Advancing AI Accessibility and Policy</h1> <article> <h1>Advancing AI Accessibility and Policy</h1> <p>kviancou — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:36:24 +0000</p> <span>Advancing AI Accessibility and Policy</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-23T13:36:24-04:00" title="Monday, March 23, 2026 - 13:36">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 13:36</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA) has given Tanisha Shende ’26 the tools to grow not only as a computer science researcher but also as a caring and civic-minded researcher.</p><p>Shende entered �鶹��Ƶ as a <a href="/undergraduate-research/programs/strong">STRONG Scholar</a>. Run by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), the STRONG Scholars Program provides first-year students with specialized mentoring and resources to help them adapt to and thrive in their STEM journey. As her first research endeavor, Shende spent her first-year winter term in a computational astrophysics lab with Professor Jillian Scudder.</p><p>Soon after, Shende earned a research role with XR Access, a Cornell Tech initiative that aims to make virtual reality programs more accessible for people with disabilities. There, she found a deeper sense of purpose in the human impact of her work.</p><p>Shende continued her journey as a computer science researcher during her second year, where she clarified her interest in making technologies such as AI more accessible across sectors. One of her projects was designing a generative AI program to make visual art more accessible to blind and low vision (BLV) users, which led her to publish a paper and present at the 2024 AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence.</p><p>At �鶹��Ƶ, where she’s majoring in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science">computer science</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics">mathematics</a>, Shende is active in the undergraduate research community. She joined BRANCHES as a community leader, helping to create inclusive programming and support networks for STEM students. She later became a research ambassador for OUR, guiding students as they entered the undergraduate research space.</p><p>Shende also utilized resources from the <a href="/career">Career Exploration and Development (CED) office</a> to expand her understanding of technology from policy and economic viewpoints. She worked with the U.S. State Department’s Diplomacy Lab and served as a student delegate to the Athens Democracy Forum, examining AI and other technologies from the perspective of governance and public policy.</p><p>In addition, Shende volunteers at the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio, where she supports adult learners navigating barriers such as childcare and technology access. “I am building a provider–service database and prototyping a web platform and Large Language Model-based assistant that guides learners toward appropriate programs and enables smoother, more accountable handoffs.”</p><p>Shende was selected as a Goldwater Scholar and spent last summer at the MIT Summer Research Program in the Media Lab. “Altogether, my CELA experiences have grounded my academic journey in purpose, equity, and community. They shaped the researcher I am now and the one I hope to become as I move into graduate study and work at the intersection of technology, policy, and society.”</p><p>Shende is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Computer science and math major Tanisha Shende ’26 combines high-level AI research with global policy to create equitable technology.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-23T12:00:00Z">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4080">Fellowships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Bringing Data Science to Investigative Journalism</h1> <p>kviancou — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:03:15 +0000</p> <span>Bringing Data Science to Investigative Journalism</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-16T12:03:15-04:00" title="Monday, March 16, 2026 - 12:03">Mon, 03/16/2026 - 12:03</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Declan Bradley ’26 is a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science">computer science</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science">data science </a>double major with a minor in English from Rockford, Michigan. At �鶹��Ƶ, he is a senior staff writer for <em>The �鶹��Ƶ Review</em> and an active participant in ExCo.</p><p><strong>Can you describe your summer internship?</strong></p><p>As the Dow Jones News Fund data reporting intern for the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland, I specialized in data analysis using the programming languages R and Python. My day-to-day work involved conducting in-depth research for the Howard Center’s investigative stories, which drew on months of reporting by University of Maryland students, faculty, and newsroom partners.</p><p>As a data intern, my contributions ranged from creating visualizations in R or D3 to writing data analysis memos explaining key findings from my research.</p><p>During my first few weeks at the Howard Center, I analyzed national data on the transport of hazardous materials, isolating insights that opened new avenues of inquiry for the team. I also scraped and cleaned datasets from the CDC and EPA to support other reporters’ investigations and built internal tools in HTML and JavaScript that made key portions of the 250-gigabyte database under study accessible to team members without computer science experience.</p><p><strong>How did �鶹��Ƶ influence you to pursue your internship?