“Scientific research is a human endeavor. The choices of topics that we research are based on our biases, our beliefs, and what we bring: our cultures and our families. The kinds of problems that people put their talents to solving depends on their values.” - Dr. Clifton Poodry - How has your own background influenced the types of problems you want to solve?


My international background and interests in human rights have led to my interest in the ethical code for engineers. Having lived around the world, I have become a strong advocate for human rights. Interning at Human Rights Watch and serving as head of Thacher’s Human Rights Coalition, I learned the importance of awareness and action. Working on projects such as advocating for North Korean refugees to be eligible for Japanese citizenship has taught me effective approaches to resolving racial discrimination. By applying the lessons I learned to my respective communities, in my own way, I have brought about social change. My experience in Boston is an archetype of this. Defying Japanese stereotypes, I was able to raise awareness and enact change in my community by establishing relationships through communicating my passions and interests. The small difference I made helped shift perspective in a local community; a positive development that I believe has an immense impact on the ultimate outcome. 


In the rapid age of technological advancement and as a techie, my involvement in social activism has motivated me to solve a unique ethical issue in the field of engineering: the lack of a strong sense of morality among engineers. On numerous occasions, engineers have failed to consider the consequences of their actions, causing detrimental effects. One example is the unending debate regarding nuclear energy. While there is an almost unanimous agreement that detonating an atomic weapon is immoral, the discovery of nuclear fission is praised as one of the greatest scientific achievements. Especially having had to evacuate Japan after the Fukushima radioactive catastrophe and listening to the story of my grandparents witnessing the aftermath of the Hiroshima atomic bomb, I have concluded that the cost of nuclear energy overrides the benefit. So, how do human rights and technology converge?


Having lived in China where fierce competition made cheating a common practice, I have learned the importance of integrity in an environment where students feel an intense pressure to succeed. Similar flaws in China’s educational system are evident in engineering, where competition places a strong emphasis on technological advancement, often at the cost of human welfare. Additionally, clasped by the corporate model, engineers view themselves as mere tools to satisfy the demands of the higher-up. To overcome these problems, engineers need to have access to education factoring in human moral values. By instating an improved ethical code that expects engineers to demonstrate the highest standards of honesty and integrity, engineers can avoid implementing products that cause harm. 


My contribution today is my senior final project, where I am working to present on the ethical code for engineers. Academically, I aspire to study engineering because of the innovative stimulus and the opportunity to express my creativity using a modular approach. Through exploring my passions in ethics and STEM, I sought to take an interdisciplinary approach to address this issue. In times to come, I am motivated to revolutionize engineering, whether it be a new mission statement or an updated curriculum, so that engineers become well-rounded. As a final goal, I am hoping to establish a standardized ethical code for societal advancement that can keep pace with the rate of technological advancement. As a prospective engineer, I want to assist society by teaching the values I learned through my unique background.