Alumni

Georgia Tech Celebrates 2025 Ph.D. Graduates in Cybersecurity and Privacy

dgivens8 — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 14:47:40 +0000

Georgia Tech Celebrates 2025 Ph.D. Graduates in Cybersecurity and Privacy dgivens8 Mon, 07/28/2025 - 10:47

The School of Cybersecurity and Privacy at Georgia Tech is proud to recognize the accomplishments of five doctoral students who finished their doctoral programs in Spring 2025. These scholars have advanced critical research in software security, cryptography, and privacy, collectively publishing 34 papers, most of which appear in top-tier venues.

Ammar Askar developed new tools for software security in multi-language systems, including a concolic execution engine powered by large language models. He highlighted DEFCON 2021, which he attended with the Systems Software and Security Lab (SSLab), as a favorite memory.

Zhengxian He persevered through the pandemic to lead a major project with an industry partner, achieving strong research outcomes. He will be joining Amazon and fondly remembers watching sunsets from the CODA building.

Stanislav Peceny focused on secure multiparty computation (MPC), designing high-performance cryptographic protocols that improve efficiency by up to 1000x. He’s known for his creativity in both research and life, naming avocado trees after famous mathematicians and enjoying research discussions on the CODA rooftop.

Qinge Xie impressed faculty with her adaptability across multiple domains. Her advisor praised her independence and technical range, noting her ability to pivot seamlessly between complex research challenges.

Yibin Yang contributed to the advancement of zero-knowledge proofs and MPC, building toolchains that are faster and more usable than existing systems. His work earned a Distinguished Paper Award at ACM CCS 2023, and he also served as an RSAC Security Scholar. Yang enjoyed teaching and engaging with younger students, especially through events like Math Kangaroo.

Faculty mentors included Regents’ Entrepreneur Mustaque Ahamad, Professors Taesoo Kim and Vladimir Kolesnikov, and Assistant Professor Frank Li, who played vital roles in guiding the graduates’ research journeys.

Learn more about the graduates and their mentors on the 2025 Ph.D. graduate microsite.

Subtitle

Summary sentence

Summary

Five Ph.D. students from Georgia Tech’s School of Cybersecurity and Privacy graduated in Spring 2025, contributing significant research in software security, cryptography, and privacy with 34 published papers. Highlights include Ammar Askar’s concolic execution tools, Zhengxian He’s industry collaboration, Stanislav Peceny’s advances in multiparty computation, Qinge Xie’s adaptability across domains, and Yibin Yang’s award-winning work on zero-knowledge proofs. Faculty mentors played key roles in supporting their success.

Dateline

Wed, 05/14/2025 - 12:00

jpopham3@gatech.edu

Contact

JP Popham, Communications Officer II

College of Computing | School of Cybersecurity and Privacy

Keywords

students

graduates

PhD

PhD Students

Research

go-research

go-researchnews

Daily Digest

website

academic excellence

Categories

Alumni

Community

Computer Science/Information Technology and Security

Research

Student Honors and Achievements

Student Research

Mercury ID

682394

Source updated

Mon, 07/28/2025 - 10:46

Career Center Insights for Navigating Your First Job Search

admin — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 19:04:41 +0000

Career Center Insights for Navigating Your First Job Search admin Fri, 06/20/2025 - 15:04

For students and recent graduates looking for their first job, the search can be overwhelming and stressful. Laura Garcia, director of Undergraduate Career Education at the Career Center, shares advice on how to navigate it.

Be Open-Minded and Expand Your Search

While job seekers may have a specific company or industry in mind, expanding their potential pathways can be beneficial. Garcia recommends exploring opportunities that leverage your skills in a different industry or job function. For example, if a candidate's dream is to work for Amazon but they are unable to secure a position, hope is not lost, Garcia says. Working a similar job in a different industry or securing a role with a competitor can be effective strategies in landing a future offer at their desired company.

Network, Network, Network

Leveraging the vast Georgia Tech alumni network can help you uncover new opportunities and connect with employers in your desired field. The LinkedIn Alumni tool allows users to search for contacts by city, industry, job title, area of study, and more. After identifying potential contacts, reach out with specific ideas on what you are looking for and ask targeted questions like, “How can I make myself more competitive in this field?” or “Do you have any advice on the market or organizations to target in the area?”

Networking is a critical step in the job search. Not every opening is posted online, and candidates are often being considered by the time a role is posted.

Use AI With Limits

Artificial intelligence can be a valuable tool when crafting cover letters and resumes, but Garcia warns that overreliance on AI can be detrimental for candidates.

AI-generated language can be “robotic” or “flowery,” she said, and employers can often tell when a submission is not written by the candidate. Garcia says that AI should never write a cover letter or craft a resume; instead, it can generate ideas or bullet points that the individual can refine. AI-powered tools such as Grammarly can also assist in ensuring resumes and cover letters are free of grammatical errors.

