Hello! I’m Connie, and I work in AI & technology policy at Microsoft AI to understand the impact of consumer AI on society. I’m generally fascinated by how the speed and scale of modern digital technologies can push society out of equilibrium, and how they reflect or transform ethical and societal values.
My background is as an experimental physicist & nanoscientist, but I pivoted into federal science policy when I took a legislative fellowship with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. There, I was also a lead author on the Bipartisan House Task Force Report on Artificial Intelligence. I worked with lawmakers to understand science and technology and the role of the federal government to promote the U.S. innovation ecosystem. See the Science Policy tab for more details.
I completed my PhD in Applied Physics at Stanford University as a NSF Graduate Research Fellow and Stanford Graduate Fellow with a research focus on nanostructured semiconductors. During my PhD, I did a research internship with the AWS Quantum Hardware Team to automate the design of quantum computing processors.
Prior to that, I was a Gates Cambridge Scholar at the University of Cambridge. My MPhil thesis used density functional theory and other computational techniques for materials discovery to investigate new anode materials for higher-density Li-ion batteries. I received my B.S. in physics from Caltech.
I care deeply about technology ethics and diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. I was involved for several years with nano@Stanford’s Societal and Ethical Implications team and Stanford’s Women in Physics group. Since 2023, I have lectured on the weekends for Qubit by Qubit’s Introduction to Quantum Computing course, which teaches high schoolers quantum physics, information science, and Python skills. I think it’s a great way to introduce young students to exciting topics in emerging technology, and I’m proud to have taught over 3,000 students from all around the globe!
In my spare time, I enjoy playing water polo and volleyball and visiting art museums.
Feel free to reach out with any questions or to discuss opportunities or collaborations!