News
Department of Computer Science

The Democrat and Chronicle talks to David Narváez, a computing and information sciences Ph.D. student, about his contribution to solving a 90-year-old math problem called Keller’s conjecture.

David Narváez, a computing and information sciences Ph.D. student, used his expertise in symmetry-breaking to help a cluster of computers solve a 90-year-old math problem called Keller’s conjecture in just 30 minutes. He also brought in techniques that make the proof verifiable, meaning that mathematical computer programs can confirm the answer is correct.

RIT’s computer science (CS) program is ranked #52 out of 481 undergraduate programs in the United States in recent rankings from US News & World Report. These are the first ever computer science-specific rankings by the publication, and RIT was the highest ranked program in Upstate and Western New York.

Professor Rajendra Raj and Associate Professor Xumin Liu have received a National Science Foundation award to develop a hands-on data science course for non-computing majors. The course will first be offered at RIT and then across the country, in an effort to promote computing for all.

Despite restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students at RIT are still finding ways to participate in hundreds of clubs and organizations this semester, including dancing, designing games, and even skydiving.

RIT has again been recognized as one of the best national universities by U.S. News & World Report, which also cited the university as among the most innovative, with strong undergraduate research opportunities and a highly regarded cooperative learning program.

As part of a new $20 million National Science Foundation grant, RIT computer science professor Richard Zanibbi is using artificial intelligence to accelerate experimentation in chemistry, including finding more efficient ways to create solar cells.

Nabiha Raza’s software engineering career started at the National University of Sciences and Technology in Islamabad, Pakistan. Today, she is getting her Masters in Computer Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in New York and in her last semester at RIT. She researched how wearables can detect spinal cord reflexes and was twice an intern at Aruba. Her interest lies in networking, distributed systems and cloud computing. In January 2021, Nabiha will be joining us back as a full-time software developer engineer for the High Touch Services Team. She’s also a big home improvement and home automation fan!

Researchers at RIT have developed MathDeck, an online search interface that allows anyone to easily create, edit and lookup sophisticated math formulas on the computer. Created by an interdisciplinary team of more than a dozen faculty and students, MathDeck aims to make math notation interactive and easily shareable, and it's is free and open to the public.

Moguldom Nation talks with Michee Smith '03 (computer science), a security and privacy product manager at Google, about data privacy, her professional journey and inclusion in tech.

Jonathan Witmer ’91 (computer science) sits at the helm of WestPoint Home, one of the world’s most successful luxury linen and textile companies. But Witmer’s company has shifted its focus and its workforce is now using its textiles to produce reusable facemasks for the nation’s frontline workers.

Peter Cinibulk was praised by staff leadership for his combination of outstanding service to the program and his peers, his strong academic achievements and participation in, and contributions to, extracurricular activities both on and off campus.