Department of Computer Science
Three Duke Computer Science students received awards from the Computing Research Association (CRA) for Outstanding Undergraduate Research in 2022. Selected as a Runner-up, Norah Xinyu Tan worked on quantum computing/information theory, coding theory, and signal processing with Robert Calderbank and Jianfeng Lu. Awarded an Honorable Mention, Jerry Liu is interested in incorporating domain knowledge into black box deep learning methods, including work in computer vision and NLP with Cynthia Rudin. Also awarded an Honorable… read more about Duke CS Students Win 2022 CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Research Awards »
Duke Computer Science Professor Dr. Nicki Washington is developing a new formula for equality in the tech industry: Disrupting the policies, practices and points of view standing in the way of marginalized computer science students. What if we could use computer science to combat systemic racism? read more about An Algorithm for a Better World »
Duke CS and Physics major Yasa Baig received the prestigious Marshall Scholarship, awarded to exceptional American students to pursue graduate studies in the UK. Duke President Vincent Price said that "This great honor reflects [his] extraordinary contributions here on campus and beyond,” as well as his commitment to service, innovation, and principled leadership. Baig also received the Goldwater Scholarship earlier this year. Congratulations! read more about Yasa Baig Wins 2022 Marshall Scholarship »
Duke Computer Science, ECE, Statistics, and Biostats Professor Cynthia Rudin won the 2022 $1M Squirrel AI Award for Artificial Intelligence for the Benefit of Humanity from the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI). This award recognizes Rudin for her “pioneering scientific work in the area of interpretable and transparent AI systems in real-world deployments, the advocacy for these features in highly sensitive areas such as social justice and medical diagnosis, and serving as a… read more about Cynthia Rudin Wins 2022 $1M AAAI Squirrel AI Award for the Benefit of Humanity »
Dr. Bing Xie, Duke CS PhD '17 (advisor Professor Jeff Chase) was selected by the IEEE Computer Society as a winner of the IEEE-CS Technical Consortium on High Performance Computing (TCHPC) Early Career Researchers Award for Excellence in High Performance Computing (HPC). This award recognizes her outstanding, influential, and potentially long-lasting HPC contributions. An HPC research scientist at Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF) in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Dr. Xie's computer… read more about Duke CS PhD '17 Dr. Bing Zie Wins 2021 IEEE-CS TCHPC Award »
Currently a Google Product Manager working on strategic crisis response for the Office of the CEO, Luke was a member of the Gerrymandering and the Extent of Democracy in America Bass Connections team prior to his graduation from Duke in 2019 with a CS/Neuroscience major. A Duke highlight was that his team had the opportunity to go to the Supreme Court and witness the justices cite the research that his team had dealt with for months, which was extremely rewarding and inspiring. read more about Luke Farrell, '19 CS/ Neuroscience on Working for the Google CEO's Office and Duke's Impact »
Ingrid Daubechies, Duke Distinguished Professor of Math and ECE was recently profiled in the NYT Magazine. Her pioneering study of mathematical structures known as wavelets facilitated the use of data compression in electronic apps like smartphones and MRI machines. She is also renowned as a barrier-breaking role model for successful female mathematicians. Duke CS, ECE, Statistics, and B&B Professor Cynthia Rudin calls her "the deus ex machina adviser" and Daubechies' partner is Duke CS… read more about Ingrid Daubechies: Godmother of the Digital Image and Duke Legend »
Duke recently received 2 large grants totaling almost $12 M from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) as part of its new Impact of Genomic Variation on Function (IGVF) Consortium. Duke Statistical Science, Math, and Computer Science Professor Sayan Mukherjee is among the leaders of the Duke Predictive Modeling Center. One of seven such centers, it recently received a $3.2 M award and will take the raw data generated in the Functional Characterization Centers and transform it into consumable… read more about Sayan Mukherjee is a Duke IGVF Predictive Modeling Center Leader »
Duke CS Assistant Professor Danyang Zhuo received an Amazon Research Award for his "Push-Button Verification of Software Middleboxes" research, which used software verification techniques to ensure the correctness of software middleboxes, such as NATs, firewalls, and load balancers. Zhuo and 25 other recipients from universities in 11 countries met rigorous criteria as to scientific content, creativity, and potential to impact both the research community and society. Award recipients have access to more… read more about Danyang Zhuo Receives Amazon Research Award »
