CSU partners in $20M AI Institute focusing on climate-smart agriculture and forestry

CSU computer science researchers will play a key role in a new research institute that will leverage artificial intelligence to create more sustainable farms and forests. The CSU team will use AI to improve measurement of soil components and attributes, and model changes in soil carbon stock and soil greenhouse gas emissions.

National Security Agency names CSU a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

The NSA awards this designation to institutions committed to reducing threats to our national infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense and providing the nation with a pipeline of qualified cybersecurity professionals. CSU’s designation is awarded through the 2027 academic year.

How a CSU dynamic duo blazed a trail for inclusion

In 2015 Adam Campfield became the first blind person to graduate with a degree in Applied Computing Technology at CSU. He did so with support from our former director of mentoring and retention Elaine Regelson. Now, he serves as senior manager of accessibility at Spectrum, a broadband connectivity company, where his work impacts millions of people with disabilities nationwide.

Computer science student receives prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

Rachel Masters is one of eight CSU students to receive the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP). The fellowship recognizes and supports high-performing students who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in areas such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Computer science students take first place at cybersecurity competition

From rogue self-taught programmers to organized cybercrime, hacking is a billion-dollar industry. At the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Colorado & Security Innovation Virtual Capture the Flag (CTF) in April, six students from CSU’s WiCyS chapter honed their security skills in a race to hunt down software vulnerabilities – and exploit them.

Youth robotics championship brings feisty robots, cheering fans to CSU

This spring we partnered with the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department and the Department of Mechanical Engineering to host the FIRST Tech Challenge statewide robotics championship. The event featured 32 top-performing middle and high school teams from across the state who design, code, and operate competitive robots.

Computer science alumna Ratna Saripalli lands her ‘dream job’ as EMSL’s Chief Data Officer

Ratna Saripalli (Ph.D., ’19) was recently hired as Chief Data Officer at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) at the U.S. Department of Energy. Ratna’s journey to her dream job included mentor Professor Chuck Anderson, who helped her focus on combining two research passions: data and life sciences.

Dave Matthews honored with teaching and mentoring award

Instructor Dave Matthews is the winner of this year’s Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and Mentoring award from the College of Natural Sciences. Dave is well-known for using experiential learning, team projects, and his decades of industry experience to prepare students for the workforce. Many graduates say his courses are the best they took at CSU.

Eleven CS faculty and staff receive Dean’s Faculty and Staff Success Program Awards

The College of Natural Sciences awards these funds to faculty and staff to address gaps, deficiencies or opportunities they see in the areas of teaching and learning, research, diversity/inclusion, outreach/engagement and professional development. Congratulations to Sangmi Pallickara, Marcia Moraes, Indrakshi Ray, Megan Brice, Jenni Prior, Bess Hewitt, Nate Blanchard, Gabby Diaz-Portalatin, Amanda Denstedt, Francisco Ortega, and Asa Ben-Hur.

5280 Magazine talks ChatGPT with Nikhil Krishnaswamy

5280 Magazine recently talked to researchers Nikhil Krishnaswamy (CSU), Matt Hickey (CSU), and Peter Foltz (CU) about the impact of ChatGPT on higher education. Is ChatGPT an educational friend or foe?

Rising star: Computer science undergraduate awarded for new digital portfolio product

Digital portfolios are increasingly valuable in the competitive job market, but creating one can feel overwhelming. Enterprising undergraduate Elita Danilyuk invented a comprehensive, customizable product – PortfoliU Project – that eases the process for novices and “code-phobes.”

Sarath Sreedharan receives dissertation award

Assistant Professor Sarath Sreedharan received the 2022 Dean’s Dissertation Award from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University for the work he defended last summer – Foundations of Human-Aware Explanations for Sequential Decision-Making Problems.

Computer Science students spur winning teams at CSU Virtual Reality Challenge

Computer science students propelled teams to the top three spots plus the Outstanding Artistry Award and the Technically Accomplished Award at the 2022 CSU Virtual Reality Challenge. Throughout the challenge, 53 interdisciplinary teams used virtual reality technology to create solutions to mental health-themed challenges submitted by CSU faculty.

Cybersecurity Guide Expert Interview: Indrakshi Ray

Interested in a cybersecurity degree? Maybe even a mid-career change? Cybersecurity Professor Indrakshi Ray recently talked to Cyberecurity Guide about what to expect and the opportunities available at CSU.

Student hackers take control, learn how to protect transportation infrastructure

Jake Jepson knows how vulnerable vehicles are to cyberattacks. Since earning his B.S. in computer science at CSU in 2022, Jake has been pursing his masters in the Department of Systems Engineering Systems Cyber Research Group where he researches cybersecurity and digital forensics in heavy vehicles.

Computer science staff honored at annual Celebrate! Colorado State Awards

Congratulations to accounting technician Kim Chacon, who received the Classified Personnel Council Outstanding Achievement Award, and retired Director of Mentoring and Retention Elaine Regelson and physics Professor Jim Sites, who received the Spirit of Philanthropy Award.

Computer science student wins CSU Venture Rams award

Rachel Masters received the Michael Best Most Promising New Venture Award at the CSU Venture RAMS Business Showcase pitch competition this spring. Her project, De-stressVR, uses virtual reality nature immersion as a stress reduction tool. Rachel graduates in May and will begin graduate studies with Assistant Professor Francisco Ortega in the CSU Natural User Interaction (NUI) Lab.

Nikhil Krishnaswamy discusses ChatGPT at Provost’s Ethics Colloquium

Privacy. Surveillance. Influence. Assistant Professor Nikhil Krishnaswamy joined medical expert Matthew DeCamp and Colorado State University faculty to explore the constellation of issues surrounding artificial intelligence during the annual Provost’s Ethics Colloquium. This year’s topic was the academic impact of ChatGPT.

Vidya Gaddy
Instructor

Sam Blanchard
Instructor

As we work together to explore, invent, and achieve at the lightening-fast pace our field requires, we encourage you to stay connected with the Department of Computer Science. Thank you and enjoy!

Send your Computer Science news, events, and story ideas to lisa.knebl@colostate.edu