Our Staff
The best way to get help are outline in the following order:
- Ed Discussion
- Office Hours
Instructor
TA
Tanisha Admane she/her/hers
🇮🇳 Hindi, 🇮🇳 Marathi
- Courses This Semester
- This semester, I’m enrolled in Analysis of Algorithms, Machine Learning, and Database and Information Systems. I chose Analysis of Algorithms as it’s a core requirement and provides a solid foundation in theoretical computer science, which is challenging yet fascinating. Machine Learning is particularly exciting to me, as I’m eager to specialize in this field, and I’ve heard excellent things about the professor. Lastly, Database and Information Systems is a course that aligns with my interest in data management, and I find it both intriguing and rewarding.
- Most Useful Part of CIT 5920
- The most useful part of a similar course I took during my undergrad was learning about discrete probability and expectation. These concepts provided me with a strong foundation for understanding algorithms, data structures, and machine learning models. I found that mastering these topics made many advanced computer science courses and projects much more approachable and comprehensible.
Arpan Bagui he/him/his
- Courses This Semester
- Hi! I’m Arpan and I’m enrolled as an MCIT student as well as an undergraduate studying business (statistics). My courses this semester include CIT 593 (Computer Systems) which some of you all have taken or will have to take, CIS 550 (Database and Information Systems) so I can gain some proficiency in database management, STAT 503(Statistical Computing) for my statistics undergraduate degree, ACCT 102 (Accounting) for my undergraduate degree, CIMS 113 (Water Worlds) a fun class about the environment and culture, and finally MGMT 401 (Social Impact) which is in line with my interests of business and social impact.
- Favorite Part of CIT 5920
- My favorite part of CIT 592, which is really hard since there are so many things to choose from, is the pigeonhole principle. It was really fun to learn and include in proofs. It is also the principle behind the unintuitive birthday problem which points out the higher than expected probability of two people sharing a birthday in a room full of x people. I know this is a pretty specific favorite part, but I enjoyed learning about this principle and think you will too.
- Fun Fact
- Talk to me about breaking (breakdancing), music (rap and rock), crypto, or sustainability!
Milly Cai she/her/hers
🇨🇳 Chinese
- Fun Fact
- I recently drove a U-Haul truck for the first time, and it went much smoother than I expected—maybe I’ve got a hidden talent for it! But honestly, I’m just glad I didn’t receive any surprise notices from the DMV afterward.
- Job-Search Update
- I’m currently a Product Engineer at an automobile manufacturer, where I focus on our domestic management system. It’s pretty cool to see the tangible impact of our work on the road!
- Most Useful Part of CIT 5920
- I probably love the PrairieLearn most as it’s one of the best resource for me to practice the lecture topics besides homework and recitation materials before an exam.
Qianyue Ding she/her/hers
🇨🇳 Chinese
- Courses This Semester
- I am taking CIS 5020 (Analysis of Algorithms), CIS 5500 (Database and Information Systems), and EAS 8960 (Professional Master’s Career Development) this semester. The CIS courses will equip me with the technical skills to design efficient algorithms and manage complex databases, while EAS 8960 will provide valuable exposure to career development strategies and research opportunities. Together, these courses align perfectly with my goal of becoming a software engineer.
- Favorite Part of CIT 5920
- My favorite part of the course was working with the highly knowledgeable and intelligent TAs, whose expertise and guidance inspired me to pursue a TA position myself.
- Two Truths and One Lie
- My MBTI personality type is ENFP.
- My favorite video game is Xenoblade 2.
- I have a sister who is 15 years older than me.
Tiffany Gao she/her/hers
🇨🇳 Mandarin
- Courses This Semester
- I am taking machine learning and AI this semester because I want to learn how ML algorithms are applied and understand the principles behind how they work.
- Fun Fact
- Outside of class, I enjoy ice skating.