Revamp Your Resume and Tailor Cover Letters to Openings

Subtle tweaks to a resume can make a big difference. Garcia explains that candidates should avoid listing responsibilities and focus more on skills, results, and achievements in bullet points. Strong action verbs can enhance a resume and get employers to read further after an initial scan.

She also implores candidates to use language from the job posting in their resumes. "They told you what they wanted in the job description, so that is your cheat sheet." For applicants using job boards, this method can be helpful when applying to companies that use applicant tracking systems to highlight potential new hires.

Cover letters should be individualized for each application. To craft an effective cover letter, Garcia recommends looking at it like a tennis match, with the ball going back and forth between the language of the job posting and the candidate's experience.

"I've identified three main things that this employer wants, so you can say, ‘I noticed in the job description you're looking for X. Through A, B, or C I've exemplified X.’ The more you can infuse language from the job description and refer back to the position or the employer, the better your cover letter," she said.

Don’t Underestimate Past Experience

As students or young alumni, in place of years of work experience, Garcia urges candidates to highlight past leadership experience. Many employers believe “the best predictor of future performance is past performance,” saying that any example of a leadership role within a student organization or recognition at a job during your time in college is something worth highlighting, as it shows employers signs of a motivated and influential potential employee with leadership qualities.

Be Prepared for Interviews

After landing an interview, it's important to research the company and familiarize yourself with the role as much as possible. This allows candidates to relate their skills and experiences to the company's needs.

Behavioral questions are common in interviews, and Garcia recommends answering these using the STAR method.

Situation – Give background information to help your listener better understand the situation.

Task – What were you working on? Was it a class assignment? Internship project?

Action – What specific action did you take? Employers will closely listen to this section of your response because they believe the way you acted in the past best predicts the work they may expect from you in the future.

Result/Reflection – What was the outcome? Try to focus on the positive (completed work on time, received an A on a project, resolved a conflict). Reflect on how you have grown from that situation.

Asking well-informed questions during an interview and sending a thank-you note afterward may make the difference in a competitive search.

Use Available Resources

The Career Center offers several tools that can assist you in each stage of your search.

Career Buzz: A targeted job board that allows employers to connect directly with Georgia Tech students and alumni.

Big Interview: Get guidance on industry-specific interview tips and utilize the AI feedback provided through a simulated mock interview.

Meet with an advisor: Students and alumni (within two years of graduation) can meet with a Career Center staff member to discuss career plans or other aspects of the job search process.

Access additional career tools here.

The Career Center is a unit within the Office of Undergraduate Education & Student Success and Graduate and Postdoctoral Education.

Subtitle

The Georgia Tech Career Center shares tips and strategies to help students and recent graduates land their first job.

Summary sentence

The Georgia Tech Career Center shares tips and strategies to help students and recent graduates land their first job.

Summary

The Georgia Tech Career Center shares tips and strategies to help students and recent graduates land their first job.

Dateline

Fri, 06/20/2025 - 12:00

Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano – Institute Communications

Keywords

Career Center

Georgia Tech Career Center

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Alumni

Mercury ID

682828

Source updated

Fri, 06/20/2025 - 15:03

When Talent Meets Opportunity: Celebrating the Impacts of Scholarships at Tech

dgivens8 — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 19:38:38 +0000

When Talent Meets Opportunity: Celebrating the Impacts of Scholarships at Tech dgivens8 Mon, 06/16/2025 - 15:38

A hum of anticipation filled McCamish Pavilion as more than 150 attendees turned their attention to the arena floor, not for a basketball game, but to hear about the impact of scholarships at Georgia Tech. On April 5, Georgia Tech hosted the second annual Scholarship Brunch, an event that brings scholarship recipients together with their benefactors to celebrate the potential unleashed when talent meets opportunity. Rick Clark, Georgia Tech’s executive director of Strategic Student Success, served as master of ceremonies, and he opened by highlighting why scholarship assistance is so vital to attracting top talent from Georgia and beyond. “One thing we’ve found to be clear is that admissions without affordability is not access,” he said.

Clark was followed by Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera, who recounted how a scholarship made it possible for him, “a middleclass kid from Madrid, Spain,” to come to Georgia Tech, earn his doctorate, and later return to serve as president. Like Clark, he underscored the urgency of making Tech affordable for top talent. “If we want to have the very best, smartest, kindest, most dedicated people” working to solve the world’s most pressing challenges, “we have to find them when they’re young and invest in them.”

Next, three current scholarship recipients and an alumna donor spoke. Fourth-year computer engineering student and Virginia native Elisa Miller recalled how scholarship support led her to Georgia Tech and how her education has positioned her for future success. While at Tech, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) awarded Miller a Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation Scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in cybersecurity, with a DOD job awaiting her upon graduation. She offered advice to current and future Tech students, urging them to “seize every opportunity you are given to tackle every challenge you face.”

