Qimora Mason
Published:
When I joined SGX3, I knew I’d be doing meaningful work, but I didn’t fully anticipate just how much the experience would change me.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Hayden and Jeaime Powell, I dove into research that pushed me to think more critically and rigorously than I ever had before. The work wasn’t just about running analyses, it was about asking the right questions, interpreting results with care, and understanding the real-world implications behind the numbers. Every project challenged me to go deeper, and having mentors who genuinely invested in my growth made all the difference.
One of the highlights of my time at SGX3 was presenting our project demo at the 2026 ADMI Symposium. Our work, “CLASS AlignED: Bridging the Gap between AI and Policy,” took 2nd place, but the award wasn’t what stayed with me. Walking into that room, I was nervous. Public speaking had always been something I admired in others but quietly dreaded for myself. But standing up there, presenting work I’d genuinely poured myself into, something shifted. The questions from the audience pushed me to defend and articulate my thinking in real time, and I left that stage more confident than I arrived. It’s a moment I’ll carry with me.
Beyond the technical growth, what surprised me most was how much SGX3 felt like a community. The team, and honestly, that word barely covers it, it felt more like a family created an environment where I felt supported enough to take risks and ask questions without fear.
My time at SGX3 has been one of the most formative experiences of my career. I’m deeply grateful to Dr. Hayden, Jeaime Powell, and the entire team for the guidance, opportunities, and belief they offered so generously. This experience has truly shaped who I am as a professional, and I’m just getting started.