College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence
When Angela Thorp talks about her 19 years as graduate program manager in the Department of Computer Sciences, she doesn't lead with policy or paperwork. She leads with people. "I'm really a strong advocate for each and every student," she says.
From healthcare research to building campus community, this year’s crop of CDIS graduates is as impressive and ambitious as ever. Here’s to the class of 2026.
After nearly four decades of untangling some of the most complex mathematical puzzles in optimization, Professor Michael Ferris is stepping back — or at least stepping sideways. The John P. Morgridge Chair and Jacques-Louis Lions Professor of Computer Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison will officially retire on June 30, closing a chapter that began when a young Cambridge mathematician arrived in Madison for what was supposed to be just one year.
On May 8, 2026, graduating PhD students walked across the floor in the Hello, World classroom in Morgridge Hall and received their hoods as the culmination of their graduate careers. Now they are alumni and headed to careers in fields that vary from industry to academia.
“We do very practical things that can have a real impact,” Banerjee says. “We are always looking for interesting collaborations with people who feel that they have an interesting problem.”
“Low vision is a complex and widespread condition that affects millions of people, yet it remains underrepresented in technology research,” Dr. Zhao said. “To create truly effective tools, we need a deeper understanding of users’ lived experiences and the flexibility to design technologies that adapt to their environments and preferences.”
After more than two decades in the classroom, Teaching Professor Debra Deppeler is retiring from the Department of Computer Sciences, leaving behind a legacy measured not just in years but in students. Deb earned an MS at UW-Madison in Computer Sciences in 2000 and joined the department in 2001. In her 25 years with the department, Deb has taught a staggering 15,000 undergraduates.
$100 million in philanthropic support and a significant campus investment, including 50 new faculty positions, will support research, education and innovation