</strong></p><p>As a transfer student, I chose �鶹��Ƶ for the way it combines expertise in the sciences with a strong liberal arts grounding. I took a statistics course with Professor Bob Bosch, who emphasized the importance of critical and ethical thinking when applying statistical methods in research.</p><p>His teaching prepared me well for my work at the Howard Center, which combined the computational study of large datasets with the real-world ethics of investigative public service journalism.</p><p><strong>How did your internship align with your post-college goals?</strong></p><p>I plan to pursue a career as a computational journalist, and the Howard Center was an excellent opportunity to apply my studies in computer and data science to grounded news reporting. I admire the work of nonprofit investigative outlets such as ProPublica and hope to contribute to a newsroom like that after graduation.</p><p><strong>How has your liberal arts education shaped the way you think about science or research?</strong></p><p>My study of history and literature informs my work in journalism a great deal. As a data reporter, I investigate complex systems through a computational lens. But those systems are the product of politics, culture, and history. Understanding the wider historical and social context behind the stories we cover can make them richer and more informative for our readers.</p><p><strong>What drew you to your major?</strong></p><p>In 2022, I attended a week-long residency workshop on computational reporting taught by members of the data journalism team at <em>The Washington Post</em>. Their passion for their work inspired me to apply my own computational skills to public service reporting—a goal I have pursued ever since.</p><p> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">At the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, Declan Bradley ’26 combined programming, analysis, and reporting as a Dow Jones News Fund intern.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-16T12:00:00Z">Mon, 03/16/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3897">Internship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4151">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science" hreflang="und">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Dow Jones News Fund interns in 2025.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Declan Bradley</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Goldwater Scholarship Recipient Tanisha Shende ’26 Aims to Make Virtual Reality More Accessible</h1> <p>ygay — Thu, 01 May 2025 19:43:41 +0000</p> <span>Goldwater Scholarship Recipient Tanisha Shende ’26 Aims to Make Virtual Reality More Accessible</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-05-01T15:43:41-04:00" title="Thursday, May 1, 2025 - 15:43">Thu, 05/01/2025 - 15:43</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Goldwater Scholarship, one of the most prestigious national undergraduate scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics, provides funding for educational endeavors. Shende will spend the upcoming summer conducting research at the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with plans to work on the ethics and governance of technology at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.</p> <p>“I am still exploring research areas,” says Shende, “But I’ve already done a lot of work in making existing technology more accessible for disabled people and developing assistive technology. Regardless of my specialization, I want the technology I study and develop to contribute to social good.”</p> <p>Read more about Shende’s academic journey and career goals in this interview.</p> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>Shende. Photo by Rosen Jones</figcaption> </figure> <p> </p> <p><strong>How does this scholarship align with your career goals?</strong><br> My goal is to earn a PhD in computer science and a JD or a graduate degree in technology and policy. I am still exploring research areas, but I’ve already done a lot of work in making existing technology more accessible for disabled people and developing assistive technology. Regardless of my specialization, I want the technology I study and develop to contribute to social good, so I want to conduct research in an academic or industry setting while also collaborating with non-profit organizations, legislative bodies, governmental agencies, etc. The Goldwater Scholarship provides logistical support—I will apply my award to my tuition—but more importantly, it has identified me as a high-performing and high-potential researcher to graduate programs and fellowships. This visibility and credibility will be crucial as I move toward my goals because I want to be a creative and influential voice in the field. </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>How does this scholarship build on your previous studies and activities at �鶹��Ƶ? </strong><br> My research areas include human-computer interaction, human-centered design, and accessibility. I study the ways that technology can reinforce and mitigate social issues, such as how AI can describe images and surroundings to blind and low-vision people, but also how it can perpetuate labor exploitation and environmental harm and how it can transcend geographical and physical limitations but remain a legally ambiguous space where digital harm outpaces existing regulation and case law. My work is inherently interdisciplinary, so I took advantage of �鶹��Ƶ’s course offerings as a STEM major with a sociology minor. </p> <p>My computer science, mathematics, and data science education have been invaluable in developing my technical foundation, but I’ve found my humanities and social sciences courses to be equally useful. For