Alice Heiman
Currently, I'm an undergraduate student researcher at Stanford University building computer science tools for people and the planet. Specifically, I've done work on chest X-ray analysis and modeling ecosystem services in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Before Stanford, I worked with AI Sweden to develop the first language model for the Nordic languages. Our chatbot (pre-ChatGPT) was displayed to over 40,000 visitors at the "Eternal Life" exhibition at the Liljevalchs art museum in Stockholm.
I am also passionate about bringing the joys of STEM to more people, especially lowering the barriers for young people to get started with AI research. I started teaching programming for the non-profit organization Hello World! at the age of 15, and continue to regularly teach coding. As part of the Swedish National Team in Science, I've represented Sweden in international science competitions and discussed technology on national TV.
You can see my latest work on the Research and Projects pages. See Opportunities for a list of my favorite student opportunities.
Current Research
Last updated: May 3, 2026
I currently research how to use machine learning to better understand remote sensing data. Specifically, I'm interested in how we can use the massive amount of satellite data available to understand forest restoration and crop yields.
The central question I'm exploring is how computer science can actually be useful in human and planetary applications for the end-users affected by these systems. This question thus covers the technical research itself, but also how to connect- and communicate with stakeholders, deploy real-world systems with real-world data, and iterate on the initial solution.
Machine Learning for Remote Sensing
We currently have an overwhelming data stream of satellite data, making it difficult for humans to analyze and parse it all. Can we use machine learning and AI systems to make sense of it all?
The Health-Planet Connection
Human health is dependent on the health of our planet. How can we engage in more sustainable practices (such as more efficient agriculture with higher crop yields) that drive increases in human health?
Lower the Barriers for Young Technologists
Since AI affects all of society, all of society should have a say in its development and deployment. How can we ensure more people can enter the AI field, especially women, so that more voices and scenarios are represented?
Timeline
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Beyond research
A few things that keep me going outside the lab:
Nature
I love spending time outdoors; mostly cycling, bouldering, and hiking. I help lead outdoor trips and love connecting with folks in nature.
Music
I play piano and sometimes trumpet in the Stanford LSJUMB marching band. Disco, bossa nova, and movie music are my favorite genres.
Reading
A mix of science, fiction, and non-fiction. I take notes on some of the books I read. See my bookshelf.
Teaching
I love sharing my passion for CS with others and work to make it accessible to others, especially women.
Get in touch
I'm always happy to chat about research, collaborations, or interesting problems. Best reached by email: hi [at] aliceheiman [dot] xyz