Itzel Olivos Castillo Email & Phone Number

I'm a PhD candidate at Rice University (Computer Science department). My journey has been an exciting exploration of stochastic control, reinforcement learning, and computational neuroscience. By melding ideas from these disciplines, I develop brain-inspired methods to tackle complex sequential decision-making problems under resource constraints. In today's world, where artificial intelligence permeates our daily lives, developing algorithms aware of the cost of thinking is crucial to ensure the carbon footprint of AI doesn't compromise our planet's health. Along the way, I've been fortunate to receive prestigious awards like the Estado de México Prize and the Fulbright-García Robles Scholarship, which further fuel my commitment to advancing AI with sustainability in mind. I'm currently open to internship opportunities where I can collaborate with passionate engineers and scientists to develop resource-efficient algorithms that empower autonomous agents (such as robots, neural prostheses, and AI-based investing assistants) to thrive in real-world environments.Besides researching, prototyping, and coding, I enjoy sharing the wonders of science with diverse audiences. Whether it's through compelling visualizations, engaging conference presentations, or fun, non-technical blogs, I love sharing knowledge in accessible ways. Curious to learn more? Swing by my website anytime https://itzelolivos.github.io or shoot me a message at itzel@rice.edu