AnMei Little is a junior at Yale University, where she is studying biomedical engineering with an interest in biomedical innovation and neuroscience. This New Face of Tech winner’s dream is to develop medical devices and software to help research and treat neurological diseases. “I feel really excited and encouraged to have received this award,” she says. “I am looking forward to the mentorship from professionals and to using the funds to attend conferences and events to further my career.”

What does being the New Face of Tech mean to you?

Being the New Face of Tech is so encouraging! It’s great to know that I am supported and among other ambitious women in STEAM. It motivates me to continue working towards my goals and helping others to do the same.

Women are underrepresented in STEAM. How can we change this?

First off, 1DF is doing an amazing job at increasing representation in STEAM. Outreach efforts and scholarship funding for women in STEAM are crucial to encouraging women in these fields. In general, though, we can work to expand opportunities to underrepresented groups through workshop/career preparation, funding, and connecting them with female mentors in their field. If we can inspire and increase STEAM interests in young girls, we can support them throughout their educational career and increase representation in STEAM at higher levels.

What are some of the challenges you have faced along the way?

Coming out of high school, I had a hard time figuring out what I wanted to do or study. I think this a very common experience, but I didn’t really get an introduction to engineering or related STEAM careers in high school, so it’s difficult to know what I wanted to pursue. I wouldn’t say it was a major challenge, but more of a leap of faith. I knew that I enjoyed general math, science, and biology classes, so I hoped that I would enjoy biomedical engineering (and I did!); however, I would have liked to have had more of an introduction to science and engineering fields earlier on. I hope this scholarship program and other opportunities that 1DF provides can inspire other to also take a similar leap of faith in STEAM fields.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

I surround myself with supportive friends and family! The passion they have for their respective fields inspires me to continue working towards my goals.

How will funding from the 1,000 Dreams Fund and HARMAN help you reach your goals?

The funding will help me expand my network and pursue additional opportunities in biomedical engineering. Additionally, it will allow me to engage with clinically based engineering projects in the spring.