A U of T Computer Science alum, Ed Lazowska has made incalculable contributions in both computer science research and securing critical funding for the field. (Photo credit: Dennis Wise/University of Washington.)
Computer Science alum Ed Lazowska fondly remembers stepping onto the University of Toronto’s campus for the first time in the fall of 1972, eager to begin his PhD work with the Department of Computer Science. He recalls the late nights in the cluttered grad student office, the infectious desire to drive scientific discovery and the genesis of lifelong friendships — memories stored forever.
“I can’t say enough about what U of T did for me,” says Lazowska, a prolific researcher, mentor and influential computer scientist at the University of Washington, where he serves as the Bill & Melinda Gates Chair Emeritus for the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering.
Lazowska picked computer science at U of T for his graduate work because of the department’s stellar reputation for bringing up the next generation of computer scientists, despite the fact it had only been founded a few years earlier in 1964.
In his first year, Lazowska felt like a “kid in a candy store” taking courses with some of the most respected names in the field, established researchers such as Stephen Cook, C.C. Gotlieb, Tom Hull and his supervisor Ken Sevcik.
“It was a zero-swagger environment, and it was just lovely,” says Lazowska. “Every course was taught by people who were just as committed to teaching as they were to their research.”
Clockwise from left to right, David Elliott, Phil Cohen, Ed Lazowska and James Allen during the 1970s, working in their graduate student office on the 11th floor of the McLennan Physical Laboratories. (Photo: Supplied)
Lazowska credits his foundational years at U of T for launching his remarkable career. His focus on the design, implementation and analysis of high-performance computing and communication systems led to significant advances in both local and distributed computing. In recent years, Lazowska’s research shifted toward data-intensive science, a field that uses computing technologies to process and analyze vast amounts of data, driving breakthroughs in areas such as climate change, health care and the social sciences.
Beyond his academic achievements, Lazowska is renowned for his unique ability to bridge the worlds of academia, industry and government. This rare skill has made him a central figure in rallying support for computer science research and shaping public policy, including his leadership of the President’s Information Technology Advisory Committee under U.S. President George W. Bush.
“If computer scientists across North America had to elect a representative to advocate for them, Ed would undoubtedly be the person they’d choose,” says Marsha Chechik, professor of computer science at U of T and chair of the department’s 60th anniversary committee. “His ability to articulate the vision of our field across different audiences is unparalleled. He connects worlds, but, more importantly, he connects people.”
“He’s very connected with the government and knows how to get funding for the field and for his department,” adds University Professor Allan Borodin, who taught Lazowska at U of T. “People across the continent know him, but in Washington State, he's a household name.”
Reflecting on the future of computer science and ethical AI, Lazowska is optimistic.
“There’s an increased emphasis on understanding the responsibilities we have as a field,” he says. “Every technology has its uses and abuses, and the important thing is to move forward in a way that maximizes the positive benefits and creates guardrails against those abuses.”
Take deep fake videos and the spread of misinformation, for example.
“Yes, AI contributes to it, but AI is also the only way we’re going to address it,” he says. “The students and faculty at U of T are well-positioned to lead these efforts and I couldn’t be prouder of the department and its legacy.”
As the Department of Computer Science at U of T celebrates its 60th anniversary, Lazowska looks forward to reconnecting with the community that gave him his start.
“I was there for the 50th anniversary and I’ll be coming back to Toronto for the 60th,” he says.
The Department of Computer Science is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a number of in-person and virtual events. Learn more and register.
— Original story by David Goldberg for A&S News