My identity as a Black American in STEM has profoundly shaped my journey and my vision for the future. Growing up, I was aware of how few people in computer science and robotics spaces looked like me. In programming camps, robotics competitions, and research labs, I often found myself as one of the only Black students in the room. This reality could have been discouraging, but instead, it became a source of motivation, rooted in the legacy my parents established. Both my parents immigrated from Nigeria with nothing and earned their Ph.D.s through sheer determination and resilience. They faced barriers I can only imagine: navigating a new country, overcoming language and cultural differences, and pushing through systems that weren't built for them. Their success taught me that representation matters not just for its own sake but because it expands what others believe is possible. When they walked across those graduation stages, they weren't just earning degrees for themselves; they were creating a pathway for me and showing other immigrant families that advanced education was achievable. My identity has shaped how I approach my work in computer science. I've learned to embrace being different, to use my unique perspective as a strength rather than a limitation. In robotics competitions, I've often been the only Black programmer, but I've refused to let that diminish my voice or contributions. When I successfully implemented the Pure Pursuit algorithm, something no one else in our VEX organization had done before, I proved to myself and others that excellence has no color. But more importantly, I recognized the responsibility that comes with being visible in spaces where people like me are underrepresented. This responsibility has influenced how I engage with younger students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. When I mentor in robotics or lead workshops, I make it a point to create inclusive environments where every student feels they belong. I remember the uncertainty I felt entering predominantly white spaces, wondering if I was smart enough or if I would be taken seriously. I work to ensure that no student in my programs feels that way. My identity also connects to my deep involvement with One Community Church, which serves predominantly African American students. I've seen firsthand how our community faces unique challenges, from systemic barriers in education to limited access to mentorship in technical fields. Serving at OCC and developing an app to help students connect with their faith community reflects my belief that technology should serve all communities, not just those traditionally represented in tech spaces. Looking forward, my identity will continue to drive my career goals as a professor in computer science. I want to create research labs that actively recruit and support students from underrepresented minorities. I want to be the professor I wish I had seen more of: someone who looks like me, who understands the unique challenges faced by Black students in STEM, and who can serve as living proof that we belong in these spaces. My parents showed me that education is a powerful tool for breaking barriers and creating opportunities. As I pursue my Ph.D. and work toward becoming a professor, I carry their legacy forward with an added dimension: I will not only excel in my field but also actively work to make computer science and robotics more accessible and welcoming to students from all backgrounds. My identity as a Black American isn't separate from my work in technology; it's central to my mission of pushing the field forward while ensuring that the next generation of engineers and computer scientists reflects the diversity of our world.

From a young age, I've been fascinated by technology, viewing computer science as both a creative outlet and a powerful tool for problem-solving. Throughout high school, my academic journey was shaped by my passion for programming, robotics, and control theory. This passion led me to do research under a Ph.D. candidate at UT Austin, make breakthroughs and create new algorithms within VEX Robotics, and contribute to projects like Elapse, a student-led app development team. My career goal is to become a Software and Systems Engineer, where I can explore the cross between Computer Science and Robotics. I want to continue researching to learn more about robotics and push the field forward. I want to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research in both Robotics and Software Engineering, building innovative solutions that push technological boundaries and make a tangible impact. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Computer Science, immersing myself in research that pushes the boundaries of what technology can achieve. I grew up with a legacy of greatness all around me, with both my parents getting their Ph.D after immigrating from Nigeria with nothing, and I want to continue along that vein. A Ph.D. will give me the knowledge and experience to contribute to the field and allow me to mentor and inspire future generations of engineers further down the line. This scholarship would provide the financial support necessary to dedicate myself fully to my academics. Without worrying about getting a job to pay for school, I can focus entirely on research, coursework, and especially projects that help me learn in a broader context of real-world applications. With this scholarship, I can continue to develop past projects like the research robotics and focus on new, upcoming projects like an app I am developing for my church that would allow students to ask questions about the bible and connect more with their Godly community. I’ve been serving at One Community Church (OCC) for a couple of years, trying to give back to the students, and now that I am graduating, I wanted to leave something behind as sort of a legacy. I’ve seen OCC do some truly amazing things, especially for the African-American community, and I really want to do what I can to give back what I once received, pouring out what so many others have poured into me. I deserve this scholarship not only because of my dedication to pushing the boundaries of computer science, my strong academic track record and my commitment to making a lasting impact in the field and the community.

