Vanessa Huang '27

Close-up portrait of a person wearing round glasses and a collared shirt, looking at the camera against a plain, light background.

Name
Vanessa Huang

RPI Email
huangv5@rpi.edu

Hometown, State, and/or Country
Brooklyn, NY

Degree Information

HASS Major
COGS | Cognitive Science BS + Computer Science Dual Major

List your Minors and/or Pathway:
AI/ML

Biography and Research

My dual major in Computer Science and Cognitive Science came from wanting a fuller picture of AI than just what it can do. Computer Science gives me the tools to build and the rigor to think analytically, while Cognitive Science grounds me in how people actually think and interact with technology. I like asking not just what a system can do, but where human processes map into the problem, and I think that combination makes me a more thoughtful engineer.

Professionally, I'm drawn to roles at the intersection of software engineering, product, and machine learning, where I can build things that are both technically sound and genuinely useful to people. Long term, I want to contribute to AI development in a way that keeps human understanding at the center of it. My experiences so far reflect both sides of that interest. I've designed accessibility-focused interfaces for millions of users at the NYC Department of Education, built distributed systems in C and MPI in coursework and open source projects, worked on full-stack web applications in React and TypeScript, and spent two years tutoring and mentoring students. That last part has shaped how I think more than almost anything else, because explaining hard concepts to people who are struggling forces you to truly understand what you're talking about, and I carry that into how I write code and approach problems too.

RPI Academics and Community

Clubs & Organizations:
ACM-W current Vice Chair and former Webmaster, Upsilon Pi Epsilon, RCOS, GWC, Eighth Wonder

What has been your favorite class so far and why?
Intro to Logic Based AI; it's overall a very interesting class with discussions about planning, decision-making, theoretical AI models, logic, and human intelligence. I don't think I've had any course similar to it, and although it's not required I highly encourage anyone interested in these topics (or anything about AI at all) to take it!

Professional Experiences

Goals:
After completing my undergraduate degree, I'm planning to start an accelerated master's program in Computer Science. I also look forward to working full-time in the industry and seeing where that leads me. I'd love to work anywhere across the globe and have that international perspective as well.

The RPI Experience:
I did a Self-Design Program for my Away Semester, and my goals were to develop my professional network, create a comprehensive portfolio of my work, and get certifications to build crucial skills. You have to constantly keep yourself accountable for your goals, and set schedules so that you can pace yourself. Self-Design semesters can be very productive if you are approaching your work in a way that will actually benefit you and get you closer to your career goals.

Advice to Other Students

My advice for incoming students is to be open to any new experiences or opportunities. I know likely everyone tells new students that, but it's true! As an introvert myself I know it's hard to be the person reaching out, but the people you meet on campus are the best resource you can get at college, and you never know what you might discover about yourself if you don't try. Don't be afraid of failure or rejection, just do it!

Personal Interests

Outside of school I have found support in my friends across campus and from my hometown. I love dancing with 8th Wonder and crafting or drawing with my friends when I'm not focused on academics.