Meet Swati
RTC MEMBER SINCE 2019
STUDENT MEMBER
Researcher ⁕ Technologist ⁕ Country Music Lover
Pursuing her PhD from Emory University
How did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in tech?
I’ve always been captivated by the ability to make computers perform complex tasks, which inspired me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Starting my career as a Software Engineer, I quickly recognized the widespread applications of programming. This motivated me to broaden my knowledge and skills. I joined Accenture’s Tech Laboratory as an R&D Senior Analyst, where I focused on developing frameworks to assess the frugality of software. This role not only sharpened my technical abilities but also deepened my interest in practical applications of technology in business. Seeking to merge my technical expertise with strategic business insights, I took a position at Oxford’s Saïd Business School. There, I worked on projects involving Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), exploring their innovative uses in marketing and advertising. This experience helped me understand how cutting-edge technology can drive industry advancements. Continuing on this path, I joined the University of Cambridge for research in computational neuroscience. This role has allowed me to explore the intersection of technology and human cognition, further fueling my passion for tech and its potential to solve complex, real-world problems. Through these experiences, I have not only honed my technical skills but also developed a profound appreciation for the transformative power of technology. As a doctoral student at Emory University, I am now eager to continue exploring new technological frontiers and contributing to impactful projects.
How are you navigating current challenges?
As a doctoral student, you are doing experiments of interest to you, and your curiosity to “What if I do this?” can take up a lot of time. I found myself working too much and not taking enough time to take care of myself. As a result, although I got the experiments running and subsequently presented my work at conferences, I felt a little restless. This is how I now navigate through these challenges. I prepare a plan of what I am going to do in a day and completely stick to it. I have also dedicated time to check emails so that external factors do not bother my focus. These tricks have really been useful so far.
What does the RTC community mean to you?
I joined RTC as a grad student. The resources are always helpful and the community has been a wonderful support for each other. I have mentored a few students via the RTC mentorship program and it feels good to be given a platform to help others.