example, during my first year, I wrote a review paper on the impact of stigma and forced assimilation on autistic people for my Research and Reasoning in STEM course under <a href="/gunnar-kwakye">Professor Gunnar Kwakye</a>. Then I studied the experiences of disabled people in healthcare and higher education in <a href="/alicia-smith-tran">Associate Professor Alicia Smith-Tran</a>’s Medical Sociology course. That summer, at Cornell University, I developed a research study on the experiences and challenges of autistic people in social virtual reality, and I contributed to a study on disability disclosure in the workplace, university, and social media. </p> <p>During my second year, I became more immersed in educational equity through my positions in <a href="/undergraduate-research">OUR</a> and <a href="/clear">CLEAR</a>, and I took <a href="/daphne-john">Associate Professor Daphne John</a>’s sociology course Unequal Educations. These experiences supported my summer research at Gallaudet University on the impact of augmented reality on d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing learners. My research projects at Cornell and Gallaudet were heavily featured in my Goldwater application. I highlighted my interdisciplinary interests and community involvement in my personal statements and activities section. My win symbolizes the culmination of these studies and activities.</p> <p><br> <strong>How did �鶹��Ƶ shape or influence you as an academic, thinker, and person?</strong><br> As a small, liberal arts institution, �鶹��Ƶ carries a love for humanity that’s inspired my work. From the long history of student protests to the multitude of community-engaged organizations, the people here hold empathy for each other and the world as a whole. I began college as a physics major, intent on studying galaxies and stars, but during a September night at the observatory, I found myself more interested in the happenings on the ground than in the stars. At another institution, I may have clung strictly to the sciences, but �鶹��Ƶ and its students hold so much respect for the humanities that I felt encouraged to embrace human-centered technology. There’s a real audience here for work that leverages academia and technology for social good. Despite being a computer science and mathematics major, I’ve been able to enter the spaces of other disciplines due to the many opportunities here, such as the Athens Democracy Forum Student Delegation and the Law and Justice Scholars Program.</p> <p>On a more personal level, I’ve appreciated the freedom and trust given to me by faculty and staff. I’m ambitious, and I’ve found many wonderful mentors here who’ve encouraged that fire and supported me professionally and personally. They’ve taken an interest in my ideas and goals, given me advice and opportunities, and nominated me for awards. Whenever I had an original idea for a research project or campus initiative, they supported me and gave me the connections and resources needed to execute it. I’m so fortunate to have people who recognize my potential and are committed to cultivating it rather than holding me back. Their confidence in me has boosted my self-esteem and self-efficacy. </p> <p><br> <strong>What are your plans for 2025-26?</strong><br> During the academic year, I will continue my ongoing research projects in computer science and education and prepare my papers for publication and presentation. Furthermore, I will apply to a variety of graduate programs, including PhD programs in computer science, JD-PhD programs, and master’s programs at the intersection of technology, public policy, and sociology. I am also preparing to apply for fellowships and scholarships, including the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. </p> <p>Beyond my academic work, I’m excited to continue working toward educational equity and responsible technology. I will attend the Athens Democracy Forum in October as a student delegate and implement programming on technology and democracy at �鶹��Ƶ. Through my positions at OUR and CLEAR, my goal is to further boost the visibility and accessibility of STEM and undergraduate research through workshops, mentorship, and community-engaged research on systemic barriers. Finally, I will continue working with adult education providers and learners through the <a href="/bcsl">Bonner Center for Service and Learning</a> to design a technological system supporting educational attainment, retention, and success.</p> <p>Research is central to my character and the language through which I contribute to social good. I learned about the Goldwater Scholarship during my second year, and I read articles about �鶹��Ƶ’s previous winners and wanted to be like them. Although the scholarship has financial benefits, its main draw for me was its status as a prestigious signifier of excellence and potential within research. It validates that I’m capable of the rigorous, advanced research I’ve always dreamed of doing. This recognition is meaningful for someone who has struggled with visibility, self-doubt, and exclusion, who has had to build her confidence brick by brick in spaces that don’t always recognize her right away. It tells me and the world that I belong here.</p> <p><br> <strong>What activities were/are you involved in at �鶹��Ƶ?