Varada Kolhatkar

Varada Kolhatkar is an Assistant Professor of Teaching and Co-Director of the Master of Data Science program at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Science. They specialize in making computer science and data science accessible through applied machine learning and computational linguistics. Their academic background includes a Ph.D. in computational linguistics from the University of Toronto's Department of Computer Science.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Computational Linguistics, University of Toronto (Department of Computer Science)

Research Interests: Focus on applied machine learning, data science, computational linguistics, and artificial intelligence. Their work emphasizes bridging theoretical rigor with practical accessibility in education and research.

Awards:

• Faculty Teaching Awards

Leadership & Roles: Co-Director of the Master of Data Science program, overseeing its operational and academic direction. Extensive teaching experience in courses like CPSC 330 (Applied Machine Learning) and CPSC 322 (Introduction to Artificial Intelligence).

Background: Previously held roles in industry and academia across cities including Duluth, Baltimore, Toronto, Ottawa, Stuttgart, and Hamburg. Grew up in Pune, India, with a Marathi language background, and carries a cultural heritage rooted in tradition.