JahWill Fannings, a fourth-year business administration student from West Point, Georgia, described how his scholarship validated a bet he placed on himself in high school: He would apply only to Georgia Tech, and if admitted, he would only attend if he could do so without incurring debt. Thanks to a G. Wayne Clough Tech Promise Scholarship, that bet paid off. Freed from financial burdens, Fannings was able to launch his second company, Flowst8, an AI-powered workflow tool for musicians and other creatives. He credits the network of students, mentors, and industry leaders he was able to connect with as key to his upward trajectory. “Georgia Tech is more than a school,” he said. “It’s an ecosystem designed to help us all build toward success.”

Tampa, Florida, native Sofia Mesa, a first-year civil engineering student and recipient of the Godbold Family Foundation Scholarship, spoke of her desire to attend the Institute from a young age. When family road trips took her family through Atlanta, she would plead with her parents to stop and visit Tech Tower and the Kessler Campanile. What most excites her about the future, Mesa said, is what a Georgia Tech diploma signifies. “It’s more than just a piece of paper. It’s a statement that says, ‘I endured, I grew, and bring it on, because I am ready for whatever you can throw at me.’”

Closing out the program was Ronda Sides, IE 1983, who, along with her husband Alan Sides, ME 1983, endowed her first scholarship in 1999. Sides described her family’s return to Georgia after 18 years abroad. Witnessing firsthand the transformation the Institute had undergone inspired them to give back. Fittingly, after hearing from students about what they gain from scholarships, Sides related the impact of giving on donors. “Students, I know how good it feels when you look into your accounts and you see the money that has flowed in,” she said. “We as donors look into our accounts, and we see the money that flowed out and was sent to you — and it’s an exponentially better feeling.”

Plans are underway for next year’s Scholarship Brunch, which will once again celebrate remarkable talent and extraordinary generosity. Business administration student JahWill Fannings 16 “Georgia Tech is more than a school. It’s an ecosystem designed to help us all build toward su

Summary sentence

On April 5, Georgia Tech hosted the second annual Scholarship Brunch, an event that brings scholarship recipients together with their benefactors to celebrate the potential unleashed when talent meets opportunity.

Summary

Dateline

Mon, 06/16/2025 - 12:00

justin.horton@dev.gatech.edu

Contact

Justin Horton

Associated importer

Keywords

Scholarships

Georgia Tech scholarships

alumni philanthropy

billionaire philanthropy

donate

stewardship

alumni

undergraduate

Brunch

McCamish

development

Categories

Alumni

Business

Campaign Stories

Computer Science/Information Technology and Security

Engineering

Institute and Campus

Institute Leadership

Special Events and Guest Speakers

Student Honors and Achievements

Mercury ID

682800

Source updated

Mon, 06/16/2025 - 15:38

Faster Frame Propels Yellow Jacket at Cycling Nationals

admin — Tue, 27 May 2025 20:34:41 +0000

Faster Frame Propels Yellow Jacket at Cycling Nationals admin Tue, 05/27/2025 - 16:34

Elanor Finlayson, a master's computer science student, secured her spot on the podium at the recent Collegiate National Road Cycling Race on a bicycle designed and built by a fellow Yellow Jacket.

As a high school athlete, the Atlanta native often used cycling for cross-training, but she began cycling more frequently during the Covid-19 pandemic. At the same time, in northern Virginia, Iain MacKeith, ME 2023, continued his cycling ambitions on the bike and in the shop.

Combining his interest in mechanical engineering and cycling, and having competed in races since he was 9, MacKeith began constructing steel bicycle frames. He designed and built six frames in six months before arriving at Tech in August 2020.

Once on campus, Finlayson and MacKeith both sought out a cycling community and joined the Georgia Tech Cycling Club. They began training and racing together, and when Finlayson found out about her training partner's side hobby, she commissioned MacKeith to make her a gravel bike. MacKeith has since made five more bikes for Finlayson, including the carbon fiber road bike she used in the recent national competition — a race she was determined to compete in after breaking her collarbone in 2024.

"I was off the bike for two months and in a sling, but once I figured out a way to get on the indoor bike trainer, I was ready to get back to training,” she said. “Once I had the all-clear from the doctor, I knew I was going to throw everything into training and gear up for nationals."

Finlayson was unable to participate in nationals while completing her computer science degree due to her finals schedule, but as a graduate student, she knew she had the chance to compete. Confident in her equipment and herself, Finlayson's goal was to earn a spot in the top five. With the finish line in sight at the end of the 60-mile race in Madison, Wisconsin, she was overcome with emotion.

"Coming into the final straight, I just started screaming. It was a combination of intensity, the fact that I was pushing myself so hard, and it was such an insane moment to realize that I would be on the podium," she said.

MacKeith, former cycling club president at Tech, is familiar with the feeling of crossing the finish line, but as the maker of Finlayson's bike, he found a similar sense of accomplishment on the sidelines.

"I think it's an accomplishment and a sense of relief. The interesting thing about cycling is that, even though it's one person on the podium, it's a team sport in a way, and we can share this feeling, and there's a great satisfaction to playing a part in someone else's success," he said.

