Dr. Raju Shrestha, PhD

Senior AI Software Engineer /Data Scientist • PhD in Artificial Intelligence

Pioneering innovative AI solutions and advancing the future of artificial intelligence through research and engineering excellence.

Get In Touch

About Me

Dr. Raju Shrestha, PhD
👨‍💼

Senior AI Software Engineer/Data Scientist with PhD in AI

With a doctoral degree in Artificial Intelligence and extensive experience as a Senior AI Software Engineer, I specialize in developing cutting-edge AI systems that solve complex real-world problems.

My expertise spans machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, signal processing, and UAV communications. I'm passionate about translating theoretical AI research into practical applications that drive innovation and create value. Regarding specific skills, I have a strong background in Python, TensorFlow, and PyTorch, Docker, Azure Pipelines, Azure Machine Learning, and more.

I thrive on tackling challenging problems and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver AI solutions that exceed expectations.

15+ AI Projects
6+ Publications
6+ Years Experience

Technical Expertise

🤖

Machine Learning & AI

Deep Learning Neural Networks Generative AI Agentic AI Reinforcement Learning Computer Vision NLP MLOps RAG Statistical Analysis
🛠️

Frameworks, Libraries & Tools

TensorFlow PyTorch Scikit-learn XGBoost Keras FastAPI LangChain ChromaDB LLamaIndex Streamlit Hugging Face OpenCV
☁️

MLOps & Infrastructure

Git CI/CD Docker Kubernetes Azure Azure ML MLflow Azure Container Instances Azure Container Registry Azure DevOps
💻

Programming Languages

Python SQL C++ LaTeX JavaScript MATLAB Verilog

Professional Experience

Present

Senior AI Software Engineer

SLB, Norway • 2024 - Present

Drive end-to-end AI and data science initiatives for oil & gas operations, from data cleaning and predictive modeling to deploying scalable ML/AI systems in production. Architect and implement RAG and database-powered chatbots, advanced NLP models, and real-time analytics pipelines, leveraging Azure cloud infrastructure to deliver actionable insights and optimize drilling and well operations.

  • Designed and deployed AI-driven solutions for drilling and well operations, including RAG and database-powered chatbots to assist engineers with real-time decision support and knowledge retrieval.
  • Developed scalable machine learning pipelines using Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hugging Face, Xgboost, and scikit-learn, integrated with Stimline’s SaaS products.
  • Built and deployed chatbots with NLP models for interactive client-facing applications, improving accessibility of operational insights.
  • Designed and implemented end-to-end ML pipelines for data cleaning, feature engineering, model training, and deployment using Python (Pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn).
  • Leveraged Azure Container Instances and Azure ML Studio to containerize, deploy, and monitor AI models, following MLOps best practices.
  • Collaborated with clients and subject matter experts to tailor AI frameworks to operational needs, ensuring robust and domain-specific performance.
  • Contributed to the AI product roadmap, integrating cutting-edge techniques like transformers, RAG, and reinforcement learning for energy-focused use cases.
  • Created interactive dashboards and reports to communicate insights and predictions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Worked cross-functionally with development teams to ensure seamless integration of AI solutions into existing SaaS platforms.
  • Actively researched, tested, and implemented emerging AI techniques to enhance chatbot efficiency, model deployment, and system scalability.
2024

PhD Researcher in Artificial Intelligence

University of Agder, Norway • 2020 - 2024

Dissertation: 'Spectrum Surveying for Machine Learning-Assisted UAV Communications' - Research focused on machine learning applications in UAV communications.

  • Developed deep learning-based predictive models like CNN using TensorFlow to address the task of radio map estimation as an image reconstruction task.
  • Developed and implemented predictive models using machine learning algorithms such as linear regression, classification, Naïve Bayes, K-means clustering, and KNN for radio map estimation problems.
  • Applied transfer learning techniques to adapt pre-trained models in simulated data to real data, reducing training time.
  • Developed and implemented Python scripts and an automated system to collect the real-world OFDM signal measurement using a drone-carrying software-defined radio and the Raspberry Pi.
  • Collaborated with colleagues on a Fake News Detection NLP project using different models such as BERT, CNN, LSTM, Tsetlin machine, and HAN.
  • Collected, processed, analyzed, and visualized the real-world data for radio map estimation.
  • Published research findings in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.
2020

R&D UNIT CHIEF

National College of Engineering, Nepal • 2018 - 2020

Led the R&D unit to promote research and innovation in engineering education.

