Tara Astigarraga, a Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma member, is a solution Architect/Developer at IBM Watson Research working to make STEM more inclusive for Native Americans. She found success in STEM after earning an internship with IBM Systems Group during her senior year of college. She was offered a full-time job at IBM Tucson when she graduated with her double major in Spanish linguistics and communications.
Pushed out of her comfort zone, Tara realized her mindset held her back from her true potential. In 2008, she received her first patent for “end-of-life prediction for flash memory.” Today, Astigarraga owns 81 patents. Tara continues to increase higher education and Native American participation in STEM careers.
Learn more at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.