Detecting Bias in Autonomous Systems
Meet our Team
Dr. Steve Sin
Team Mentor
Dr. Steve S. Sin, is an Assistant Research Scientist and Director of the Unconventional Weapons and Technology Division (UWT) of the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), University of Maryland, where he develops, leads, and manages research projects spanning across a broad range of national and homeland security issue areas. His expertise includes adversary human-social behavior modeling; influence operations; emerging technology; radiological and nuclear (RN) terrorism; and Northeast Asia regional security. His expertise in Northeast Asia regional security is focused on North Korea, including its nuclear program; cyber capabilities; intelligence apparatus; and regime survival.
Prior to joining START, Dr. Sin was the Senior Research Associate and Section Chief at the National Center for Security & Preparedness (NCSP) at the State University of New York at Albany, a strategic partner with the New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services (DHSES). Dr. Sin’s extensive experience also includes a career as a U.S. Army Officer.
Ms. Katherine Dohe
Team Librarian
Ms. Dohe is the Manager of the Digital Programs and Initiatives department, in the Digital Systems and Stewardship division at the Libraries. In that role, her team oversees day-to-day activities related to digital repository management, digital preservation activities, research data services, and electronic publishing. Essentially, if you need to archive, preserve, or create “digital stuff,” she's who you talk to. She has a MLISc. from the University of Hawai’i (really), and a BSEd. in Speech & Theater (really!) from Missouri State University, and her research interests incorporate her performance and education background into her librarianship.
Rachel Antony
she/her
Social Media Manager
Rachel is a psychology major and business minor. She loves playing soccer and singing with her acapella group on campus, as well as spending time with her family. Rachel is honored to have the role of Social Media coordinator on team DeBIAS and is grateful to be able to do her part in fighting racial and gender bias. Some fun facts about Rachel are that she has family on five continents and she doesn’t like ice cream!
Benjamin Bral
Human Resources
Benjy is a finance major at the University of Maryland from Passaic, NJ. He loves playing soccer and basketball, and is passionate about getting into venture capital. Benjy is the financial liaison of Team DeBIAS, and finds his role in "de-biasing" Artificial Intelligence to be incredibly meaningful. When he is not researching the "next big startup," you can often find Benjy hanging out with friends at the University of Maryland Hillel.
Seth Gleason
Financial Liaison
Seth is a computer science major from South Brunswick, New Jersey. Due to his interests, he is part of the technical/computer science sub team. He is very interested in artificial intelligence because of its incredible potential to solve many problems in almost every industry. By helping to diminish some of the bias present in AI, he hopes to limit the negative side effects of this rapidly developing field.
Joanna Ihm
she/her
Team Liaison
Joanna is a double major in business and information science with a specialization in data science. She chose team DeBIAS because she is interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning and how they mold into the business world. She is the team & mentor liaison, facilitating communication with the Gemstone faculty and those within the team. Her interests include playing volleyball, looking for good places to eat on Yelp, and snowboarding. Fun fact: she started her own shoe customization business during the pandemic.
Aarushi Malhotra
she/her
Human Resources
Aarushi is a Public Health Sciences Major on a Pre-Medical track at UMD. She chose Team DeBias because she was interested in studying social disparities and how to prevent them in technology as society becomes increasingly dependent on AI. On campus she is also a tour guide with MD Images and a volunteer at the Help Center! Fun fact: her favorite tv show is Friends
Philip Mathew
he/him
Library Liaison
Phil is a computer science and applied mathematics double major from Clarksville, MD. Outside of UMD, Phil is an intern with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where he works in researching artificial intelligence. Aside from academics, Phil enjoys spending his time practicing guitar or playing some video games. As a part of team DeBIAS, Phil hopes to gain more knowledge about how bias affects AI, and what measures can be taken to curb it adverse effects.
Soham Nagaokar
he/him
Web Liaison
Soham Nagaokar is pursuing a Computer Science major and Statistics minor, with a specialization in Data Science. He chose this team because he was interested in learning about artificial intelligence and how its lack of protection against bias can lead to errors in the decision-making process. As the Web Liaison, he is in charge of making, designing, and updating the team's website. When not writing code, he is often volunteering for local organizations, such as FEED UMD, to give back to the community, and plays video games with his friends to unwind.
Johnny Rajala
he/him
Assignment Coordinator
Johnny Rajala is an applied math/computer science double major. He is on team DeBIAS to use what he has learned to promote positive social change. Currently, he is researching the state of AI hiring systems and the solutions to their problems. Outside of meetings, he works as a grader for 6-12 grade math learners. In addition, he enjoys playing board games with friends in his spare time.
Kyle Truong
Team Clerk
Kyle is a Computer Engineering major in the A. James Clark School of Engineering. Originally from New Jersey, he moved to Maryland and graduated from Aberdeen High School's Science and Mathematics Academy. Kyle chose to join team DeBias because he is interested in working with and learning more about artificial intelligence. He hopes to contribute to the more technical computer science aspects of the project. As the team clerk, Kyle also takes notes at meetings and helps to organize team files. Outside of his team and academic responsibilities, Kyle enjoys playing tennis and is a part of UMD club tennis.
Daniel Zhu
Project Manager
I'm a Math and Computer Science double major at the University of Maryland College Park. I joined this team since it combined the technical aspects of Artificial Intelligence and the philosophical side of ethics, which makes it very interesting since I get to learn about the multiple aspects of AI programming. Outside of obligatory learning, I enjoy playing badminton and reading. I also like to make puns.
