Misconceptions in SQL Professors and Supervisors

Gursimran WaliaView profile

Professor

Augusta UniversityUnited States

Dr. Gursimran Walia serves as Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences at the University of Georgia. Their academic background includes a Ph.D. and Master of Science in Computer Science from Mississippi State University (2009 and 2006). They hold administrative roles in both the Department of Computer & Cyber Sciences and The Graduate School. Dr. Walia's academic contributions span multiple institutions and interdisciplinary initiatives. Educational Background Ph.D., Computer Science, Mississippi State University (2009) M.S.C., Computer Science, Mississippi State University (2006) Research Focus Dr. Walia's work centers on software engineering education, programming pedagogy, and human factors in software development. They develop novel tools like the Testing Tutor platform and Non-intrusive Classroom Attention Tracking System (NiCATS) . Their research emphasizes improving student learning outcomes through active learning strategies, gamification, and AI-driven education technologies. Key themes include: Software requirements engineering and error taxonomy development Classroom attention tracking using machine learning and eye-tracking Curriculum design for software testing and database systems Addressing industry-education gaps in CS graduate preparedness Professional Service Dr. Walia actively contributes to academic service through: Curriculum development initiatives Educational research funding proposals Reviewing for conferences and journals in software engineering education Innovation & Labs Their work involves: Designing cyberlearning environments for CS education Developing the WReSTT (Web-based Repository of Software Testing Tutorials) Advancing NiCATS classroom monitoring systems

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Teemu SirkiäView profile

Visiting Professor

Aalto UniversityFinland

Teemu Sirkiä is a Visiting Professor at Aalto University's School of Science , Department of Computer Science, since January 2015. He specializes in Computer Science Education , Educational Technology , and Program Visualization . Research Interests include interactive learning content, SQL/Python/Java programming education, adaptive systems, and smart learning tools. His work focuses on creating educational technologies like Jsvee and Kelmu for program animation, improving engagement through interactive textbooks (Acos server), and analyzing programming misconceptions. Scientific Contributions span 15+ years, with recent work (2020-2022) on SQL programming examples, educational datasets, and Python learning systems. His publications address topics like remedial recommendations, interoperability, and eye-tracking studies in programming education. Awards : Aalto High 5 Award for Education (2015) for developing Aalto's first MOOC Collaborations include Research Professor Lauri Malmi, Peter Brusilovsky (adaptive learning), and Kerttu Pollari-Malmi (computing education). He contributes to ACM conferences like ITiCSE, UMAP, and SIGCSE.

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Wim VanhoofView profile

Professor

University of NamurBelgium

Wim Vanhoof is a Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science, University of Namur, leading the Research Group on the Foundations of Computer Science. He holds a Doctor of Science degree from KU Leuven (2001), specializing in clustering and instance-based learning in first-order logic. His research focuses on logic programming, constraint solving, software testing methodologies, concurrency in programming, and educational technology. Key projects include Sandbox4CS (2024–2025), a research infrastructure for computer science, and collaborative efforts like Silverkit (2019–2022), aimed at improving senior citizens' interaction with digital tools. His research interests span formal methods, program analysis, automated testing, and educational innovations in computer science. Notable contributions include frameworks for relational symbolic execution of SQL, semantic clone detection in CLP, and tools like Moulinog for generating Prolog assignments. Vanhoof has authored over 90 publications and supervised 83 students, reflecting his extensive academic leadership. He received the IBM Belgium Prijs informatica (1996) and remains active in academic activities, including organizing workshops and conferences like FOCUS Research Seminar (2019) and participating in events such as Computer Science Logic 2022. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, emphasizing software quality, concurrency management, and educational pedagogy.

