Farnoosh Koleini

I chose UNC Charlotte because I wanted a university that provides both strong academic and practical exposure. What attracted me most was the opportunity to study in a various environments and gain skills that are closely connected to industry needs. I believe UNC Charlotte will help me grow academically, professionally and personally. It is the right place for me to prepare for my future career.

A UNC Charlotte graduate degree prepares me for my future by strengthening my research skills, deepening my technical knowledge and giving me opportunities to work on real-world problems. It will help me build the strong academic foundation, innovative mindset and collaborative experience needed to become a senior research scientist at a top tech company.

One of my earliest PhD projects was BioPose, an AI-based research effort focused on making accurate human motion analysis possible from a single ordinary video. The goal was to reduce reliance on expensive motion-capture labs while still producing biomechanically 3D movement data. This work has strong potential applications in healthcare, rehabilitation and sports, where understanding movement can improve assessment, recovery and performance. Through this project, I strengthened my research, technical and problem-solving skills while contributing to work with clear real-world impact.

I think a new student can make the most of their semester and graduate experience by putting themselves out there from the beginning. Getting to know classmates, connecting with faculty and being open to new opportunities can make graduate school much more meaningful. It is also important to stay organized, ask for help when needed and remember to enjoy the journey instead of focusing only on deadlines and responsibilities. Some of the best parts of graduate school come from the people you meet, the challenges you overcome and the experiences that help you grow along the way.

I found work-life balance by realizing that graduate school is a long journey, not something I could manage by constantly pushing myself. Staying organized, setting clear priorities and allowing myself time to rest helped me stay focused and avoid burnout. I also learned how important it was to make time for the people who matter most to me, especially my husband, family and friends. Those relationships kept me grounded and reminded me that life exists beyond academics. Over time, I came to understand that balance is not about doing everything perfectly every day but about building habits and routines that support both my goals and my well-being.