Faridah Akinotcho graduated from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in May 2024 under supervisor Professor Julia Rubin. Since graduation, Faridah has been actively engaged in her research while exploring opportunities in software and mobile engineering.
Discover more about Faridah’s time in ECE, her journey in this field, and advice for current and future ECE students!
Research focus
When you download a mobile app from an official store like the Google Play Store, the last thing you’d want is a buggy, crash-prone, or even insecure experience. That’s why apps go through rigorous testing before release. One popular way to test Android apps is through their graphical user interface (GUI)—essentially interacting with buttons and screens like a human would. Many automated tools have been built for this purpose.
But here’s the catch — these tools struggle with real-world apps like Instagram or WhatsApp, often exploring less than 30% of the app. My research dives into why that happens: is it a tool problem or would humans also struggle (spoiler: they do!). Even skilled testers miss features that are hidden behind conditions they don’t meet such as being at a specific location, on a specific date, with a specific device type, etc., which are common in modern apps. Think about Netflix: no matter how many buttons you tap, you won’t see a show that’s unavailable in your country. Many apps work the same way with features they only activate under specific conditions — like an ad shown only to users in California or a discount available only on Black Friday.
That is why GUI-based testing isn’t enough. To reach the remaining 70%, we need tools that don’t just explore but adapt, recognizing when features are hidden and figuring out why. Instead of: “I couldn’t reach this screen,” future tools should explain: “This ad is only shown to users in California, so I can’t access it right now,” or even better: “I’ll change my location to Los Angeles and try again.” My work lays the groundwork for designing such tools, providing insights into strategies they should employ— with the goal to ultimately shift toward smarter, more explainable testing.
Future research plans
Since graduating, I’ve continued my research on the same topic and worked on a paper, which I’ll be presenting at ICSE 2025 in April! Meanwhile, I’ve been looking for roles in R&D, software engineering or mobile engineering. I’m excited to see how the skills I developed during my time in ECE will transfer to industry and how more work experience will shape my career as an engineer and a researcher. While I’m taking a break from academia for now, I still have ideas for follow-up research in the same area that I’d love to explore in the future as side projects—maybe even a PhD down the road, unless I end up liking industry too much and never look back, haha.
What drew you to ECE?
My undergrad was heavy on theory—I did a dual degree in Math and Computer Science—so for my master’s, I wanted something more hands-on to build on that foundation. That’s when I found out about ECE, specifically UBC’s Master of Engineering (MEng) program, which stood out to me for its practicality and flexibility. I had the freedom to explore different areas—from formal methods to cybersecurity to reinforcement learning—take on co-op placements, work on research projects, transfer to a research-based master’s, and even take Korean courses just because I wanted to!
Funny enough, when I first started the program, I didn’t have a clear idea of what to focus on. Hardware and robotics piqued my interest the most, especially since I knew nothing about them. But I ultimately found myself drawn to software engineering research, mainly because I was encouraged and given the space to explore.
I love how ECE sits at the intersection of theory and application. It’s not only about writing code or formal proofs (both of which I enjoy); it’s also about solving real-world problems, making systems more reliable, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. My research on software testing is a perfect example—better testing means more reliable apps, which impacts millions of users. Whether it’s improving automation, securing systems, or optimizing performance, the work done in ECE shapes the technology we all use every day.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I spend most of my free time reading (novels, manga and webtoons), watching anime, TV shows or YouTube videos. I’m a big foodie, so I love trying out new food spots and cuisines. I also like going to concerts and traveling—though my budget always has the final say.
Favourite place in UBC and Vancouver?
On campus, whenever I wasn’t stuck in my dorm in Thunderbird (COVID habits were hard to break!) or in the lab, I would be in the IKB library, the Nitobe Garden or sometimes just taking a stroll around. Outside of campus, my go-to spot is the Indigo on West Broadway, where I can spend hours reading without getting told off. I also love the Vogue Theatre—the intimate setting made it one of my favorite venues to see artists live. Food-wise, The Rise Eatery in Kitsilano used to be my all-time favorite, but since it closed, I’m on the lookout for their next location!
Favourite memory from your time in ECE?
Graduation was definitely the highlight—my family flew in, friends brought me flowers and honestly, the feeling of being “done” was the best! Now, if I had to pick from my time as a student, it would be a tie between the San Francisco Trip organized by the department in my first year or my first time presenting a paper at a conference in Singapore.
In San Francisco, we visited the Silicon Valley and got to meet former UBC students working there. I had just joined UBC and didn’t know a lot of people, so it was such a fun experience. I made some lifelong friends during that trip, and considering quarantine hit right after we got back, I am so glad I went!
Singapore was my first major research presentation, and as intimidating as it was, the experience was also very rewarding. I attended great talks, met great people and had great food. It gave me a behind-the-scenes look at the research world, and it was the first time I could see myself as a researcher rather than a student in a research lab.
Who inspires you the most?
It’s hard to pick just one person—I’ve met so many incredible people during my journey in the ECE department, from classmates and lab mates to fellow researchers and professors, especially my supervisor who became a mentor for me. But when I think about those who remain a constant source of inspiration in all aspects of my life, I’d have to say my parents. They both had to overcome a lot in life, but they made sure my siblings and I never felt that same struggle. Growing up in Benin, where life couldn’t be more different from Canada, they taught me to believe that nothing is out of reach, no matter how far or unfamiliar. Whenever I think of values that matter to me like hard work, humility, and resilience, I think of my parents — they’re my idea of defining your own success.
To this day, even though they still don’t fully understand what it is exactly that I do or why I can’t “just fix” their computer when it won’t turn on, they keep being supportive, open-minded, eager to learn and ready to brag to any of their friends. I can tell I got the same mindset (minus the bragging) and passion for learning from them, and I hope to carry it with me in everything I do.
Do you have advice for ECE students?
- Don’t be afraid to reach out. When I first started at UBC, I had no clue where to begin. The first thing I did was contact the department advisor which led me to meeting my future supervisor and lab mates within my first week at UBC. You don’t need to have it all figured out — reach out, ask questions, and make help@ece your best friend. People are more than willing to help you out.
- Do your research and stay up to date. UBC offers tons of resources to students, but they can be easy to miss out on when you’re new. I personally discovered some only after graduating —did you know there’s a dedicated space for Black students on campus? Take the time to look into what’s available early on — whether it’s career services, course advising, international advising or even wellness. Also, check department emails from time to time—they might have info that is directly relevant to you (maybe an invite for an ECE News feature?).
- Get involved outside class. UBC isn’t just about courses. Actually talk to people in those classes, join clubs, go to events—this is how you build your community. Even if you’re an introvert like I am, subscribing to a newsletter or checking out a club’s social media can go a long way. Fun fact: the network I built while at UBC has been the greatest help in my job search, so try to connect as much you can!
- Do your own thing. There’s no single, one-size-fits-all path. My journey didn’t go as planned —I mean, five years is enough for a master’s and a PhD where I’m from— but it all turned out for the best. Don’t feel like you need to follow anyone else’s timeline and do what makes the most sense for you.
- Take it easy. Above all, make sure to enjoy yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting to be done and graduate (trust me, I’ve been there), but university can be one of the most fun and memorable times in your life if you let it.