At first, serving at church felt like a routine. I held doors for students, cleaned after service, passed out notes, gave communion, and welcomed first-time guests. While I enjoyed serving and it felt good to help others, I didn't have a deeper reason for being there. I was going through the motions without understanding the true impact I could have. The obstacle I faced wasn't dramatic or obvious. It was the quiet challenge of finding purpose in what seemed like mundane tasks. I struggled with feeling like my contributions didn't matter, that I was just another volunteer doing simple jobs that anyone could do. This lack of connection made it tempting to step back and let my involvement fade. Then, while walking past during a service, I caught something my pastor said that resonated strongly with me: "We pour into others what others have poured into us." I began to reflect on the many mentors, friends, and leaders who had invested their time and energy into me. They hadn't just helped shape my faith; they had helped shape who I am as a person. I realized that my experiences weren't meant to be kept but shared to benefit others. I imagined it like a cascading fountain of cups. When one cup gets poured into, it can tip and pour into the next, continuing the flow of wisdom and care. This realization transformed my obstacle into an opportunity. Instead of seeing my service as routine tasks, I understood that every interaction was a chance to pour into someone else's cup. I overcame my lack of purpose by choosing to be intentional. I started going out of my way while serving, striving to give back the way others had given to me. I learned names, asked genuine questions, and made eye contact with every person I welcomed. I stopped treating service as a checklist and started treating it as relationship-building. This shift in perspective led to my selection to co-create and lead Student Ambassadors, a specialized student leadership group. I worked to create an environment where other students felt valued and heard. I trained new volunteers not just in the mechanics of serving but in the heart behind it, teaching them to see each person as someone worthy of their full attention and care. I'll never forget the first time someone came to me for advice. A fellow student struggling with school and family issues wanted me, of all people, to pray over him. His father had walked out on him, and his emotional outlet, football, was in jeopardy due to academic probation. I felt inadequate, but I remembered all the times mentors had shown up for me, even when they didn't have all the answers. So I listened, prayed with him, and simply made myself available. Weeks later, he returned and told me how my words and prayers had strengthened him during his darkest moments. We both cried that day. In that moment, I understood that leadership isn't about having all the answers or being the most qualified person in the room. It's about showing up consistently, being willing to pour into others, and creating space for people to be vulnerable and grow. Now, serving means far more than a routine. Through these experiences, I've built connections that continue to shape me. I've met some of my closest friends and mentors, and in turn, I've been able to become a source of support for others.

I'm a computer science student passionate about robotics and control theory, driven by the intersection of theoretical mathematics and practical engineering. From a young age, I've approached problems with curiosity and determination, whether programming autonomous robots for VEX Robotics competitions, conducting research under a Ph.D. candidate at UT Austin, or developing applications through student-led teams like Elapse. My parents, who immigrated from Nigeria and both earned their Ph.D.s through perseverance, instilled in me the value of education and the importance of pushing through obstacles. Their journey taught me that meaningful achievements rarely come easily. One of my most significant challenges came during the summer I dedicated to implementing Model Predictive Control (MPC) for VEX Robotics. I had been introduced to MPC during my research, and I was captivated by its sophistication. Unlike simpler control algorithms, MPC optimizes real-time decision-making by predicting a system's future states over a time horizon, allowing it to integrate constraints and adapt to changing conditions. The elegance of how it balanced multiple competing objectives while respecting physical limitations fascinated me. I became convinced that implementing MPC would revolutionize our robots' performance, giving us a significant competitive advantage. I threw myself into the project with enthusiasm. I spent countless hours studying optimal control theory, diving deep into the mathematical foundations of constrained optimization, learning about convex optimization solvers, and understanding the physics of robot dynamics. I worked through dense academic papers, implemented various formulations, and tested different approaches. My teammates were excited about the potential, and I felt the weight of their expectations. But week after week, I encountered failure. The algorithm was computationally too expensive for our microcontroller, causing unacceptable delays. When I simplified the model to reduce computation time, the predictions became