Kidist Alemu, a graduate of the AB/SM program in Computer Science on the Mind, Body, Behavior track. Originally from Ethiopia, she is passionate about tech inclusivity. She served as the underrepresented minorities advocacy director of Harvard WICS, Peer Concentration Advisor, a Peer Tutor, and a TF for CS 96 and CS 171. After spending three summers as an intern, she is going on to work at Google as a software engineer.

HTR:

What does being an innovator mean to you? And how does this manifest in your daily life?

Kidist:

Well, I might have to ponder that for a little bit. I wouldn’t necessarily classify myself as an innovator as I don’t precisely know what that entails. However, if I were to translate it to my sphere of work, I would say an innovator is someone who endeavors to observe problems around them and work towards making a significant, positive impact on people’s lives.

When I enrolled at Harvard, my primary goal was to receive an education that would enable me to make a difference in my home country and my community. Therefore, ever since I found my community here at Harvard, my aim has been to work in such a way that my actions yield a positive impact. I believe that’s what an innovator is—someone who identifies a problem in the world and uses their skills to address it.

HTR:

You’ve been recognized for your generosity and mentorship, especially towards those getting started in Computer Science. Why is mentorship so important to you?

Kidist:

Having begun my journey in Computer Science at Harvard without any prior knowledge in the field, I’ve experienced firsthand how challenging it can be, especially in a class like CS 50. Although it is an intro class, I met several others who have already engaged with topics like machine learning while I was just learning the basics. This can be daunting and instigate feelings of impostor syndrome.

In these circumstances, mentorship has been indispensable. I’ve sought out mentors who resemble me or have had similar experiences and who are now in admirable positions. My aim is to ensure others don’t feel out of place in a field that is predominantly white and male.

HTR:

During your time at Harvard, who has been your source of inspiration or role model?

Kidist:

I had a mentor in my freshman year, Mel Cone, who graduated from Harvard in 2017. Theyworked at Microsoft and now works at the New York Times. Theyhave been a substantial positive influence during my time studying Computer Science at Harvard. Although they are not in the tech field, my two sisters’ support has been indispensible.Whenever I had interviews, I would consult thembeforehand. Theirsupport has been instrumental in reinforcing my confidence, despite the challenges. Another person who has positively influenced my experience in Computer Science is Dimitrije, a close friend who has generously given his time and support.

HTR:

I would like to hear about your time on the WICS board. Why did you take on that responsibility? And what were the challenges and successes that came with your role?

Kidist:

When I first joined WICS in my freshman year, I noticed there weren’t many individuals who looked like me, specifically black women. Further, conversations on what it means to be a women in tech and programming in the club often left out the intersectional role of race. I felt uncomfortable, which propelled me to apply for a position on the board during my sophomore year. I initially served as the Associate Committee Director and later as the Underrepresented Minorities Director.

During my timeas the Underrepresented Minorities Director, which coincided with the height of COVID-19 and a time when the world was grappling with systemic racism against black people, we organized an event to reflect on the experiences of black students in Computer Science. We anonymously shared the feedback we gathered with the CS undergraduate directors, raising awareness about the challenges black students face in a highly underrepresented STEM field.

As the Academic Director, I enjoyed organizing the shopping week events, which proved to be beneficial in streamlining communication about class details between students and professors. We also hosted celebrations, info sessions, and other academically related events.

HTR:

Could you tell us about your thesis and why you chose this topic?

Kidist:

As I mentioned, I came to Harvard with the intent of using my education in Computer Science to solve problems in my community more effectively. A subject that resonates with me deeply is stroke, and more specifically, ischemic stroke subtyping.

My choice to focus on stroke was not just personal but also academic. I pursued a concentration in Computer Science on the Mind, Brain, and Behavior track. It turned out, I was the only MBB concentrator in my year who stuck with CS MBB!

The goal of my thesis is to leverage AI techniques to classify ischemic stroke subtypes more accurately, potentially improving diagnostics and patient care. I was drawn to this topic because stroke has been a prevalent issue in my family, and I’ve seen the impact it can have firsthand. Therefore, contributing to solutions that can help combat the consequences of stroke felt personal and meaningful.

HTR:

How do you hope to continue this work along with your work in fostering inclusive spaces into the future.

Kidist:

I’ll be a software engineer at Google, likely working on a team focused on perception systems and machine learning, which aligns with my current interests. I also hope to collaborate with institutions that are dedicated to leveraging machine learning for social good.

I aim to maintain active participation in various affinity organizations at Google. I find it crucial to continue supporting college students and high schoolers interested in computer science or engineering, given the high barriers to entry and the numerous obstacles that they might encounter along the way.

HTR: 

Outside of work, have you had any hobbies or interests that have benefited you in surprising ways?

Kidist:

I’ve developed an interest in immersive art experiences, particularly VR. This past winter break I participated in the Conflux winterresidency where I used my computer science skills to create an interactive forest, an immersive projection that mimicked the participant being in a forest with a tree growing within their silhouette.

HTR:

What advice would you give to your younger self about navigating Harvard?  

Kidist:

Reflecting on my time at Harvard, I would advise my freshman self to be less hard on myself and seek more connections with people. Oftentimes, people are hesitant to discuss their academic and personal struggles. Being open and candid about these experiences can not only provide personal relief but also assure others that they’re not alone.  

HTR:

Who do you aspire to be when you grow up?

Kidist:

I’m continuously striving to be the best version of myself – someone who consistently strives to make a positive impact in people’s lives. I aspire to be strong, courageous, and inquisitive.

HTR:

Finally, what thoughts do you have on the future of innovation?

Kidist:

I’m genuinely optimistic about the potential of technology, specifically machine learning, in healthcare. It’s an area that excites me immensely. However, one of my concerns is that individuals, particularly those in technical roles, may overlook the ethical implications of their work. I have seen many Software Engineers and Computer Scientists, including myself, who think of their projects purely in technical terms and neglect to consider their potential negative effects. I believe that ethical considerations should be an integral part of the production process, and not just a final check done by someone else. It’s essential to advocate not just for innovation but also for the ethical use of these technologies.