Why did you choose graduate school at IU Indianapolis?
In choosing IUPUI, I considered specific criteria. For the PhD in Computer Science, my first priority was academic integrity. IU Indianapolis boasts numerous renowned professors whose research aligns perfectly with mine. The university offers ample resources for conducting research properly, and both the educators and the university itself are eager to assist students in their research endeavors. Not only does the university support students in their research, but all university staff are also willing to provide any necessary information to students. They genuinely care about their students, and we are fortunate to be here. The Computer Science department provides abundant resources to foster innovation for humanity. From my supervisor and other lab colleagues, I am learning a great deal, which will benefit me in future endeavors when I pursue innovation outside academia.
What has been your favorite academic accomplishment since you’ve been here?
After arriving here, I began working on Large Language Models. Recently, I published my first research paper since coming here. Through my research, I can differentiate between my previous self and my current version. I can discern this transformation within myself, and I believe it's my most significant achievement thus far. My way of thinking and working has changed significantly, thanks to my supervisor, Dr. Hyeju Jang.
Moreover, since coming here, I've had the opportunity to meet many diverse people and learn about their perspectives and work methods. This, too, is a significant achievement for me. I can engage in insightful conversations about recent cutting-edge technology and the problems we must address.
What do you enjoy most about life in Indianapolis?
In my free time and when I need some fresh air, I enjoy visiting some of the famous parks (e.g., Garfield Park Conservatory, White River State Park, German Park, and a few others) and going for a walk along the Canal. It helps me keep myself refreshed, and I can also think about the problems I need to solve. Sometimes I also visit the Indianapolis Zoo and Museum, Monument Circle, and different types of restaurants downtown to taste various national dishes. The place offers plenty of fun options, so a person would never feel bored.
Please provide some details about your work/research as a graduate student and/or any activities you are involved in.
As a PhD student, my current focus is on Large Language Models (LLMs) reasoning. In simple terms, I am working on enabling LLMs to self-correct and generate accurate output autonomously. Additionally, we are exploring ways to allow LLMs to browse the internet for up-to-date information. Furthermore, my supervisor and I are striving to enhance the model's understanding of human conversation to provide optimized responses.
In addition to this work, I am also involved in data visualization, where I analyze data to identify patterns in suicidal tendencies among individuals based on their activities and potential triggers for depression.
Beyond my research, I am currently collaborating on a project in Bangladesh to develop a virtual assistant capable of understanding both English and Bengali languages with a team based there.