inaccurate. When I shortened the prediction horizon, the robot's behavior became too reactive and unstable. I adjusted constraints, tuned parameters, and rewrote code repeatedly, but nothing worked consistently. Watching simpler algorithms perform better than my sophisticated MPC implementation was deeply frustrating. The challenge wasn't just technical but also emotional. I had to confront the gap between theoretical elegance and practical implementation, between what I wanted to achieve and what was actually feasible given our hardware constraints and time limitations. I struggled with feeling like I had wasted the entire summer and let my team down. However, as I reflected on the experience, I realized I hadn't failed at all. I had learned more about optimal control theory, robotics, physics, computational constraints, and real-time systems than I ever would have by staying in my comfort zone. I gained a profound appreciation for the engineering tradeoffs between theoretical optimality and practical feasibility. Most importantly, I learned that ambitious failures often teach more than easy successes. This experience fundamentally shaped my career goals. Rather than discouraging me, it deepened my commitment to becoming a professor specializing in robotics and control systems. I realized that I want to spend my career working at exactly this intersection: where elegant theory meets messy reality, where we push the boundaries of what's computationally feasible, and where we train the next generation to tackle problems that don't have easy solutions. I want to create research environments where students feel safe to pursue ambitious ideas, where failure is understood as part of the innovation process, and where we collectively work to bridge the gap between theoretical breakthroughs and practical implementations. My experience with MPC taught me that the most valuable problems are often the ones we don't immediately solve, and that persistence, curiosity, and the willingness to learn from setbacks are what ultimately drive the field forward. Now, as I pursue my goal of earning a Ph.D. and becoming an educator, I carry this lesson with me: meaningful progress in robotics and computer science requires both the courage to attempt difficult challenges and the resilience to learn from them when they don't work out as planned.

As a young kid, nothing captured my interest, so I was often bored out of my mind. Then one summer, my mom signed me up for a coding camp at our local university. Despite my objections, I absolutely loved it. Something about all the possibilities a few lines of code could achieve fascinated me, and I've been tinkering ever since. My most memorable experience delighting others came during my time in VEX Robotics. Our team was struggling with autonomous navigation, relying on basic straight-line movements that were unreliable and slow. I had been researching control theory and dreamed of creating the "Pure Pursuit" algorithm, a curved motion control algorithm that would allow our robot to follow smooth, efficient paths. No one else in our organization had successfully implemented it before, and my teammates were skeptical it could even work. I spent weeks researching applied control theory, programming different variations, and testing endlessly. My teammates would gather around during each test run, watching the robot jerk awkwardly or veer off course. But I kept refining the code, adjusting parameters, and troubleshooting. Then one day, everything clicked. I loaded the updated code onto our robot, and when we ran it, the robot glided smoothly along a curved path, hitting every waypoint perfectly. The entire team erupted in cheers. What had seemed impossible weeks earlier was now working beautifully. However, the real delight came during the competitions. While other teams' robots moved in rigid, predetermined patterns, ours flowed gracefully across the field, adapting to obstacles and completing tasks faster than anyone expected. Teams from other schools crowded around our pit area between matches, asking how we achieved such smooth movement. I spent hours excitedly explaining the algorithm, sharing code snippets, and helping other programmers understand the underlying mathematics behind it. Watching their faces light up as they grasped the concepts, seeing them leave inspired to try implementing it themselves, that was incredibly rewarding. But the impact extended beyond competition. My breakthrough became a learning tool for younger students in our robotics program. I created tutorials and held workshops where newer members could learn about advanced control algorithms. Seeing students who had been intimidated by complex programming gain confidence and start experimenting with their own creative solutions brought me genuine joy. This experience taught me that the real delight in tinkering isn't just in solving the problem myself but in sharing that knowledge and inspiring others to push boundaries. For me, CS isn't just about writing code; it's about turning creativity into reality and then empowering others to do the same. Whether I'm developing my own messaging app to have Apple's iMessage on Android or writing programs to solve everyday problems, I'm driven by the possibilities that a few lines of code can achieve and the excitement of sharing those possibilities with others.

