Based in the Seattle office of Snap Inc., MBA graduate Jinnatul Raihan Mumu ’24 is an anti-abuse analyst. “I am responsible for analyzing large data sets to identify bad actors, such as hackers, spammers, and others, and improve security defenses of the platform,” she says of her role at the company that boasts Snapchat as one of its products.

“My MBA degree, particularly the focus on information systems, has helped me sharpen my coding and problem-solving skills, which is coming in really handy with my job.”

After multiple rounds of interviews, including coding and behavioral discussions, “landing at Snap was a long journey, but I was hopeful from the beginning because the position really aligned with my skills and interests,” she adds.

With the position secured before her graduation from UCR’s A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Business (AGSM), Mumu’s academic experience was packed with intensive activism and eye-opening opportunities en route to her current position. In preparation for her career, she expanded her capabilities as a growth products analytics intern at Peacock, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, and data analyst for the UCR Middle Eastern Student Center, combining her interests as an international business student.

“UCR is an amazing institution that is open to inclusivity and diversity, which was really important to me as an international student,” says Mumu, whose home country is Bangladesh. AGSM was the perfect fit for her, she adds.

Mumu’s graduate emphasis was in information systems, and she is devoted to empowering women in tech: “Coming from a country that is still so underdeveloped, even in the corporate world, there are not many opportunities for women to become CEOs,” she says, and she mentors high school girls in one-on-one in Bangladesh to help them navigate their career paths into tech. “I want to make changes. … I can motivate and inspire those working in professional settings to stand up for themselves and be prepared for their careers.”

This desire to champion women in the technology industry led Mumu to the Grace Hopper Scholarship. She received the scholarship in summer 2023, which provided funding to participate in the conference. The Grace Hopper Conference is the world’s largest gathering of women and nonbinary people in technology and computing, and it provides opportunities to network and learn from others in the industry.

“Grace Hopper is a perfect platform for something I truly believe in,” she says, referring to the conference’s mission to promote women and diversity in tech, and she’s still involved with the organization. “I love connecting with new people, understanding their experiences, and exploring their stories.”

Women in Data Science
In March 2024, Mumu was also selected and received funding to present a poster at the Women in Data Science (WiDS) Worldwide conference at Stanford University.

“This prestigious opportunity holds special significance for me because only 23 candidates were chosen to showcase their posters, and three received funding to attend the conference,” says Mumu.

“My poster delved into the concerning incident that unfolded in January 2024, where sexually explicit AI-generated deepfake images of Taylor Swift surfaced on X. This event underscores the escalating threat posed by AI-generated deepfakes, which infiltrate our digital realms perpetuating harm and spreading disinformation,” says Mumu about her WiDS presentation, entitled “Detecting AI-generated Deepfake: Advancements and Limitations.”

“Researchers are diligently working on advancing deepfake detection techniques, and through a comprehensive review methodology, I’ve identified recent promising strides in combating the peril,” she adds, and she is also still an active member of WiDS. “However, it’s crucial to assess the efficacy of these techniques based on technical accuracy and acknowledge their inherent limitations.”

At the WiDS conference, Mumu says one of her favorite moments was meeting Radhika Shah, shown above with Mumu: “She is a trailblazer in advocating for sustainability and women’s empowerment. We had a wonderful time talking about how we can consider future collaborations on improvement in the lives of Rohingya women in Bangladesh through BRAC [international development organization in Bangladesh] and the Stanford Refugee Research Project.”

Journey to a Career
“Back in 2020 during the pandemic, I was exploring programs and where I wanted to complete my undergraduate degree,” says Mumu. I came in contact with Tamra [Johnson, the associate director of graduate admissions for AGSM] and she helped me with the application process.”

Mumu also attended UCR ABLE, where she “met so many amazing professors and learned from them,” she says. UCR ABLE—or Accelerated Business Leaders Education—is a two-week comprehensive global leadership program designed to accelerate leadership, teamwork, innovation, and strategic planning skills, preparing students for the world of business.

Recently awarded the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award from UCR and inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, Mumu also took part in the graduate student ambassadors mentorship program, providing guidance to her peers, a responsibility she is deeply passionate about. “I understand the hurdle of being an international student,” she says. “So, I find it important to give back to my community and help other international students gain an education and experience.”

The activities as a student ambassador continue to serve Mumu as well: “It helped me present myself and communicate professionally, which has helped me build strong ties in my new role at Snap.”

All these roles have informed a principle that guides Mumu: “I always try to learn something from a person and collect skills I can add myself.”