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Earning a graduate degree in computer science can lead

Earning a graduate degree in computer science can lead to positions in research institutions, government agencies, technology companies and colleges and universities. These are the top computer science schools. Each school's score reflects its average rating on a scale from 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding), based on a survey of academics at peer institutions. Read the methodology »

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Why Computer Science and Engineering?

Computer scientists and engineers study the design and architecture of digital systems, their properties, and their application. Computing is the field that is most strongly influencing the societal, industrial, and technological advances of this century, bringing a revolution spanning from what humans can do (via information technology, data science, e-commerce, and more) to how they communicate (the web, social networks, mobile devices, and virtual/augmented reality). 

The Computer Science and Engineering department at UC Santa Cruz spans multiple areas of research including algorithms, logic, and complexity; computer hardware, including architecture, VLSI (chip design), FPGAs, and design automation; computer security and privacy; cyber-physical systems; distributed systems; database systems; machine learning and artificial intelligence; natural language processing; networks; pervasive computing and human-computer interaction; programming languages; robotics; social computing; storage systems; and visual computing, including computer vision, visualization, and graphics. Computing at UC Santa Cruz has already attained a very high level of international recognition. With its proximity to Silicon Valley and its outstanding research, UCSC is a leader in computing research and education. Questions regarding the graduate programs in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering can be directed to the Graduate Advisor .

Please refer to the Division of Graduate Studies Admissions website for our current application due date .

NOTE: GRE scores are no longer required for admission consideration for the CSE MS or the CSE PhD programs. You are welcome to submit your official scores, but please note the inclusion of your official GRE scores will not be a deciding factor for admission.

The UCSC Computer Science and Engineering Department also offers a professional MS degree in Natural Language Processing . This program offers in-depth coursework in natural language processing, machine learning and data science. Please note that professional degrees have higher fees than regular graduate programs. Please check the Registrar’s website for the most recent tuition and fee information.

Please refer to the  Division of Graduate Studies Admissions website for our current application due date .

The Department of Computer Science offers a Master of Science in Computer Science as well as multiple emphases within the discipline. The degree can be completed with or without a thesis.  

Requirements for Graduation without a Thesis

A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be earned on all course work applied toward the master’s degree in computer science. This average must also be earned on all graduate courses completed at USC (400-level and above). Transfer units count as credit (CR) toward the master’s degree and are not computed in the grade point average. Total units required for the degree is 28. No examination is required for the degree. Other requirements for the Master of Science in Computer Science are the same as set forth in the general requirements for Viterbi School of Engineering master’s degrees.

Core Requirement (4 units):

• CSCI 570 Analysis of Algorithms Units: 4

Additional Course Work:

The remaining elective units necessary to earn the degree are completed by selecting additional 500-level CSCI courses. 

• Note: A maximum of 2 units of CSCI 590    and a maximum of 2 units of CSCI 591    may be applied. Furthermore, up to four units may be 400-level, and up to eight units may be 600-level. Approval for enrollment in 600-level courses must come from the faculty instructor and department adviser. With adviser approval, one non-Computer Science course may be selected from the approved list . Thesis courses ( CSCI 594a   , CSCI 594b   , CSCI 594z   ) and Internship courses ( ENGR 595a   , ENGR 595b   , ENGR 595z   ) are not eligible for elective credit

Thesis Option:

The MS thesis option is available to highly qualified students but requires the student to find an adviser willing to supervise their research. In practice, availability of advisers is extremely limited and this option is exercised rarely.

With the approval of a supervising professor, qualified students may be allowed to pursue a thesis option. Students pursuing the thesis option must satisfy all of the policies and course requirements for the master’s degree and, in addition, must enroll in a minimum of two semesters of CSCI 594a   , CSCI 594b   , CSCI 594z    for a maximum of 4 units. Total units required for the degree with thesis is 32. The thesis must comply with all requirements set by the Graduate School. Students interested in a thesis while enrolled in a Computer Science specialization should consult with their department adviser.

