Spotlighting Pierre Labroche
I am focusing on the research topic of large-scale AI neural networks mapping onto structures of the human brain. For me, decoding the brain’s neural activity serves as a stepping stone for truly understanding the inner workings of the human brain.
June 2026
Growing up, and to this day, Big Hero 6 was my favorite Disney movie. The movie’s protagonist, Hiro, was extremely relatable; he was nerdy, awkward, and had recently lost a family member. Throughout the movie, Hiro showed a strong affinity and passion for designing and building robots, and his dream was to attend a university to study robotics. This dream of his, someone so relatable to me, quickly became mine as well.
This new desire to build robots led me to choose a high school that specialized in robotics. However, when I eventually attended high school, I found that the robotics program there was massively underfunded and left out to dry: old equipment, outdated computers, and no real robotics course left standing. I made it a goal over my four years there to change that. I reached out to get funding and grants to pay for new equipment. I got a teacher who had an interest in robotics and computer science, to become involved. And I taught myself how to code. I wasn’t going to let my dream die just because it was going to be hard to pursue. That passion carried over to Stanford, where I declared CS.
At Stanford, I am focusing on the research topic of large-scale AI neural networks mapping onto structures of the human brain. The research has a lot of implications for further understanding of how brains work internally by studying AI models. For example, sometimes brain imaging techniques for collecting data and recording brain activity require electrodes and invasive incisions into the brain. Being able to alternatively study an AI model allows us to learn about the brain without having to make such intrusions. For me, decoding the brain’s neural activity serves as a stepping stone for truly understanding the inner workings of the human brain.
I applied for the Peer Advisor role because I enjoyed sharing my experience navigating several of the Stanford majors, and especially the CS major, in the hopes that it would lead someone to have an easy time picking and completing their major. The active aspect of course planning really stood out to me because even within tracks, there are so many ways to concentrate on interests. I wanted to help students have a better understanding of the CS major, so they know what being a CS major entails and whether CS or another major is better suited for them. I would suggest that other students apply to the Peer Advisor role if they really enjoy helping others find their way at Stanford. That joy I got from seeing someone I helped succeed is what I loved about this role and why I would always encourage others to apply.
"An effective CS Peer Advisor is approachable, supportive, and a strong communicator."
The Role of a CS Peer Advisor
"The CS Peer Advisor is a coterm student and serves as an accessible point of contact for current CS students and individuals exploring CS as a major. The role is centered on creating a welcoming environment where students can seek guidance from a peer without needing prior preparation or extensive knowledge about CS. The Peer Advisor offers firsthand insight into their academic experiences and can answer questions about courses, CS major tracks, research opportunities, and the CS major declaration process.
An effective CS Peer Advisor is approachable, supportive, and a strong communicator. They should be listening carefully to students’ concerns and provide helpful academic guidance in a respectful and encouraging way. Furthermore, they should be reliable, knowledgeable about department/campus resources, and able to work well with students from various backgrounds. Most importantly, they create a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and seeking support."