For Fumi Honda, a PhD student in computer science at Stony Brook University, the path to robotics began with a desire to help people. Her journey from psychology to cutting-edge AI research exemplifies the interdisciplinary nature of modern computer science and was recently showcased at the prestigious Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference.
Fumi Honda poses at the 2024 Tapia Conference
Honda's research focuses on robotics and reinforcement learning, specifically developing manipulation planning for robots to assist humans in daily tasks. "I started with psychology, aiming to improve people's lives," Honda explains. "Now, I'm pursuing research in human assistive robots, which ties all my interests together."
The Tapia Conference, held September 18-20, 2024, in San Diego, California, provided Honda with a unique opportunity to connect with peers, mentors, and industry leaders. "This conference is invaluable for meeting potential mentors, recruiters, and fellow researchers," Honda says. Her attendance was made possible through funding from the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), an organization she's been involved with since her undergraduate years.
Dr. Aruna Balasubramanian, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science, emphasizes the importance of such experiences. "Conferences like Tapia are crucial for our students. They provide exposure to diverse perspectives and career paths in computing, which is especially important for underrepresented groups in our field."
The conference featured panels on graduate school advice, AI systems, and industry perspectives on large language models. For Honda, these sessions offered insights that directly relate to her academic journey and research goals.
"Fumi's experience at Tapia exemplifies our department's commitment to fostering diverse talent in computer science," says Dr. Samir Das, professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science . "Her work in robotics and AI has the potential to make significant real-world impact, aligning perfectly with Stony Brook's mission of innovation and societal benefit."
As Honda continues her PhD studies, she remains focused on her ultimate goal: developing robotic systems that can meaningfully assist humans in everyday life. Her journey from psychology to robotics, highlighted by her participation in the Tapia Conference, showcases the evolving and interdisciplinary nature of computer science at Stony Brook University.
Read more on The Department of Computer Science website.