Stephen Edwards is an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech. His research interests are in software engineering, the use of formal methods in programming languages, automated testing, component-based approaches, and computer science education. He is particularly interested in software reuse and component-based software engineering.
Tony Allevato is an assistant professor of the practice in the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech. His research interests are in computer science education, where much of his work focuses on test-driven development and developing tools for improving student learning in early CS1 and CS2 courses. He recently retooled his CS2 course to use the Android platform in an effort to increase student interest and engagement in the programming process, and developed the Sofia framework, which makes Android development more approachable for both novice and expert programmers. He is also a senior developer on Web-CAT, the automated grading system used by Virginia Tech and over 70 other institutions, and Pythy, an online integrated learning environment for Python.
Kevin Buffardi is a Ph.D. candidate in computer science at Virginia Tech. He has an M.S. in human-computer interaction from DePaul University and a B.S. in computer science from University of Mary Washington. His research interests include instructional technology, computer science education, intelligent tutoring systems, and human-computer interaction. When he is not busy with teaching and research, Kevin enjoys building musical instruments.
Zalia Shams is... Insert biographical statement and current projects here.
Jason Snyder is pursuing a M.S. in computer science at Virginia Tech and works as a research associate in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He was the author of LIFT, a student-friendly library to support GUI testing in JUnit.
Dan Tilden is pursuing a masters degree in computer science at Virginia Tech, concentrating in human-computer interaction. He spends the rest of his time as a part-time UX engineer at Sicom Systems, Inc., where he designs user interfaces that make managing your fast food empire fun and exciting. In addition to writing about himself in the third person, he also enjoys playing piano.
He is currently working on Pythy, the modern online beginners' IDE for the Python programming language.
Ellen Boyd is... Insert biographical statement here.
Most recently, she developed the Sofia APK Builder, a web service that allows CS1 students who are using the Sofia Micro framework to build their applications into native Android apps without requiring them to install and configure the Android SDK on their own systems. Ellen has also developed Consignment, an Eclipse plug-in that allows instructors to publish starter assignments and demos for students who can then easily import those into their workspace, in order to eliminate overhead and errors caused by project misconfiguration.
After switching majors multiple times, Jackie Falatko finally found her passion in computer science. She plans on completing her B.S. in computer science by May 2014 with a minor in mathematics. Her research interests include improving computer science education for introductory studnts. She is also a member of the inVenTs, a living and learning community for engineers and scientists to work, live, play, and grow together.
She is currently working on a major overhaul of the front-end of Web-CAT, replacing its current user interface with a modern web design that incorporates jQuery and Twitter Bootstrap to transform Web-CAT from simply an automated grader into a "hub" of class activity.
Terri Kingry is majoring in aerospace engineering and minoring in mathematics and computer science, in hope of pursuing a career in UAV programming and aeronautical automation systems. Her academic interests and research include general automation systems, air flow and vibration analysis, and rocket telemetry recovery systems. She also enjoys playing flute and participating in belly dancing and swing dance activities on campus.
She is currently working on the Sofia Physics project, which integrates the open-source real-time engine JBox2D into Sofia Graphics to give students the ability to easily write highly engaging games and simulations using advanced graphics, physical characteristics, and collision detection.
Sloane Neidig is pursuing a B.S. in computer science at Virginia Tech, with an anticipated graduation date of December 2014. She is most interested in human-computer interaction, especially mobile and web application development. In her spare time, Sloane enjoys hanging out with her friends and family and cheering for the Hokies!
She is currently working on Pythy, the modern online beginners' IDE for the Python programming language.
