Spring 2023
From the Department Head
It’s amazing to see the academic year coming into view. We are in another exciting year of growth in both Blacksburg and Northern Virginia, as we teach, conduct research, and serve our communities. This semesterly newsletter contains just a recent sample of the many ways in which Computer Science at Virginia Tech impacts lives.
We continue to welcome many new students, faculty, and staff to the department. We are now the largest department, by total enrollment, on campus. Much of the growth is due to steady investment from the state as part of the “Tech Talent Pipeline” initiative. However, some hiring is needed to replace longtime cornerstones such as Dennis Kafura and Dwight Barnette, who retired this year. We will miss these friends and faculty colleagues a great deal, but their legacy is secure, as seen in the department they helped build and especially in the lives of the thousands of students that they helped train.
Thanks as always for your interest in the department. We could not serve in the way a Virginia Tech department should serve without your support.
Cal Ribbens
Department Head
On Tuesday, Nov. 29, nearly 500 sophomore computer science students presented their seminar projects at the Cool Topics showcase. The biannual event is held at the culmination of CS 1944, a course dedicated to introducing students to the study of computer science and potential career paths. Throughout the course, students received guidance on creating resumes, went on mock interviews, and workshopped elevator pitches.
On Tuesday, Nov. 29, nearly 500 sophomore computer science students presented their seminar projects at the Cool Topics showcase. The biannual event is held at the culmination of CS 1944, a course dedicated to introducing students to the study of computer science and potential career paths. Throughout the course, students received guidance on creating resumes, went on mock interviews, and workshopped elevator pitches.
Do you live in the Blacksburg area? Volunteer as a judge for the Virginia Tech Undergraduate Research in Computer Science (VTURCS) symposium on April 25! Contact Patricia-Marie Harley, alumni relations manager, for more information.
Assistant Professor Bimal Viswanath and his colleagues have amassed one of the largest datasets of AI-manipulated media in existence to explore methods of detecting and disarming weaponized media and toxic misinformation campaigns.
Feng has made significant contributions to energy-efficient supercomputing that have heavily influenced trends in green high-performance computing.
The value of completing an internship is well-documented; however, the process of securing an internship might not be as clear. To help clarify the process, we spoke to graduate student Aditya Shah about his internship experiences with the Google Brain research team at their offices in Seattle.
More Computer Science News
- Dawei Zhou receives Cisco Faculty Research Award to help combat destructive insider threats to cybersecurity
- Danfeng 'Daphne' Yao, pioneer and expert in enterprise data security, elevated to IEEE fellow
- CS|Source Career Fair - Spring 2023
- CS@VT celebrates transfer students
- Professor has three papers accepted at prestigious computer architecture conference
- Virginia Tech alumnus recognized in Europe's Forbes 30 under 30 2023 in Technology
Mark your calendar
- 3rd Annual CS Virtual 5K
April 28-30
Registration closes on April 12
- Black Alumni Reunion
April 14-16
Blacksburg, Virginia
Register to attend
- Richmond Engineering Young Alumni Social
Wednesday, April 19 | 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Bottoms Up Pizza
Register today
- D.C. Young Alumni Evening at Nats Park
Friday, April 28 | 7:05 p.m.
Register to attend
Arlington Engineering Young Alumni Social
Wednesday, May 17 | 6-8 p.m.
The Pinemoor, Arlington, VA
Register to attend- Alumni Weekend 2023
June 8-11
Blacksburg, Virginia or Virtually
Register to attend
Virtual Opportunities
- Join the CS alumni community through our Facebook group and LinkedIn group!
- Nominate Alumni: Alumni of the Department of Computer Science are eligible for department and college awards. You're invited to nominate yourself and/or fellow alumni by filling out this form.
Gifts Help Our Students Learn
- To make the most immediate and flexible impact on students, as well as the department's growth and excellence, make a gift to the Computer Science Department Annual Fund.
- The newly created Barbara Ryder Excellence Fund focuses specifically on supporting diversity and inclusion in the Department of Computer Science. Make a gift to the Barbara G. Ryder Fund for Excellence in Computer Science.
- Endowed scholarships help support outstanding undergraduate and graduate students in Computer Science:
- Give to the CS Investment in Excellence fund to support undergraduates in computer science
- Give to the Terry Arthur Scholarship fund to support undergraduates in computer science
- Give to the Dennis G. Kafura Graduate Fellowship fund to support PhD students in CS
- Give to the Richard E. Nance Graduate Fellowship fund to support PhD students in CS
Keep in Touch
We love to hear from our Computer Science alumni! Contact us for more ways to get involved with the department.
To better stay connected with the department, visit our website to find our social media handles, learn about alumni groups to join, and to update your information.