Meet Cornell University's YASSINE COULIBALY STEAM Sports Foundation Scholarship Recipient

Personal Profile

Name: Yassine Coulibaly 

College: Cornell University

Hometown: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Aspirational Car: Apollo IE

10-Year Prediction in auto/motorsports: Motorsport will lead production innovation

What You May Not Know About Me:   

I love staying active, running and pilates.

How did you get so interested in the auto/motorsports industry?

I loved watching Formula One every Sunday with my family. I fell in love with the sport through my TV screen and told myself that one day, I wanted to be part of it. What fascinated me most wasn’t the drivers or the speed, it was how a team of engineers could work together to design and build something so powerful and precise. 

What automotive aspect interests you the most?

What interests me most about the automotive industry is the intersection of mechanical design and performance. I'm especially drawn to vehicle dynamics and suspension systems. I enjoy working on components that directly impact handling, safety, and driver experience. 

How do you approach the challenges of being a minority engineering student in what has been traditionally a non-minority career path?

Lewis Hamilton said, “People expect me to fail; therefore, I expect myself to win.” I have so much passion for this field and what I do that people’s opinions on what I should or shouldn’t be doing does not really bother me. I really try to focus on my tasks, give it my all and let the outcomes speak for themselves. 

What would you like your first job/career opportunity to be?

I would love to work in the automotive/motorsport industry with a design focused role, working and learning alongside a team of engineers. 

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

Ten years from now, I see myself still working in the automotive industry, having gained experience across several departments. I hope to have rotated through different roles, whether in design, testing, or manufacturing, so I can continue developing a well-rounded skill set. I want to contribute to innovative vehicles while deepening my technical and leadership abilities.

About STEAM Sports Foundation

Recognizing workforce and economic development as integral parts of corporate growth, STEAM Sports Foundation collaborates with companies, educators, and sports groups to develop initiatives around science, technology, engineering, arts, and math that impact the world of sports & entertainment. 



 The foundation’s primary focus is on scholarships and career summits to help create tomorrow’s vibrant workforce. Its scholarship program in automotive/motorsports engineering for under-represented communities provides opportunities to a transportation industry that is ever-changing via innovation and technology with individuals who traditionally did not consider these career paths simply because they saw few who looked like them in the industry.

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