Graduation Spotlight: Evan Kanter

Evan Kanter
Computer Science specialist, Political Science minor
Trinity College

Why did you choose U of T for your undergrad?

I was particularly attracted by the broad course of study options available within U of T’s Faculty of Arts and Science. I originally wanted to combine a computer science major with an ethics, society, and law major – that sort of interdisciplinary study is a unique benefit of studying computer science at U of T. While I ended up specializing in computer science and doing a minor in political philosophy (officially, political science), I found the opportunity to combine my interests studying in multiple different world-class departments to be extremely enriching and intellectually stimulating. I also knew that the U of T computer science department has outstanding teaching faculty that would make learning CS at U of T to be a very enjoyable and rewarding experience.

What inspired you to study computer science?

I was inspired by the endless possibilities to use computer science to improve society and help people. Technology has such a far-reaching impact and is changing the way people live and society functions, so I knew that studying computer science would enable me to make an impact in pretty much any industry. Additionally, I grew up in a family of engineers and tinkered with computers as a kid. From programming LEGO robots as part of the FIRST Lego League in middle school, and later from high school computer science classes, I learned that I found the type of problem solving we do in computer science to be really exciting, and so I was sure that I’d enjoy studying CS in my undergrad.

Who or what at U of T influenced your education the most?

The teaching stream faculty in the Department of Computer Science are all super kind and understanding and are amazing teachers. Teachers like David Liu, Karen Reid, Paul Gries, Mike McCarthy, Steve Engels, Jacqueline Smith, Michelle Craig, and François Pitt made a huge difference in my learning at U of T and I can’t thank them enough for all the effort they put in to make learning computer science fun, accessible, and appropriately challenging.

How did you get involved at U of T outside of your coursework?

Firstly, I had the pleasure of being a TA for four different computer science courses over the last two years and working with Professors David Liu and Mario Badr to develop the course materials for the new first-year CS foundations courses CSC110 and CSC111. You learn the material to a much higher degree of mastery when you have to teach it, get the pleasure of working with students, and learn really valuable communication skills (that are super helpful in technical interviews!), so these teaching experiences were very rewarding.

I also got heavily involved in governance and student advocacy at U of T. I served on governance committees of the Faculty of Arts and Science, including the Arts and Science Council, Committee on Standing, and Curriculum Committees. This past year I served as a Governor on the University’s Governing Council, as well as the Business Board, University Affairs Board, and Academic Appeals Committee. I also had the role of Director of External Relations and later Advocacy Lead for the Computer Science Student Union (CSSU), through which I organized multiple networking and professional development events and founded and led the CSSU’s Same Degree, Same Fee campaign that continues to advocate for more equitable tuition for computer science, bioinformatics, and data science students. All these experiences in governance and advocacy were very meaningful to me – they were an opportunity to contribute to the improvement and growth of the university and to ensure that students are well represented in the governance process of the university.

What U of T memory do you treasure the most?

I remember the awe at how alive the campus was and how exciting being a student felt as I walked from class to class on campus as a first-year, the fall sun beating down upon me. That feeling is one that will stay with me.

If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice at the start of your undergraduate degree, what would it be?

Start early on your assignments, do all the readings and prep before class, and make sure to set aside plenty of time to relax, socialize, and have fun.

Is there a lesson you learned as an undergraduate student that you’ll take with you moving forward?

There’s no such thing as a stupid question — never be afraid to ask a question in class or in many other settings; asking will be helpful to you and almost certainly to others in the room with you.

What’s next for you?

I’m moving to the San Francisco Bay area where I’ll be working as a Software Engineer for Meta Platforms. I’m excited by the opportunity to join Meta to help improve the way people communicate on such a massive scale. There are all kinds of ethical issues at play in the products that Meta delivers and I look forward to using what I’ve learned at U of T about computer science, ethics, and political philosophy to work on these important issues.

Graduation Spotlight: Antoine Finot

Antoine Finot
Computer Science specialist, Statistics minor
Victoria College

Why did you choose U of T for your undergrad?

I chose U of T for its well-regarded academic programs and flexibility in switching majors throughout undergrad. I was also pulled by the opportunity to study right in the center of a large city since I had grown up in the suburbs. There’s always so much to do!

What inspired you to study computer science?

I played a lot of video games growing up, and my parents often encouraged me to try making one instead of just playing them. While I never got around to making one (I tried!), I took computer science courses in high school and really enjoyed them. So much of our lives revolve around technology, and I find it really cool that there are just regular people behind it.

Who or what at U of T influenced your education the most?

Professor Paul Gries! He was my professor for CSC207 Software Design and was also part of the Technology Leadership Initiative. He always brought energy to the classroom and was always positive, no matter the situation. He’s been an amazing person for me to talk to for many topics, from running a club to grad school.

How did you get involved at U of T outside of your coursework?