From a young age, I've been fascinated by technology, viewing computer science as both a creative outlet and a powerful tool for problem-solving. Throughout high school, my academic journey was shaped by my passion for programming, robotics, and control theory. This passion led me to conduct research under a Ph.D. candidate at UT Austin, make breakthroughs and create new algorithms within VEX Robotics, and contribute to projects like Elapse, a student-led app development team. These experiences showed me not only the power of technology but also the transformative impact of mentorship and education. My career goal is to become a professor in Computer Science, specializing in robotics and software systems. I want to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research while simultaneously training the next generation of engineers and computer scientists. Through my position as an educator, I plan to make a positive impact by creating an inclusive research environment where students from all backgrounds can thrive, pushing technological boundaries through innovative research, and developing practical solutions that address real-world problems. I grew up with a legacy of educational excellence all around me. Both my parents immigrated from Nigeria with nothing and earned their Ph.D.s through dedication and hard work. Watching their journey taught me that education is not just about personal achievement but about lifting others as you climb. They showed me that professors have a unique opportunity to shape minds, open doors, and create pathways for students who might not otherwise see themselves in STEM fields. I want to continue along that vein, using my platform as an educator to mentor and inspire future generations of engineers, particularly students from underrepresented communities. My research experience has already shown me the profound impact that good mentorship can have. Working under a Ph.D. candidate at UT Austin, I experienced firsthand how an educator's guidance can unlock a student's potential and ignite their passion for discovery. I want to provide that same experience for my future students, creating a lab environment where curiosity is celebrated, failure is seen as a learning opportunity, and every student feels valued and capable of making meaningful contributions to the field. Beyond the classroom and research lab, I am committed to making technology accessible and relevant to broader communities. I've been serving at One Community Church for a couple of years, and as I prepare to graduate, I am developing an app that would allow students to ask questions about the Bible and connect more with their community. This project reflects my belief that technology should serve people's real needs and that educators have a responsibility to show students how their technical skills can make a tangible difference in the world. This scholarship would provide the financial support necessary to dedicate myself fully to my academic journey and preparation for becoming an educator. Without worrying about working to pay for school, I can focus entirely on research, coursework, and projects that will prepare me to be an effective professor. I can develop the teaching skills, research expertise, and practical experience needed to create meaningful learning experiences for my future students. I deserve this scholarship because of my dedication to advancing computer science, my strong academic track record, my commitment to inclusive education, and my passion for empowering the next generation of engineers and computer scientists to make their own lasting impact on the world.

As a young kid, nothing captured my interest. So unsurprisingly, I was often bored out of my mind. Then, one summer, my mom signed me up for a coding camp at our local university. I didn't want to go, but my parents practically forced me. I still remember the camp: "Programming with Alice." Despite my objections, I absolutely loved it. Each mini-project we did was fun and captivating in its own unique way. Something about all the possibilities a few lines of code could achieve fascinated me. After that class, I begged my parents to continue signing me up for Computer Science (CS) related courses, experimenting with anything I could get my hands on. Once I entered high school and joined robotics, I saw firsthand how CS can be combined with different fields of study to solve more tangible problems. When I dreamed of creating the fabled "Pure Pursuit" algorithm, a curved motion control algorithm, something no one else in our organization had done before, CS led me through researching applied control theory to make the algorithm work successfully. After weeks of programming, testing, and refining, I was finally able to see my dream come to fruition. For me, CS wasn't just about solving the problem but about turning my creativity into a reality. Whether developing my own messaging app to have Apple's iMessage on Android or writing a simple program to regulate my computer temperature, my imagination came to life through CS. Finding and understanding new concepts is who I am at my core. And that's what I love about CS. It's not limited to one single field of study. It's a tool used to innovate within any space. But it isn't just a tool for me; it's my form of self-expression, allowing me to explore my creativity freely. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Computer Science, immersing myself in research that pushes the boundaries of what technology can achieve and allowing me to mentor and inspire future generations of engineers further down the line. I've also been shaped very much personally due to my involvement in my Church. At first, serving in Church felt like a routine. I held doors for students, cleaned after service, passed out notes, gave communion, and welcomed first-time guests. While I enjoyed serving and felt good to know I helped others, I didn't have a deeper reason for being there. Then, while walking past, I caught something my pastor said that resonated strongly with me. "We pour into others what others have poured into us." I began to reflect on the many mentors, friends, and leaders who had invested their time and energy into me. They hadn't just helped shape my faith; they helped shape me. I realized that my experiences weren't meant to be kept but shared to benefit others. I imagined it like a cascading fountain of cups. When one cup gets poured into it, it can tip and pour into the next, continuing the flow of wisdom. I started going out of my way to be intentional while serving, striving to give back the way others had given me. I was chosen to co-create and lead a specialized student leadership group, Student Ambassadors, which gave me the opportunity to reach others. Now that I am graduating, I want to leave something behind as a legacy. I've seen OCC do some truly amazing things, especially for the African-American community, and I really want to do what I can to give back what I once received, pouring out what so many others have poured into me.

