Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science                                               

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL | Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

Anticipated Graduation Date: Spring 2027

GPA: 3.83

Advisor: Dr. Juan Gilbert

Research Interests: 

  • Artificial intelligence applications and initiatives for supporting child literacy and critical thinking

  • The design and development of healthier digital spaces for children

  • Advancing AI literacy of the public 

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science                                               

University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL | College of Engineering and Computer Science

Graduation Date: Spring 2022

GPA: 3.72

Advisor: Dr. Juan Gilbert 

Work Experience

Raytheon Technologies, Data Science Intern                                            

Remote Position | May 2023 - July 2023

  • Spearheaded the development of a PyQt-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) for a simulation model application.

  • Collaborated closely with the team's director, supervisor, software engineers, data scientists, and UX developers throughout the entire GUI development lifecycle.

  • Significantly improved Python proficiency through hands-on development, demonstrating an ability to structure, develop, and refine software applications effectively.

  • Traveled on-site to actively contribute to wrapping up GUI development, assisting GUI testers, and facilitating a seamless code handoff at the conclusion of the internship.

  • Actively participated in mentorship opportunities facilitated by directors and engaged with current and former team members, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.

Raytheon Technologies, Data Science Intern           

Remote Position | May 2022 - August 2022

  • Developed, tested, and deployed a variety of software features that were presented to our client.

  • Trained image classification models to compete in a machine learning competition.

  • Improved and added new technical documentation for active projects within the company.

  • Engaged in a variety of many and professional development opportunities while learning how to work in effectively in teams in corporate settings.

  • Received an offer for full-time hire before the end of my internship.

Rutgers University, Undergraduate Researcher 

Remote Position | May 2021 - August 2021

  • Conducted and presented research on classical and quantum communications with Dr. Anand Sarwate and Dr. Emina Soljanin as a member of the RISE@Rutgers 2021 cohort.

  • Completed a series of lessons on quantum computing and information theory that exposed me to higher levels of mathematics and abstraction.

  • Engaged in structured series of professional development opportunities that were geared toward success in graduate school and STEM careers.

University of Central Florida, Undergraduate Researcher 

Remote Position | September 2020 - May 2021

  • Conducted an independent study on quantum computing with the support of Dr. Sharma Thankachan.

  • Participated in the UCF Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s DIVE Scholars Program.

  • Founded a club for teaching students about algorithms and data structures.

University of Virginia, Undergraduate Researcher 

Remote Position | May 2020 - August 2020

  • Developed and presented a Boolean satisfiability solver under the advisement of Dr. Matthew Dwyer.

  • Learned about academia and the processes that are involved in publishing and producing successful research.

  • Increased proficiency in the Python programming language, presentation skills, and my ability to examine hard problems and break them down into solvable pieces.

Publications & Presentations

Hart, A. B., & Sarwate, A. D. (2021, July). Modeling Quantum Communication Channels and Adversaries. Poster presented at the RISE at Rutgers Summer Research Symposium, Virtual Event. Github Page: https://github.com/ashley-hart/quantum-avcs

Projects

RecycPal

January 2022; July 2023 - Present

  • Developing a machine learning application that classifies objects and provides information on properly disposing of them.

  • Third place winner at DeltaHacks 2022.

  • Devpost Page can be found here.

XAIVIER: Educational Chatbot Prototype

February 2023 - April 2023

  • Utilized the ChatGPT API to prototype an online chatbot learning program that will assist children in grades K-8 in their courses.

  • Developed the front-end and back-end with React and Django respectively.

Depths

September 2021 - May 2022

  • Completed as my senior design project at UCF.

  • Developed the platforming sections of the game as a solo developer.

  • Advanced my knowledge of code and system structure in game engines, game AI, pixel art animations, special effects, and level design.

  • Learned how games are marketed and promoted.

  • The Itch.io page for the game can be found here.

PharmEasy

November 2021

  • Utilized React and Material UI to develop the front-end of an application that helps patients order, refill, and receive their prescription medications.

  • Winner of the Synopsys prize at KnightHacks 2021.

Insomnia

January 2021 - May 2021

  • Contributed as the art director, project manager, and enemy artificial intelligence developer for a 2D platformer Unity game.

  • Learned how to design effective pixel art and animate in programs like Aesprite.

  • Learned how to use Unity’s game engine and structure game files.

LDPC Decoder

May 2021 – August 2021

  • Built an LDPC decoder in Python to solidify my understanding of how LDPC codes worked.