I was involved in multiple extracurriculars during my undergrad. I was on the self-driving car team, helped run the engineering and computer science career fair, started a computer science club, mentored international students, and managed finances for Victoria College’s intramurals. I was also a Teaching Assistant for several first and second-year courses.

If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice at the start of your undergraduate degree, what would it be?

Have fun, but know your priorities! There is so much to do on-campus and around Toronto, and there’s a balance between those activities and academics.

Is there a lesson you learned as an undergraduate student that you’ll take with you moving forward?

Try new things and take risks. There’s nothing from the past four years that stands out as truly regrettable, and some of my best memories are from things that I was initially hesitant about trying.

What’s next for you?

I’ll be working at a startup called Ridgeline in New York City!

Graduation Spotlight: Samantha Fassnacht

Samantha Fassnacht
Computer Science major, Environmental Studies minor, Environment and Energy minor
New College

Why did you choose U of T for your undergrad?

I first decided to apply to U of T because of its reputation as a strong school for computer science. But I chose to attend U of T when I first visited the campus for a tour. From the moment I set foot in Front Campus, I felt at home and knew this was the right place for me.

What inspired you to study computer science?

Growing up, my favorite subject in school was math, but I knew from the first programming course I took in 9th grade that I wanted to study computer science in university. To me, computer science felt like an applied form of all my math knowledge, and I loved the scientific, problem-solving mindset required to write a program to achieve a task.

Who or what at U of T influenced your education the most?

I want to thank Professor Steve Easterbrook for mentoring me during my undergraduate degree and for providing me with the opportunity to conduct climate science research. From the beginning of my first year, he has inspired me and has taught me so much about climate science. I'm grateful for his guidance.

How did you get involved at U of T outside of your coursework?

I've been a member of Dig In Campus Agriculture since my first year at U of T, and I've been a co-coordinator for the club for three years. I've always loved gardening with my family, and it was important for me to find a way to maintain my connection with nature during my undergraduate degree. I'm glad I found a group of people that enjoys growing food as much as I do and who also want to share that passion with the whole campus! I've learned so much about organic gardening as a member of Dig In, and I'll miss the gardens when I graduate.

What U of T memory do you treasure the most?

It's too hard for me to choose just one! I have so many fond memories with friends in New College while we were in residence, and we've formed so many great memories in the years after. I'm so thankful that we're still so close, and I'm looking forward to more fun times with them post-graduation.

Is there a lesson you learned as an undergraduate student that you’ll take with you moving forward?

The most important lesson that I've learned, and that I'm still working on, is to slow down, relax, and enjoy the little moments in life. It can be all too easy to make yourself busy or always be pushing for the next big thing. But if you're always focused on the future, you can forget to enjoy the present, appreciate the people you care about, and to take care of your own wellbeing. I try to enjoy every day to the fullest.

What’s next for you?

My goal is to pursue a career in environmental technology, so I am very excited that I have recently started a full-time position working at ecobee! I'm proud to work for company that helps save energy and where I can pursue both of my passions: technology and sustainability. I love the city of Toronto, and I plan on eventually becoming a citizen of Canada.

Toniann Pitassi elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences

Toniann Pitassi

Toniann Pitassi — a professor and recent Bell Canada Chair in Information Systems in the Department of Computer Science, with a joint appointment in the Department of Mathematics — has been elected as a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. The election recognizes ongoing research excellence and is considered among the highest of scientific honours.

Pitassi’s primary research area is computational complexity, a central component in the design of computer algorithms. The key problem in this field is to determine how many resources, including time and memory, an algorithm will require in order to perform most efficiently. Pitassi seeks to understand both the size allocation of resources needed to solve important computational problems, and the relationships and tradeoffs between such resources.

The most famous problem in computational complexity is the driving force behind much of Pitassi’s research. Known as the P versus NP problem, it asks whether every problem whose solution can be quickly verified can also be solved quickly. A solution to this problem would have profound implications not only for algorithmic research, but for mathematics, cryptography, artificial intelligence, game theory, philosophy, economics and many other fields.

Pitassi is also the Canada CIFAR AI Chair at the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence. She is concerned with ensuring fairness in artificial intelligence, and with the question of how to address biased data sources.

In addition to her positions at U of T and the Vector Institute, Pitassi is the Jeffrey L. and Brenda Bleustein Professor of Engineering at Columbia University. She received her BS and MS from Pennsylvania State University in 1985, followed by a PhD from the University of Toronto in 1992.

Named as a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery in 2018, Pitassi received the European Association for Theoretical Computer Science Research Award in 2021. She is currently a research lead at the Schwartz-Reisman Institute for Technology and Society, and holds a five-year appointment as visiting professor at the Institute for Advanced Study.

Read more about the problem that guides much of Toniann Pitassi’s research.