Duke CS, Biochem, and ECE Associate Professor Alberto Bartesaghi's lab recently received a 4-year $1.3M grant from NIH to design computational tools to improve the resolution of cryo-electron tomography and extend its applicability to a wider class of biomedically relevant targets. The researchers' methods will help accelerate biomedical research, providing more opportunities for the development of new medical treatments. Dr. Bartesaghi said, "The new methods will allow, for the first time, the… read more about Bartesaghi Awarded $1.3M NIH Grant Over 4 Years »
Duke CS Professors Nicki Washington and Shani Daily received an NSF Alliance for Identity-Inclusive Computing Education (AIICE) Award @ $10M over 5 years for increasing equity and broadening participation in computing. Specifically, AIICE aims to increase the entry, retention, and course/degree completion rates of high-school and undergraduate students from groups that are historically underrepresented in computing through evidence-based, identity-inclusive interventions. Professor… read more about Nicki Washington and Shani Daily receive $10M NSF Alliance for Identity-Inclusive Computing Education Award »
NSF recently launched a $20M AI Research Institute at Duke, and Duke ECE and Computer Science Professor Yiran Chen is a leader of Athena, the NSF AI Institute for Edge Computing Leveraging Next-generation Networks. Duke’s institute will support a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, engineers, statisticians, legal scholars, and psychologists from 7 universities. The institute aims to transform the design, operation, and service of future mobile systems and networks with AI. read more about The NSF Launches Artificial Intelligence Institute at Duke »
CS+, Data+ and Code+ undergraduate summer research programs will hold an online expo to showcase student projects leveraging big data, computer science, and mobile app and web development on Friday, August 6. More than 150 students total will participate. Join us as we celebrate the efforts and accomplishments of our students! read more about Duke CS+, Data+ and Code+ Summer 2021 Expo »
Duke CS-Public Policy Alumna Swathi Ramprasad was named an Eisenhower Global Scholar for her academic achievement, community involvement, and demonstrated leadership potential. The award provides funding for Ramprasad to attend Oxford University for a master’s degree. Her honors thesis on the demographic biases of bail-setting algorithms was awarded highest distinction, and she's the first Duke student to win this award. Congratulations! read more about Duke CS-Public Policy Alumna Swathi Ramprasad selected as an Eisenhower Global Scholar »
Duke Computer Science, Biochem and ECE associate professor Alberto Bartesaghi's team (cryoem.cs.duke.edu) recently received a $700K grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI). They will develop cryo-EM software based on AI to sort out the shapes of individual proteins within the crowded interior of a cell, enabling knowledge about protein function and their interactions. read more about Alberto Bartesaghi's team receives a $700K grant from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to improve Cryo-EM Images »
Duke Computer Science Professor Ashwin Machanavajjhala and coauthor Daniel Kifer of Penn State University received the 2021 ACM SIGMOD Test-of-Time Award for their "foundational paper on data privacy" entitled No free lunch in data privacy. Seminal ideas from the paper are being used to quantify the privacy ensured by the 2020 Decennial Census to US citizens. Congratulations! read more about Ashwin Machanavajjhala and Dan Kifer Win 2021 ACM SIGMOD Test-of-Time Award »
Duke Math/Comp Sci major Norah Tan recently received a Faculty Scholars Award, Duke faculty's highest honor bestowed on undergrads. It honors students for innovative, independent research and scholarship. Tan's research included working on a project with Duke CS Professor Robert Calderbank to identify an original and elegant research solution to a problem in quantum benchmarking, now documented in a journal-submitted paper. Only two other Duke students received this prestigious award. Congratulations! read more about Math/Computer Science Major Norah Tan Named Faculty Scholar for Outstanding Research »
Duke Computer Science PhD student Hanrui Zhang was recognized as a Finalist in the 2021 Facebook Fellowship Program, which encourages and supports promising doctoral students in research related to computer science and engineering. Of the 2,163 worldwide applicants, only 26 were selected as Facebook fellows, with Finalists among the top 5%. Advised by Professor Vincent Conitzer, Hanrui is a PhD candidate whose research focuses on Economics and Computation. Zhang also won the ESA 2020 best student paper award. read more about Duke CS Grad Student Hanrui Zhang named Facebook Fellowship Finalist »
Celebrate our graduates with us! Enjoy the Sunday May 2 virtual commencement on live stream video, plus special features like distinguished Duke CS alumni recordings, faculty messages, and more. Congratulations to all! read more about Duke Computer Science Celebrates the Class of 2021 »