From a young age, I've been fascinated by technology, viewing computer science as both a creative outlet and a powerful tool for problem-solving. Throughout high school, my academic journey was shaped by my passion for programming, robotics, and control theory. This passion led me to do research under a Ph.D. candidate at UT Austin, make breakthroughs and create new algorithms within VEX Robotics, and contribute to projects like Elapse, a student-led app development team. My career goal is to become a Software and Systems Engineer, where I can explore the cross between Computer Science and Robotics. I want to continue researching to learn more about robotics and push the field forward. I want to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research in both Robotics and Software Engineering, building innovative solutions that push technological boundaries and make a tangible impact. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Computer Science, immersing myself in research that pushes the boundaries of what technology can achieve. I grew up with a legacy of greatness all around me, with both my parents getting their Ph.D after immigrating from Nigeria with nothing, and I want to continue along that vein. A Ph.D. will give me the knowledge and experience to contribute to the field and allow me to mentor and inspire future generations of engineers further down the line. This scholarship would provide the financial support necessary to dedicate myself fully to my academics. Without worrying about getting a job to pay for school, I can focus entirely on research, coursework, and especially projects that help me learn in a broader context of real-world applications. With this scholarship, I can continue to develop past projects like the research robotics and focus on new, upcoming projects like an app I am developing for my church that would allow students to ask questions about the bible and connect more with their Godly community. I’ve been serving at One Community Church (OCC) for a couple of years, trying to give back to the students, and now that I am graduating, I wanted to leave something behind as a sort of legacy. I’ve seen OCC do some truly amazing things, especially for the African-American community, and I really want to do what I can to give back what I once received, pouring out what so many others have poured into me. I deserve this scholarship not only because of my dedication to pushing the boundaries of computer science, my strong academic track record and my commitment to making a lasting impact in the field and the community.

At first, serving in Church felt like a routine. I held doors for students, cleaned after service, passed out notes, gave communion, and welcomed first-time guests. While I enjoyed serving, and it felt good to know I helped others, I didn't have a deeper reason for being there. Then, while walking past, I caught something my pastor said that resonated strongly with me. "We pour into others what others have poured into us." I began to reflect on the many mentors, friends, and leaders who had invested their time and energy into me. They hadn't just helped shape my faith; they helped shape me. I realized that my experiences weren't meant to be kept but shared to benefit others. I imagined it like a cascading fountain of cups. When one cup gets poured into, it can tip and pour into the next, continuing the flow of wisdom. I started going out of my way to be intentional while serving, striving to give back the way others had given me. I was chosen to co-create and lead a specialized student leadership group, Student Ambassadors, which gave me the opportunity to reach others. I'll never forget the first time someone came to me for advice. A fellow student struggling with school and family issues who wanted me, of all people, to pray over him. His father walked out on him, and his "emotional outlet," football, was in jeopardy due to academic probation. Weeks later, he returned and told me how my words and prayers strengthened him. We both cried that day. Now, serving means more than a routine. Through these experiences, I've built connections that continue to shape me. I've met some of my closest friends and mentors, and in turn, I've been able to become a source of support for others.

From a young age, I've been fascinated by technology, viewing computer science as both a creative outlet and a powerful tool for problem-solving. Throughout high school, my academic journey was shaped by my passion for programming, robotics, and control theory. This passion led me to do research under a Ph.D. candidate at UT Austin, make breakthroughs and create new algorithms within VEX Robotics, and contribute to projects like Elapse, a student-led app development team. My career goal is to become a Software and Systems Engineer, where I can explore the cross between Computer Science and Robotics. I want to continue researching to learn more about robotics and push the field forward. I want to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research in both Robotics and Software Engineering, building innovative solutions that push technological boundaries and make a tangible impact. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Computer Science, immersing myself in research that pushes the boundaries of what technology can achieve. I grew up with a legacy of greatness all around me, with both my parents getting their Ph.D after immigrating from Nigeria with nothing, and I want to continue along that vein. A Ph.D. will give me the knowledge and experience to contribute to the field and allow me to mentor and inspire future generations of engineers further down the line. This scholarship would provide the financial support necessary to dedicate myself fully to my academics. Without worrying about getting a job to pay for school, I can focus entirely on research, coursework, and especially projects that help me learn in a broader context of real-world applications. With this scholarship, I can continue to develop past projects like the research robotics and focus on new, upcoming projects like an app I am developing for my church that would allow students to ask questions about the bible and connect more with their Godly community. I’ve been serving at One Community Church (OCC) for a couple of years, trying to give back to the students and now that I am graduating, I wanted to leave something behind as sort of a legacy. I’ve seen OCC do some truly amazing things, especially for the African-American community and I really want to do what I can to give back what I once received, pouring out what so many others have poured into me. I deserve this scholarship not only because of my dedication to pushing the boundaries of computer science, my strong academic track record, and my commitment to making a lasting impact in the field and the community.

