Zakeyah Ross

Zakeyah Ross

Biography

Zakeyah Ross is a first-year Electrical Engineering student with a strong interest in Computer Science at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. As an intern in the MIT Summer Research Program, she is eager to explore real-world applications of machine learning, particularly within healthcare and data science, and to understand how these technologies can be leveraged to improve everyday life. Her academic interests are rooted in her experience as a Girls Who Code alumna, where she developed a foundational understanding of data science and machine learning and began programming in Python. As an active member of Girls Who Code 1891 College Loops, Zakeyah is committed to closing the gender gap in technology. She regularly mentors elementary school students in computer programming and engineering principles, with the goal of encouraging and preparing the next generation of female innovators and computer scientists. In addition to her technical and outreach efforts, Zakeyah serves as the 2025–2026 Vice President Intern of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) A&T Theta Nu Chapter. Guided by the IEEE mission of “advancing technology for the benefit of humanity,” she aspires to use her growing technical skill set and research experience to pursue a PhD in Computer Science or Artificial Intelligence. Through this path, she’s driven to develop innovative, impactful solutions that can address real-world challenges and benefit several communities. Zakeyah is also academically driven and a member of the National Honor Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and Alpha Lambda Delta. Originally from Los Angeles, California, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, particularly at the beach. As a Haitian American, she continues to strengthen her connection to her culture by practicing Creole on Duolingo. In her free time, she enjoys reading books focused on self-improvement, financial literacy, and mystery fiction.