By: Tommy Merth
Graduate students Mayoore Jaiswal and Kevin Lybarger have been named two of the 2017 Husky 100, a distinction given to the one hundred most impactful UW students of the academic year. Recipients must display passion and leadership in their respective fields, while promoting a more inclusive community. UW EE had the opportunity to ask them both a few questions about the award and their graduate school experience.
Mayoore Jaiswal
Mayoore Jaiswal (Ph.D. ’18). Photo credit: The University of Washington.
Mayoore Jaiswal is a Ph.D. student in the department of electrical engineering. Jaiswal is a strong advocate for diversity in engineering. As a mentor, she promotes leadership and inclusivity for diverse individuals. Her research focuses on utilizing computer vision and machine learning to develop cutting-edge technology for social good.
How do you feel to be named a Husky 100?
Humbled and honored.
What is your focus within electrical engineering, and what work/research have you done in that area?
My research interests broadly lie at the intersection of computer vision and machine learning. My dissertation work involves building high-quality dense 3D object models using RGB-D cameras. I have also built a digital pathology tool to accurately diagnose and quantitate malaria parasites in thin film microscopy images using deep learning methods.
What are your long-term goals after you receive your Ph.D.?
My research goal is to utilize computer vision and machine learning to develop cutting-edge technology for social good. One would be to build diagnostic solutions to life-threatening diseases, thereby helping to solve global health challenges. I also want to make engineering and other STEM fields more welcoming and inclusive for diverse individuals.
Have your experiences within UW EE shaped you in any way? If so, how?
Research, teaching, internships, PEERs leadership and commitments at student organizations at the University of Washington has transformed me into a better researcher and a better leader. My in and outside classroom experiences are integral parts of my Husky Experience, which have complemented each other and enriched me in numerous ways.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you would give someone wanting to complete a graduate degree in EE?
This would, perhaps, apply to any field – explore all the options available to you to find your passion. When you align your goals with your passion, motivation follows through. Work hard to attain your goals. Always remember that it’s okay to struggle. It’s part and parcel of learning and growth. It is hard. But your brain muscle is working hard at getting better. So learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Kevin Lybarger
Kevin Lybarger (Ph.D. ’19). Photo credit: The University of Washington.
Kevin Lybarger is an electrical engineering Ph.D. student. Lybarger’s ultimate professional goal is to become a professor. He is advancing the UW Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Program, which fosters undergraduate research and design projects. Within the program, Lybarger promotes inclusivity through outreach to underrepresented and underserved students.
How does it feel to be named a Husky 100?
I have a three-year-old son. Daily we talk about being compassionate and respectful and valuing discovery and knowledge, which are the underpinnings to several of the Husky 100 criteria. I am excited to be part of the Husky 100 community, and I am especially excited to take my son to Husky 100 events and demonstrate my commitment to these values. I am excited to be part of the Husky 100.
What are your long-term goals after you receive your Ph.D.?
Prior to attending UW, I taught Electrical Engineering at Seattle University for two years as an adjunct faculty member. I enjoyed teaching very much, and I am currently pursuing my Ph.D., so I can be a professor.
What is your focus within electrical engineering, and what work/research have you done in that area?
My foci within electrical engineering include automatic speech recognition (ASR) and natural language processing (NLP). My research has been focused on the creation of clinical notes using ASR software, exploring how clinicians use ASR to create notes and how to expedite the note creation process and improve the quality of the notes. I have been focusing on using NLP to create machine learning-based models to automatically detect portions of dictated clinical notes that are likely to be edited by clinicians.
Have your experiences within UW EE shaped you in any way? If so, how?
To some degree, it is difficult to separate my UW experiences from my UW EE experiences. The multidisciplinary nature of the work and collaboration within UW EE has exposed me to a range of topics and applications that are connected to EE, demonstrating the ubiquitous nature of EE. This multidisciplinary approach has helped me think about the skills and knowledge I am acquiring within a broader, real-world context.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you would give someone wanting to complete a graduate degree in EE?
Prior to starting my Ph.D., one of my colleagues at Seattle University advised me to approach my PhD as a journey. He explained that I would finish my PhD a different person than I started and that I would not be able to foresee or plan my Ph.D. path from beginning to end. Like many engineers, I generally have a Type A personality and like organized, clear and linear plans. However, my Ph.D. path has been more meandering than linear. As I have moved through my Ph.D. program, I have come back many times to my colleague’s advice. I would advise prospective or current graduate students, especially Ph.D. students, to be open to a range of paths or possibilities. Each day, do what you can to learn, grow and move through your degree, and try to find a balance between pushing yourself and the process and being receptive to the opportunities around you.
Congratulations, Mayoore and Kevin!