TALK ABSTRACT

Shwetak will describe his journey in computing and discuss some of the decisions he made early on that set him up for a career in computer science. In addition, he will also share his thoughts on how the fundamental work in computer science is now being driven by the needs of solving important societal problems and how computing is now at the core of everything we do. Shwetak will describe the role of computer science by using examples from his own work in applying computing technology to health and sustainability.

Swetak PatelProf. Shwetak N. Patel
University of Washington
Shwetak N. Patel is the Washington Research Foundation Entrepreneurship Endowed Professor in Computer Science and Engineering and Electrical Engineering at the University of Washington, where he directs his research group, the Ubicomp Lab. His research interests are in the areas of Human-Computer Interaction, Ubiquitous Computing, Sensor-enabled Embedded Systems, and User Interface Software and Technology. His work includes developing new sensing systems, energy and water sensing, mobile health, and developing new interaction technologies.

Dr. Patel was a founder of Zensi, Inc., a residential energy monitoring company, which was acquired by Belkin, Inc in 2010. He is also a co-founder of a low-power wireless sensor platform company called SNUPI Technologies and a consumer home sensing product called WallyHome. WallyHome was acquired by Sears in 2015. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2008 and B.S. in Computer Science in 2003. Dr. Patel is a recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship (2011), Microsoft Research Faculty Fellowship (2011), Sloan Fellowship (2012), TR-35 Award (2009), World Economic Forum Young Global Scientist Award (2013), and an NSF Career Award (2013). He was also was named top innovator of the year by Seattle Business Magazine, was named Newsmaker of the year by Seattle Business Journal in 2011. His past work was also honored by the New York Times as a top technology of the year in 2005.