Michelle Kim

Background

I was born and raised in my hometown in Bowie, Maryland, and am currently based in Somerville, Massachusetts for school. I have always been a creator and grew up tinkering with whatever I could get my hands on, from construction paper and tape, to LEGO Mindstorm kits. My desire to know why and how things work has always driven my education and learning.

Education

I graduated from Georgetown Day High School in Washington, D.C., opting to take engineering-focused electives to learn more about 3D printing and design. I competed in the Real World Robotics Challenge, proposing an agricultural drone with the ability to navigate both urban and rural environments while dispensing crop-supporting chemicals.

I completed my undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at Tufts University where I am continuing my education in the graduate engineering program. I have taken courses in Human-Robot Interaction; Biomechanics; Ethics for AI, Robotics, and HRI; Materials and Manufacturing; Engineering Leadership; Engineering Design; Mechanics; and Electromechanical Systems and Robotics. Projects from these classes enhanced my engineering skills, and I learned how to rapid prototype, use various fabrication tools, and code AI agents. I took on leadership roles in many of my projects, guiding my team to stay on track and facilitating an environment where everyone had a voice.

During my four years of college, I trained in the United States Army ROTC program at MIT, learning discipline and leadership with my peers. I served as the Public Affairs Officer and Website Engineer for three years. I graduated from Advanced Camp in Fort Knox, Kentucky in the summer of 2022. I commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the summer of 2023.

Experience

I currently an Adjutant General officer (42B) in the Army Reserves. I am responsible for ensuring the wellbeing of my soldiers as well as all the equipment assigned to our unit. I am in the S1 Staff, advising and assisting the Commander in managing personnel, morale, and welfare in accordance with Army policies and procedures. As a 42B, I am scheduled to attend Basic Officer Leader Course in Fort Jackson, South Carolina in the coming spring.

I have interned for the United States Department of Agriculture, shadowing a professional and learning various CAD modeling skills needed to develop their produce imaging and analysis device.

As a teaching assistant with STEAM Ahead, I taught and lead students in discussion about mathematics, biology, ethics, music, and economics. I organized and ran activities that enhanced the students’ understanding of each concept and shared my personal experiences to make the topics more fun and engaging.