Tina Li
Computer Science Specialist, AI Focus
Statistics Major
Victoria College
Why did you choose U of T for your undergrad?
I chose U of T for its rich student body, city life experience, and undergraduate research opportunities. For whatever interests I had, I would never worry about finding students or clubs that share my passion. The downtown college experience is so convenient that I can quickly grab lunch and bubble tea after classes. U of T also dedicates plenty of research scholarships to undergraduate students that I could take advantage of and prepare myself for graduate studies.
What inspired you to study computer science?
I realized how technology had largely impacted our daily lives. For me, daily life would be very different without mobile applications like maps and calendar. So I wanted to study computer science and be a part of this transformative force. I wanted to create helpful tools myself and make a positive, real-world impact.
Who or what at U of T influenced your education the most?
Professor Ishtiaque Ahmed helped me find my research interests, supervised my research and directed me to a clearer academic path. I met Professor Ishtiaque through a research scholarship application at the end of my second year. Since then, I have worked with Professor Ishtiaque and his PhD student at the DGP Lab. Under his mentorship, I realized my passion for using technology to tackle social challenges, gained the complete research experience, and decided to pursue graduate studies in the area of human-centered technologies.
How did you get involved at U of T outside of your coursework?
Outside of my coursework, I worked as a Computer Science student ambassador, a director of events for Women in Computer Science (WiCS), and also a peer mentor for U of T first-year and second-year learning communities (FLC/SLC). Additionally, I was dedicated to volunteering, and worked as a project leader for U of T’s Alternative Reading Week (ARW) for two years. Through these experiences, I felt a lot more connected to the U of T community and helped foster a more welcoming environment by supporting and understanding other students.
What U of T memory do you treasure the most?
My favourite U of T memory goes back to my first year of residence life at Victoria College’s Annesley Hall. The Vic College orientation really kicked off my college life, and living in residence helped me make my first friends at U of T.
If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice at the start of your undergraduate degree, what would it be?
I would tell myself not to be afraid to take on new opportunities and try new things. You might not enjoy everything you try, but regardless, it’s also good to know what you don’t like early on.
Is there a lesson you learned as an undergraduate student that you’ll take with you moving forward?
During undergrad, I learned to never create limits and boundaries for myself. Computer science is full of possibilities and can be applied to so many different fields like finance, health care, and education. I want to remind myself to stay open-minded, be creative, understand the real needs of people, and build technology that will provide intelligent solutions to all kinds of urgent issues.
What’s next for you?
I will be starting my master’s in computer science at Stanford University this fall. I am looking forward to continuing my studies in computer science and enjoying the nice weather in California!
This Q&A has been edited for clarity and length.