Doctoral student Neha Kumar has been named a recipient of the 2012 Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship.
The scholarship is awarded annually by Google to exceptional female students in computer science, computer engineering, and related technical fields in memory of Dr. Anita Borg (1949–2003). Borg devoted her adult life to dismantling barriers that keep women and minorities from entering computing and technology fields; her combination of technical expertise and fearless vision continues to inspire and motivate countless women to become active participants and leaders in creating technology.
By offering the scholarship in Borg’s memory, Google hopes to encourage women to excel in computing and technology and become active role models and leaders in the field.
Neha Kumar is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the School of Information. Her research focuses on mobile technology adoption among low-income youth in India and the use of mobile phones for media consumption, Internet access, and social networking. Before coming to Berkeley, Kumar completed two master’s degrees at Stanford (in computer science and in learning, design, & technology).
Kumar will receive a $10,000 award for the 2012–2013 academic year. She will also join the other scholarship recipients this summer for the Google Scholars’ Retreat, at the Googleplex in Mountain View.
Kumar is the second Borg scholarship winner from the School of Information; doctoral student Daniela Rosner received the scholarship in 2010.
