Hello, me? It’s you.

A researcher at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is currently developing an app for science, technology, engineering and math students that uses machine learning to deliver messages that can help them succeed in their courses and graduate. Called “Messages from a Future You,” the app generates an avatar of a future version of the student based on a photograph. Drawing on the academic and demographic data of 300 past STEM students, the app’s avatar intervenes when it seems like the student could benefit from advice. Mohammad Hasan, an assistant professor of data and AI who’s working on the app, said academic success is connected to a wide range of factors, including family background, socioeconomic status and interactions with peers and instructors. Funded by a $600,000 National Science Foundation grant, the app is hoped to help grow the pipeline of students who will enter scientific fields.