Tracey Ngo, Computer Scientist at Science Buddies

By Amy Cowen on July 24, 2024 8:00 AM

Tracey Ngo, Staff Scientist and Computer Scientist

As a content creator intern at Science Buddies, Tracey Ngo is developing exciting artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning projects and tutorials that help middle and high school students explore cutting-edge STEM. Tracey is currently pursuing a graduate degree in computer science at Tufts University.

Learn more about Tracey in the interview below.

What is your field of expertise?

I specialize in Computer Science, with a focus on machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI).

What led you to choose this area of science?

I chose a different major initially while I was an undergraduate, but when I was finishing my 3rd year, I realized I did not see myself working in that field anymore. My friend suggested that I try computer science since I was good at math and languages!

What do you enjoy most about computer science?

I enjoy the flexibility of computer science! When I first heard about it, I thought it was all about coding websites or software, but it turns out that computer science overlaps with many other science disciplines as well, such as health, environmental science, and much more.

What is most exciting to you about exploring artificial intelligence and machine learning?

The potential for societal impact is the most exciting part of artificial intelligence and machine learning for me! The possibilities are absolutely endless, from self-driving cars to improving healthcare outcomes with predictive analytics to improving response time for natural disasters. I believe AI has the ability to improve our quality of life in the future (as long as we develop it responsibly!).

How do you think about the risks and responsibilities that come along with the benefits of AI, especially when it comes to teaching students how to use and interact with machine learning projects?

Because AI is becoming such a powerful tool in our everyday lives, I believe we have to be mindful of the risks and responsibilities of using AI. The most prominent risk, I believe, is the risk to data privacy. Another concern of mine is the authenticity of new content. AI can now create art, videos, stories, and more, often indistinguishable from human-made content. It is important to clearly label AI-generated content to avoid confusion and maintain transparency. I also worry about the implications of biased data in AI and machine learning, particularly in the medical field. Everyone is different, and relying on data from a single group to make general conclusions can be unjust and dangerous.

When it comes to teaching students how to use and interact with machine learning projects, we should emphasize ethical considerations, critical thinking, and technical skills. Students should learn to recognize biases in data, understand the importance of transparency in AI, and be trained in privacy protection. Incorporating real-world scenarios and interdisciplinary approaches can help students appreciate the broader impact of AI on society.

What are some common misconceptions about working in computer science and artificial intelligence?

Many people believe that AI will take over programmer jobs (and other jobs). One thing to remember, though, is that AI was created by humans. Therefore, it operates within the boundaries and frameworks established by its human creators. AI can automate certain tasks to increase efficiency, but overall, it still requires human oversight, intervention, and continuous improvement.

Did you participate in science fairs? What projects do you remember doing?

I did not participate in science fairs when I was younger, but I did briefly attend Mad Science in elementary school. My favorite project was a robot hand!

Tell us about a project you worked on (not at Science Buddies) that you really liked.

I made a facial recognition model that could detect whether a person was wearing a mask or not!

What are some of your favorite projects that you have created for Science Buddies?

My favorite projects so far are Can AI Diagnose Breast Cancer? and Can You Create a Strategic Connect 4 AI Opponent?.

What's your favorite book?

I love the Harry Potter series!

What hobbies do you have outside of science?

I enjoy drawing, playing guitar and piano, learning languages, cooking, and scrapbooking!

What's your favorite science-related quote?

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." – Albert Einstein.

What advice would you give to a student who is interested in computer science?

Just give it a go! Don't get frustrated when you get stuck. Ask for help, whether it is from a teacher or even in an online forum. People are very willing to help each other out in this field.

The projects and tutorials listed below are a sampling of the projects Tracey has created at Science Buddies: