Hello reader! My name is Thanhthanh (you can also call me Noel), and I’m a Computer Science major at Caltech with a focus in Machine Learning. Alongside this, I’m also pursuing an ESE (Environmental Science and Engineering) minor! I come from Oakland, CA, which I can say is pretty different from being in Pasadena, even if I’m still in the same state. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the local Pasadena area and going into Los Angeles, but true to my CS major self, I also quite enjoy staying in. Usually, this is to game with my friends on a chill Friday evening or join the many various other on-campus events (as you can see in my pictures below!). I hope that you’ll enjoy reading my posts on the many different aspects of being a student here at Caltech!
As a CS major, I get the opportunity to learn about the theory behind how computer systems work and apply what I learn across the many classes that I take. My focus in ML means that I get to take a deep dive on the algorithms powering learning systems used in the real world! Outside of the classroom, I get to use that knowledge to work on different problems across different disciplines—and after taking an amazing class in ESE, I have decided to apply my CS knowledge towards problems in climate and atmospheric science. My 2024 SURF at Stony Brook University is my first official interdisciplinary foray into the exciting (and acronym-filled) world of CS and Atmospheric Science!
Outside of academics, I’m a member of Dabney House’s ExComm (Executive Committee, kind of like a house’s student government) as its Steward. Sometimes it’s mundane, like asking fellow residents to do their dishes. Sometimes, I wake up to 5 pings within 10 minutes telling me about an ant infestation! I take all these challenges in stride, making sure that my community of creative, meme-y Darbs are safe and clean. And when I’m not trying to get the house’s Roomba to work (it’s not even a Roomba 🙁 we just call it a Roomba and it stuck), I tinker with technology by updating various game launchers to play video games with my friends. I’ve played Bloons TD 6 at an interhouse party, League in the lounge… the list goes on. I also update my free TAP card every term to go on adventures via the bus and metro to different parts of LA and spend the day exploring and chilling! My favorite place in LA is Little Tokyo—so many great restaurants, stores, and things to do.
As you can see, there’s so much going on at Caltech, both inside and outside of the classroom, and even outside of Caltech! I hope you’ll follow along for the ride.
