INTERESTS

Three topics which stand out to me are artificial intelligence, programming languages, and algorithm design.

ALGORITHM DESIGN & OPTIMIZATION:
Algorithms have been both one of the most challenging and rewarding areas of study for me. My first encounter with the P vs. NP problem during my 'Intro to Algorithms' class sparked my fascination with computational complexity and the distinction between deterministic and non-deterministic problem-solving. In an advanced algorithms course, I deepened my understanding of concepts like dynamic programming, network flows, NP-completeness, and approximation algorithms. These studies have sharpened my problem-solving skills and expanded my perspective on how algorithms underpin modern computing.


ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE:
My interest in artificial intelligence stems from its ability to transform raw data into intelligent systems that can learn, adapt, and solve complex problems. I have explored AI through coursework and projects, covering topics like search algorithms, optimization techniques, and reinforcement learning. One of my favorite projects was designing a Pacman agent that used reinforcement learning to improve its performance over time. I've also worked on multi-agent systems and experimented with heuristic methods to tackle challenging computational tasks. AI's potential to bridge theory and application is what excites me most, and I am eager to continue contributing to this evolving field.


PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES:
I have hands-on experience designing and extending programming languages through projects where I implemented small languages and added advanced features like multiple return values and rest parameters in function calls. My work has included writing interpreters and compilers, which gave me a deeper appreciation for the mechanics of language processing. On the theoretical side, I have explored finite state machines, which model sequential logic, and lambda calculus, a framework for understanding computation and function application. These experiences have fueled my interest in how programming languages balance elegance and functionality.