Advising at Viterbi 

At viterbi, advising services are a partnership between your academic department advisors, as well as by the graduate academic services and programs (known as graduate asp) office. academic departments oversee traditional academic advising, which includes advising on your program, requirements, course registration, academic plan etc. graduate asp serves as a more general office that can answer more general usc and viterbi-wide inquiries., department academic advisors.

Academic Advising is overseen by department academic advisors. Any questions related to your degree requirements, course recommendations, on-campus d-clearances, etc. should be directed there.

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Please note that:.

• Financial Engineering is housed within the Electrical and Computer Engineering department.
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Meet with a graduate academic services advisor.

To ensure you have all your questions answered during your meeting with an advisor, research your questions and set expectations of what you hope to be answered at the end of your appointment.

Due to the Spring Break, we will not be holding Virtual Drop-Ins but we will be resuming  Monday, March 18th, 2024 . 

Published on August 4th, 2023

Last updated on March 8th, 2024

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USC Computer Science: Class of 2022

Meet usc viterbi’s department of computer science graduating class of 2022.

The 139th USC Commencement Ceremony takes place May 13, 2022.

At USC Viterbi's Department of Computer Science, students may have different backgrounds, interests, and life stories, but they share one thing: a passion for making a difference in the world. Read the stories of our Class of 2022, learn about their future goals, and get inspired by their dedication! Fight on! 

Congrats, Class of 2022!

Leena Mathur, B.S./B.A. Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Linguistics

“AI research for human health and well-being” describes Leena Mathur’s pursuits at USC – and her journey as a researcher has just begun. A triple major in computer science, cognitive science, and linguistics, Mathur’s research focuses on developing AI techniques to help humans address difficult problems in society. 

At USC, Mathur conducted research on robots to help children with autism spectrum disorder, modeled robot empathy perception to enhance human-machine interactions, and created novel approaches for social intelligence in machines with healthcare applications. Mathur also researched machine learning methods for preserving endangered languages and developed AI approaches for non-invasive Alzheimer’s disease screening .

Mathur is a recipient of the USC Presidential Scholarship and her thesis work was supported by USC Provost’s Undergraduate Research Fellowships. In addition, Mathur’s research has been published in seven papers and she was nominated for a Best Paper Award at the 2020 ACM International Conference on Multimodal Interaction. Her potential as a researcher has been recognized by three top national awards: the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, the Astronaut Scholarship, and the Computing Research Association (CRA) Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award .

Mathur cares deeply about outreach and mentorship in STEM. Since 2018, she has designed and led regular AI workshops for USC undergraduates through CAIS++ and for Los Angeles high school students through Viterbi’s K-12 STEM Center . After graduation, Mathur will begin a Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science and plans to pursue an academic AI research career.

Bryan Huang, B.S. Computer Science

During COVID-19, hundreds of thousands of families in Los Angeles lost their jobs and re-entered cyclical homelessness. For Bryan Huang, it hit close to home. “That feeling of instability felt personal,” said Huang, who grew up in Boston, the child of parents who emigrated from China and juggled grad school, work and raising a family.

So, Huang and his teammates set to work building a software platform called Social Benefit, which leverages algorithms to help low-income families navigate changes to their government benefits. The team recently received the $50,000 grand prize at the 2021 Min Family Challenge , an engineering social entrepreneurship competition that encourages entrants to build companies to benefit underprivileged people locally, nationally and worldwide.

“A lot of meaning in my life is rooted in being able to help others,” said Huang, who staffed a Samaritans suicide hotline in high school. “I also think there is almost a karmic way of the world giving back good when you put good into it.”

During his time at USC, Huang also served as president of Code the Change , a student club that designs and builds software for social good for local non-profits. After graduation, he hopes to launch his own startup. “The mission will undeniably have some part that will benefit society,” he said. “That’s a high priority for me.”

David Barrett, B.S. Computer Science (Games)

As with all technologies, games should be adapted to fit a wide range of needs, says senior David Barrett, a student in the USC Computer Science Games (CSGA) program. Originally, from Santa Clarita, CA, Barrett is passionate about the gaming world’s sense of community, but most importantly, his mission: to make games accessible to everyone.

Barrett got involved with accessibility in gaming by chance when he landed an internship through the USC School of Cinematic Arts, learning from experts in user experience (UX) research. Since then, he has worked on adapting or creating various multiplayer and VR games to accommodate users with a wide array of disabilities.

