Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

As background context, I am aggressively protective of my time, as I believe we all should be.

On a typical day, I receive over a hundred emails. Please do not be offended if I do not reply to yours or redirect you to read this page. If I answered every email I receive, I would not be able to do much else (and if all I did was answer emails, why would you want to talk to me?).

As a professor and a researcher, I wear both hats -- of a maker and a manager. I encourage you to read this excellent essay about why disruptions are so corrosive and disruptive to the maker's schedule.

Here are answers to the questions I am frequently asked over email. By reading these, you are helping me cut down on the time spent answering email (and actually get work done!). I already like you.

Prospective Students, Postdocs

• I want to join the MS Program @ IC/CS/CSE GT.
  Please see the admissions page. I play no role in this process. Please do not email me.
• I want to join the CS/ML/Robotics Ph.D. Program @ GT and work in your lab.
  I am not taking on new PhD students.
• I am looking for a post-doc position.
  I am not taking on new postdocs.
• What do you look for in a student?
  [Partly inspired by Prof. Devi's Parikh's note] At a high-level, here's what I look for in a student, or for that matter any collaborator (in roughly decreasing order of importance):
  • Clarity of thought (e.g. why are you doing what you're doing?) and logical thinking (e.g. do non-sequiturs in arguments bother you?)
  • Clarity of expression (e.g. can you explain things to me without jargon or incoherence?) and theory of mind (do you understand what your interlocutor knows/believes/understands?)
  • Attention to detail and ownership (e.g. do you take pride in what you produce? Does the idea of crap with your name on it deeply disturb you?)
  • Reliability (e.g. do you do what you say you'll do?)
  • Ability and desire to pick up new skills (e.g. how long does it take you to pick up a new 'framework'?)
  • Proficiency in skill-set generally required in technical fields (math, statistics, programming).
  
  Notice that most people tend to focus on the last bullet. It's important but (according to me) not the most important.
• I am looking for a visiting research position / internship (typically 6 months - 1 year).
  I am not hosting visitors.

Georgia Tech Students

• I want to work with you.
  I am not taking on new students.
• What classes should I take?
  If you are interested in Machine Learning, Computer Vision, and AI, I encourage you to look at the various classes listed here:
  https://www.cc.gatech.edu/academics/degree-programs/phd/computer-science/program-of-study
• Can you serve on my committee?
  I am not taking on committee roles at this time.

Press and Commercial Inquiries

• Can you comment on a story?
  In general, I'm happy to talk -- either about research from my group at Georgia Tech or comment on work from peers.