What is your academic focus?
My research covers two main areas. One broad area is formal verification, where the goal is to prove that software behaves the way it is supposed to. In this direction, I have recently been exploring ways of using AI to help develop proofs about software. Human-centered design of software engineering tools is my other big area of research. The goal here is to design tools for programmers that take into account the broad set of programmer needs. In this direction, we recently ran a study looking at how professional software engineers use modern AI agents in their development processes, allowing us to understand what works and what doesn’t.
Why Cornell Bowers?
Computing and data are pillars of our modern world, affecting every aspect of our daily lives. Work, communication, health, entertainment – not a single aspect of our routine is untouched by computing devices. I believe that safely, ethically, and efficiently unlocking the full potential of computers, software, and the data they process, is one of the central intellectual endeavors of our time.
Bowers is a special place. It has a long tradition of academic excellence, collaborative impact, interdisciplinary research, and pursuit of knowledge. In addition, Bowers has always been unique as a leader both in technology innovations and in evaluating the impact of technology on society. Not only does this approach provide the broadest impact, but it matches the values in my own research. It is a privilege and honor to listen, plan, enable, and cheer on a constructive, impactful, and inspiring future for Cornell Bowers.
What are you most looking forward to as a dean and Bowers faculty member?
Cornell Bowers and Cornell University are wonderful because of the people – students, staff, faculty and alumni. I am most excited about engaging and collaborating with everyone, within Bowers and in other colleges. There are more exciting things to learn and do than there is time in the day, and I look forward to making a dent in all of the exciting possibilities around connecting computing and AI to all of Cornell.
What past professional work are you most proud of and why?
I am most proud of the work that I have done with students, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. As educators, the biggest impact we have is on the lives of our students. Ultimately, it is our responsibility to provide our students with the best possible preparation, not just for the next five years, but for the next 20-40 years of their career. Education, whether an undergraduate, master's, or Ph.D. degree, is a transformative experience that shapes the future path of our students and helps them achieve their goals and aspirations. I have graduated more than 20 Ph.D. students, and taught more than 6,000 students in my classroom. Seeing students succeed and become the next generation of software developers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and leaders, is rewarding beyond words.