As a mechanical engineering student, MacKeith gained a better understanding of the materials needed to construct a more aerodynamic frame, particularly carbon fiber. While at Tech, he spent hours in campus makerspaces as a prototyping instructor at the Flowers Invention Studio, where he taught other students how to create their own frames.

Since graduation, MacKeith has worked at a space and aerospace manufacturing company, but he hasn't stopped constructing bicycles. Without the makerspaces, he built a home studio and retrofitted an oven to handle curing abilities for carbon fiber parts.

MacKeith intends to keep making bicycles but doesn't intend to mass produce his designs, because his joy comes from fitting each frame to its rider's specific needs. He also continues to improve the design of a filament winding machine, which he created as a student at Tech, that allows him to robotically layup carbon fiber tow into tubular shapes to increase efficiency in the construction process.

Through her lab work on campus and her studies, Finlayson has become increasingly interested in the use of data and has implemented it in her training methods. Set to graduate in December, she intends to enter the data analytics field with a focus on improving public health outcomes.

No matter where their professional paths take them, MacKeith and Finlayson have a shared desire to compete and win, so they will continue to race and motivate each other along the way.

Subtitle

A Georgia Tech student placed in the top five at the Collegiate National Road Cycling Race, thanks in part to her custom bicycle frame built by a fellow Tech cyclist.

Summary sentence

A Georgia Tech student placed in the top five at the Collegiate National Road Cycling Race, thanks in part to her custom bicycle frame built by a fellow Tech cyclist.

Summary

A Georgia Tech student placed in the top five at the Collegiate National Road Cycling Race, thanks in part to her custom bicycle frame built by a fellow Tech cyclist.

Dateline

Tue, 05/27/2025 - 12:00

steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano – Institute Communications

Associated importer

Keywords

national bike month

georgia tech cycling club

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Alumni

Community

Engineering

Mercury ID

682546

Source updated

Tue, 05/27/2025 - 16:33

Legacy in Motion: The Sharp Family’s Shared Path in ISyE

dgivens8 — Thu, 08 May 2025 15:29:41 +0000

Legacy in Motion: The Sharp Family’s Shared Path in ISyE dgivens8 Thu, 05/08/2025 - 11:29

At the heart of this family connection is a beautiful academic journey shared between three generations of Yellow Jackets: ISyE Associate Professor, Gunter Sharp (IE ’65, IE PhD ’73), his son Alexander Sharp (B.S. in Applied Biology ‘89, and M.S. in Environmental Engineering ‘99), and his granddaughter, Melina Sharp (IE ‘25).

Gunter, who has seen the evolution of engineering over the decades, retired in 2008 and is currently teaching part-time in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) while also expanding upon his family legacy.

Melina, following in her father and grandfather’s footsteps, joined Georgia Tech with a mix of anticipation and pride.

Initially unsure of her path, Melina switched to Industrial Engineering (IE), "I changed my major halfway through freshman year… just knowing my grandfather and my dad, and how smart both of them are, and how successful they've been -- that [IE] ended up being the best option and choice for me."

Sharp Minds, Sharper Bonds

The connection between Gunter and Melina is more than just blood, it’s a realm of their shared experiences, heartwarming memories, and mutual respect for industrial engineering.

While Gunter imparted lessons from his extensive engineering background, Melina navigated the modern academic landscape, adapting to new technologies and methodologies.

“Certainly, the technology has changed a lot, we didn't have computers when I was an undergraduate student” stated Gunter, “we used slide rules for most of our calculations, little trigonometric and logarithmic tables, and often drawings with pencil and paper.”

Despite the generational gap, Gunter and Melina have found common ground in their passion for the Tech community. From football games to campus visits, they have numerous fond memories tied to Georgia Tech.

Gunter remembers unexpected winter snowfalls, whereas Melina cherishes memories of visiting her grandfather in Metz, France – hearing stories about Tech traditions and events.

“Fast-forward to the summer after my first year, I did the study abroad program at Georgia Tech Europe (GTE) and next thing you know, I’m getting restaurant recommendations from my grandfather and grandmother” said Melina Sharp.

Family Ties and Tech Triumphs

As Melina prepares for her graduation, there’s one remarkable chapter in her family legacy that’s truly unique: completely Capstone Design Expo and Senior Design with her grandfather by her side.

Encouraged by the accomplishments of her family, she’s hoping to leave her mark on the institution that has been a significant part of her family’s history.

“Just makes me proud of my family and where I come from and that I've had two great role models growing up who have introduced me to Tech and helped guide me along on the path that I'm on.”

With two data analytics internships under her belt, Melina is looking forward to joining the world of construction management, with the software development company Kahua in a Data Scientist role.

Between Gunter’s wisdom and Melina’s fresh perspectives, this rare duo is both nostalgic and forward-looking. Their shared journey at Tech is confirmation to the beauty of intergenerational learning and growth that’s possible within Industrial and Systems Engineering.

The Sharp legacy at Georgia Tech is a powerful reminder that education is not just about acquiring knowledge but also about fostering community, nurturing dreams, and creating lasting generational impacts.