- Most Useful Part of CIT 5920
- I found the PrairieLearn portion of the homework useful because it provided enough practice to solidify my understanding of the class materials.
Mrs Hu he/him/his
🇨🇳 Mandarin
- Favorite CIT 5920 Part
CIT 592 Enrollment and Problem-Solving Techniques
Permutation and Combination Problems:
- Explore strategies and tricks for solving these problems effectively.
Graphical and Mathematical Reasoning:
- Understand the fundamentals of graphical algorithms.
- Prerequisite of graph (BFS,DFS, Top sort)
- Prerequisite of graph (Dynamic Programming)
Importance of Discrete Mathematics
- Prerequisite for CIT 596 (Algorithms):
- Mastering discrete mathematics is essential for a solid foundation in algorithms.
- This course is mandatory for becoming a proficient Software Development Engineer (SDE).
- Fun-Fact About Me
Guidance on Learning Course Material Effectively:
- Focus on Understanding: Prioritize grasping concepts over rote memorization.
- Utilize Resources: Take advantage of textbooks, online lectures, and study groups.
- Practice Regularly: Frequent revision and practice can solidify your understanding.
Limited Career Guidance:
While my insights on career paths are limited, I encourage you to explore your options and seek out mentors in your field of interest.
Wishing Everyone a Successful Journey at UPenn This Fall!
Best of luck as you embark on this exciting chapter!
- Job-Search Updates
Internship Experience:
- Alibaba e-commerce Lazada（right now）
- ZTE Server Probe Platform
- China Mobile MI GU Video
Additional Experience:
- Some experience in finding SDE positions in the US.
- CITTC Backend Software Intern (offer received but not enrolled).
- Final round interviews with:
- TT(team match failed).
- Snowflake (team match failed).
Shutong Jiang he/him/his
🇨🇳 Chinese
- Favorite Part of CIT 5920
- I enjoyed the part of Probability and Expected Value :)
- Fun Fact
- I like watching both horror and sci-fi movies :)
- Job-Search Update
- Worked as Machine Learning Engineer Intern this summer. Focused on Bitcoin.
Jessie Levin she/her/hers
- Courses This Semester
- As a dual degree student, I have an interesting courseload this semester. On the MCIT side, I’m taking: Health, Health Systems, and Technology and doing a writing capstone. On the law side, I’m taking Federal Courts, Patent Law Appellate Advocacy, Professional Responsibility, and the Wharton Management Certificate. I’m passionate about the intersection of law and technology so I’m interested in exploring this interest in all of my classes. I’ll be working as a lawyer doing (hopefully) Intellectual Property and Privacy work after graduation so all of these courses will give me both the technical and legal understanding to work in these fields.
- Most Useful Part of CIT 5920
- While all of 5920 was usefull for further courses, I really appreciated learning about graphs before we got to the spring semester courses. As I predicted, so much of 5960 covered graphs, but it was also helpful in making sense of the data structures in 5940.
- Two Truths and One Lie
- Two Truths and 1 Lie: I’ve never had a hamburger, I used to live in Idaho, and I’m in the top 1% of Hoizer listeners (as measured by Spotify Wrapped).
Caroline Park she/her/hers
🇵🇹 Portuguese, 🇪🇸 Spanish
- Courses This Semester
- I am taking AI and Computer and Network Security this semester. Privacy, safety, and ethics are part of my core beliefs. In the future, I hope to be able to work at the intersection of these two fields and hopefully help people feel safer online.
- Favorite Hot or Cold Beverage
- My favorite hot beverage is coffee, light or medium roast. Favorite cold beverage: IPA (Indian Pale Ale), nothing more refreshing.
- Favorite Part of CIT 5920
- My favorite part of CIT 5920 is that the students’ opinions are heard and taken into consideration in real time. Improvements are implemented very quickly.
Sam Pollock he/him/his
🇫🇷 French
- Favorite Part of CIT 5920
- I really liked proofs, they felt like fun little puzzles.
