Genevieve Maxine Jean-Pierre

Academic Interests

Computer Science, Machine Learning/AI, French, and Sustainability

Fun Fact

I have a single on all streaming platforms! It's called Rainbow and my artist name is Maxine J.

I am currently pursuing a degree in computer science and concentrating in Machine Learning. I see my degree as a stepping stone for me to gain the tools I need to create actionable change in several aspects of communities particularly public health and education access. In a data-centric society I believe that research plays a large role in understanding the state of the world around us and what to do about it, this is why I am pursuing a PhD in information sciences. Leveraging participatory and human-centered research I want to gain the necessary experience to do work that tackles these big problems that face marginalized communities especially. I will also be pursuing a PhD to focus on education. As a minority woman, my experience in learning STEM has been riddled with negative experiences that have made me question my place of belonging in the field. 

My journey has informed my desire to become a professor that gears her work toward an inclusive and culturally competent curriculum. I hope to do outreach inside college classrooms and outside of them that engages all students in advancing STEM and reinforces their value and purpose. I have begun this work with several projects since my time at Duke. In the area of health, I had the privilege of doing a research internship at VATech. There, I was on a team that used machine learning techniques to understand the health effects of GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic. In the area of inclusive STEM education, I facilitated an outreach program for minority girls and their moms to experience hands-on engineering design. This program, dubbed the “InventHER’s Institute,” was part of a larger research initiative that I will be continuing work on this semester. 

I also have a knack for web development, coming into Duke, I was on a team in collaboration with IBM and Blacks Girls Code to create an app that united communities to reduce food waste. Aside from my work, I am a singer/songwriter, poet, and dancer. In all that I do, I want to create space for innovation, inclusion, and creativity! 

What do you like about being a SPIRE Fellow?

Being a SPIRE fellow gives me the space and place to grow with individuals who have a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and expertise. I like being a part of a diverse group of people who want to make positive change in the world surrounding them regardless of how big or small. SPIRE provides resources and support in order for me and others to do that, and for that I am very grateful!