If you're passionate about artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), PiStar is the perfect place for you to explore, learn, and contribute to groundbreaking research.
Join Us!
We welcome students who are eager to dive deep into the fascinating realms of AI and ML. Whether you're just starting your journey or already have some experience, there's a place for you at PiStar.
How?
Please read the following guidelines specifying how to apply for a position in the lab and what is expected from a lab member.Should you reach out before applying?
Probably not. For details, please review "Should you email professors?"
Applying: Apply via the Texas A&M graduate admission system. In your statement of purpose refer to our lab and, if applicable, a specific project that you would like to work on. You can increase your chances of admission by reading one of the lab's papers and suggesting your own ideas as to how to extend the underlying research (be creative). A good applicant is one that provides evidence of the following three traits:
- Creative and self-sufficient. I will provide guidance and mentoring as needed but I expect students to develop their own ideas, analyze results, identify patterns and issues, and explore known and new approaches to overcome emerging issues.
- Good coding capabilities. Students are expected to be skilled programmers, write structured and scalable code in a modular approach and produce code that is both efficient and easy to follow and manipulate.
- Proficiency in English (speaking and writing). Students are expected to write papers and discuss their research.
Once you submit your application, the PhD admission committee will review your credentials (GRA, TOEFL, GPA, LOP, references) and decide on your admissibility. If your case is deemed admissible, I will set an interview with you during which we will discuss your fields of interest and experience, and whether you'll be a good fit to our lab. Once this process is finalized I will extend an offer to those that best fit the lab's needs. I cannot give any guarantees in advance other than that I will examine all applications and seriously consider them.
Current master and bachelor level lab members are welcome to apply for a PhD position. In such cases you are expected to be involved in preliminary research and demonstrate self sufficiency. Please contact the lab director directly if you would like to explore this option.
* Don’t worry about sharing your ideas. Assuming they are not trivial or previously published, I will not use, develop, or present your ideas without your consent.
Position description: As a PhD student you are expected to lead a research project. Leading a project requires you to develop and manage the affiliated codebase, guide interns and undergrads, perform ground-breaking research, and, ultimately, publish research papers. We will have weekly meetings where you will report progress during the past week, issues that you encountered, possible ways to address these issues, and objectives that you hope to accomplish in the following week. PhD students are expected to apply for fellowships that are relevant to them.
Applying: MSc applications follow a similar process and requirements as a PhD application (see above). Currently enrolled MSc students are welcome to join our lab meeting and participate in a research project. During the meeting, we will discuss various research projects that our lab is currently involved with. If you find a project that is of interest to you, please contact the leading student and discuss opportunities for you to contribute. Given sufficient contribution, I will happily support a transfer application from a non-thesis track to a thesis track. Exceptional MSc students will be offered admission to the PhD track.
Position description: As a MSc student you are expected to support a research project (usually led by a PhD student). You will be in charge of a well-defined sub-project. You are not expected to come up with your own ideas but are encouraged to do so.
Applying: No need to apply. Simply join our lab meeting and participate in a research project. During the meeting, we will discuss various research projects that our lab is currently involved with. If you find a project that is of interest to you, please contact the leading student and discuss opportunities for you to contribute. If you are interested in research credit (CSCE-491), please join the lab as a volunteer prior to submitting a 491 request. CSCE-491 enrollment will be considered based on your preliminary progress.
Position description: As a volunteer you are expected to support a research project (usually led by a PhD student).