From a young age, I've been fascinated by technology, viewing computer science as both a creative outlet and a powerful tool for problem-solving. Throughout high school, my academic journey was shaped by my passion for programming, robotics, and control theory. This passion led me to do research under a Ph.D. candidate at UT Austin, make breakthroughs and create new algorithms within VEX Robotics, and contribute to projects like Elapse, a student-led app development team. My career goal is to become a Software and Systems Engineer, where I can explore the cross between Computer Science and Robotics. I want to continue researching to learn more about robotics and push the field forward. I want to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research in both Robotics and Software Engineering, building innovative solutions that push technological boundaries and make a tangible impact. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Computer Science, immersing myself in research that pushes the boundaries of what technology can achieve. I grew up with a legacy of greatness all around me, with both my parents getting their Ph.D after immigrating from Nigeria with nothing, and I want to continue along that vein. A Ph.D. will give me the knowledge and experience to contribute to the field and allow me to mentor and inspire future generations of engineers further down the line. This scholarship would provide the financial support necessary to dedicate myself fully to my academics. Without worrying about getting a job to pay for school, I can focus entirely on research, coursework, and especially projects that help me learn in a broader context of real-world applications. With this scholarship, I can continue to develop past projects like the research robotics and focus on new, upcoming projects like an app I am developing for my church that would allow students to ask questions about the bible and connect more with their Godly community. I’ve been serving at One Community Church (OCC) for a couple of years, trying to give back to the students and now that I am graduating, I wanted to leave something behind as sort of a legacy. I’ve seen OCC do some truly amazing things, especially for the African-American community and I really want to do what I can to give back what I once received, pouring out what so many others have poured into me. I deserve this scholarship not only because of my dedication to pushing the boundaries of computer science, my strong academic track record, and my commitment to making a lasting impact in the field and the community.

My journey into AI/ML began not in a formal classroom, but with curiosity and experimentation. As a self-driven student deeply interested in technology and creativity, I saw AI not just as a technical discipline, but as a medium to make systems smarter, more intuitive, and more human-aware. My hands-on experience has been shaped by personal projects, formal programs, and ongoing research, each pushing me closer to my goal of making impactful contributions in this rapidly evolving field. My first structured exposure to AI came through Inspirit AI, a program led by Stanford alumni. There, I worked on an AI-driven mental health sentiment analysis tool. I learned to fine-tune transformer-based models, clean and preprocess real-world data, and train models using Python and TensorFlow. More than just learning the tools, I learned how AI could be applied ethically to solve pressing societal issues. Later, I expanded my learning at UT Austin’s Artificial Intelligence Summer Program, where I explored reinforcement learning and computer vision in more depth. I developed a project that combined OpenCV and neural networks to track objects in real time, similar to how autonomous vehicles understand their environment. I was amazed by how AI systems can replicate the sensory inputs and reactions of human beings. That sparked my interest in applying control theory (something I had explored in robotics) to the design of smarter, adaptable AI agents. Independently, I’ve taken my knowledge further by coding and training my own AI models. I built a custom version of the classic Snake game where an agent learns to improve through trial and error using Q-learning. This taught me not only how reinforcement learning works, but also the challenges of balancing exploration and exploitation in training AI. I’ve also experimented with creating a generative AI model that could compose short poems, combining NLP techniques with creative storytelling. These projects are hosted in my GitHub repositories and reflect my love for building things that are both fun and functional. AI also plays a role in my work as the backend lead for Elapse, a Flutter/Firebase app my team and I designed to streamline VEX robotics tournament management. Although Elapse isn't AI-powered yet, I'm currently integrating smart scheduling algorithms that learn from user input and adjust dynamically. This blend of app development and adaptive logic is how I imagine applying AI in real-world tools that students and teams use. Beyond my work, I’ve had the privilege of conducting undergraduate-level research at the University of Texas at Austin under the guidance of a Ph.D. candidate in control theory. I contributed to a project that modeled robot behavior in uncertain environments using AI and probabilistic methods like Kalman filters and Monte Carlo Localization. My research culminated in a whitepaper, and I’m currently working toward publication. This experience strengthened my understanding of how AI intersects with real-time systems, robotics, and decision-making under uncertainty. Looking ahead, I want to continue developing intelligent systems that enhance the way we live and work. I’m particularly interested in tools that empower people rather than replace them. I envision designing algorithms that not only optimize for accuracy but also for fairness, interpretability, and user collaboration. Whether it’s using AI in education, healthcare, or creative expression, I believe that machine learning is most powerful when it augments human potential. In a world increasingly shaped by AI, I don’t just want to consume these technologies; I want to shape them. By building tools that are both innovative and responsible, I hope to contribute to a future where AI is accessible, ethical, and deeply human-centered.

