Photo credit: news.mit.edu

The Journey of Ana Trišović: From Serbia to MIT’s FutureTech Lab

Ana Trišović, a Serbian college student with a keen interest in mathematics and physics, discovered her passion for computer science through practical problem-solving approaches. In 2012, she stumbled upon MIT OpenCourseWare, an initiative of MIT Open Learning, and enrolled in a course on Data Analytics with Python—something that was not available at her own educational institution.

Trišović describes this experience as life-altering. “That course changed my life,” she reflects. “Throughout my career, I have considered myself a Python coder, and MIT OpenCourseWare made it possible. I was in my hometown on another continent, learning from MIT’s world-class resources. When I reflect on my path, it’s incredible.”

Her exposure to a wealth of OpenCourseWare resources furthered her academic journey. Although some materials posed challenges due to her status as a non-native English speaker, Trišović found various courses that catered to her learning style. To others facing similar difficulties, she offers a piece of advice: persistence is key.

“If the first course doesn’t work for you, try another,” she advises. “Being persistent and investing in yourself is the best thing a young person can do.”

Trišović completed her undergraduate studies in computer science and mechanical engineering in Serbia before moving on to prestigious institutions like Cambridge University and CERN. At CERN, she was involved in the research related to the Large Hadron Collider and later attained her PhD in computer science in 2018. Her academic path also included research roles at the University of Chicago and Harvard University.

“I appreciate that computer science allows me to make an impact across various fields, yet my passion for physics endures, continuously inspiring me,” she states.

At MIT’s FutureTech lab, an interdisciplinary research group, Trišović focuses on understanding computing trends that pose risks and offer opportunities for sustainable economic growth through the lenses of computer science, economics, and management. Her current research centers around the democratization of AI, detailing the implications of open-source technologies and their potential effects on scientific processes.

“My work emphasizes computational social science. For many years, I’ve explored what’s known as ‘the science of science’ — looking into issues like research reproducibility,” Trišović explains. “Now, with the rise of AI and the challenges it brings, I’m eager to study a range of topics from AI democratization to its influence on the scientific method and the broader fields of science.”

Trišović remains appreciative of the pivotal decision she made back in 2012 to explore OpenCourseWare. “I instantly fell in love with Python the moment I took that course. I have such a soft spot for OpenCourseWare — it shaped my career,” she admits. “Every day at MIT is inspiring. I collaborate with individuals who are eager to discuss AI and other captivating subjects.”

Source
news.mit.edu