David Saffo

Education

• BS in Software Engineering, Loyola University Chicago

About Me

• Hometown: Detroit
• Field of Study: Computer Science
• PhD Advisor: Dr. Cody Dunne

Biography

David Saffo is a PhD student studying Computer Science at Northeastern University's Khoury College of Computer Sciences, advised by Professor Cody Dunne. David has a BS in Software Engineering form Loyola University Chicago. He works primarily in human computer interaction and data visualization, and he is interested in bringing that skill set into solving interdisciplinary problems.

What are the specifics of your graduate education (thus far)?

Working in the realm of human computer interaction and data visualization

What are your research interests in a bit more detail? Is your current academic/research path what you always had in mind for yourself, or has it evolved somewhat? If so, how/why?

My passion is the application of my skills and knowledge to interdisciplinary problems. Human computer interaction and data visualization fit perfectly with this as every field uses and benefits from these disciplines. Everything from the display on your cars dashboard to the human genome is data to be visualized and interacted with.

What’s one problem you’d like to solve with your research/work?

I would like to create tools that aid experts in any particular field with decision making, allowing to choose the right approach faster and with more confidence in the outcomes.

What aspect of what you do is most interesting/fascinating to you? What aspects of your research (findings, angles, problems you’re solving) might surprise others?

Everything from the display on your car's dashboard to the human genome is data to be visualized and interacted with. This gives the field of study an amazingly wide reach. This also gives me the chance to work with many different kinds of fields, gaining that interdisciplinary experience I so enjoy.

What are your research/career goals, going forward?

Creating useful software or tools with lasting impact is something I want to achieve not just in my research but also in my career. Past Northeastern I want to get into R&D in industry and also explore the startup community of Detroit.