Summary sentence

As a third-generation Yellow Jacket, Melina Sharp is set to graduate and embark on a data science career, showcasing the intergenerational bond with her grandfather and father.

Summary

As a third generation Yellow Jacket, Melina Sharp prepares for graduation and a career in data science, while sharing the key intergenerational connection and growth within Industrial and Systems Engineering.

Dateline

Tue, 05/06/2025 - 12:00

Contact

Camille Carpenter Henriquez, Communications Manager

Associated importer

Categories

Alumni

Student Honors and Achievements

Mercury ID

682286

Source updated

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 11:29

Over the Rainbow and Into 15K: Alumni Help Bring Oz to Life at the Las Vegas Sphere

admin — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:39:41 +0000

Over the Rainbow and Into 15K: Alumni Help Bring Oz to Life at the Las Vegas Sphere admin Fri, 04/25/2025 - 10:39

For anyone who has only seen the movie on television, The Wizard of Oz is an incredible movie theater experience. Its larger-than-life characters, vivid colors, and memorable soundtrack were made for the big screen.

Now, a Georgia Tech professor and several alumni are helping bring the 1939 classic Hollywood film to what will likely be its largest screen ever: the Las Vegas Sphere's 160,000-square-foot interior screen.

Summary sentence

Debuting in August, "The Wizard of Oz at Sphere' has a solid connection to Georgia Tech's AI community.

Summary

Debuting in August, "The Wizard of Oz at Sphere' has a solid connection to Georgia Tech's AI community. A Georgia Tech professor and several alumni are helping bring the 1939 classic Hollywood film to what will likely be its largest screen ever: the Las Vegas Sphere's 160,000-square-foot interior screen.

Dateline

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 12:00

Contact

Ben Snedeker

Communications Manager

Georgia Tech College of Computing

albert.snedeker@cc.gatech.edu

Associated importer

Keywords

alumni

Alumni Association

Daily Digest

Georgia Tech News Center

artificial intelligence (AI)

go-researchnews

generative AI

News room topics

Society and Culture

Categories

Alumni

Mercury ID

681971

Source updated

Fri, 04/25/2025 - 10:39

College Expands Partnership with CREATE-X to Double Down on Entrepreneurship Curriculum

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 01:20:41 +0000

College Expands Partnership with CREATE-X to Double Down on Entrepreneurship Curriculum admin Tue, 03/25/2025 - 21:20

Entrepreneurship is on the rise in the College of Computing, with student interest in startup-driven education hitting record highs.

To meet this demand, the College is doubling down on efforts to equip students with entrepreneurial skills, offering expanded course sections and deeper collaborations with CREATE-X. Faculty say the goal isn’t just to produce startups—it’s to teach students how to identify and tackle meaningful problems, a skill that’s increasingly vital in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Entrepreneurial Capstone Growth Through Cross-College CollaboratiThe College’s entrepreneurial capstone more than doubled in size within the same academic year, growing from 55 students in Fall 2023 to 126 this semester. Enrollment in the CREATE-X entrepreneurial capstone surged by 14% this semester, continuing its steady growth since launching in 2018. What began with just nine students has now expanded to 126 participants eager to transform their ideas into real-world ventures.

This growth can be traced back to the collaborative roots of the CREATE-X Capstone. In 2018, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education Olufisayo Omojokun partnered with Mechanical Engineering Professor Craig Forest to co-teach the Institute's first multi-college capstone section.

This allowed engineering and computing students to work together in a dynamic learning environment.

"Right away, we saw how powerful this combination of engineers and computer scientists working together was. The College of Computing has always been a willing and eager partner to try experiments and boldly move toward this future direction. Every step of the way, they've risen to the challenge," Forest said.

Preparing Problem Seekers, Not Just Problem Solvers

This jump represents the College’s emphasis on creating the next generation of problem solvers who are also problem seekers.

“It’s not just about finding solutions but identifying the problems that must be solved. This emphasis is more important than ever given the changing landscape of computing,” Omojokun said.

He points to AI and automation as key drivers of this shift. While launching startups is an exciting outcome, the deeper focus is on preparing students for a future where the definition of a software engineer may evolve and the number of traditional roles in the market could shift. With the power of computing, students who can identify meaningful problems are better equipped than ever to solve them—often with fewer resources and smaller teams.

“Can our College lead in graduating such multifaceted students who know how to fix things and what to look for? Embedding entrepreneurship into our non-elective courses gives us that opportunity,” Omojokun said.

Building Confidence Through Entrepreneurship

While some students may go on to continue their projects after the course, others might revisit them after graduation, driven by personal motivation or market opportunities. Many will enter the workforce and, perhaps years later, draw on the confidence they built through this capstone to forge their paths in entrepreneurship.

“It’s not necessarily about launching the most successful startups right now. It’s about giving students the confidence to try—and even fail—while the stakes are low,” Omojokun said.

“Whether they pursue entrepreneurship immediately or later in their careers, my hope is that the confidence from this course sticks with them if they ever choose to do something different and forge their path.”