In 2021, he received the USC Games scholarship, which allowed him to attend the AbleGamers non-profit course focusing on accessibility. After learning different Accessible Player Experience (APX) gaming patterns to make games more accessible, he received his APX certificate and is now a certified practitioner.

In his final project, a game called Charon inspired by Greek mythology, Barrett’s main concern as an engineer is ensuring the game is accessible to as many people as possible. After graduation, Barrett will intern at Gamebreaking Studios, an LA-based company that has worked with some of the largest brands in the world including Disney, Microsoft and Blizzard.

Aida Rahmattalabi, Ph.D. Computer Science

At USC’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Society (CAIS), Aida Rahamattalabi worked on artificial intelligence (AI) and social network-based interventions aiming to reduce suicidality among unhoused youth, college students and active-duty military members.

Pairing her background in computer science with social work methodologies, Rahmattalabi hopes to implement an intervention with long-lasting—and widespread—results. Originally from Iran, during her time at USC, Rahmattalabi realized she could channel her passion for AI into meaningful work, helping low-resource communities and other vulnerable populations through interventions that leverage social relationships and create a supportive environment.

Rahmattalabi has researched how AI can help facilitate ‘gatekeeper training,’ a common suicide-prevention strategy in which individuals are taught to detect and respond to the warning signs. She also worked on a project that leveraged AI and social network theory to optimize substance abuse intervention groups for unhoused youth. After graduation, she is taking some time off to travel before pursuing research roles in trustworthy AI research.

Sarah Cooney, Ph.D. Computer Science

Imagine a city with trees lining every street, safe roads for cyclists, and infrastructure designed specifically for pedestrians to feel secure while walking. A place with clean air, where neighbors help each other. That’s Sarah Cooney’s vision for the city of the future. At USC, Cooney has been using AI to democratize urban planning and make cities around the world more livable and sustainable.

Cooney’s interest in this process can be traced back to her home in rural Pennsylvania, where she spent most of her life before moving to the Philadelphia area, earning her undergraduate degree from St. Joseph’s University. Her ideal space is a combination of both: green and accessible, like the place she grew up, but with the amenities and cultural opportunities offered by a world-class city.

At USC, she created a software system that allows everyday citizens to design their own sustainable surroundings. Currently, the project focuses on helping people imagine how things could be different, said Cooney, but ultimately the goal is to help people implement those possibilities.

According to Cooney’s supervisor, Associate Professor Barath Raghavan, Cooney’s work could help to democratize urban planning and improve the livability and sustainability of urban environments. Cooney is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others and, after graduation, will return to Pennsylvania to serve as an assistant professor at Villanova University.

Victor Ardulov, Ph.D. Computer Science

High-quality early intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, can have a strong impact on their development and wellbeing. At USC, Victor Ardulov conducted his research as a member of the Signal Analysis and Interpretation Lab, where his work sits at the intersection of mathematics and human behavior. As part of a recent project published in Nature Scientific Reports, Ardulov and his team created a system to help clinicians screen children for developmental disorders such as ASD.

The AI-based computer adaptive test helps clinical practitioners determine the best questions to ask caregivers based on their previous responses about the child's behavior. This could help clinicians make a faster and more accurate diagnosis, and differentiate between disorders such as ASD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and more. 

“Such an approach ... could also help in diagnosing numerous mental and behavioral health conditions across the life span, and globally, including anxiety disorder, depression, addiction, and dementia that all rely on similar procedures for understanding and treating them,” said Ardulov's supervisor, Professor Shrikanth Narayanan.

Besides his work at USC, Victor served as a scientific advisor at Calypso, and worked at both  Hughes Research on human-AI collaborative teams and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on VR tools for science and planning. In May 2021, he received the Viterbi Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award for his outstanding work mentoring undergraduate students. While his precise plans after graduation are still under wraps, Ardulov plans to join a tech company working in an AI and healthcare-focused team.

"What was your most memorable project at USC?"

Adam Hamden B.S. Computer Science

“I worked on a system for robot mindfulness interactions that measures heart rate, inter-beat interval, and heart rate variability through live remote video. This could inform models for stress during mindfulness sessions."

