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[2026 Ambassador Application] Valentina Lazaro #472

Description

@ValexLaz

Application Type

Self-nomination

Your Name

No response

Your Email

valf9275@gmail.com

Please confirm the following:

  • The nominee is 18 years of age or older.
  • The nominee agrees to follow the PyTorch Foundation Code of Conduct.
  • The nominee agrees to comply with the Linux Foundation Antitrust Policy.
  • The nominee has active involvement in PyTorch Foundation projects or communities.
  • I confirm that this nominee has not already been submitted for the 2026 Ambassador cycle.

Nominee Full Name

Telassim Tammy Valentina Lazaro Quispe

Affiliation / Organization

Aspire Institute

Nominee Email

valf9275@gmail.com

Current Location

Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Years of Community Involvement

1–2 years

Which platforms or profiles would you like to share?

  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • LinkedIn
  • X / Twitter
  • Personal Website / Portfolio
  • Other

GitHub Profile

https://github.com/ValexLaz

GitLab Profile

No response

LinkedIn Profile

https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentina-lazaro/

X / Twitter Profile

No response

Personal Website / Portfolio

No response

If 'Other' was selected, please specify

No response

Which PyTorch Foundation projects is the nominee familiar with?

  • PyTorch
  • vLLM
  • DeepSpeed
  • Ray
  • Helion
  • Safetensors
  • Other

If 'Other' was selected, please specify the project name

No response

How has the nominee contributed to the community?

  • Open source contributions
  • Technical content creation
  • Community leadership
  • Events or workshops
  • Research or academic work
  • Mentorship
  • University or student outreach
  • Translation or localization efforts
  • Other

If 'Other' was selected, please specify

No response

Please describe the nominee’s contributions to PyTorch Foundation projects and communities

My contributions to the PyTorch ecosystem focus on the application, dissemination, and community engagement of AI technologies built on the PyTorch stack, particularly in educational and social impact contexts.
As an undergraduate researcher in Computer Systems Engineering, I developed a project titled “Intelligent System for Early Detection of Depression Risk in University Students.” The project integrates Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques using pre-trained transformer models from the Hugging Face ecosystem, which rely on PyTorch as a primary deep learning framework. The system combines rule-based clinical assessment with sentiment analysis of student responses to support early identification of mental health risk factors in a university environment.
Beyond the technical implementation, I have actively shared knowledge about applied AI and responsible technology use through community leadership and educational initiatives. I serve as a community leader and have organized outreach activities that connect students and young professionals with opportunities in technology, artificial intelligence, and research.
One of the most significant recognitions of this work is my selection as a speaker at PyCon US 2026, where I presented the findings, methodology, and social impact of the depression risk detection project. Through this presentation, I demonstrated how PyTorch-based NLP tools can be leveraged to address real-world challenges in mental health, particularly in underrepresented regions and educational institutions.

My broader community contributions include:

• Organizing and supporting technology and leadership events for students and early-career professionals.
• Promoting responsible and ethical applications of artificial intelligence for social impact.
• Encouraging participation in open-source technologies and the Python ecosystem across Bolivia and Latin America.
• Supporting educational initiatives that increase access to knowledge for students with limited opportunities.

Supporting links:
• PyCon US 2026 Speaker Profile / Talk Page: https://us.pycon.org/2026/schedule/presentation/18/
• LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentina-lazaro/

Why does the nominee want to become a PyTorch Foundation Ambassador?

I want to become a PyTorch Foundation Ambassador because I believe that artificial intelligence should be accessible, understandable, and impactful for communities everywhere, including regions that are often underrepresented in the global technology ecosystem.
As a Systems Engineering student from Bolivia, I have experienced firsthand how access to technology, mentorship, and global communities can transform opportunities for students and young professionals. Through my academic research, leadership roles, and community initiatives, I have worked to connect people with opportunities to learn, build, and apply technology to real-world challenges.
My interest in PyTorch goes beyond using it as a technical tool. I see PyTorch as one of the most important enablers of innovation in artificial intelligence, powering research, education, and practical solutions across the world. Through my work on an intelligent system for the early detection of depression risk in university students, I have explored how AI technologies can be applied to address meaningful social and health-related problems. This experience reinforced my belief that AI should be developed responsibly and used to improve people's lives.
Being selected as a speaker at PyCon US 2026 has further strengthened my commitment to sharing knowledge and making advanced technologies more approachable to broader audiences. I want to use the Ambassador role to amplify that impact by helping students, researchers, educators, and developers discover how PyTorch can support their own ideas and projects.

As a PyTorch Foundation Ambassador, I hope to:

• Promote AI education and awareness in Bolivia and Latin America.
• Organize talks, workshops, and community activities focused on practical applications of PyTorch.
• Support students and newcomers who are taking their first steps in machine learning and deep learning.
• Encourage ethical, responsible, and socially beneficial uses of artificial intelligence.
• Build stronger connections between local communities and the global PyTorch ecosystem.

My long-term goal is to help create a more inclusive AI community where talented individuals, regardless of geography or background, have access to the knowledge, tools, and networks needed to contribute and innovate. Becoming a PyTorch Foundation Ambassador would allow me to further that mission while giving back to the community that has inspired my own growth.

How would this nominee contribute as a PyTorch Foundation Ambassador?

As a PyTorch Foundation Ambassador, I would focus on expanding access to AI education, strengthening local communities, and helping more students and early-career professionals engage with the PyTorch ecosystem.

My contribution would be centered on four key areas:

Community Building and Events: I plan to organize and support workshops, talks, study groups, and community events that introduce participants to PyTorch and its applications in machine learning, deep learning, and AI for social impact. Through my involvement in technology and leadership communities, I have experience bringing together students, researchers, and professionals around educational initiatives and collaborative learning opportunities.

Educational Outreach: One of my priorities would be creating accessible learning opportunities for people who may have limited exposure to AI technologies. I would develop beginner-friendly sessions, practical demonstrations, and educational content that help students understand not only how to use PyTorch, but also how to apply it to solve real-world problems.

Mentorship and Student Engagement: As a student leader and researcher, I enjoy supporting peers who are starting their journey in technology and research. As an Ambassador, I would mentor students interested in AI, guide them toward learning resources, encourage participation in open-source communities, and help them build confidence in contributing to technical projects.

Technical Advocacy and Responsible AI: My academic work has shown me the importance of applying technology responsibly. I would advocate for ethical and socially beneficial uses of AI while showcasing how PyTorch can be used to develop solutions that address challenges in healthcare, education, and community well-being.

In addition, I would leverage opportunities such as conference presentations, community partnerships, and educational initiatives to increase awareness of PyTorch Foundation projects and encourage broader participation from underrepresented regions, particularly in Bolivia and Latin America.

My goal is not only to help people learn PyTorch, but also to inspire them to use it as a tool for innovation, research, and positive social impact.

Ambassador Focus Areas

  • Community Building
  • Technical Education
  • Open Source Contributions
  • Research & Academia
  • Developer Advocacy
  • Mentorship
  • Events & Workshops
  • Content Creation
  • Regional Community Growth
  • Other

If 'Other' was selected, please specify

No response

Primary Community Region

Latin America

If 'Other' was selected, please specify

No response

Primary Country During Ambassador Term

Bolivia

Additional Information (Optional)

No response

Activity

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