Ashley Ni, a former BridgeUP STEM scholar, is back in the program as a Helen Fellow, marking a unique transition from participant to mentor. Ni first joined BridgeUP STEM during the 2024-2025 academic year as a high school student at Global Impact Academy in Fairburn, Georgia, where she collaborated with multiple professors on various computing projects.
Read More
During her initial experience, Ni participated in diverse activities, from playing AI literacy games with Dr. Judith Uchidiuno to training her own machine learning model with Dr. Sonia Chernova. This exposure helped her gain a deeper understanding of computing, despite initially considering a healthcare career.
Funded by the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation, BridgeUP STEM is designed to support first-generation and low-income students by providing practical, hands-on experience in technology and coding. Ni noted that this program was instrumental in building her confidence to switch her focus to computing.
As a Helen Fellow, Ni is currently contributing to research on an artificial intelligence assistant project called TEAMMAIT, under the mentorship of Associate Professor Rosa Arriaga. This project aims to enhance the interactions between mental health clinicians and AI, providing insights to support mental health professionals.
In addition to her research role, Ni will mentor the current BridgeUP STEM cohort, highlighting her commitment to guiding new scholars. She expressed nostalgia upon returning, especially during the initial meeting of the semester, where she was warmly recognized by faculty and fellow researchers.
Ni hopes to inspire other students who may be uncertain about their academic and career paths. She emphasized the importance of making the most of opportunities and encouraged newcomers to ask questions and engage fully with their experiences. Reflecting on her journey, she remarked, “Time flies, and you should make the most of it.”