</strong><br> I am an <a href="/bcsl/programs/engaged-learning-lab/ell-current-projects">Engaged Learning Lab Research</a> fellow at the Bonner Center, working to systematize communication and transitions between adult education programs in northeast Ohio. I conduct research on computer science education under <a href="/cynthia-taylor">Associate Professor Cynthia Taylor</a>. Within <a href="/undergraduate-research">Undergraduate Research</a> and the Center for Learning, Education and Research in the Sciences, I am a research ambassador, <a href="/clear/tutoring/branches-community-leaders">BRANCHES</a> community leader, and <a href="/undergraduate-research/programs/strong">STRONG</a> scholar. I am a consultant within the �鶹��Ƶ Research Group, conducting political research sanctioned by the U.S. State Department, and I am a 2025-26 Law and Justice scholar. Additionally, I am a 2024-25 <a href="/career/set/obs">Ashby Business Scholar</a> and a peer career advisor for the <a href="/career/career-communities/finance-business-and-consulting">Business, Consulting, and Finance Career Community</a>. Finally, I serve on the <a href="/current-students/senate">Student Senate</a>’s Academic Affairs and Health and Wellness committees.</p> <p><br> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received at �鶹��Ƶ?</strong><br> A healthy level of entitlement can be a survival skill. If there is a certain future you want, you need to convince yourself that you deserve it and you’ll do whatever it takes to obtain it. If you reject yourself before anyone else does, then you’re not allowing other people the chance to see you and believe in you. When you're already navigating a world that’s against you due to class, identity, or circumstance, you can’t afford to be one of the forces working against your own potential. This is easier said than done, and typically, the social factors influencing this mindset begin in early adolescence. Still, I think it’s helpful to fake it until you make it.</p> <p> </p> <hr> <p><em><a href="/fellowships">Connect with Fellowships & Awards</a> to learn more about the fellowships and awards opportunities available to students.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Shende is among 441 Goldwater Scholarship recipients from an estimated pool of 5,000-plus college sophomores and juniors applicants.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-05-01T12:00:00Z">Thu, 05/01/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>“Research is a central component of my character and the language through which I contribute to social good,” says Tanisha Shende ’26, a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science">computer science</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics">mathematics</a> major from Lodi, New Jersey. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3898">Stem</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2594">CLEAR</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/gunnar-kwakye" hreflang="und">Gunnar Kwakye</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/alicia-smith-tran" hreflang="und">Alicia Smith-Tran ’10</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/daphne-john" hreflang="und">Daphne John</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/cynthia-taylor" hreflang="und">Cynthia Taylor ’02</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Tanisha Shende ’26 researches virtual reality to make existing technology more accessible for disabled people.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen Jones</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>At �鶹��Ƶ, success is around every corner</h1> <p>mreed — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 15:10:32 +0000</p> <span>At �鶹��Ƶ, success is around every corner</span> <span><span>mreed</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-02-10T10:10:32-05:00" title="Monday, February 10, 2025 - 10:10">Mon, 02/10/2025 - 10:10</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>When Jesse Cruz ’25 joined the <a href="/node/54566">Ashby Business Scholars Program</a> last year, it opened his eyes to a new way of kicking off his career journey. Even for those who aren’t business majors, the organization provides countless opportunities to all Obies joining the workforce.</p> <p>“It completely changed my approach to applying and interviewing,” he says. “I realize now utilizing the alumni from �鶹��Ƶ is a path that has the highest success. I’ve met a ton of alumni now and they have all been incredibly supportive, some even telling all of us in Ashby, ‘Talk to me, get a line of communication going, we’ll refer you into the company and get you a better shot.’”</p> <p>When Jesse begins working at Synchrony–a consumer financial services company–after he graduates in May, he’ll take this networking knowledge with him into the business world. As a <a href="/node/3371">math</a> and <a href="/node/3236">computer science</a> double major, he’s also excited to apply his �鶹��Ƶ coursework to his new position.</p> <p>“Majoring in math was an expansion of not only analytical thinking but also just a new perspective on how to view the world, which I thought was very awesome,” he says. “I think the class that changed a lot of my perspective on things in general was called Linear Optimization, and it was taught by <a href="/node/5971">Bob Bosch</a>.”</p> <p>Jesse explains that this course taught him how to apply logic, organization, and problem-solving skills to a wide variety of situations, both academic and professional:</p> <p>“There is a lot of room for me to explore that in my new job. In my internship last semester, Synchrony did these things called IP sprints where we were able to work on our own skills and interests, and so during that sprint I actually worked on optimizing something related to my work and they gave me opportunities to explore that more.”</p> <p>He also emphasizes that this skillset is transferable and an “important tool regardless of field,” encouraging his fellow Obies to explore all their interests to give their careers flexibility.</p> <p>In addition to Ashby and an invigorating curriculum, Jesse credits the accomplished faculty for creating a valuable and enriching experience at �鶹��Ƶ.