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.