  • Completed as a part of my summer research at Rutgers University.

RageBoard

November 2020

  • Developed a stress relief web application where users could relieve stress by button-mashing on the keyboard to earn points.

  • Created as a part of KnightHacks 2020

DPLL Satisfiability Solver

May 2020 - August 2020

  • Created a Boolean satisfiability solver based on the Davis-Putnam-Logemann-Loveland (DPLL) algorithm in Python as a part of my summer research experience at UVA.

  • Learned Python and improved my ability to structure code and reduce hard problems into smaller parts.

Technical Skills

Programming Languages:

  • Python

  • Java

  • C

  • C#

Web Development:

  • HTML/CSS

  • JavaScript

  • React.js

  • Bootstrap

  • Material UI

Machine Learning:

  • TensorFlow

  • scikit-learn

  • Keras

Game Development & Animation Software:

  • Unity Game Engine

  • Aesprite

Software Tools:

  • Git

  • Visual Studio Code

Operating Systems:

  • Windows

  • MaxOS

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Scholarships & Awards

Scholarships

  • Grace Hopper Celebration Scholarship Recipient - Summer 2023 & Summer 2021

  • GenNext Grant Recipient - Spring 2023

  • McKnight Fellow - Spring 2022

  • GEM Doctoral Fellow - Spring 2022

  • Ronald E. McNair Scholar - Fall 2020

  • National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) Scholar - Fall 2020

  • UCF Office of Diversity & Inclusion D.I.V.E. Scholar - Fall 2020

  • UCF Office of Diversity & Inclusion I.M.A.G.E. Scholar - Fall 2019

Awards

  • DeltaHacks 2022 - Third Place Overall - January 2022

  • Knight Hacks 2021 - Synopsys Prize Winner - November 2021

  • Florida Cocoa Church of God Young Ladies Ministry: Girl of the Year Award - November 2014

  • City of Orlando Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award - January 2014

Certifications

CITI Program – Responsible Conduct of Research for Engineers

Completed on September 26th, 2022

 

CITI Program – Human Research, IRB-01 Mandatory Training

Completed on September 26th, 2022

Professional Activities

Conference Attendances

  • April 2023 - CRA-WP Grad Cohort Workshop in 2023

  • September 2022 - Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference

  • August 2022 & February 2023 - Florida Education Fund McKnight Conferences

  • Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Professional Development Activities

  • Co-leader of the Undergraduate Mentorship Program in the Computing for Social Good Lab

  • Member of the IAMMCS Paired Mentorship Program

  • Former Member of the KnightHacks at UCF Software Engineering Club

  • Enrolled in Andrew Yangs Machine Learning Specialization Course on Coursera

Leadership Experience

President & Vice President of SIGACT @ UCF                                                    

September 2021 - May 2022

  • Taught sessions about algorithms and data structures with a team of officers.

  • Planned and promoted club events and oversaw their execution.

Volunteer Experience

Sound Technician & Camera Director

West Livingston Street Church of God | July 2023 - Present

  • Volunteers at the 910 West Livingston Street Church of God, supporting efforts to update the technology used for the church’s livestreams.

  • Increased access to the live streams by teaching the staff how to stream to Facebook and YouTube simultaneously.

  • Created visuals and directed cameras and music for the Christmas 2023 production.

VBS Coordinator

West Livingston Street Church of God | June 2023 - July 2023

  • Served on a committee at the 910 West Livingston Street Church of God to put on the “Ready, Set, Move” Vacation Bible School program for the summer.

  • Lead fundraising efforts for the event.

  • Taught a class with children in Pre-K through 4th grade.

StoryFaith - AI & ML Consultant

Gainesville, FL | September 2022 - December 2022; Occasional Work

  • Provides suggestions for improvements to a Gainesville-based start-up called StoryFaith, a platform that strives to link college students to local churches in the area.

  • Previously worked with the founder of StoryFaith to improve the user experience for StoryFaith’s matchmaking features.

Young Adult Ministry Volunteer

West Livingston Street Church of God | September 2021 - May 2022

  • Served at the West Livingston Street Church of God’s Young Adult Ministry in various capacities ranging from mentorship, working with younger children, and providing physical labor at church community events.

  • Assisted with teaching and preparing the children’s church and vacation bible school programs for children in Pre-K to Grade 4.

  • Received awards and state-wide recognition for acts of service and leadership in the church and other churches across our denomination.

  • Facilitated activities for community events in Parramore, a sub-community of the City of Orlando.