</p> <p>“My professors have made a significant impact on my education, especially coming from my high school where I felt like a little fish in a big pond,” he says. “I had a phenomenal experience with having such a strong line of communication with my �鶹��Ƶ professors, and any time I struggled or was confused about something, there was always an outlet for me to go talk to them.”</p> <p>Jesse looks forward to continuing the skill development he began during his software engineering internship at Synchrony. He returns to the company as a full-time employee this July, and is excited to use software development and mathematical modeling to create innovative solutions that transcend industries. </p> <hr> <p><em>If you’re excited about everything the future has in store, check out <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration and Development </a>to learn how �鶹��Ƶ can help you turn your passions into a fulfilling career.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-02-11T12:00:00Z">Tue, 02/11/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Danielle Frezza</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Fourth-year Jesse Cruz reflects on all the ways �鶹��Ƶ College has helped him as a student and young professional: “The most valuable thing you’re getting from this education is learning how to work hard and think very openly.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3955">Ashby Business Scholars</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & Development</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3519">Early Careers</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Abby Tejera Rocha ’25 Had an Out-Of-This-World Summer</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 15:46:44 +0000</p> <span>Abby Tejera Rocha ’25 Had an Out-Of-This-World Summer</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-30T11:46:44-04:00" title="Friday, August 30, 2024 - 11:46">Fri, 08/30/2024 - 11:46</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Abby Tejera Rocha ’25</figcaption> </figure> <p>This summer I was doing research in the area of astrophysics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as part of the MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP). There, I’m a member of the research team called "Cosmic Dawn Group" led by Dr. Anna-Christina Eilers in the Physics Department at MIT.</p> <p>As part of this team, my research focuses on measuring the clustering properties of quasars observed with the Gaia space satellite, in order to study the properties of the dark matter halos that host these luminous quasars across cosmic time. As a brief explanation, my research is mostly about quasars. Galaxies have super massive black holes at their center, and during the time that these grow by accreting matter, such as stars, dust, and gas from their surrounding environment, these galaxies are extremely luminous and we call them quasars. For this research I use data from the Gaia space mission, through the Quaia catalog, which is the largest collection of quasars to date.</p> <p>This research work allows us to know more about objects in our universe such as quasars and the dark matter halos that host them, and allows us to learn about the clustering properties of these objects. In the future and through the data that can be calculated and found from this research, we will be able to understand on what timescales supermassive black holes form and grow.</p> <p><strong>How did �鶹��Ƶ shape or influence you to pursue this internship? </strong></p> <p>�鶹��Ƶ has opened the doors of knowledge and opportunities throughout my college experience. At �鶹��Ƶ, I had my first research experience in my first year, when I joined <a href="/node/49421">Dr. Jillian Scudder’s</a> lab in the Physics and Astronomy Department, doing research on metallicities in different nearby galaxies. This experience taught me about what it’s like to do research in an academic setting, and it made me realize that I want to continue my academic training in the astrophysics area and continue doing research. This also prepared me to apply to summer research opportunities. In addition, being a student in the <a href="/node/47691">STRONG Program</a> (Science and Technology Research Opportunities for a New Generation) at �鶹��Ƶ College prepared me to face the responsibilities and challenges that one can encounter in the process of doing science. During the summer of 2023 I had my first research experience outside of �鶹��Ƶ, joining the LIGO Scientific Collaboration under the mentorship of Dr. Gabriela Gonzalez, doing research on gravitational waves. This team was awarded the 2017 Physics Nobel Prize for making the first detection of gravitational waves, proving Einstein’s General Relativity Theory. This research and networking opportunity led to this research team inviting me to continue my research with them which has allowed me to keep on learning from them. Now in the summer of 2024, I was selected to join the MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP), and do research in the Physics Department at MIT under the mentorship of Dr. Anna-Christina Eilers. This experience has been amazing and I’ve been able to continue developing my research skills. </p> <p>The academic community of �鶹��Ƶ, the Physics & Astronomy Department, and the Computer Science Department have prepared me and provided me with knowledge to be able to do research and successfully collaborate in teams, making me be able to participate in these experiences that have allowed me to keep on learning, gaining experience, networking, collaborating, and setting my goals for the future.