Principles of Computing (Part 1)

Scott Rixner is a Professor of Computer Science at Rice University, where his research primarily focuses on virtualization, operating systems, and computer architecture. He is particularly interested in memory systems and networking, exploring the intersection of hardware and software to enhance system performance. Rixner has developed Python interpreters for various platforms, including embedded systems and web browsers, and holds 11 patents related to his work, which has been integrated into several open-source projects.In addition to his research, Rixner plays a significant role in curriculum development at Rice University, having chaired committees for both the Department of Computer Science and the School of Engineering. He is also involved in leading the MCS@Rice and MDS@Rice online degree programs. Rixner earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from MIT in 2001, following a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering from the same institution in 1995.

Joe Warren is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Rice University, where he specializes in computer graphics and geometric modeling. He has made significant contributions to the field, authoring the book Subdivision Methods for Geometric Design and publishing extensively on various topics within computer graphics. Warren has a strong passion for computer gaming, both as a player and an educator; he has taught courses on game creation and design for over a decade, collaborating with industry professionals in Houston. An alumnus of Rice University, he completed his undergraduate studies there before earning his Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1986. Since then, he has been a dedicated faculty member at Rice, serving as the Chair of the Department from 2008 to 2013.

Luay Nakhleh is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Rice University, where he has been a faculty member since 2004. He earned his BSc in Computer Science from the Technion in Israel, followed by a Master's degree from Texas A&M University and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, where he received several accolades including the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award. At Rice, Nakhleh has received numerous honors for his teaching and research, including the NSF CAREER Award and an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship. His research primarily focuses on computational biology, particularly phylogenomics and cancer genomics, and he has contributed significantly to the development of algorithms and models for analyzing biological data.Nakhleh's expertise extends beyond academia; he has served as Chair of the Computer Science Department and is currently the William and Stephanie Sick Dean of the George R. Brown School of Engineering at Rice University. His commitment to education is reflected in his teaching excellence awards, and he continues to influence the next generation of computer scientists through his courses on discrete mathematics and computational biology.