“BE proactive and don’t be afraid to set goals that seem slightly out of reach.”

That is Sharon Lee’s advice for students keen on developing themselves in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

“STEM is all about pushing boundaries. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and challenge you to grow.

“Most importantly, believe in your capacity to contribute to the field, no matter where you start,” asserted Lee, who holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science, a master’s degree in computer science, and is currently pursuing a PhD in computer science.

Judging by the 23-year-old’s significant achievements, both in academics and leadership in the United States, it is clear that she embodies these principles.

Lee: Representation is key to normalising equal opportunities for all genders and races, even in the most specialised technical fields.

In 2021, she received the Cal Alumni Leadership Award in recognition of her leadership across various initiatives during her undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley. In 2023, as a master’s student at Stanford University, she won the Siebel Scholars award for outstanding academic and leadership contributions in her field.

And most recently, as a PhD student at Stanford, she was selected for the 2024 cohort of Knight-Hennessy scholars, recognised for her independence of thought, purposeful leadership and a civic mindset.

“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity, as it constantly reminds me that with privilege comes the responsibility to contribute.

“I am especially eager to learn from the diverse perspectives of my peers and actively engage with the global Knight-Hennessy community, particularly in various fields,” said Lee, who was also accepted into Harvard and Princeton for their PhD programmes but ultimately chose Stanford due to its tech focus.

She shared that she has already had discussions with law professors about potential projects at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and policy.

Anticipating the completion of her PhD studies in five to six years, Lee said her primary focus is on creating practical solutions that empower individuals and companies to leverage AI in meaningful ways.

She explained that a key part of her PhD work focuses on addressing limitations in current AI models by drawing inspiration from how humans understand and perceive the visual world.

“More specifically, I work on improving the controllability of image generation models, understanding infant cognition through deep learning-based vision models, and reconstructing three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional images,” she said.

She added that while spending most of her 20s in academia is a significant commitment, she plans to stay actively involved in both research and entrepreneurship.

“I see myself in the future either launching a startup or pursuing a role as a research scientist at a generative vision company,” she said.

Reflecting on her journey in the sciences, Lee noted that her initial passion was for the humanities, having been involved in debate during her secondary school and early college years.

“Participating in hackathons later on opened my eyes to how the creative and analytical skills I developed in debate could be applied to STEM.

“I began to see how abstract thinking and problem-solving in policy mirror the challenges in technology and engineering. This realisation fuelled my interest in research,” she said.

She added that her mother, who works at a multinational tech company, has been a “huge inspiration”.

“Seeing her thrive in the company and break down barriers has shown me firsthand the power of representation and determination in STEM,” she said.

The Penang native, who moved to the US for community college at 16, also attributed her success to her father, who instilled in her essential decision-making skills that continue to guide her in adulthood.

Over the years, Lee has found time to give back to society.

In 2017, she founded an organisation providing accessible education to orphans in Malaysia.

“I introduced a programme that provided free, engaging STEM education, allowing each child to stand out based on their unique skills while learning practical STEM concepts through open-ended projects like mini-hackathons,” she said.

She added that since moving to the US, she has taken part in non-profit causes focused on democratising STEM education for low-income schools.

“With insights gained from my PhD programme, I hope to contribute to expanding access to STEM education in Malaysia in the future,” she said.

She affirmed that her long-term goal is “definitely to contribute to Malaysia”, whether through her work or by supporting educational initiatives.

“There’s so much potential in our country, and I’d love to be part of its growth in the tech and education sectors,” she said.

On encouraging more Malaysian students to pursue STEM, Lee said representation is key to normalising equal opportunities for all genders and races, even in the most specialised technical fields.

“While Malaysia has made strides towards inclusivity in terms of gender and race, subtle cultural stereotypes remain,” she noted.

Lee emphasised the importance of being open to new perspectives and staying receptive to others’ ideas.

“Every person, regardless of background or experience, can offer unique insights that broaden your understanding of the world.

“I’ve come to see conversations as opportunities to explore someone else’s thought process, which can lead to practical solutions for real-world challenges,” she said.

To students aiming to study in the US, Lee advised exploring funding options early, as cost is often a significant hurdle.

“Studying in the US opens doors to incredible opportunities, but it requires careful planning.

“Make sure your application reflects your unique story and passion. Finding mentors who can guide you through the process is crucial – many are more than willing to help if you reach out.”

Zhan Xuan, 17, a student in Kuala Lumpur, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. Applications for next year’s programme are now open. For details, go to facebook.com/niebrats.

With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.

1 What subject or field are you interested in? Share how your interest was sparked and how you have nurtured it further.

2.Look in today’s newspaper for an inspiring figure. What can you learn from him or her? Reflect on how you might also inspire others. Share your thoughts in class.

The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes the use of English language in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.