Professor of the Practice of Computer Science Nicki Washington will be the keynote speaker at AfroPix 2021 on Saturday, April 17. Hosted by Black in Technology -BiT, this inclusive virtual symposium features workshops, alumni panel discussions, networking with top tech companies, and more. Don't miss it! read more about Nicki Washington is the Keynote Speaker at AfroPix 2021 »
Duke Computer Science Professor Robert Calderbank was selected as a 2021 SIAM Fellow, one of the highest honors of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics. This distinction recognizes Calderbank's deep contributions to information theory, in addition to his exemplary research and outstanding service to the community. Congratulations! read more about Robert Calderbank Named SIAM Fellow »
Anish Karpurapu and Yasa Baig, junior Computer Science majors at Duke University, were named 2021 Goldwater Scholars by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. This is a prestigious national award for undergraduates in the fields of mathematics, natural science, and engineering. Congratulations! read more about Duke Computer Science undergraduates win prestigious Goldwater Scholarships »
Recent Duke CS PhD Yuan Deng won an honorable mention for the 2020 Victor Lesser Distinguished Dissertation Award. The AAMAS (International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems) recognizes his thesis “Dynamic Mechanism Design in Complex Environments” for its originality, depth, impact, and written quality. Supervised by Professor Vincent Conitzer, he also received the department's outstanding dissertation award. Dr. Deng is now a Research Scientist in the Market Algorithms… read more about Recent Duke CS PhD Yuan Deng won an honorable mention for the Victor Lesser Dissertation Award »
Duke Computer Science Professor Vincent Conitzer is the winner of the 2021 ACM/SIGAI Autonomous Agents Research Award, which acknowledges the contributions of outstanding researchers in the field of autonomous agents, and recognizes excellence in work that influences and sets the direction for the field. Among other factors, Conitzer's highly cited work in multi-agent systems spans interdisciplinary areas in game theory, social choice, and economics. Conitzer will present a plenary talk at the AAMAS 2021… read more about Conitzer is Winner of 2021 ACM/SIGAI Autonomous Agents Research Award »
In this new video, Duke Computer Science Professor Alvin Lebeck answers questions about Phitonex, an innovative startup company that he co-founded. Crediting both the Phitonex team and Duke University, Lebeck states that "The foundational research behind the technology was performed at Duke over a span of about 17 years." Phitonex pioneered a spectral dye platform for high-resolution biology applications to accelerate research and development in cell therapy, immuno-oncology and immunology research, and the… read more about The Phitonex Journey »
Duke University's new Cultural Competence in Computing (3C) professional development program welcomed 144 fellows to its inaugural cohort. With Duke CS Professor Nicki Washington as director, in collaboration with ECE/CS Professor Shani Daily and ECE grad student Cecilé Sadler, the program provides expert training in identity-inclusive topics to improve computing diversity, equity and inclusion. read more about Cultural Competence in Computing (3C) Fellows »
Vince Conitzer was appointed for a leading role with the Institute for Ethics in AI at Oxford University as the Institute’s Head of Technical AI Engagement and Professor of Computer Science and Philosophy. He’ll continue teaching and researching here at Duke. Congratulations! read more about Vince Conitzer Partners With New AI Institute at Oxford »
Kristin Stephens-Martinez hosts Joe Feldman, author of Grading for Equity and the CEO of Crescendo Education Group in this latest CS-Ed Podcast episode. Learn about the history of grading and why now is a good time to rethink our grading process to make it more equitable. Joe said, "Grades should only convey the student’s level of mastery, not their behavior." read more about New CS-Ed Podcast: Grading for Equity »
Duke Computer Science graduate student Benjamin Bauchwitz was named 2020 Collaborative Sciences Center for Road Safety (CSCRS) Student of the Year! As part of a US DOT program honoring students from University Transportation Centers who demonstrate achievements in academic performance, research, leadership, professionalism, and potential future contributions, Bauchwitz was selected by CSCRS as its outstanding student. Duke ECE and Computer Science professor Missy Cummings said “Students like Ben are… read more about Benjamin Bauchwitz Named 2020 CSCRS Student of the Year »
Assistant Professor Lisa Wills has received a CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation for a project entitled "CAREER: Effectuating Hardware-Accelerated Systems with Domain-Specific Primitives." Total funding will be $544,448 over 5 years. The award will support Wills' research into how to create highly efficient hardware-accelerated systems for compute- and memory-intensive applications that process enormous volumes of data. This is NSF's most prestigious award in support of junior faculty. read more about Lisa Wills receives NSF CAREER Award »