Union County Review

Kean University senior, Oluwatunmise Alabi, has gained recognition as a finalist for a national computing award and secured a job offer as a software engineer at Northrop Grumman. Alabi, who is set to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, was selected as one of 55 finalists from 41 institutions for the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Award.

"Being recognized as a woman in tech on such a prestigious level has been a significant achievement for me," Alabi said. "It's a reminder of how far I have come, and to encourage others along my path."

Alabi dedicated herself to research during her time at Kean, combining her interest in statistics with an earlier fascination with criminology. Her research project analyzed data related to COVID-19 and crime in New Jersey to reveal potential correlations between them.

She presented her research poster at the IEEE MIT Undergraduate Research Technology Conference in October. Alabi’s research paper was later accepted into the conference. She also shared her findings at the Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) conference in Pasadena, California just days later.

"I have a great interest in statistics," Alabi said. "My previous interest in criminology led me to anecdotally view a connection between the two topics. I researched the statistical significance of the connection."

Her academic advisor, Associate Professor Ching-yu Huang, Ph.D., commended Alabi's intelligence and enthusiasm towards her work. "I provided high-level guidance and direction while she independently handled the implementation and analysis of her projects," Huang said.

Alabi’s research presentation caught employers' attention leading to an internship through networking at the GMiS conference, which subsequently resulted in a full-time job offer.

In August, she will begin working as an aeronautics systems engineer and scenario developer with Northrop Grumman, a leading aerospace and defense technology company. Alabi plans to return to school to earn her graduate degree in data science and hopes to continue exploring the connection between crimes in the U.S. and prominent social and economic issues.

The NCWIT AiC award, for which Alabi is a finalist, honors "technical contributions to projects that demonstrate a high level of innovation and potential impact" in areas such as software and app development, big data, cybersecurity, among others.

If Alabi wins, she could receive public recognition, computing resources, and up to $10,000. She has previously been recognized as the New Jersey affiliate winner and received a national honorable mention two years consecutively for the AiC High School Award.

In April, she spoke alongside two other finalists at the New Jersey Women in Computing Award Ceremony at Kean. During this event, she discussed her experience of being a woman in a male-dominated field.

"I find solace knowing I am not the first woman to go through these challenges, but I am doing everything in my power to be the last,” said Alabi. “I strive to ensure others will not face the same obstacles I did."

Alabi aims to inspire, support and advocate for women in technology.

“It feels surreal to be recognized at the collegiate level because I was directly competing with other women in the United States, including those at schools like MIT,” Alabi said.