This article is published in the February 2025 issue.

CRA’s Education Committee Announces 2025 CRA-E Graduate Fellow

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By Sheila Khan, Program Associate, CRA-E

CRA’s Education Committee (CRA-E) is proud to announce Sophie Quynn from the University of California, Davis as a 2025 CRA-E Graduate Fellow, 

Sophie Quynn (she/her) is a third-year Ph.D. student in Computer Science at the University of California, Davis, advised by Dr. Dipak Ghosal. She earned her B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science from UC Davis in 2019. Before beginning her doctoral studies, she conducted cybersecurity research and development at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, California.

Research Focus: Machine Learning in Healthcare

Sophie’s research focuses on the intersection of machine learning and healthcare. She is collaborating with the UC Davis Mind Institute to investigate the neural mechanisms of irritability and impulsivity in ADHD patients. Her work applies novel deep learning models, such as transformers, to fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) data to uncover new insights into these cognitive processes.

Commitment to Mentorship and Computing Education

As a CRA-E Graduate Fellow, Sophie is excited to contribute to the advancement of computing education. She has mentored undergraduate students in STEM through programs such as E-SEARCH at the UC Davis College of Engineering and the HSI-STEM Women in STEM program at Mission College. She is passionate about fostering creativity, critical thinking, and a love of discovery in her mentees.

Outside of research, Sophie enjoys hiking and skiing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and playing piano and guitar with her husband and toddler.

About the CRA-E Graduate Fellows Program

The CRA-E Graduate Fellows Program was established in 2015 to provide graduate students with opportunities to contribute to CRA-E projects and promote computer science research and undergraduate education at the national level.