Prachi Palod Master's in Computer Science

"My favorite project was creating a weather app from scratch as one of my coursework pieces. After graduation, I'll be joining Amazon!"

Zizhao Hu Master's in Computer Science

"I collaborated with USC iLab on my first conference paper and our work has the potential to make safer autonomous vehicles in the future and save lives."

Frost (Tianjian Xu) B.S. Computer Science

"I worked on a COVID-19 forecasting research project at USC Data Science Lab, using machine learning methods to predict global COVID-19 transmission."

Join the livestream to watch the latest commencement coverage

The 139th Commencement Ceremony at the University of Southern California begins on May 13 at 8:30 a.m. at Alumni Memorial Park. Individual school ceremonies will follow the main ceremony. #USCGrad

Published on May 12th, 2022

Last updated on May 12th, 2022

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[UG/MS/PhD] USC Makers Spring 2024 Showcase

The following announcement is from USC Makers. Please contact them directly if you have any questions.

Published on April 23rd, 2024

Last updated on April 23rd, 2024

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2024/ 2025 Academic Year Graduate Assistantship – Computer Science at University of Nebraska

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2024/ 2025 Academic Year Graduate Assistantship – Computer Science

Computer Science

Essential Functions

The Department of Computer Science in the College of Information Science and Technology is seeking Graduate Assistants to assist faculty in research, teaching, or service during the 2024/ 2025 Academic year. Graduate assistantships are based on academic and/ or professional excellence. Recipients receive tuition remission, a monthly salary, and subsidized health insurance to work approximately 20 hours per week on assigned professional responsibilities. Selection criteria will include matching past and current experience with requested skills by faculty. Responsibilities may include:

• Support analysis, design, and execution of research projects, e.g., literature reviews, data collection (e.g., surveys, interviews, ETL), data analysis, or data visualization.
• Track research project progress, reviewing deliverables, and completing grant reporting obligations.
• Prepare lecture materials, assignments, and research material for curriculum development.
• Develop software systems and participate in all phases of product development lifecycles.
• Support investigators in transitioning research to either training or technology products.
• Conduct human subject research using various usability studies, interviews, and surveys, among others.
• Design user experience, interaction, and interface in information systems, such as front-end web application design or data visualization.

Work Schedule

Additional Duties

Required Qualifications

• Admitted into UNO Graduate Program.
• Must complete a background check.
• Carry a minimum of six graduate hours in each of the fall and spring semesters.

Preferred Qualifications

• UNO graduate GPA of at least 3.5
• Cleared all foundation requirements
• At least 2 semesters remaining in their program

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Regularly sits; may stand, walk. See, hear, speak and use of hands.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Regularly works indoors. Noise level is low to moderate.

All interested parties must apply through the UNO Website listed above. Materials submitted directly to this site will not be considered.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. UNO is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an E-Verify employer.

All interested parties must apply through the UNO Website listed above. Materials submitted directly to this site will not be considered. The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. UNO is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an E-Verify employer.

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Computer Science Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2024

computer science

Hailie Mitchell

Hometown: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Major: computer science  Employer: Google Job title: software engineer

How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?

At Dickinson, I've had the opportunity to take interesting classes that blend my passions for the arts, music and tech, guided by supportive faculty. My study abroad experience in Italy was absolutely unforgettable and truly essential; it not only broadened my horizons but also sharpened my decision-making and creativity. My computer science classes have also been crucial in developing both soft and hard skills for tackling real-world challenges in my future career.

• Google, New York, software engineer intern, summer 2023
• Google, New York, STEP intern, summer 2022
• Applied Insight LLC, Hanover, Md. 

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Published April 11, 2024

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Flamenco performance and master class with paella, pickleball tournament, seed bomb making, orchestra concert.

UMD Ph.D. Student Snehesh Shrestha's Software Uses AI to Teach You How to Play the Violin

On the ground floor of one of the new computer buildings at the University of Maryland, Anna Kelleher played her centuries-old violin while a program running on a laptop in front of her told her to do things such as raise her chin or widen her stance.

