Navid Mafi

I'm a researcher and a software engineer. I first used a computer at 5 and wrote my first program at 10. I received my Diploma in Mathematics from Alborz High School at age 15 and majored in Computer Science and obtained my BSc at 19 ranking first in my cohort. I did my thesis on patch-based image synthesis using Vision Transformer models and I'm currently planning to pursue a MSc in Robotics & AI focusing on DRL and Hardware.

Research:

• Real-World Reinforcement Learning
• Realtime Vision-language models
• Networking, Infrastructure and Firewalls
• Multi-lingual Speech systems
• Software Systems Architecture
• Secure computing and Platform security
• Embedded systems and Electronics

Things I'm interested in:

• Cognitive and behavioral sciences: Everyone's affected by its implications. Clearly very important both individually and collectively. I find the work of professor Kahneman on this area amusing and I'm still discovering amazing people in this area.
• Writing music: Exactly why and how does something sound good? Sometimes I listen to a 10 minute track just for one phrase and it's worth it. I try to write simplified versions of the core haromical ideas I enjoy. Most of the time, the magic lies also in the instrumentation and expression which is more time-consuming to replicate.
• Defense: A driver of cutting-edge technology, something effective in contributing to a "National Project" as phrased by Alex Karp, and ultimately a protector of The People. Karp's ideas are nationalist and technocratic which I believe the US needs more of. From an outsider perspective, I think the younger generation of US nationals don't see a particularly compelling reason to contribute to defense. Most of Gen-Z thinks of it as "too nationalist", too serious, old, cringe, or incompatible with quirks and fun things. Weebs in the army are not uncommon. You can join SpaceX with your Cirno fumo, you just have to be really good at mathematics and physics.
• Mathematics: I'd be a huge LARPer if I claim that I'm even virtually close to being a good or smart mathematician. But gradually I've come to the realization that a proper foundation in maths and fundamental sciences helps you do lots of cool shenanigans that you would simply not be able to do without it. My math always sucked and still does. I'm planning to change that. I hope I don't give up on this as it could conceivably change the course of my life.
• Foreign Policy: There's a lot to learn in this field and combining it with applied mathematics is a fun experiment. In particular the American Affairs Journal has been a really good find and I'm working through their archives.
• Human biology: Knowing yourself could prove useful in multiple situations and medical staff most of the time love to see someone who has done some homework on the topic and has a basic idea of what's going on. Don't be overconfident with your knowledge, though.
• Despite my "appearances" or social persona, I haven't watched beyond just a single anime series. I have a lot to fill my limited free time with. The only show I finished has been "Citrus" in 2021, which due to nostalgia and the amazing OST by Ryo Takahashi it still holds a very special place in my heart.