Data Science·Machine Learning·NLP·Global Health·Computational Medicine·Biotech·Civic Tech·Boston·

Hello, I’m

Ala’aTamam

Data scientist & software engineer

A recent Northeastern University graduate, I am a data scientist and engineer interested in places where computation meets people, institutions and biology. My work has taken me from building data systems across 140+ countries at the United Nations to reconstructing nonprofit data infrastructure and using machine learning to study human health. I am drawn to problems that don't fit neatly into one discipline -- where truly good engineering requires an understanding of the world that data and systems exist in. Increasingly, that has pulled me towards computational medicine, global health and building technology that helps us understand complex human problems a little better.

Now  Sr. Manager of Data Science & Analytics, United Way of Massachusetts Bay

See my work↓Ala’a’s LabResumeEmail

The rivers you watched meet on the way in are the Blue and White Nile at Khartoum — a small thread of home running through this site.

Ala'a Tamam speaking on a panel for the White Nile Youth Association
Ala'a Tamam at her Northeastern University graduation

Scale, at a glance

0

Countries reached

SDG dashboards, UNDCO

0+

Records deduplicated

United Way of Mass Bay

0+

Live users served

Code4Community apps

0+

Biotech products catalogued

across 400+ startups

01Experience

Where I've worked

From the United Nations to a specialty pharmacy counter. Pick a role to see what I built there, or filter by the kind of place it was.

  1. Public & Civic

    Sr. Manager of Data Science & Analytics

    United Way of Massachusetts Bay

    • Sr. Manager of Data Science & AnalyticsJun 2026 – Present
    • Data Science Co-opJul 2025 – Jun 2026

    I lead data science and analytics for the organization now — a function I first joined as a co-op, rebuilding donor and program data infrastructure from the ground up.

    • Developed an end-to-end analytics pipeline in Python to clean, transform, and analyze developmental screening data (ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE), integrating data from multiple Excel sources into standardized reporting datasets.
    • Engineered NLP pipelines using Python and scikit-learn to analyze qualitative responses from community initiatives, applying TF-IDF vectorization, text preprocessing, clustering, and topic extraction to surface emerging program priorities.
    • Designed and implemented end-to-end data quality pipelines for Andar CRM donor and program data, writing complex SQL queries to deduplicate 32,000+ donor records and standardize 15 data fields, improving data accuracy by over 40%.
    • Refactored and optimized a legacy donation platform (Java, JavaScript, Node.js), fixing 30+ critical production bugs and reducing system downtime by 10 hours per month.
    • Built and deployed an automated email validation and remediation pipeline for a high-volume "bounced email" inbox, parsing SMTP error codes and classifying 10,000+ failed contacts to restore outreach.
    PythonSQLscikit-learnNLPJavaJavaScriptNode.jsTeam Leadership

02Projects

Things I've shipped

Software for nonprofits, Congress and campus safety, built for people who depend on it working.

Project 01

Code4Community

Full-stack developer, Boston-based nonprofits

I'm a full-stack developer building and deploying production web applications for Boston-based nonprofits, with end-to-end ownership across frontend, backend, and database architecture. Between the four apps I've shipped here, they collectively serve over 60,000 live users.

  • Built and deployed four full-stack applications using React, TypeScript, Node.js, and PostgreSQL, taking features from initial design through production.
  • Developer on Project Constellation for The Star Won't Go Out (founded by John Green), supporting families affected by childhood cancer.
  • Developer on Securing Safe Food for the City of Boston, streamlining access to safe, nutritious food and connecting providers with vulnerable communities.
  • Currently building the platform for 826 Boston, supporting youth writing and literacy programs.
The Star Won't Go Out Securing Safe Food 826 Boston
ReactTypeScriptNode.jsPostgreSQL

60,000+

live users across four shipped apps

Project 02

CivicConnect

Full-stack developer & communications liaison

U.S. Houseadopted by the Chief Administrative Office

I worked as a full-stack developer and communications liaison on a GPT-powered “digital intern” that helps congressional offices intake constituent service requests, collect opinions, and generate analytics from daily correspondence — work that has to be accurate and politically neutral by design.

  • Implemented the chatbot using Python, Java, and Node.js to support intake workflows, approved talking points, and reporting outputs.
  • Led technical and policy-facing presentations to congressional offices, including Congressman Moulton's, contributing to adoption by the Chief Administrative Office of the House of Representatives.
Burnes Center feature POPVOX article
PythonJavaNode.jsNLPAPIs
Project 03

Big Sister App

Co-founder & full-stack developer

Co-founderreal-time campus safety platform

I co-founded and led full-stack development of a campus safety platform built around real-time alerts, geospatial risk visualization, and secure data storage — the kind of app where a bug isn't just an inconvenience, it's a safety issue.

  • Architected the web application using Python, Java, and SQL, with a focus on secure workflows and data integrity.
  • Built backend pipelines and application logic powering interactive heat maps, incident reporting, and resource matching to enable data-driven safety insights.
Khoury article
PythonJavaSQLGeospatialFull-stack

03Beyond the day job

For home

Director of Fundraising & Technology

White Nile Youth Association

I built and maintain the organization's website from the ground up, manage the backend database and digital infrastructure, and lead technical strategy for fundraising initiatives. I also organized and ran two charity galas for Sudan, raising over $5,000 total — first for HRRDS, then for El-Fashir Relief through Sadagat USA.

$0+

raised for Sudan relief across two charity galas

wnya.org
Web DevelopmentDatabase ManagementFundraising TechEvent OpsCommunity Leadership
KHARTOUMEL FASHER
Khartoum, where the Niles meet · El Fasher, North Darfur

04Toolbox

What I work with

The skills below are tied to the work above. Click one to see where it has been put to use.

Languages

Tools & Platforms

Frameworks & Libraries

Machine Learning

Darker means it shows up in more of my roles and projects. Click any skill.

Where I’ve used it

Python

in 7 roles and projects

  • Sr. Manager of Data Science & AnalyticsUnited Way of Massachusetts Bay
  • AI & ML Engineering InternUnited Nations Development Coordination Office
  • Data Scientist & BiostatisticianNortheastern University
  • Data Science and Engineering Co-opServiceNow
  • Undergraduate Teaching Assistant — Discrete Structures (CS1800)Khoury College of Computer Science, Northeastern University
  • CivicConnectFull-stack developer & communications liaison
  • Big Sister AppCo-founder & full-stack developer

Northeastern University

3.86

GPA · summa cum laude · Dean’s List every semester

I’m a member of Northeastern University Honors. As a data science major with a concentration in AI & ML Engineering, I chose the programmatic pathway to build a strong foundation as a developer first — it’s what gives me the confidence to work end-to-end as a data scientist now.

Selected coursework

  • Machine Learning & Data Mining I
  • Algorithms & Data Structures
  • Database Design
  • Object-Oriented Design
  • Fundamentals of Computer Science I & II
  • Fundamentals of Data Science
  • Discrete Structures
  • Advanced Programming with Data
  • Advanced Statistics
  • Biostatistics
  • Global Health
  • Calculus Series
  • Artificial Intelligence 4 Impact

05Say hello

Let's build something.

The fastest way to reach me is email. You can also find me on LinkedIn and GitHub, or see what I’m building right now in the Lab.

or open in mail ↗
LinkedInGitHubResumeAla’a’s Lab