  • Led the R&D unit to involve students and faculty members in publishing research papers and technical papers in reputed journals, publishing the 1st edition of the National Journal of Science and Engineering.
  • Involved with students and co-workers to participate in implementing machine learning and deep learning-based projects and embedded system projects.
2018

Program Coordinator/Lecturer

National College of Engineering, Nepal • 2011 - 2018

Worked as a Program Coordinator and Lecturer for students of Bachelor in Computer Engineering and Electronics & Communication Engineering.

  • Formulated plans & strategies and implemented them for the betterment of student’s academic performance.
  • Conducted lectures and practical sessions on Computer and Electronics subjects.
  • Coordinated and supervised undergraduate students in their academic projects that involved image processing, embedded systems, and recommendation systems.

Education

2024

PhD in Artificial Intelligence

University of Agder, Grimstad, Norway • 2020 - 2024

Research focused on machine learning applications in UAV communications.

  • Dissertation: 'Spectrum Surveying for Machine Learning-Assisted UAV Communications' - Developed novel algorithms for spectrum surveying and published papers in top-tier journals and conferences
  • Courseworks: Deep Learning Specialization, Statistical Signal Processing, Autonomous Flight Engineering, Optimization
2017

Master of Science in Computer Engineering

Tribhuvan University, Nepal • 2015 - 2017

Specialized in Machine Learning and Data Science with focus on artificial intelligence applications and cloud computing.

  • Graduated with First Class Honors (Percentage: 92%)
  • Thesis on ' A MapReduce-based Deep Belief Network for Intrusion Detection'
  • Courseworks: Neural Networks, Cloud Computing, Natural Language Processing, Big Data Analytics, Information Security & Audit, Image Processing
2010

Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication Engineering

Tribhuvan University, Nepal • 2006 - 2010

Foundation in electronics, computer science, programming, and engineering principles with focus on communications systems.

  • Courseworks: Computer Programming C, C++, Digital Signal Processing, Engineering Mathematics, Communication Systems.

Featured Projects

🧠

Deep learning-based spectrum surveying with autonomous UAVs

Developed fully convolutional DNN models using TensorFlow to reconstruct a radio map as an image and provide an uncertainty metric given the partial pixels. Implemented a dynamic approach-based routing algorithm to find the optimal path based on an uncertainty metric provided by DNN models.

PythonTensorFlowKerasMatplotlibMachine LearningDeep LearningCNNsStatistical Signal ProcessingOptimization
🧠

Radio Map Estimation: Empirical Validation and Analysis

This paper investigates radio map estimation (RME) using real-world data collected using a custom-built UAV and Software defined radio (SDR)-based embedded system, moving beyond synthetic evaluations. It systematically compares classical and deep learning-based methods, analyzing their accuracy, complexity, and trade-offs. Additionally, it introduces an enhancement to improve deep learning approaches and releases datasets and tools to support further scientific research in practical RME.

CNNTensorFlowDeep LearningStatistical Signal ProcessingUAVSDRRaspberry PiGNU RadioOFDM
💻

Aerial Base Station Placement via Propagation Radio Maps

This paper proposes an efficient algorithm for placing UAV-mounted aerial base stations (ABSs) using radio maps to model realistic air-to-ground channels. The method ensures coverage, respects backhaul and no-fly constraints, and scales linearly with the number of users. Simulations confirm its superior performance compared to conventional approaches.

Signal ProcessingUAVOptimizationPython
📈

Theoretical analysis of the radio map estimation problem

This work studies the fundamentals of radio map estimation (RME), which predicts signal strength across a region from limited measurements. It quantifies the complexity of radio maps, establishes error bounds for common interpolation methods, and introduces the proximity coefficient to characterize RME difficulty. Numerical experiments validate the theoretical results in realistic environments

Signal ProcessingRadio MapsOptimizationPython

Let's Connect

I'm always interested in discussing AI innovations, research opportunities, and potential collaborations. Feel free to reach out!