In January 2026, Imhana Halit contributed to the apache/systemds repository by developing a delta-encoding mechanism for compressed column groups. Using Java and leveraging expertise in data compression and matrix operations, Imhana implemented a feature that calculates differences between consecutive rows to improve storage efficiency and accelerate data retrieval. This approach enhanced the repository’s ability to handle scalable analytics by optimizing both compression ratios and query performance for matrix data. The work demonstrated a strong understanding of software engineering principles, integrating seamlessly with the existing compression framework and aligning with the project’s goals for efficient, scalable data processing in analytics workflows.