</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Abby Tejera Rocha ’25</figcaption> </figure> <p>During this internship, I’ve been able to do research while also learning about graduate school. I believe that the early experiences and information students like me receive from experiences like this one are important in our motivation and training as future professionals. I want to pursue a PhD and contribute as a researcher while supporting other students that share this dream of becoming a scientist and researcher, in the same way that these great women that I have had the honor of having as mentors have supported me. I want to continue my academic training and work towards achieving greater inclusion, diversity, and equity in STEM, to shorten gaps and make a positive impact in society. As a student in the <a href="/node/55501">Bonner Scholars Program</a> at �鶹��Ƶ College, where I do community service, I’ve been able to learn that science has to be at others’ service to achieve developed and equitable societies.</p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach science and research?</strong></p> <p>I consider that having a liberal arts education at �鶹��Ƶ College has prepared me to look at things from different lenses, and this can be really helpful when doing research. When doing research, often we encounter more questions than answers, and our main job is to think of hypotheses and possible ways of finding the answers to our questions. In this process, being able to think of different solutions is key to having more chances of getting to the answer. In my case, I find myself combining my two majors a lot when doing research. I think of code I can write to help me analyze the astrophysical data I have, or tools I can use or develop to make my code faster or more efficient. I also consider that, thanks to having a liberal arts education, I have been able to keep practicing my science communication skills. These are key to making STEM accessible to everyone, and to achieving greater inclusion of minorities in these areas, while also shortening the gender gap in some of these areas, as there’s still lots of work to do towards these goals.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> team to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Abby Tejera Rocha ’25 is a <a href="/node/472437">physics</a> and <a href="/node/3236">computer science</a> double major, with an astrophysics concentration here at �鶹��Ƶ. This summer, she took her skills up to Massachusetts to do research at MIT. Here, she discusses what led her there, her innovative project, and where she plans to go next.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4152">Physics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/jillian-scudder" hreflang="und">Jillian Scudder</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/physics-and-astronomy" hreflang="und">Physics and Astronomy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Abby Tejera Rocha ’25 outside of an MIT building in Cambridge, MA.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Abby Tejera Rocha ’25</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Get Down to Business with Cole Tashjian ’25</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 18:28:57 +0000</p> <span>Get Down to Business with Cole Tashjian ’25</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-30T14:28:57-04:00" title="Friday, August 30, 2024 - 14:28">Fri, 08/30/2024 - 14:28</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Cole Tashjian ’25</figcaption> </figure> <p>I was a fixed income trading intern at Invesco. A majority of what I learned was from shadowing fixed income, foreign exchange, and alternatives traders. However, my projects revolved around providing analytics and insights to the team. Throughout the course of the internship, I developed an in-house app using Python, SQL Server, and Streamlit for FX trade analysis reporting and re-architected a dashboard for the global capital markets team to track trade efficiency and revenue generation. </p> <p><strong>How did �鶹��Ƶ shape or influence you to pursue this internship? </strong></p> <p>The �鶹��Ƶ Finance Club was instrumental in solidifying my interest in finance. Surrounding myself with like minded peers meant I could continue learning outside of the classroom through the clubs weekly meetings. Academically, <a href="/node/417886">Professor M. Udara Peiris</a> has been an extremely valuable resource for me. His improvement of the financial economics curriculum and embracing of students' questions/thoughts has benefitted the school as a whole.</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <p>This past summer, I wanted a markets-based role. Invesco provided the opportunity to experience this with the backing and support of a great team. I have been able to leverage the experience into a full-time job offer I accepted as a Global Investment Banking Analyst at UBS in New York City upon graduation.</p> <p><strong>What business-related opportunities have you had at �鶹��Ƶ that you’ve found to be unique or helpful? </strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Cole Tashjian ’25</figcaption> </figure> <p>Outside of the extracurriculars and coursework I have completed, the <a href="/node/54566">Ashby Business Scholars Program</a> was an important piece of my time at �鶹��Ƶ. The program offered me the opportunity to go through intensive coursework surrounding finance topics for 4 months and culminated in meeting alums in the field in Cleveland, Boston, and New York City. The major takeaway from the program that I got was, all Obies are willing and happy to help one another. This provided me with further confidence to reach out to alums and learn about their careers paths/current roles.