I was fortunate to have early exposure to computers, thanks to my parents, who provided access to one at home, and my school, where I got my first taste of programming in grade 4, learning BASIC.  My exploration into AI began with a Data Science internship in 2018, but before that—during my freshman year—I explored a bit of everything, from IoT and Embedded Systems to Web and Mobile Apps. I eventually found my way to Data Science, which led me to working with text.

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While the first sparks of interest in research began with an undergrad project, it began more seriously when I joined as a Master student at the University of Arizona. Under the guidance of Prof. Mihai Surdeanu, I took my first steps into academic research, which further grew through mentorship and advisement from Prof. Eduardo Blanco, which gave me a strong appetite for research and ultimately led me to transition to a PhD in 2023.

 

Though I never planned on becoming a Computer Scientist until a few years ago, my fascination with computers and their possibilities has always been a constant in my life.

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