Lovejoy High School has been an extraordinary journey for me, both academically and mentally. It has been a place where my mind has been constantly engaged, my perspectives broadened, and my capabilities stretched, although not without difficulties. Some challenges I experienced throughout high school are not only being one of the only black people, but specifically the only Nigerian, figuring out where I belong amongst a crowd of Americans. My school is predominantly white. Being the child of two first-generation immigrants, I've never quite "fit" in. Ever since moving to the district in fifth grade, I seemed to stick out like a sore thumb. Many things that seemed to be common sense to the other students around me simply didn't click. While other kids hung out with friends and traveled on weekends, I studied, did homework, or biked around outside. This became especially bad when I got to high school. I was not the only African American in my school, however seeing as I was in the GT (Gifted and Talented) program, robotics club, and taking AP (Advanced Placement) Classes, I realized no one was in a similar position to the one I was in. For every commonality I shared with someone, there existed a caveat. If they were in GT, they weren't in robotics. If they were in the robotics, they weren't in GT. And worst of all if they were in either, they weren't African American much less African. This ultimately left me feeling isolated, a sole solitary entity doomed to never connect on a deep level with his peers. For a long time, I struggled trying everything I could to connect with those around me. I changed my vocabulary, lied about my childhood experiences, and even at one point considered leaving the programs I was in just to be able to have those kinds of connections. However, I clung to my identity and learned to accept that I was different from the other kids and that being different was a positive. While dealing with those challenges was difficult, there were silver linings during those times, being the basketball team, specifically the robotics program. Since I was young, I've loved the sport of basketball. One key thing about basketball that drew me in was how background didn't matter on the court. Everyone has the same goal: To play basketball at a high level. Doesn't matter your religion, the color of your skin, your accent, or anything else. Joining the basketball team and playing in a place where nothing else mattered allowed me to see that it is possible to look past physical characteristics and connect with people over shared hobbies and experiences. Through basketball, I was able to make friendships I thought previously not possible. Similarly, the robotics program expanded my friendships. Going into the program, I knew I wanted to program, but I was afraid that others wouldn't be willing to work with me. To my great surprise, they welcomed me with open arms and quickly assimilated me into their culture. The environment that exists in our robotics labs is one of no judgment, where everyone is working together toward the same tasks whether that be programming, building, or driving. Robotics also had the effect of strengthing my resolve to become a computer scientist as I became entranced by the real-world applications of programming. When I finally won the last robotics competition of the season, my team and I had set several records for our school. We had triple crowned meaning we won the top award in all three categories, and we ultimately placed thirteenth in the world for VEX Robotics. On that day, I knew for certain that I was destined for a computer career, pursuing the same things that drove me to join robotics in the first place: chasing the freedom and creative expression I felt most when designing and programming. Ever since I was young, the ability to create has fascinated me—to take what was once nothing and shape it into something usable. My earliest memories of this feeling were when my mother, with pure intentions, signed me up for programming camp at the Univeristy of Texas at Dallas, against my will. Despite heavy objections, I underwent the entire week's course, and to my surprise, I experienced something surreal I couldn't quite place my finger on. As I participated in more camps and became more invested in engineering, I gradually realized that this feeling represented a kind of freedom. Why am I interested in computer science? Because it gives me the freedom to create new, unimaginable things. Computer science is my way of bringing what lies in my mind into the physical.