- Fun Fact
- I was in the Peace Corps
- Job-Search Update
- I’m a current MCIT/Bioengineering masters student and I work in a regenerative medicine lab at Penn
Lang Qin he/him/his
🇨🇳 Chinese
- Favorite Part of CIT 5920
- Graphs
- Fun Fact
- Live in Jersey
- Job-Search Update
- Ex-intern @ WeRide.ai, focusing on developing in-house file system for HPC
Rita Sabri she/her/hers
🇫🇷 French, 🇸🇦 Arabic
- Job-Search Update
- Hi! I’m Rita, and I’m currently working full-time in the DC a as an Environmental Data Analyst. I conduct analyses on the impact of contrails in the atmosphere and analyze the Carbon Offsets and Credit Market. I chose this role because working in the aviation sector seemed exciting. The world of data analytics has many applications beyond just ’tech,’ and I believe it’s important to be open-minded about where to go. For example, if you want to delve into healthcare, you need to be comfortable with using EHR software since interviews often focus on it. If you want to work with an EV car company, then having C++ skills paired with LiDAR knowledge can be beneficial. I’m happy to discuss my experience!
Claire Shen she/her/hers
🇨🇳 Mandarin
- Fun Fact
- Cooking Enthusiast
- Job-Search Update
- Still looking for a full-time job, have some experience in preparing for interviews
- Most Useful Part of CIT 5920
- -Proof & Graph -> building blocks for data structure & algorithm -Probability & Bayes’ Theorem -> building blocks for Machine Learning knowledge base
Ollie Zhang he/him/his
🇨🇳 Chinese
- Favorite CIT 5920 Memory
- One of my favorite memories from the course was during the final class, when all of the students gathered together to take a group selfie with Professor Lumbroso. It was a fun and memorable moment, marking the end of our journey together. This selfie wasn’t just a snapshot; it was a reminder of the time we spent learning and growing as a group. It’s also the selfie I’ve taken with the most number of people, making it even more special.
- Job-Search Update
- I completed an SDE internship at Graph Academy, a startup focused on applying AI in social media. I contributed to an app called Pair, which allows users to interact with an AI agent that collects their traits and life events through conversation. The app then generates a personalized poster using the user’s uploaded photo and the collected information, helping them connect with others who share similar traits, hobbies, and experiences. My role involved developing a special feature: a text-to-speech model. By analyzing 10 minutes of a user’s voice, we trained a model that could mimic their speech. This allows the app to continue conversations on behalf of the user when they are offline, providing a seamless social experience.
- Two Truths and One Lie
- I trained in Chinese Kung Fu. My cat can shake hands. My cat can stand on two feet while eating.
Lobi Zhao she/her/hers
🇨🇳 Mandarin
- Job-Search Update
- Before studying at Penn, I worked in the gaming industry for nearly 10 years as a technical artist, focusing on game graphics rendering and performance optimization. I was involved in the development of PUBG Mobile and KartRider Rush+ at one of the largest gaming companies in China.
- Most Useful Part of CIT 5920
- I am currently studying computer graphics at Penn, and last year, I was a student of Professor Jérémie. In the study of graphics, mathematics is an incredibly important foundational knowledge, essential for both graphics rendering and game logic development. I hope everyone can experience the beauty of mathematics in their studies.
Rae Zhu she/her/hers
🇨🇳 Mandarin, 🇨🇳 Chinese
- Courses This Semester
- CIS 5210, because I’m always curious about topics related to artificial intelligence. Also I’m not quite familiar with Python so I think I’d use this course to get more practice.
- Favorite CIT 5920 Memory
- The one I accidentally forgot to attend one midterm and panicked. Thought I’d fail the course, but thanks to our professor, it turned out to be just fine.
- Favorite Hot or Cold Beverage
- Iced oat milk latte, because I once tried and it’s so good. Also because it’s a simple task both for me and the barista.