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Kristen Palmer

2,205

Bold Points

30x

Nominee

5x

Finalist

2x

Winner

Bio

Hi, I'm Kristen! I am a senior at MIT studying Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) with a minor in Mandarin. I plan to use my love of coding to make a significant impact on the world. As an EECS major, I am interested in creating affordable medical devices that will revolutionize the way we treat patients. In conjunction, I also plan to build software that can quickly and effectively diagnose illnesses. I want to help make health more accessible to everyone because good healthcare should be a universal right. I think that the rise of telehealth could potentially be a great equalizer for the health industry. I also have plans to work to combat the implicit biases in AI and Machine Learning. Since these fields are becoming increasingly popular, we must ensure that these programs are equitable and do not perpetuate existing biases. Lastly, I am passionate about making technology more accessible to everyone. In January, I went to South Africa and Botswana to teach students about Machine Learning + AI. I've also taught Python to students across the Caribbean with the Caribbean Science Foundation, volunteered as a CS tutor for CovEducation, and introduced high school girls to coding in Girls Who Code and Black Girls Code. Outside of tech, I am also a nationally-ranked fencer. My experience as a fencer has taught me many skills and helped me figure out what aspects of my life I consider most important. I've had to sacrifice in certain areas to thrive in others and learn time management skills to complete all of my tasks in a timely manner.

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelor's degree program
2019 - 2023
  • Majors:
    • Electrical and Computer Engineering
    • Computer Science
  • Minors:
    • East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General

Poly Prep Country Day School

High School
2012 - 2019

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Computer Science

    • Dream career goals:

      Combat algorithmic bias and build affordable healthcare devices

    • Website Developer

      Macon MacDonough Block Association
      2022 – 2022
    • Google Software Engineering Intern

      Google
      2022 – Present2 years
    • Python Teaching Assistant

      Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF)
      2021 – 2021
    • Google STEP Intern

      Google
      2021 – 2021
    • Web Developer

      KIPP Washington Heights Middle School
      2021 – 2021
    • Software Development Intern

      Subwifi
      2021 – Present3 years
    • Web Designer

      Rockaway Women for Progress
      2018 – 20191 year
    • Innovation Space Summer Camp Counselor

      Poly Prep Country Day School
      2018 – 20191 year
    • Web Development and Automation Intern

      Xerox
      2020 – 2020

    Sports

    Fencing

    Varsity
    2018 – Present6 years

    Awards

    • USA Fencing All-Academic First Team
    • USA Fencing All-American First Team
    • NCAA All-American Second Team
    • Northeast Fencing Conference Women's Fencer of the Year
    • Northeast Fencing Conference Women's Rookie of the Year
    • MIT Women's Varsity Club Athlete of the Year
    • MIT Fencing Team Women's MVP

    Track & Field

    Club
    2014 – 20162 years

    Research

    • Computer Engineering, Other

      MIT Human Computer Interaction Research Group — Undergraduate Researcher
      2021 – 2022
    • Science, Technology and Society

      NYU — I helped code the program that generated different patterns, and also helped research and collect data for the experiment.
      2016 – 2016

    Arts

    • Peter Westbrook Foundation

      Design
      PWF Digital Magazine
      2021 – Present
    • Graphic Art
      Daily Logo Challenge
      2020 – Present
    • Drawing
      Saber-Toothed Tiger, Bird, Girl in Charcoal
      2017 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Peter Westbrook Foundation (PWF) — Digital media designer, create magazine spreads to highlight PWF's achievements and top fencers
      2021 – Present
    • Volunteering

      A Better Chance — Assistant in organizing scholar events and mentor for younger scholars
      2015 – 2019
    • Volunteering

      CovEducation — Math, English, College Essay Writing, and Coding Tutor
      2020 – Present
    • Advocacy

      Girl Up — Poly Prep Girl Up Club President
      2016 – 2019

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship