Struggling to get replies? In Part 2 of this series, you’ll learn how to craft subject lines that stand out, open with a personal hook, and structure the body in three clear paragraphs so your ask shines. You’ll also polish your signature and fine-tune tone and formatting to respect busy inboxes. Master these message-writing strategies and turn your research into real responses.

Ever feel like your cold emails vanish into the void? In Part 1 of my series, you’ll learn to master the prep: define clear goals, find and profile the ideal contacts, gather proof points that showcase your value, and organize everything in a simple spreadsheet. Stop relying on luck and start owning the conversation: boost your reply rate before you even type a single word.

Welcome to the second blog in my NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Award series! In my first post, I introduced NCWIT and its flagship program, the AiC Award , and discussed why its mission matters and how it empowers women to work in computational fields. In this post, I’ll discuss the application process, analyze what worked for me, and share tips and tricks to help you craft a standout submission! Whether you’re just getting started or looking for ways to make your app

Image Source: National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Welcome to the first post in my NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award series! In this blog, I’ll introduce the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and its flagship program, the Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Award . As a recipient of the National Honorable Mention AiC Award , I’ve had the chance to experience firsthand how this program celebrates achievements, creates mentorship,

“You can love someone and still choose to say goodbye to them.” – Tara Westover, Educated. Book cover of Educated (Source: Amazon) Summary and Background Tara Westover’s Educated  is the memoir of a woman who grows up in a survivalist family in rural Idaho, isolated from the outside world. Her father, Gene, was a man filled with fear and distrust of the government, formal education, and modern medicine. As a result, Tara and her siblings were kept out of school, and their

Me Presenting at AJAS Poster Session After months of preparation, an intense few days of scientific immersion, and a 4.5-hour drive back home, I finally had the chance to sit down and process everything. AJAS wasn’t just another research event.  It wasn’t like ISEF, where you’re in competition mode, nor was it like a school science fair where people glance at your poster and move on. AJAS felt like stepping into the scientific world—not as a student, but as a researcher.  For

After months of anticipation and preparation, the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) 2025 conference  had officially begun. This wasn’t just another science fair—this was an event that brought together 162 of the top high school researchers   from across the country, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the professional world of science. For four days, we attended AAAS sessions, toured some of the top research institutions in Boston (MIT, Harvard, Northeastern, BU, and

For high school students passionate about scientific research, the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS)  offers one of the most prestigious opportunities to present their work and connect with top researchers, professionals, and like-minded peers. Every year, selected high school students from across the United States gather for the AJAS annual conference , held in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)  meeting—the world’s large

HackFRee 2025 Leadership Team (Source: FRHSD Media) As HackFRee 2025 wrapped up, it was clear that the event had a huge impact on both the participants and the organizing team. There were moments of brilliance, incredible projects, and lessons learned along the way. In this post, I’ll reflect on the event’s successes, share some feedback from participants, discuss areas for improvement, and offer advice for anyone looking to organize a hackathon in the future. Event Successes

Opening Ceremony (Source: Edmund Lee, Manalapan High School) After all the planning and preparation, the big day finally arrived: HackFRee 2025  was ready to go! From the early morning meet-and-greet with the 501st Legion   to the late-night judging and celebrations, the event was packed with energy, learning, and plenty of fun moments. In this post, I’ll walk you through the event structure, how participants engaged with the activities, and my personal role in making everyth