The Team
Instructor
Walter Scheirer (walter.scheirer@nd.edu)
Walter Scheirer is the Dennis O. Doughty Collegiate Professor of Engineering in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Notre Dame. His research is currently concentrated in several socially relevant areas, including artificial intelligence, media forensics, and information security. As an interdisciplinary scholar, his work is not exclusively technical, and takes a serious and critical look at the human element of various technologies within these spaces. He has published over one hundred technical articles and five scholarly books, and periodically writes for a public audience in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. As a teacher, he emphasizes thought beyond the classroom, bringing students and technologists together in dialogue.
Office Hours
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM, and by appointment
Office Location
Fitzpatrick Hall of Engineering Room 182A
Teaching Assistants
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Louisa Conwill (lconwill@nd.edu)
I am a sixth year PhD student in computer science and engineering, advised by your professor, Walter Scheirer. There are two main research projects I've worked on during my PhD thus far: using Catholic Social Teaching to inspire more ethical social media designs, and studying the effects of facial filters on human and machine facial perception. As part of my research I co-wrote the book Virtue in Virtual Spaces: Catholic Social Teaching and Technology with Walter Scheirer and Megan Levis. I graduated undergrad from Brown University in 2017, and between Brown and Notre Dame I worked as a software engineer for Amazon Alexa and served as a missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). In my free time you can find me singing at Saturday evening Basilica Mass with the Magnificat Choir and working out at Pure Barre. I love talking about technology ethics and career discernment so don't hesitate to reach out!
Office Hours
Wednesday 3:00 - 5:00 PM, and by appointment
Office Location
Fitzpatrick Hall of Engineering Room 182
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Annalisa Szymanski (aszyman2@nd.edu)
I am a Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science and Engineering studying human-computer interaction. My research focuses on designing methods for incorporating human and domain expertise into the development and evaluation of large language models, particularly for complex, real-world tasks. Last year, I was a graduate fellow with the IBM-Notre Dame Tech Ethics Lab in the Center for Ethics and the Common Good, where I had the opportunity to examine some of the broader ethical questions and assumptions surrounding my dissertation research. This past summer, I interned with IBM Research, where I explored how AI systems can better incorporate domain-specific knowledge in the field of agriculture. Before beginning my Ph.D., I worked at Vanguard for five years in a Client Experience research lab, where I studied human behavior to inform the design of new technologies. Outside of research, I enjoy barre and Orangetheory classes, and I have also recently been working on improving my chess skills.
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Victoria Caruso (vcaruso@nd.edu)
I am a senior majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Engineering Corporate Practice. Outside the classroom, I serve as a Moreau Peer Leader and conduct research through both STRAND and the Nanovic Sustainability Fellowship. This past summer, I interned in Seattle as an SDE at Amazon—feel free to reach out with any questions about Seattle or the PNW! In my free time, I enjoy hiking, learning to cook, playing pickleball, and running.
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Clint Murray (cmurra26@nd.edu)
I am a senior studying Computer Science with a minor in Engineering Corporate Practice. I am involved in Student International Business Council (SIBC) and Sports Analytics Club. Additionally, I am a tour guide for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. In my spare time, I enjoy golfing, running, and hanging out with my friends. Feel free to ask me any questions!
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Brynn Johnson (bjohns33@nd.edu)
I am a senior majoring in Computer Science with minors in Engineering Corporate Practice and Theology. When not in class, I am a Digital Forensics Investigator for the St. Joseph's County Prosecutor's Office and involved in Computer Club and WICS. This past summer, I had the opportunity to work as a Quality Intern for Foxconn. In my free time, I love to cook, read, and run. Feel free to reach out anytime — I'm happy to help!
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Samar Vinod (svinod@nd.edu)
My name is Samar. I'm a Senior, studying Computer Science with a minor in Engineering Corporate Practice. I'm originally from Hyderabad, India, but I live in Duncan Hall on campus. I've been involved in various clubs and organizations from the Data Club to SIBC to ND Venture Capital. I'm fascinated by AI, its applications and also its impacts on society, especially from an ethical perspective. Feel free to reach out with any questions!