</p> <p><strong>Knowing that you’re interested in pursuing business/finance, what made you choose �鶹��Ƶ to help you reach that goal? </strong></p> <p>When applying to colleges, I knew that I wanted a liberal arts education. �鶹��Ƶ provides the emphasis on the creative thinking, problem solving component of liberal arts whilst embracing alternative routes toward finance with specific Wall Street programs like the Ashby Business Scholars. This mix of liberal arts and finance focus played extremely well into my interests and attracted me to the college.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> team to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Cole Tashjian ’25 knew what he wanted when he came to �鶹��Ƶ College, and got down to business to achieve it. As an <a href="/node/3386">economics</a> major with minors in <a href="/node/3236">computer science</a> and <a href="/node/3371">mathematics</a>, he set himself up well to go into finance. This summer, he interned at Invesco, and used it as a stepping stone to set up his future career. Here, Cole talks about his role and successes.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3925">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4147">�鶹��Ƶ Finance Club</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/m-udara-peiris" hreflang="und">M. Udara Peiris</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Cole Tashjian ’25 and other interns show their completion certificates at Invesco.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Cole Tashjian ’25</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Moe Ariyoshi ’26 on Morals and Technology</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:35:36 +0000</p> <span>Moe Ariyoshi ’26 on Morals and Technology</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-09-04T10:35:36-04:00" title="Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - 10:35">Wed, 09/04/2024 - 10:35</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.</strong></p> <p>This summer at Carnegie India, I am working as a summer assistant to provide senior research analysts with briefings on various topics including international trade and technology corporations, border conflicts and infrastructure, multilateral relationships with India, India's political economy, and other international think tank organizations. </p> <p><strong>How did �鶹��Ƶ shape or influence you to pursue this internship? </strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Moe Ariyoshi ’26</figcaption> </figure> <p>In the Spring 2024 semester, I took <a href="/node/6201">Professor Marc Blecher's</a> POLT 212 Political Economy of Development in Asia, in which we discussed the development of 5 main Asian economies: Japan, India, China, South Korea and Taiwan. In a different class offered by Professor Rudabeh Shahid, I examined the politics of citizenship in India, Myanmar and the United States. The two classes captured my interest to take a closer look at India to experience how the nation with a history and culture over 4000 years, the largest population on Earth, and a world class military, is growing its international presence. My professors at �鶹��Ƶ have taught me how to look at the world in a greater context, but in this summer assistantship at Carnegie India, I wanted to learn from watching closely what analysts at the frontlines of the foreign policy research experience.</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <p>As a computer science major, my career goals focused mainly on the development of technologies. However, at Carnegie India, I was able to see how policy studies perceive and attempt to govern technology, an important aspect for both private lives but also national power. This summer assistantship has allowed me to become aware of the consequences of development and its impact on the prosperity of the international community.</p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach research?</strong></p> <p>The liberal arts education and way of thinking helped me better understand the role and implications of technology development, whether it is to empower individuals or secure national power. The liberal arts education has equipped me with the right moral responsibility as an engineer with good goals and intentions for development that will enable individuals mobility while ensuring its right use.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> team to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Moe Ariyoshi ’26 had a meaningful summer at Carnegie India through <a href="/node/54286">Summer Experience Funding</a>. At �鶹��Ƶ, she is a <a href="/node/3236">computer science</a> major with a double minor in <a href="/node/3391">politics</a> and <a href="/node/3386">economics</a>, and concentrations in <a href="/node/245971">international affairs</a> and <a href="/node/413401">data science</a>. Here, they reflect on how �鶹��Ƶ shaped their morals. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4140">Summer Experience Funding</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4154">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3925">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4151">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/marc-blecher" hreflang="und">Marc Blecher</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science" hreflang="und">Data Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">The view from Khardung La Pass, one of the highest motorable roads in the world, where Moe Ariyoshi ’26 was able to travel during her summer at Carnegie India.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Moe Ariyoshi ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>