“I took a class at IYA with the simple intention of incorporating more creativity into my life. I was shocked. The dichotomy between STEM and art was beautifully dissolved, and an environment of collaboration was fostered. It was easy to see that this was the path for me,” Breeze Pickford reveals. 

As a transfer within USC who set out on a Computer Engineering track, Pickford and her journey to IYA started with curiosity and resulted in a new academic chapter. As she prepares for the school year ahead, she’s eager to learn from professors and fellow students she admires. 

Pickford is a nature lover who’s passionate about marine species conservation and global human rights issues. She even conducted research at Viterbi that used machine learning techniques to explore the implications of renewable energy sources on the optimal schedule of the power grid. Life’s a literal breeze for Pickford, a self-proclaimed sunscreen-connoisseur and thalassophile (that’s someone who can’t get enough of the sea). It’s clear that the sand, sun, and beach are in this student’s blood. Find out more about Pickford’s unique interests and achievements below. 

Tell us a little bit about your journey to IYA. What were you looking for in an undergraduate program?

Recently, I embarked on a somewhat unconventional trajectory: I transferred to IYA. But let me tell you my journey to the Academy from the beginning. Growing up, mathematics and science were my niche. While I also endeavored in creative pursuits in my free time, I ultimately began my education at USC on the Computer Engineering track. I loved it! I was able to excel in a challenging and exciting environment. I even found related research opportunities outside of school. But I couldn't ignore the pang in my heart that craved a more interdisciplinary approach. So, I took a class at IYA with the simple intention of incorporating more creativity into my life. I was shocked. The dichotomy between STEM and Art was beautifully dissolved, and an environment of collaboration was fostered. It was easy to see that this was the path for me.

What are you most looking forward to at IYA?

I am excited to learn from people I admire. It is such a privilege to get to speak with these professors and other students who will undoubtedly teach me things that I can’t even imagine yet.

What are three goals you want to accomplish during your time at IYA and/or USC?

Let’s say you were miraculously provided $1,000,000 in seed funding tomorrow. What would you create?

I would create a company to revolutionize conservation efforts for marine species. I have worked with the non-profit Malama Na Honu for six years now, which focuses on protecting Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. My hands-on experience has taught me that a significant issue preventing effective conservation is limited and inaccurate data collection methods. Through research, I found that this issue is applicable across the board of species conservation. In other words, it’s an area in desperate need of innovation. I’d like to use machine learning to perform automated recognition of specific turtle individuals using an app, much like the face-id technology on your phone. This has the potential to put valuable data collection tools in the hands of the public and provide fun educational information that keeps both the user and the animal safe. 

What is your proudest achievement to date?

Through my work with the human rights group Amnesty International, I have been able to provide a lifetime of clean drinking water to five people, created an initiative that sent 40 letters to human rights abuse victims in 12 different countries, interviewed elected political representatives, and led several visual-art-for-change projects. While 5 people and 40 letters may seem small in comparison to the millions of people without access to clean drinking water and suffering injustices, I truly believe that it is through many small collective actions that we can tackle global-scale issues. 

Describe one thing most people don’t know about you.

I have worked on a research study with Viterbi that uses machine learning techniques to explore the implications of renewable energy sources on the optimal schedule of the power grid. Through this work, I have had the chance to collaborate with experts from both Sandia National Labs and NASA! It’s been one of my biggest learning experiences to date.

What is one thing a significant person in your life taught you that you’d like to share?

“Get some sun!” When I’m frazzled, this is usually the first piece of my mom’s advice. That warm golden feeling on your skin just melts away the stress. 

Reader, Sunscreen-Connoisseur, Thalassophile.

 What is one skill/thing that you learned during the COVID-19 pandemic?

I picked up windsurfing! One of my best friends Danicka Sailer taught me. Since then, I’ve also added kiting to my wind-sports repertoire and I sail with USC! 

 What is your favorite app/website and why?

Minecraft PE. I had so much fun with my friends playing this growing up. It teaches creativity, spatial thinking, cause and effect, etc. I remember all the way back when the roses were blue.

If you could be any kitchen appliance, what would you be and why?

Large Pot. My mom cooks everything in a massive metal pot. It's diverse, adaptable, and probably the only thing homemade pasta sauce, lime jello, and chicken dumpling soup have in common.

What do you like to do/watch/read during your downtime?

I spend as much time reading or in nature as possible. 

The novel “The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness” introduced me to Sy Montgomery. Since then, it's become my favorite book. Montgomery, an environmentalist, inspires me by using her incredible literary works to educate and change attitudes toward our natural world.

What do you consider the most impactful invention in history and why?

The boat. Human-kind traversing unknown oceans is an incredible feat of bravery, community, and engineering in the pursuit of knowledge.

What would the title of your autobiography be?

As a USC transfer who set out on a Computer Engineering track, Pickford and her journey to IYA started with curiosity and resulted in a new academic chapter. As she prepares for the school year ahead, she’s eager to learn from professors and fellow students.

Fresh Encounters: Breeze Pickford