Zachary Butler

Zachary Butler is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), part of the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Alfred University and a Ph.D. in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University (2000). His research focuses on cooperative autonomous systems and computer science education, emphasizing puzzle-based learning and educational innovation propagation. He currently leads an NSF-funded project exploring pencil puzzles as problem domains for introductory computing courses.

Teaching responsibilities include courses such as CSCI-140 (Computer Science for AP Students), CSCI-630 (Foundations of Artificial Intelligence), and CSCI-571 (Honors Capstone Research). He has developed specialized courses like Mobile Robot Programming and Puzzles for Computing.

Research highlights include work on robot teams (e.g., Corobotics Project) and educational tools like the Pencil Puzzle repository. His labs include the Robotics Lab and collaborations with the AI Cluster at RIT. He actively promotes the adoption of CS educational innovations through initiatives like the Global Education Task Force.

Professional activities include serving on the editorial board for SIGCSE and organizing international puzzle events. His work bridges robotics research with pedagogical innovation, emphasizing accessibility and inclusive learning environments.