Inside the CREATE-X Capstone Experience

SCI faculty members Aaron Hillegass, Dan Forsyth, and Jennifer Whitlow co-mentor the College’s entrepreneurial capstone course. Whitlow describes the course as a hands-on, problem-driven environment where students are encouraged to tackle scalable, global challenges.

“We’re trying to treat it like a venture studio would work,” said Whitlow, who is familiar with executing such a model from her leadership role at a startup accelerator. “The first part of the class is focused on identifying scalable real-world problems and understanding actual pain points through customer discovery.”

Whitlow and Hillegass have startup experience and unique perspectives that they share with students. These insights help students understand the entrepreneurial process of identifying problems, designing solutions, and building products.

"This is the only course at Georgia Tech where they go from zero to 100. By the end of the semester, students have developed something entirely from scratch, giving them a unique skill set that sets them apart from their peers," said Whitlow, a Georgia Tech computational media alumna.

Based on enrollment growth this Spring, the College offered students the option to choose between the course’s two sections. Computing students seeking to work with engineering students on solutions incorporating hardware and software elements signed up for the multidisciplinary section. Students exclusively interested in software chose the section dedicated to software-based solutions.

Hillegass, who recently sold a midsized software company and spent years at different startups before his academic career, is mentoring thirteen software-only teams.

“The software-focused section gives me a chance to apply my knowledge and give students a perspective that can help them address the real-world challenges and opportunities specific to companies whose fate is determined primarily by software,” Hillegass said.

Forsyth, who has many years of industry experience building large software system, says the following about the process of guiding students through the problem finding phase of the course:

“The problem-finding phase requires balancing a passion for solving particular problems with the realities of customer preferences, technical limitations, team strengths, and financial sustainability. This phase is often the most challenging because teams must navigate ambitious ideas, practical constraints, and customer needs while making tough, objective decisions," he said.

"I can't make choices for them, and the future is uncertain, but I can challenge them with hard questions to determine whether they can make reasonable assumptions that plot a path to success. I see myself as a colleague to the students—offering my advice based on experience while also having the privilege of helping them tackle problems I've never encountered before. Watching bright, passionate students break through barriers to achieve their goals is incredibly rewarding.”

A Launchpad for Future Innovators

Unlike traditional capstone projects with predefined requirements, Computing’s entrepreneurial capstone course gives students full ownership of their ideas. Students finish with a product to showcase in job applications or with the foundation for a startup. They can pursue opportunities like CREATE-X Startup Launch or the Klaus Startup Challenge, with the added advantage of owning their intellectual property.

"It’s really the launching pad to additional opportunities to turn it into a business. Even if they fail, they’ve learned, pivoted, and now have a new place to launch from," Whitlow said.

Continuing the Momentum

With the continued success and growth of the CREATE-X Capstone, Omojokun is committed to sustaining this momentum and expanding the program further, especially given the endorsement of CREATE-X Director Rahul Saxena. He says this will require collaboration from more people, including experienced entrepreneurs from Atlanta’s vibrant ecosystem.

Interested in participating in or learning more about the College of Computing’s CREATE-X Capstone? Contact Omojokun at omojokun@cc.gatech.edu to explore opportunities for involvement.

Summary sentence

Entrepreneurship is on the rise in the College of Computing, with student interest in startup-driven education hitting record highs.

Summary

Entrepreneurship is on the rise in the College of Computing, with student interest in startup-driven education hitting record highs.

Dateline

Mon, 02/17/2025 - 12:00

emily.smith@cc.gatech.edu

Associated importer

Keywords

College of Computing

college of engineering

CREATE-X

CREATE-X Capstone

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Alumni

Business

Education

Engineering

Student and Faculty

Mercury ID

680538

Source updated

Tue, 03/25/2025 - 21:19

Georgia Tech Graduate Takes Kiid Coffee to ‘Shark Tank’

admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 19:55:41 +0000

Georgia Tech Graduate Takes Kiid Coffee to ‘Shark Tank’ admin Thu, 03/06/2025 - 14:55

Georgia Tech graduates and entrepreneurs David and Lauren Sanborn know it sounds strange that they send their 8- and 4-year-old sons to school with a cup of coffee in the morning, but David and their older son, Ethan, were able to successfully pitch the idea on ABC’s Shark Tank.

In 2023, Ethan was recovering from a second broken bone in his leg in as many years when his parents began looking for new ways to get the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals in his diet. Discouraged by the high-sugar options on the market as he attempted to boost Ethan's calcium intake, David searched for an alternative. When Ethan liked the taste of milk with a splash of his dad's black coffee, David began experimenting with ways to create a child-friendly cup of coffee that could be added to a glass of milk.

Over 100 recipes later, David and company co-founder Ethan crafted Kiid Coffee. Along with a blend of vitamins and minerals like magnesium, vitamin D, and iron, the powdered mix uses organic, water-decaffeinated coffee to retain antioxidants but reduce the amount of caffeine in the drink to less than that of a cup of hot chocolate or a soda.