These were common mistakes that Kelleher knows not to do. After all, she’s a graduate student studying violin performance. But she also teaches violin to others, and the program she was demonstrating might someday help those she teaches to play even better.

Believers in artificial intelligence say the program will radically transform our lives in so many ways.

It’s designed by Snehesh Shrestha , a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Computer Science, and is the perfect example of how the University of Maryland is building bridges between AI and every other academic program on campus.

A simple webcam found on your laptop, or even your phone, captures enough movement and audio from your performance that the AI program can tell what you’re doing wrong. Whether your stance is too wide or narrow, to whether or not your chin is in the right spot, it can see and also hear everything you’re doing right and wrong.

The program was designed to try “to understand the whole space, not just blindly building a technology, but understanding how can we fill the gaps that are currently there in the entire music learning process,” Shrestha said. “And by identifying gaps where we can empower the teacher and the students, we could really build something a lot more powerful than just building a single technology. And that really was like the starting point of exploring into what the technology can provide towards the future direction of music education.”

On the monitor, the teacher can see the student in 3D — every angle imaginable — to see how they stand and how they move. Technology, including a piece that looks sort of like a smartwatch, can also send cues to the student through vibrations in the wrist.

Click  HERE  to read the full article

The Department welcomes comments, suggestions and corrections.  Send email to editor [-at-] cs [dot] umd [dot] edu .

UC Davis Graduate Studies

Sasha Neil Pimento Named 2024 UC Davis Grad Slam Champion

Master’s student in computer science graduate group will compete at uc grad slam on may 3.

• by Gordy Sauer
• April 25, 2024

At the beginning of her UC Davis Grad Slam presentation, Sasha Neil Pimento posed a simple question to audience members. 

“Have you ever walked to a particular room in your house and then wondered: ‘Wait a minute, why did I come in here?’” Pimento asked. 

This occurrence, called the ‘doorway effect,’ is experienced inordinately by patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Leveraging this example, and using only one slide while talking for less than three minutes, Pimento then explained to a lay audience in an understandable and engaging way how her complex research could let individuals with Alzheimer’s disease manage challenges such as this to live independently for longer periods. 

In her presentation “Opening Doors for Alzheimer’s Disease Care,” Pimento shared why the intelligent applications and platforms she and her team have developed could aid memory for intentions, facilitate long-distance care-giving and better analyze disease progression. 

Currently, over 55 million people worldwide live with Alzheimer’s or other dementias and over 10 million new cases are diagnosed each year, according to  Alzheimer’s Disease International . That’s one new case every 3.2 seconds. Considered this way: Pimento’s Grad Slam presentation lasted three minutes, which translates to 56 new cases of that disease or other dementias during her presentation alone, making research breakthroughs like Pimento’s crucial to “opening doors,” as she put it.

For her efforts, Pimento won first place and a prize of $5,000 at the UC Davis Grad Slam Semi-Final round on Friday, April 12, 2024. She became only the second master’s student in the history of the UC Davis Grad Slam competition to win first place. She will now represent UC Davis at the UC Grad Slam competition on May 3. 

Resonating with a wider audience

Pimento was inspired to enter this year’s Grad Slam competition once she saw the presentation of the 2023 UC Davis Grad Slam winner, Julia Mouat, Ph.D. ’23.  Julia went on to win 2 nd place in the 2023 UC Grad Slam competition .

“I found it [Julia’s presentation] fantastic and was inspired to try it myself since I have always enjoyed giving technical presentations. When I expressed my intention to enter the contest to my advisor, Dr. Alyssa Weakley, she was very supportive and encouraged me to go for it. We both saw Grad Slam as a valuable opportunity to not only raise awareness about our Alzheimer's disease research but also share our work with a wider community,” she said.

Pimento said she thought a lot about how to personally engage the audience with her presentation. Alzheimer’s research, like all research, is intricate and technical. It was imperative for Pimento to build a narrative that was not only concise – after all, she only had three minutes to present – but also easy to understand. Then, when she and her team were pilot testing their research and an Alzheimer’s patient shared their own anecdote, Pimento knew she’d discovered her “draw.”