Lovejoy High School has been an extraordinary journey for me, both academically and mentally. It has been a place where my mind has been constantly engaged, my perspectives broadened, and my capabilities stretched, although not without difficulties. Some challenges I have experienced throughout high school are not only being one of the only black people, but specifically the only Nigerian, and figuring out where I belong amongst a crowd of Americans. However, it's not all bleak as I have had the incredible opportunity to be a part of a team and program, through Robotics and Basketball. My school is predominantly white. Being the child of two first-generation immigrants, I've never quite "fit" in. Ever since moving to the district in fifth grade, I seemed to stick out like a sore thumb. Many things that seemed to be common sense to the other students around me simply didn't click. While other kids hung out with friends and traveled on weekends, I studied, did homework, or biked around outside. This became especially bad when I got to high school. I was not the only African American in my school, however seeing as I was in the GT (Gifted and Talented) program, robotics club, and taking AP (Advanced Placement) Classes, I realized no one was in a similar position to the one I was in. For every commonality I shared with someone, there existed a caveat. If they were in GT, they weren't in robotics. If they were in the robotics, they weren't in GT. And worst of all if they were in either, they weren't African American much less African. This ultimately left me feeling isolated, a sole solitary entity doomed to never connect on a deep level with his peers. For a long time, I struggled trying everything I could to connect with those around me. I changed my vocabulary, lied about my childhood experiences, and even at one point considered leaving the programs I was in just to be able to have those kinds of connections. However, I clung to my identity and learned to accept that I was different from the other kids and that being different was a positive. I've since learned to embrace who I am, the culture of my parents mixed in with the culture of where I grew up, and the experiences that shape me every day. While dealing with those challenges was difficult, there were silver linings during those times, being the basketball team, specifically the robotics program. Since I was young, I've loved the sport of basketball. One key thing about basketball that drew me in was how background didn't matter on the court. Everyone has the same goal: To play basketball at a high level. Doesn't matter your religion, the color of your skin, your accent, or anything else. Joining the basketball team and playing in a place where nothing else mattered allowed me to see that it is possible to look past physical characteristics and connect with people over shared hobbies and experiences. Through basketball, I was able to make friendships I thought previously not possible. Similarly, the robotics program expanded my friendships. Going into the program, I knew I wanted to be a programmer, but I was afraid that others wouldn't be willing to work with me. To my great surprise, they welcomed me with open arms and quickly assimilated me into their culture. The environment that exists in our robotics labs is one of no judgment, where everyone is working together toward the same tasks whether that be programming, building, or driving. Robotics also had the effect of strengthing my resolve to become a computer scientist as I became entranced by the real-world applications of programming. When I finally won the last robotics competition of the season, my team and I had set several records for our school. We had triple crowned meaning we won the top award in all three categories, and we ultimately placed thirteenth in the world for VEX Robotics. On that day, I knew for certain that I was destined for a computer career, pursuing the same things that drove me to join robotics in the first place: chasing the freedom and creative expression I felt most when designing and programming. Ever since I was young, the ability to create has fascinated me—to take what was once nothing and shape it into something usable. My earliest memories of this feeling were when my mother, with pure intentions, signed me up for programming camp at the Univeristy of Texas at Dallas, against my will. Despite heavy objections, I underwent the entire week's course, and to my surprise, I experienced something surreal I couldn't quite place my finger on. As I participated in more camps and became more invested in engineering, I gradually realized that this feeling represented a kind of freedom. Why am I interested in computer science? Because it gives me the freedom to create new, unimaginable things. Computer science is my way of bringing what lies in my mind into the physical. I am interested in attending the Machine Learning Summer Academy at the University of Texas (UT) at Austin because Computer science is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the world and the front-runner in the rapid expansion of this field in Artificial intelligence. This summer academy is an excellent opportunity for me to gain experience in the booming field of artificial intelligence, and build important teamwork, coding, and thinking skills similar to real-world work environments. Having already attended a residential computer science course before, I am not foreign to the benefits of a camp such as this one. With the bonus of expanding my skill set going into a professional career, attending has little downside.