Alumnae Interviews
For featured interviews, please visit this page.
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Dr. Yolanda Gil and Dr. Kevin Knight
Dr. Gil: Associate Division Director for Research
Intelligent Systems Division/ISI and Research Associate Prof.
Dr. Knight: Project Leader, ISI/USC
Research Associate Prof.
Department of Computer Science, USC
SCS web team member Renee Rivas, conducted this phone interview with married couple and CSD Alumni, Yolanda Gil and Kevin Knight, who met right here as PhD students in CSD.
For them both Carnegie Mellon has a unique quality... where knowledge is exchanged at such high levels, you learn so much about so many different areas. "And I think Newell and Simon, among others, should be recognized for creating that great atmosphere."
More about Dr. Gil and Dr. Knight... |
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JJ Cadiz
Program Manager
Microsoft
Carnegie Mellon Alumnus and now Program Manager on Bill Gates' technology assistance team at Microsoft.
In an interview conducted via email with the School of Computer Science's Director of Alumni Relations Tina M. Carr, JJ Cadiz (MHI'01) reflects upon his experiences at Carnegie Mellon and his current work as a Program Manager on Bill Gates' technology assistance team at Microsoft.
More about JJ... |
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Philip L. Bronner
Venture Capitalist
Novak Biddle
In this interview from the SCS Alumni department, Phil looks back on his undergraduate life at Carnegie Mellon, gives an insight into his current work and provides valuable advice to SCS students.
More about Philip... |
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Laurie E. Damianos
Lead Artificial Intelligence Engineer
Mitre Corporation
Laurie E. Damianos is a two-time graduate from Carnegie Mellon now Lead Artificial Intelligence Engineer at Mitre Corporation near Boston , MA. After Laurie graduated in 1985 with a degree in the biological sciences, she returned and earned a degree in computer science in 1994.
More about Laurie... |
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Aparna Jaiya
Asset Management Division
Goldman Sachs & Co.
The most important skill that Carnegie Mellon teaches you is
how to solve a problem: imagine starting out with a blank sheet of paper
and no instructions on how to go about approaching the problem but after a
few hours of perseverance ending up with an elegant and efficient
solution.
More about Aparna... |
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Tiffany Chang
Financial Technology Associates Program (FTAP)
Citadel Investment Group, L.L.
Going into my first job, I had the confidence and background to know that I'd be able to
learn whatever I need to know quickly. I also knew that I had the exposure to enough
different technologies that even things I'd never seen before would be similar to something I
did know.
More about Tiffany... |
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Caroline Hayes
Professor
College of Science and Engineering
University of Minnesota
During the summer before I started as an undergraduate, I wavered between University of Michigan and Carnegie Mellon University. As an
entering freshman, I had intended to be a biology major, and to pursue a career as a researcher in cell biology. I was attracted to
these two schools because both were technically excellent in science and engineering. I had no thoughts of a career in computer
science at that time, so the reputations of the computer science departments never entered into my initial decision.
More about Caroline... |
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Meenakshi Delory
Technical Project Manager
Merrill Lynch
New York
I applied to Carnegie Mellon because of its outstanding academic reputation and felt that I would receive a higher quality education at this institution. I also thought that graduating from CMU would be an accomplishment in itself (definitely true!), and that my ties to CMU will prove to be beneficial in job hunting, graduate school applications, and many other of my future endeavors.
More about Meenakshi...
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Ting-Chih Shih
Ironically, I didn't even know about Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) until my senior
year in high school when I overheard some guy in my Physics class who
wanted to apply for CMU's computer science program. Then I found out that
CMU has the best computer science program in the country. I would have
never gotten interested in computer science if it weren't for my high
school teacher who gave a moving speech about how computer science can be
used and the importance of getting more females interested in the
subject. Her speech inspired me to sign up for Computer Science I in
Pascal. I did well in the class and liked programming for what it can
do. I love teaching, so at that time, I thought I could write educational
software programs for children.
More about Ting...
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Lydia Choy
I do research with Stage 3, which concentrates on 3-D
interaction and virtual worlds. It is exciting work, and I have the opportunity
to collaborate with the smartest and nicest people on campus. I have been
involved with the Alice project since my junior
year. I have
found that my experience provides a good foundation for further interests.
More about Lydia...
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Lisa Nelson
During my first year at CMU, I was embarassed to tell guys my major because
they might think I got in because of my gender. I went to see the Freshman
Advisor for Computer Science, Jim
Roberts, and said, "If I am in here because I am a girl then I don't
want to be here. Please tell me why I am here!" Jim explained to me
the admission criteria used by the University and CS department to admit
new students and pointed out that gender was not a factor in admittance.
He then said to me, "You are here because you are just as qualified as
any other student in Computer Science, not because you are a girl."
More about Lisa...
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Leah Miller
Upon arriving at CMU, I found that I really appreciated the diversity of a campus
that had a good CS program without being strictly technical. CMU excels in many areas
and the students have lots of different talents. The required minor for the CS program
allows exploration of other interests outside of the CS department. I liked the availability
of interdisciplinary courses and research projects with other departments.
More about Leah...
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Gita Sukthankar
I've been impressed with everyone I've met here. The students work hard and play hard
and the faculty members are available if you have questions about your research.
More about Gita...
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Carla Sereny
Carla graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 1999 with a degree
in Computer Science. Soon afterwards, she took up a position in Russia,
working with the Peace Corps. In this interview, Carla shares her thoughts
about Carnegie Mellon as well as her diverse experiences in Russia.
More about Carla...
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Agata Bugaj
Agata graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004 with a degree
in Computer Science. She is currently working for IBM as a software Engineer.
In this interview, Agata shares her thoughts
about Carnegie Mellon and about being a computer science student in this great university.
More about Agata...
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