New Staff Q&A with Juana Becerra

Welcome to the Division of Ethics, Juanis Becerra. Who are you? 

I am a new Research Associate in the Division, working on AI Ethics.

What are you most excited about in joining the Division of Ethics? 

There is a lot of momentum around AI implementation in clinical and healthcare settings. In many ways, this opens up a lot of opportunities to innovate and improve care, but there are also concerns. I believe thinking carefully about the ethical and social dimensions of AI use in this space will help us prioritize interventions that ensure the benefits are for everyone. The Division of Ethics is positioned to make a positive difference in this regard, so I am very excited to join the team and help advance this work! 

What led you to this position, what was your academic/career trajectory? 

I have always been somewhat interdisciplinary, drawn to both the humanities and technical fields. It all started during my time as an undergraduate student. My declared major was Physics, but I kept frustrating my professors by including historical details in my technical assignments and write-ups. I was fortunate to meet some really great mentors who encouraged me to pursue both interests, and I ended up with a double BS in Physics and Science, Technology, and Society (STS) from MIT. 

After that, I enrolled in a PhD program in History of Science at Harvard University, where I earned my MA degree in passing before taking some time to explore a wider range of possible career trajectories. For the past few years, I have been doing just that: trying out roles and opportunities in the non-profit and tech industry sectors. A big part of that was my role as Research Scientist at IBM, where I led the development of societal impact assessments on AI technologies and contributed to the creation of multidisciplinary ethical frameworks and participatory approaches to public oversight. 

My new position as Research Associate here in the Division of Ethics is my way back into university settings, only this time with more practical skills and applied knowledge.

What is one bioethical issue or topic that interests you? 

The transformation of care that comes with the implementation of algorithmic predictions and chatbot-driven patient interactions is very important to me. It's such a nuanced topic, with access and efficiency incentives on one side, and discrimination and accountability concerns on the other. My historical research specifically focuses on the emergence and use of AI-driven voice biometrics and biomarkers, so this is a topic I think about often. 

Outside of work, what is something you are passionate about?

• I just started getting back into tennis after a ten-year hiatus, and it's super fun and exciting to be playing again and being part of a team. 
• I also picked up rock climbing a few years ago. I love that it is a sport that requires all your focus, so it's the perfect way to actively rest my mind. 
• Other than that, I can always be found reading a novel, watching a tv series, or going to the movies!