & Recognition
$2,500 ACM UPE Award · $5,500 FABRIC Fellowship · CIKM Demo presentation · Et-GWAS published (8 citations)
Research & Recognition
ACM BCB paper (2× GPU speedup) · BrainScale submitted to SC'25 · 🏆 1st Place Claude Builder Club Hackathon · Outstanding TA Award · VP, UPE-Mizzou
PhD Graduation (Expected)
Thesis: Optimized scientific workflows on FABRIC national research testbed
Key Achievements
$2,500 ACM UPE Executive Council Award
Honored for leading international chapter operations as Vice President, recognized by the ACM Upsilon Pi Epsilon honor society for outstanding contributions.
$5,500 FABRIC Competitive Travel Fellowship
Secured a competitive travel fellowship from FABRIC to present research findings and build global collaborations at prestigious international venues.
8,000+ Member Technical Community
Grew and actively manage a high-engagement technical community driving industry-relevant discussions and knowledge sharing through LinkedIn, GitHub, and YouTube.
7+ Published Research Papers
Published/co-published in prestigious international venues, contributing to advancements in computing, distributed cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. View on Google Scholar.
🏆 1st Place — Claude Builder Club Hackathon
Won first place at the Mizzou Claude Builder Club Hackathon with Equine Lameness Predictor — an AI-powered diagnostic tool for detecting horse lameness using Claude and computer vision.
Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
Recognized with the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award at University of Missouri-Columbia for excellence in teaching Parallel Programming (HPC), Cybersecurity, and Python courses.
Publications
Research contributions in distributed computing, genomics, machine learning, and AI. Full list on Google Scholar →
Research Knowledge Graph
Explore connections between papers, tools, topics and venues — click and drag nodes
Talks & Conferences
Presentations and demos at international research venues.
Talk
Optimizing the Variant Calling Pipeline Execution on Human Genomes Using GPU-Enabled Machines
Demo
A Scalable Tool for Democratizing Variant Calling on Human Genomes Using Commodity Clusters
Training
R Programming, GWAS, QTLSeqR, Genomic Selection & Python Automation for Researchers
Services
Ajay Kumar offers a comprehensive suite of AI and data-driven services, leveraging his expertise in cutting-edge technologies. His services span generative AI, machine learning, optimization, research, development, and data analysis. Ajay specializes in developing innovative AI models, designing efficient algorithms, and implementing scalable solutions across various domains. His interdisciplinary approach combines AI with computational biology and other fields, driving innovation and scientific discovery. Clients benefit from his full-stack development skills, data science consulting, and ability to deliver actionable insights. Known for his collaborative spirit and commitment to excellence, Ajay not only provides technical solutions but also offers training and mentorship to enhance team capabilities. His rare combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills makes him an invaluable asset for organizations seeking to leverage AI and data-driven technologies for competitive advantage.
Generative AI
I specialize in developing cutting-edge generative AI models, including text-to-image, language models, and creative AI applications. My services cover model design, training, fine-tuning, and deployment, ensuring innovative solutions that push the boundaries of AI-generated content across various domains.
Machine Learning
I offer machine learning services, including algorithm design, predictive modeling, and deep learning solutions tailored to specific business needs. My expertise includes data science consulting, model deployment, and custom software development. I also provide training and mentorship to enhance team skills in machine learning applications.
Optimization
I excel in optimization techniques for various domains, including algorithm efficiency, resource allocation, and process improvement. My services encompass mathematical modeling, heuristic methods, and machine learning-based optimization, delivering solutions that maximize performance and minimize costs across complex systems.
Research
I conduct cutting-edge research in AI, ML, and computational biology. My services include literature reviews, experimental design, data analysis, and publication support. I specialize in interdisciplinary projects, combining expertise in AI with domain-specific knowledge to drive innovation and scientific discovery.
Development
I offer full-stack development services with a focus on AI-driven applications. My expertise covers front-end and back-end development, database design, API integration, and cloud deployment. I specialize in creating scalable, efficient software solutions that leverage the latest technologies.
Data Analysis
I provide comprehensive data analysis services, including data cleaning, exploratory data analysis, statistical modeling, and data visualization. My expertise covers big data technologies, predictive analytics, and business intelligence, delivering actionable insights to drive informed decision-making.
Testimonials
Ajay Kumar is highly regarded for his exceptional skills and contributions in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computational biology, as reflected in numerous testimonials from colleagues and peers. Trinath Adusumilli commended Ajay's practical expertise and innovative algorithm design that significantly enhanced project performance, while Aarthi Desai highlighted his conscientiousness and dedication to producing quality work. Bandana Pahi praised his willingness to help others and his proficiency in computational programming, emphasizing his problem-solving abilities and creative thinking. Vamshi Venkat noted Ajay's unique approach to exploring new methods in AI, making him a valuable asset in research and technology. His strong work ethic, collaborative spirit, and commitment to excellence were consistently acknowledged by others, including Deepti Sagare-Shetti and Atul Joshi, who recognized his adaptability and drive for success. Overall, Ajay is portrayed as a knowledgeable and dedicated professional whose presence positively impacts any team he joins, making him an invaluable asset in the tech industry.
News & Updates
Recent highlights from research, awards, and community activities.
Pub.
Paper published in Frontiers in Big Data — "A Scalable Tool for Analyzing Genomic Variants of Humans Using Knowledge Graphs and Graph Machine Learning"
Talk
Presented at 16th ACM BCB Conference on GPU-optimized variant calling pipeline achieving 2× speedup.
Demo
Demo paper presented at ACM CIKM 2024, Boise, ID — "Democratizing Variant Calling on Human Genomes Using Commodity Clusters"
Award
Honored with $2,500 ACM UPE Executive Council Award for leading international chapter operations as Vice President.
Grant
Secured $5,500 FABRIC competitive travel fellowship to present research and build global collaborations.
Pub.
Paper published in Life Science Alliance — "Extreme Trait GWAS (Et-GWAS): Unraveling Rare Variants in the 3,000 Rice Genome" — 8 citations.
Contact
If you are looking to hire me as full-time, internship or freelance. Please don't hesitate to reach out. I am always ready to listen and help. Let's make something great together.