As a university student in Serbia who is enthusiastic about mathematics and physics, Ana Trišović found herself captivated by computer science and its practical, solution-oriented methodologies. It was during this time that she stumbled upon MIT OpenCourseWare, a segment of MIT Open Learning, and opted to enroll in a course on Data Analytics utilizing Python in 2012 — an offering her institution did not provide.
This experience was life-changing, states Trišović, who has since become a research scientist at the FutureTech lab within MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.
“That course altered my life,” she shares. “Throughout my journey, I have regarded myself as a Python programmer, and MIT OpenCourseWare made it feasible. I was in my hometown on another continent, absorbing knowledge from MIT’s world-class resources. When I look back on my journey, it’s astonishing.”
As time passed, Trišović’s journey prompted her to delve into an array of OpenCourseWare materials. She remembers that, as someone who speaks English as a second language, some of the content posed challenges. However, due to the assortment of courses and educational prospects offered on OpenCourseWare, she consistently found those that catered to her needs. She urges anyone encountering similar difficulties to stay determined.
“If the first course isn’t suitable for you, attempt another,” she advises. “Demonstrating persistence and investing in your own growth is the most beneficial endeavor a young person can undertake.”
In her native Serbia, Trišović obtained undergraduate degrees in computer science and mechanical engineering before advancing to Cambridge University and CERN, where she contributed to initiatives related to the Large Hadron Collider and finished her PhD in computer science in 2018. She has also conducted research at the University of Chicago and Harvard University.
“I appreciate that computer science enables me to make a difference across various domains, but physics continues to hold a special place in my heart, and I remain continually inspired by it,” she notes.
MIT FutureTech, an interdisciplinary research collective, leverages computer science, economics, and management to pinpoint computing patterns that present risks and opportunities for sustainable economic development. At this institution, Trišović examines the democratization of AI, encompassing the ramifications of open-source AI and its potential effects on science. Her work at MIT allows her to expand upon research she has been conducting since her graduate studies.
“My research centers around computational social science. For many years, I’ve been exploring what is referred to as ‘the science of science’ — probing into matters such as research reproducibility,” Trišović elaborates. “Now, as AI becomes more widespread and introduces new challenges, I’m eager to investigate various subjects — from AI democratization to its impact on the scientific method and the larger scientific community.”
Trišović expresses gratitude that, back in 2012, she chose to pursue something different and engage with an OpenCourseWare course.
“I instantly developed a fondness for Python the moment I completed that course. I have a deep appreciation for OpenCourseWare — it has significantly influenced my career,” she remarks. “Every day at MIT is invigorating. I collaborate with individuals who are eager to discuss AI and other intriguing subjects.”