"You say coffee for kids, and the instant reaction, especially from parents, is, 'Why would I want to give my kids coffee?' because the American mindset is that coffee is all about the caffeine. But if your children are like ours, everything is, 'Why?' This opens up conversations with them about what they are consuming, compared to the drinks in the bright colored bottles with 200mg of caffeine that kids have at school," David said.

Since graduating from the Institute in 2008 with a polymer and fiber engineering degree, David, a former student-athlete, has launched several startups. As he and Lauren began developing their latest product together, they saw an opportunity to share their entrepreneurial ventures with their children.

"What was interesting for me was wanting to teach our sons about entrepreneurship because you don't get that kind of education in elementary school or high school. When Ethan began asking questions about business and showed an interest in starting a lemonade stand, it was one of the factors that came together as we got started on this new idea," David said.

The Sanborns work full-time jobs along with their startup ventures, and they credit their time at Georgia Tech for learning how to handle the workload and navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship.

"Georgia Tech has been an incredible resource for us in helping us think about problem-solving and addressing challenges,” said Lauren, who earned a management degree from Tech in 2007. “It's a great environment for honing your critical thinking skills. It’s helped continue to open doors for us as alumni and allowed me to expand my role over time through a better understanding of marketing and technology. The Institute is a great overarching support system that helps businesses launch and be successful.”

Based in Alpharetta, Georgia, the couple sold their first Kiid Coffee packs in April 2024, and it can be found on Amazon and in several local grocery stores around the region. When they got the call from Shark Tank, they realized that they may have tapped into a new market.

"When you say coffee for kids, we know it sounds ridiculous, which to us meant there was something there," David said.

Ethan led the presentation, and after fielding offers from multiple sharks, the father-son duo agreed to a deal with Daniel Lubetzky, KIND Snacks founder and executive chairman.

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A ticker set up in the Sanborns’ home alerts them to each new sale as a way to teach their kids about commerce, and on the weekends, they enjoy their coffee as a family and watch sales grow.

Subtitle

David Sanborn and his 8-year-old son will pitch the first coffee made for kids.

Summary sentence

David Sanborn and his 8-year-old son will pitch the first coffee made for kids.

Summary

David Sanborn and his 8-year-old son will pitch the first coffee made for kids.

Dateline

Thu, 03/06/2025 - 12:00

steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

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Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

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680976

Source updated

Thu, 03/06/2025 - 14:53

Tim Lieuwen Named Georgia Tech’s Executive Vice President for Research

admin — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:04:41 +0000

Tim Lieuwen Named Georgia Tech’s Executive Vice President for Research admin Thu, 02/20/2025 - 16:04

Following a nationwide search, Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera has named Timothy Lieuwen the Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR). Lieuwen has served as interim EVPR since September 10, 2024.

“Tim’s ability to bridge academia, industry, and government has been instrumental in driving innovation and positioning Georgia Tech as a critical partner in tackling complex global challenges,” said Cabrera. “With his leadership, I am confident Georgia Tech will continue to expand its impact, strengthen its strategic collaborations, and further solidify its reputation as a world leader in research and innovation.”

A proud Georgia Tech alumnus (M.S. ME 1997, Ph.D. ME 1999), Lieuwen has spent more than 25 years at the Institute. He is a Regents’ Professor and holds the David S. Lewis, Jr. Chair in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering. Prior to the interim EVPR role, Lieuwen served as executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute for 12 years. His expertise spans energy, propulsion, energy policy, and national security, and he has worked closely with industry and government to develop new knowledge and see its implementation in the field.

Lieuwen has been widely recognized for his contributions to research and innovation. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, as well as a fellow of multiple other professional organizations. Recently, he was elected an International Fellow of the U.K.’s Royal Academy of Engineering, one of only three U.S. engineers in 2024 to receive this prestigious commendation. The honor acknowledges Lieuwen’s contributions to engineering and his efforts to advance research, education initiatives, and industry collaborations.

He has authored or edited four books, published over 400 scientific articles, and holds nine patents — several of which are licensed to industry. He also founded TurbineLogic, an analytics firm working in the energy industry. Additionally, Lieuwen serves on governing and advisory boards for three Department of Energy national labs and was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Energy to the National Petroleum Council.

The EVPR is the Institute’s chief research officer and directs Georgia Tech’s $1.37 billion portfolio of research, development, and sponsored activities. This includes leadership of the Georgia Tech Research Institute, the Enterprise Innovation Institute, nine Interdisciplinary Research Institutes and numerous associated research centers, and related research administrative support units: commercialization, corporate engagement, research development and operations, and research administration.

“I am honored to step into this role at a time when research and innovation have never been more critical,” Lieuwen said. “Georgia Tech’s research enterprise is built on collaboration — across disciplines, across industries, and across communities. Our strength lies not just in the breakthroughs we achieve, but in how we translate them into real-world impact.

