Mayanka Chandra Shekar is Learning Computer Science at a High Level
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MAYANKA CHANDRA SHEKAR
Ph.D. candidate, Computer Science | School of Computing and Engineering | 2019
Where is UMKC taking you?
I am here doing my Ph.D. I did my Master’s in India. UMKC is inspiring me as an academic. Being an international student is an overwhelming experience, but I have met so many different people here. It makes me want to travel and experience the world and other cultures.
Why did you choose UMKC?
I was looking for experience in semantic web. I wanted to study under Dr. Yugyung Lee. It has been my dream since 7th grade to do my Ph.D. and to do it out of India. I felt that I could be at home at UMKC, and have exposure to the rest of the world.
What is semantic web?
It is the study of how you meaningfully link data on the web and how you get information out of it. It brings meaning to hyperlinks.
I got interested in semantic web working under my professor on cloud computing. We were studying how you monitor and determine what is useful to the user with the purpose of enhancing that particular function as opposed to those lesser used functions. It is a meaningful understanding of software.
How did you first get interested in computer science?
In India, we learned computer science as part of our curriculum starting in 6th grade. We would do syntactic analysis. I’ve been programming since 7th grade.
What will be the next big thing in technology?
Everything will facilitate the user. Technology should be able to predict what you need, want and feel and supply something that is useful in a given situation.
How has college inspired you?
In past eight months, I have learned more about computer science and the technologies around me than ever before.
Since entering college, what have you learned about yourself?
Challenges make me more productive rather than smooth learning.
What motto do you live by?
Be happy and make others happy.
What excites you?
Movies and music.
Do you belong to any organizations?
I just joined the UMKC chapters of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Association for Computing Machinery.
Who do you admire most at UMKC and why?
Everyone around inspires me one way or other. I cherish people at UMKC; each one is unique.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
As an academician and researcher.
What is one word that best describes you?
Industrious. I take a lot of effort in accomplishing the task I have taken up.