“An Alzheimer's patient shared how by the time they walked from one room to another, they had already forgotten their initial intention or task. This anecdote inspired me to incorporate the concept of the ‘doorway effect’ into the hook,” she said. “Many innovations and research could directly benefit societies and individuals, but only if they are made aware of the work in a comprehensible manner.”

Prepping for and participating in Grad Slam

When it came to preparing for the UC Davis competition, Pimento studied Julia Mouat’s presentation. She analyzed what made it successful to incorporate some of those techniques. In addition, she leaned on the support, guidance and suggestions of her advisor, Dr. Weakley; the GradPathways Institute for Professional Development, a division of Graduate Studies; and the one-on-one coaching offered by Dr. Beth Tweedy, STEM Librarian. She then seized different opportunities to refine her delivery. She practiced at the inaugural Interdisciplinary Graduate Research Exhibition hosted jointly by Graduate Studies and the  Graduate Alumni Network , as well as at the UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) meetings. Even her mother got involved in the process: Pimento held multiple practice sessions with her.

“The road to the UC Davis Grad Slam competition was long but rewarding,” Pimento said.

She described the whole UC Grad Slam experience as “truly incredible” and was particularly excited by the opportunity to meet the other nine UC Davis Grad Slam finalists and get to know about their research. In such a high-stakes environment as a competition like Grad Slam, having that level of mutual support is crucial to excelling.

“We all connected really well with each other and also had a few laughs together, which helped us calm our nerves before presenting,” she said. “This experience is a testament to the power of collaboration and the incredible UC Davis community, and I am grateful to the entire Graduate Studies team for organizing this remarkable event.”

But the work isn’t over. Now, Pimento turns her sights on the May 3 UC Grad Slam competition. She’ll compete against the nine other campus finalists for a chance to win the grand prize, even if she sees the prize itself as secondary to the opportunity.

“I'm eager to meet and interact with the other finalists, and to learn about the fascinating research they are conducting across various disciplines. I’m also eager to network and make new connections as it will allow me to share details about our own work on technological innovations to aid Alzheimer's patients. Overall, I'm thrilled to have this platform to not only showcase our research but also to gain exposure to the remarkable projects my fellow peers are working on.”

Supporters from the Campus Community and Beyond

In its tenth year, the UC Davis Grad Slam competition continues to showcase the transformative research and scholarship driven by our graduate education community. We would like to acknowledge all of this year's Grad Slam award recipients:

• Sasha Neil Pimento, 1st Place
• Prabhash Ragbir (Ph.D. student in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering), 2nd Place
• Erin Hisey (Ph.D. student in the Integrative Pathobiology Graduate Group ), 3rd Place
• Roshni Shetty (Ph.D. student in the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group), Public Impact Prize
• Roshni Shetty, People's Choice Award

Graduate Studies would also like to acknowledge that without the comprehensive support from people and organizations – both on- and off-campus – this event wouldn’t be possible. Each year, judges from the UC Davis, alumni and local community are invited by Graduate Studies to evaluate the students’ presentations. This year’s semi-final round judges were:

• Dr. Amy Hart, Program Manager for Public Scholarship and Engagement
• Dr. Denneal Jamison-McClung, Ph.D. ’03, Director of the UC Davis Biotechnology Program
• Lora Painter, Anchor/Reporter, ABC 10 Sacramento
• Rinki Sethi ’04, VP & CISO, Bill.com
• Dr. Gordon Walker, Ph.D. ’16, Social media star with over 2.5 million followers worldwide on his @FascinatedByFungi accounts

Lastly, Graduate Studies would like to thank the sponsors of the 2024 UC Davis Grad Slam event:

• GradPathways Institute for Professional Development
• UC Davis Office of Research
• UC Davis Public Scholarship and Engagement
• UC Davis Global Affairs
• Rinki Sethi

• MyU : For Students, Faculty, and Staff

2024 arts, sciences, and engineering graduate student commencement

CLA and CSE master’s, doctoral, and postbaccalaureate certificate students who have registered to participate in the commencement ceremony are invited to attend the spring 2024 commencement. 

