Supporting the Next Generation of Women in STEM

Kitware is proud to support Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region and their mission to introduce young women to careers in STEM. This summer, Girls Inc. participants Kaydence Yeong and Simra Ali joined our team, gaining hands-on experience with open source software, medical image analysis, and artificial intelligence while working alongside experienced engineers.

Learning Through Exploration

Research rarely begins with knowing the answer. Instead, it begins with curiosity, experimentation, and a willingness to try different approaches. That philosophy shaped Kaydence and Simra’s internship from the very beginning.

“One of my favorite parts of the internship was having the freedom to explore. Instead of being told exactly what to do, I was given the opportunity to learn by trying different open source technologies.”

Kaydence Yeong

During the internship, Kaydence compared three image segmentation methods in 3D Slicer, while Simra developed a Python script to perform segmentation. Their work introduced them to medical imaging, open source software, and AI-assisted workflows

“I liked that my project reflected what I was interested in learning. It kept me engaged and helped me build confidence in my technical skills.”

Simra Ali

Both students offered similar advice to future participants: explore different areas before deciding what interests you most.

The Value of Mentorship

Throughout the summer, Kaydence and Simra were mentored by Bob O’Bara and Sankhesh Jhaveri, who guided their projects while encouraging independent thinking and problem-solving.

Reflecting on the experience, Sankhesh said:

“It was a pleasure mentoring these high school students through the Girls Inc. program. It was rewarding to see them take on practical challenges and produce meaningful results.”

Bob also reflected on the students’ growth throughout the internship:

“Kaydence and Simra were both great to work with. They posed insightful questions and demonstrated the ability to work independently. We wish them all the best in their continuing education.”

Investing in the Future

Kaydence and Simra’s experiences demonstrate the impact that mentorship and hands-on learning can have on students exploring STEM.

By supporting organizations like Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region, Kitware is proud to help create opportunities for young women to gain practical experience and take the next step in their educational journeys.

You don’t have to be a member of Girls Inc. to intern at Kitware! We accept internship applications annually. Visit our Careers page to learn more.