Bernardo Alves Rodrigues 2025 CURE Research Fellow

Sophomore, Computer Science major

Research Mentor: Muhammad A. B. Siddique - Pigman College of Engineering, Computer Science

Supported by the UNITE Research Priority Area

Project Title: "Understanding Decision-Making in AI agents"

How will this summer research fellowship support your research efforts?

“The CURE Fellowship will provide financial resources for both my personal expenses during the summer and necessary research costs. On a personal level, receiving a stipend will allow me to dedicate my entire focus and time to this project. Regarding research expenses, the fellowship will allow me to pay for computational resources, particularly APIs for Large Language Models. These resources are sometimes expensive and can limit the scope of research if funding is not available." 

Why is research important?

“Research is important because it’s how we push the boundaries of what humans know. It’s not just about repeating what’s already been done, it’s about exploring new ideas, asking questions, and finding solutions to a variety of problems."

What advice would you give to other UK students thinking about doing research?

“My biggest advice is to don’t be afraid to just start. You don’t need to have everything figured out or be an expert already, what matters most is your curiosity and willingness to learn. An email reaching out to a professor can open the door to amazing opportunities."