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3M Arena at Mariucci

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AI smartphones may soon help monitor chronic wounds from home

The technology, being developed at the University at Buffalo, could aid millions of people, ease busy health care system

By Laurie Kaiser

Release Date: April 25, 2024

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Individuals increasingly can check on their health conditions at home. Devices that measure blood pressure, glucose and blood oxygen levels, for example, enable patients’ providers to make decisions for their care.

In the near future, patients may also be able to monitor their chronic wounds from the comfort of their homes through mobile artificial intelligence (AI) technology being developed at the University at Buffalo.

Wenyao Xu , professor and associate chair in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering , is leading a team that was recently awarded $3 million from the National Institutes of Health for the four-year research project, “Mobile Health Technologies for Assessing Blood Perfusion in Chronic Wounds.”

Approximately 8.2 million Americans suffer from chronic wounds that stem from a multitude of conditions, including diabetes and major surgery. This technology — accessible through a smartphone — will help streamline treatment, Xu said.

“Patients with these conditions frequently visit their health care providers or specialty wound care clinics and, in and some cases, need to be hospitalized,” Xu said. “This can be a financial burden and a time burden to both the patient and the health care system.”

Empowering patients, regardless of income, location

While the new technology will benefit all patients, it will particularly help individuals who have barriers to transportation or who live in rural areas where wound care services are limited or unavailable, he said.

“The approach proposed in this project is innovative,” he said, “because it will explore and validate new mobile computing and data-driven techniques for wound care and blood perfusion assessment based on evidence-based truth.”

The goal is to empower patients by giving them free, usable technology they can download that will provide exact measurements on how the wound is healing — and keep them out of the hospital.

“Chronic wounds often result from poor blood flow to the affected area, which can lead to a lack of oxygen and nutrients necessary for the healing process,” Xu said. “The long-term objective of this project is to improve wound care and impact wound treatment services by developing low-cost technologies that aid with chronic wound treatment and care.”

Other UB researchers on the project are Jun Xia, PhD, professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering; Linda M. Harris, MD, professor of surgery and chief of UB’s Vascular Surgery Division; Saptarshi Chakraborty, PhD, assistant professor in the Biostatistics Department; Praveen Arany, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Oral Biology; and Heamchand Subryan, MFA, director of interaction design at the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA Center) at UB. They are also working with a research team at NEC Laboratories America , based in Princeton, N.J.

“We are engaging with an industry partner early on to pave the way for mass production of this technology,” Xu said.

Combining AI and mobile optics

The research began about five years ago, stemming from a conversation Xu had with Xia on how to advance AI and mobile optics together – mobile AI – to improve health care, Xu explained.

“We then connected with Dr. Harris, a professor of surgery at UB who has a specialty in vascular surgery,” Xu said. “This is an underexplored area for advanced mobile AI technology.”

Currently, they are collaborating with vascular clinics in the UBMD Physicians’ Group where the team recruits patients in the technology evaluation and clinical study.

“The AI technology analyzes the mobile images and predicts if the wound is on the right track for healing,” Xu said. “If it’s not, the patients can make an appointment to see the doctor.”

First stage: fine-tuning technology

The work with the clinics is the first in a two-stage process and will focus on fine-tuning the prototype and determining what needs to be improved over the next two years. It will involve more than 200 participants in Western New York.

“We will build upon this work to enhance a commodity smartphone with a low-cost multispectral imaging sensor. An app will be available to download on users’ phones to obtain perfusion-related measures,” Xu said. “We are developing machine learning algorithms that extracted the biomarkers of healing and rigorously assess the tools for usability.”  

In early 2026, the team will implement the second stage: a participatory design, feedback and usability study that will include patients and human-computer interaction experts to assess and improve the technology’s usability.

The hope is that eventually anyone who is suffering from a chronic wound can access this technology, he said.

“This AI technology has the potential to advance the current standard of wound care for recovery after discharge from clinical therapies,” he said. “These contributions are significant because they can extend the health self-management of our society through proactive health care and real-time intervention and reduce subjective bias and financial burden for patients, their caregivers and society.”

Media Contact Information

Laurie Kaiser News Content Director Dental Medicine, Pharmacy Tel: 716-645-4655 [email protected]