Thomas Unise
Julianna Schneider, a senior at MIT double-majoring in artificial intelligence and decision-making and mathematics, exemplifies how technology can be harnessed to address community challenges. Her work spans from robotics research to developing innovative applications like NerdXing, all guided by a clear mission: finding technological solutions to real-world problems.
NerdXing: Democratizing Course Knowledge
As part of MIT’s Schwarzman College of Computing Undergraduate Advisory Group, Schneider helped create NerdXing, a tool that allows students to search for classes and discover what courses others have subsequently taken. This application aims to help students navigate MIT’s complex curriculum and discover interdisciplinary pathways they might not have considered otherwise.
“I hope that NerdXing will democratize course knowledge for everyone,” Schneider explains. “I hope that for anyone who’s a freshman and maybe hasn’t picked their major yet, that they can go to NerdXing and start with a class that they would maybe never consider — and then discover that, ‘Oh wait, this is perfect for this really particular thing I want to study.'”
From Piano to Robotics
Schneider’s journey began in Albania, where she was first a classical pianist before discovering robotics at age 13. She found surprising connections between the two disciplines, noting that both required precise motor skills and consistent execution. Her early passion led her to join and eventually lead her high school’s robotics team, winning 14 regional and national awards.
VoluntYOU: Technology for Social Impact
At just 16, Schneider demonstrated her problem-solving mindset by creating VoluntYOU, an app connecting English-speaking volunteers from her international school to local Albanian charities. The platform has since expanded globally with 18 ambassadors across four continents, supporting initiatives from food distribution in Nevada to Covid-19 vaccine administration in Italy.
“When I enter a new community and I can immediately be like, ‘Oh wait, if we had this tool, that would be so cool and that would help all these people,’ I think that’s just a derivative of having grown up in a place where you hear about everyone’s super different life experiences,” she reflects.
Advancing Robotics Research
At MIT’s Biomimetic Robotics Laboratory under Professor Sangbae Kim, Schneider works on controllers for robots, including the back-flipping mini cheetah. Her research focuses on creating hybrid-learning and model-based controllers suitable for robots with limited computing capacity, making them accessible in regions with less technological infrastructure.
She envisions practical applications that could make a difference globally: “It’s not just doing technology for technology’s sake, but because it will bridge out into the world and make a positive difference. I think legged robotics have some of the best potential to actually be a robotic partner to human beings in the scenarios that are most high-stakes.”
This process of finding a problem in my community and then finding the right technology to solve that — that sort of approach and that framework is what guides all the things I do.
— Julianna Schneider, MIT Senior
Balancing Technology and Arts
Beyond her technical pursuits, Schneider maintains her artistic roots by participating in MIT’s social dancing scene, particularly enjoying country line dancing events. This balance between technology and arts reflects her holistic approach to problem-solving and community engagement.
Future Vision
Looking ahead, Schneider aims to further develop robotic capabilities with real-world applications, such as enabling remote surgery in underserved areas. Her consistent focus remains on leveraging technology to address meaningful challenges and improve lives across diverse communities worldwide.
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