How did your experience in college change the way you thought about your career path or prepare you for taking on the challenge of public service?

My undergraduate degree was in Informatics. I specifically focused on Human-Centered Data Science, creating models and systems that are efficient and accurate but also being conscious about the ethics, security, and impact behind them. Through my experiences with school organizations, research opportunities, and more, I realized how important collaboration, adaptability, and inclusivity are to any mission-driven career. These experiences prepared me to approach public service with both technical expertise and a commitment to community needs.

What made you want to become a NobleReach Scholar and pursue a mission-driven career?

I wanted to become a NobleReach Scholar because it aligned with my goals of wanting to utilize my skills in AI and Machine Learning ethically to support local communities and organizations. Technology can be used to make information accessible if used responsibly. The program’s focus on innovation and public service inspired me and gave me the opportunity to refine my technical skills while ensuring that the models I create prioritize community well-being, ethical data use, and scalability.

What are the types of problems you want to work on in your career and why? (ex. I want to work on climate change issues because I grew up in a place impacted by extreme weather)

I want to work on problems that ensure AI and data-driven systems are secure, ethical, and accessible. Issues like biased models, insecure data practices, and lack of transparency in AI systems can deeply affect communities. By addressing these challenges, I hope to create solutions that empower people rather than marginalize them. My motivation comes from seeing how technology can either build trust or erode it, and I want to be on the side of building trust. I want to ensure that AI innovation creates impact that is both meaningful and safe for our communities.

During my time as a Scholar, I’m excited to tackle problems where AI can directly enhance accessibility and security for communities. Working on models that can run efficiently on constrained devices so they’re usable in resource-limited environments is something I’ve already explored in my research and want to continue developing.

Who was your favorite speaker from Bootcamp and what are you some of the lessons you took away from their talk?

All the speakers were amazing, but I really enjoyed the speaker session with Dr. Ryu from John Hopkins University. He highlighted what we heard in most of the speaker sessions—your journey is not going to be linear. In general, I appreciated how speakers emphasized that technical innovation and public service don’t have to be separate paths; they can and should inform one another. A key lesson I took away is that leadership in technology means more than building tools; it means building systems of trust, accountability, and inclusion. That mindset is something I hope to carry forward in my placement and beyond.

What advice do you have for others going through the process of becoming a Scholar?

My advice would be to build your technical skills but to have an idea of how you want to use them to give back in your unique way to your community. The application isn’t just about what you know, but how you plan to use your knowledge for good. Be specific about your experiences, but also highlight the challenges you faced and how they shaped your growth. Keeping your stories personal and sharing why this mission matters to you will make your application more authentic and impactful.

Do you want to use your AI skills for the public good? Sign up to learn more about becoming a NobleReach Scholar today!