Mélissa Colin

I am currently a computer and artificial intelligence engineering student at ENSEIRB-MATMECA in Bordeaux, following the engineer-doctor pathway with a clear ambition to pursue AI research.

An Unconventional Journey Driven by Passion

My passion for computing began very early. At 12 years old, I discovered Scratch; at 13, I taught myself Python; and by 15, I enrolled in a technical high school. I quickly realized that what fascinated me most was algorithms, more than web development or game creation. I experimented for a while—robotics, development, Arduino projects—before finding a true calling in artificial intelligence.

That spark came during an AI internship at Cali Intelligences, a startup specializing in computer vision and AI. It was a revelation. I then threw myself wholeheartedly into AI studies, determined to actively contribute to its advancement, especially through designing and refining deep learning model architectures.

A Determination to Pivot and Excel

Originally enrolled in a practice-oriented program, I made the bold decision to transition to academia to strengthen my theoretical foundation in mathematics and algorithms. I joined ENSEIRB-MATMECA, renowned for its academic rigor and its computer science track, despite numerous doubts surrounding my application. My determination paid off: I was admitted on merit, proving that motivation and self-learning can stand shoulder to shoulder with the most traditional paths.