“My priority is to put people first — empowering our researchers, students, and partners to push boundaries, scale our efforts, and deepen our engagement across Georgia and beyond. Together, we will expand our reach, accelerate discovery, and ensure that Georgia Tech remains a driving force for progress and service.”

Summary sentence

The Regents’ Professor and current interim EVPR brings strong leadership and deep research expertise to the role.

Summary

The Regents’ Professor and current interim EVPR brings strong leadership and deep research expertise to the role.

Dateline

Thu, 02/20/2025 - 12:00

swundersmith3@gatech.edu

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Shelley Wunder-Smith | Director of Research Communications
shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu

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680642

Source updated

Thu, 02/20/2025 - 16:03

OMSCS Alum Teams with His Family to Create App Aiding Children with Echolalia

admin — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 15:57:40 +0000

OMSCS Alum Teams with His Family to Create App Aiding Children with Echolalia admin Tue, 02/04/2025 - 10:57

Inspired by his son's special needs, Tarun Chawdhury (OMSCS 22) has designed an AI-powered application that helps parents and caregivers support children with echolalia and other developmental speech issues.

The patent-pending app, AI4Echolalia, earned second place in the 2024 TEDAI Hackathon in San Francisco.

Chawdhury is a graduate of Georgia Tech's Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) program. Now a part-time OMSCS instructor, Chawdury credits his education at Georgia Tech with empowering him to excel in his career and tackle pressing challenges in healthcare and accessibility.

Chawdury's academic journey began in the early 2000s in India, where he earned a bachelor's degree in information technology. Over the years, he honed his integration and programming skills while working in the healthcare sector for Blue Shield of California and CareSource.

However, a personal motivation sparked a new direction in his career—his son's echolalia diagnosis. Determined to leverage technology to help his son and others with similar challenges, Chawdury enrolled in the OMSCS program in 2020.

"AI and neuroscience are the future," he said, explaining how his coursework in health informatics and big data for health equipped him with the foundational skills needed to explore new artificial intelligence (AI) frontiers.

Motivated by his son's experiences with speech therapy, Chawdury envisioned a solution that could extend the benefits of treatment into the home.

Chawdury used the skills he developed through OMSCS to create AI4Echollia. The app assists children with speech delays, particularly those who struggle with echolalia. Individuals with this condition involuntarily repeat words or phrases without understanding their context.

The app leverages Google's Gemini multimodal API platform to analyze conversations between parents and children, providing real-time guidance for parents on how to best engage with their children.

The app is meant to fill accessibility gaps caused by the high demand for speech therapists by automating elements of speech therapy. "It's not a replacement for therapy, but an assistant," Chawdury said.

Chawdury's family was pivotal in bringing the AI4Echolalia project to life. His wife, a special education teacher, contributed her expertise, while their 14-year-old daughter helped pitch the idea to TEDAI San Francisco and other hackathons.

Last October, the team's efforts culminated in a successful presentation at the 2024 TEDAI Hackathon in San Francisco. Along with accolades and encouragement from industry leaders, Chawdury and his family won second place for their AI4Echollia app.

"Our team—comprised of myself, my wife Mousumi, our daughter Tanisha, and our son Arinjoy—developed this AI-powered solution to support caregivers and parents of children with echolalia. Testing this project with Arinjoy was incredibly meaningful for us," said Chawdury.

Chawdury envisions broader applications for the technology beyond speech therapy. "This architecture could be adapted for other use cases, like streamlining education plans for special needs students or automating patient documentation in healthcare," he said.

Chawdury and his family continue developing the app and thoroughly testing it internally with more AI-enabled features. They are also working to engage supportive organizations to explore future collaborations. A neurologist has joined the project as an advisor, and they are actively seeking partnerships with speech therapy agencies to refine and expand the app's capabilities.

Reflecting on his time at Georgia Tech, Chawdury expressed gratitude for the OMSCS program and its community of educators, including OMSCS Executive Director David Joyner, whom he credits as a significant influence. "The foundation I built at Georgia Tech has allowed me to pivot into AI and make a real difference," he said.

Chawdury said his journey is as much about personal growth as it is about societal impact. "I want to help my son and others like him," he said.

"This is about using technology to empower families and create a better future for those who need it most."

Subtitle

Summary sentence

The patent-pending app, AI4Echolalia, earned second place in the 2024 TEDAI Hackathon in San Francisco.

Summary

OMSCS alum Tarun Chawdury, now a part-time OMSCS instructor, and his family developed an AI-powered application that helps parents and caregivers support children with echolalia and other developmental speech issues. The patent-pending app, AI4Echolalia, earned second place in the 2024 TEDAI Hackathon in San Francisco.

Dateline

Mon, 01/27/2025 - 12:00

Contact

Ben Snedeker, Communications Manager

Georgia Tech College of Computing

albert.snedeker@cc.gatech.edu

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Daily Digest

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alumni

OMSCS

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Alumni

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Computer Science/Information Technology and Security

Mercury ID

679980

Source updated

Tue, 02/04/2025 - 10:55

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