Each week we're featuring a Q&A with a member of our faculty in the School of Computing. Get to know some of our professors! This week we're featuring Assistant Professor of Practice Shruti Daggumati.
What are your research areas or areas of specialty/interest?
Data visualization, database systems, discrete math, machine learning, and computational linguistics. I haven't done much research in the past few years; however, I hope to get back into research in the near future.
What courses are you teaching this year?
This year I am teaching SOFT 160, SOFT 161, CSCE 235, and I am one of four tribe leads for Senior Design.
How did you first become interested in computing or your specific area of computing?
I first became interested in computers by playing Neopets (virtual pet game), where you own virtual pets, and their survival depends on you. I was mainly interested in making virtual money in the game by playing in-built games or selling items on your storefront. Initially, I was doing some simple HTML aesthetic additions to my storefront, but I later was able to figure out how to force injection attacks to make more money from the storefront.
What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of computing? What do you enjoy most about those?
I like to garden, paint (Bob Ross remakes), and bake. Most of my free time goes towards my two girls (3-year-old and almost 1-year-old).
What is your favorite weekend activity?
Going somewhere with my family and spending time with them — it could be to a recreation area or a simple trip to get groceries at Costco.
Where is your favorite place you've traveled?
Spiritually my favorite place I have been to is the Ajanta and Elora Caves (hand-carved caves from BC times). They are UNESCO World Heritage sites and an underrated place that most people don't know about. In the US, my favorite place I have visited is Glacier National Park. It's a beauty that's unmatched.
What is your favorite food?
It's hard to pick between sweet and savory. For sweet I love the chocolate milk and cookies ice cream from 402 Creamery. For savory, I love kebabs — malai kebab being the best.
What is a fun fact or something other members of the school may not know about you?
I love animated films and watching anime in general. I am trying to teach myself (and my family) Japanese by watching anime.
What is your favorite thing about being a part of the School of Computing?
The students.