TA Spotlight: Tanya Churaman
Tanya Churaman is a TA for CS 6603: AI, Ethics, and Society. Keep reading to learn more about Tanya!
What is your academic and/or professional background? If you're currently working, what do you do?
I graduated from Georgia Tech with a B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Currently, I work at Pearson as a Psychometrics Data Manager in the Test Design & Innovation sector of the English Language Learning Department. My interdisciplinary education and research experiences have provided me expertise in various fields, such as Machine Learning, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, and Education. These diverse backgrounds have honed my skills as a versatile researcher, designer, and teacher.
Why do you TA for OMSCS?
During my undergraduate studies, I served as a teaching assistant for CS 1315: Introduction to Media Computation, an introductory coding class for non-CS majors. This experience helped me discover my passion towards teaching and helping others reach their full potential! Coding is a skill that students can use in any discipline. I enjoy being a teaching assistant for CS 6603: AI, Ethics, and Society because this course not only plays a pivotal role to introducing data science concepts, but it also highlights the importance of leveraging technology and algorithms for the betterment of society, while considering the vital importance of ethical considerations in their application.
What is your advice for future OMSCS students?
My advice is to always ask questions and learn from each other! Given that this program is fully online, our interactions may differ from traditional in-person classes. However, this experience presents the opportunity to leverage the online tools available to us for collaborative learning. You can learn from the teaching staff and your peers. Everyone brings their unique ideas, skill sets, and experiences. Communicating with others not only expands your horizons but also fosters a rich learning environment where you can explore diverse perspectives and discover new insights in your studies. Be an active participant in your learning!
What is your preferred programming language, and why?
If someone had asked me this question two years ago, I would have answered with Python. Python’s clean and concise syntax affords readability and logical understanding. However, after gaining more research and professional experience, I have discovered that R has become my favorite programming language! In my opinion, R is better suited for my statistical analysis and data visualization tasks. Its extensive collection of packages simplifies data cleaning which makes my more complex analyses more efficient. Fortunately, having proficiency in multiple programming languages offers me the flexibility to choose the most suitable language for certain tasks to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
What fictional character do you most relate to, and why?
My favorite character is Juliette Ferrars from the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi. Juliette’s journey of empowerment and self-discovery resonates deeply with me; it is an experience that I believe is shared by many. We all face moments of self-doubt and struggle to define our identity and purpose in the world, although our experiences may be different from each other’s. Juliette’s resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity can serve as an inspiration. She learned to accept her flaws and recognize them as sources of strength. Most importantly, I think Juliette teaches us the importance of kindness. Despite the challenges she faced, Juliette remained committed to making a positive difference in the world, exemplifying that even small acts of kindness can make all the difference. I find her character beautiful because she teaches us the importance of striving to be the best versions of ourselves, helping those in need, and finding beauty in everything. When we open our hearts to others, we can truly make a difference in a person’s life and slowly make the world a better place.