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Daphne E. MiedemaView profile

Assistant Professor

Eindhoven University of TechnologyNetherlands

Daphne E. Miedema is an Assistant Professor in the Database Group at Eindhoven University of Technology. Her work focuses on data systems education , particularly addressing student misconceptions in SQL and improving database learning tools . She has contributed to the field through empirical studies and collaborative workshops. University: Eindhoven University of Technology School: Mathematics and Computer Science Department: Database Group Academic Rank: Assistant Professor Research Interests Daphne specializes in Structured Query Language (SQL) education and student engagement in database systems. Her work explores: Misconceptions in SQL query writing Development of validated assessment instruments Integration of educational theory with database practices Collaborative research in data systems education Human-database interaction frameworks Curriculum design for database-related courses Scientific Awards Daphne has received recognition for her contributions: Best Paper Nomination (2023) ICER 2021 Honorable Mention (2021)

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Gursimran Singh WaliaView profile

Professor

Augusta UniversityUnited States

Gursimran Singh Walia is an Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Studies at Augusta University's School of Computer and Cyber Sciences (SCCS), and an affiliated Professor of Computer Science at North Dakota State University. His 16-year academic career focuses on advancing computer science education and research, emphasizing software engineering, cybersecurity, and pedagogical innovation. He leads SCCS's graduate programs and academic policies while fostering industry collaboration and inclusivity in STEM education. Research & Education Dr. Walia’s research spans empirical software engineering , security vulnerability analysis , software quality improvement , and computer science pedagogy . He pioneered tools like the Non-intrusive Classroom Attention Tracking System (NiCATS) and Testing Tutor , and developed frameworks for error classification in software requirements. His work bridges cognitive psychology and software development, addressing human factors in requirements engineering. Awards & Recognition Excellence in Teaching Award (NDSU) Nominated for Peltier Award (Teaching Innovation) Best Industry Paper Runner-Up (IEEE ISSRE 2018) Exemplary CS Educational Research Paper (SIGCSE 2017) Leadership & Impact He spearheaded Augusta University’s new Bachelor of Science in Data Science and strengthened cybersecurity pathways via articulation agreements with 22 Georgia technical colleges. His initiatives include AI-driven STEM education strategies and multi-institutional studies on programming misconceptions. Teaching Teaches courses like Software Project Planning , Empirical Software Engineering , and System Analysis & Design . Integrates active learning and technology (e.g., NiCATS, Testing Tutor) to enhance student engagement.

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Matthias HauswirthView profile

Associate Professor

InriaFrance

Matthias Hauswirth is an Associate Professor at the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano, Switzerland, leading the Lugano Computing Education (LuCE) research lab . His work focuses on programming education, conceptual change in learning, and notional machines. He actively contributes to Swiss high school informatics teacher training programs and maintains the programming misconceptions repository . Education: Not explicitly detailed in provided texts Research: Centers on programming education, language design for learning, and empirical studies of programming practices Publications: Span 2011-2025 with emphasis on educational tools, Java analysis, and graphics-based learning Service: Program committee roles in OOPSLA, SPLASH, ICER, and co-organizer of SPLASH-E 2016 Projects: ExpressionTutor.org, PyTamaro, Progmiscon.org

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Daphne MiedemaView profile

Assistant Professor

Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin)Germany

Daphne Miedema is an assistant professor at the University of Amsterdam within the INDElab research group. Her work focuses on Human-Data Interaction , particularly in SQL education and addressing student misconceptions in database systems . She completed her PhD at Eindhoven University of Technology, where she studied SQL education interventions to improve student performance. Teaching Roles : Data Modeling and Databases (BSc instructor), Data Analytics for Engineers (BSc supervisor), Knowledge Engineering (MSc lecturer). Supervised MSc Students : Dmitrii Orlov (static typing for SQL), Willem Aerts (LLM-generated SQL questions), Bas Witters (SQL aggregation errors visualization), Jeroen Besems (SQL misconceptions on Stack Overflow), Leonardo Mathon (SQL anti-patterns awareness), Alex Odynchuk (SQL scoping errors visualization). Her research intersects with computing education , exploring tools like QuerySandbox for SQL anti-patterns, scaffolding techniques in programming exercises, and collaborative learning frameworks. She actively contributes to workshops like DataEd at SIGMOD and participates in conferences such as Koli Calling , ICER , and NordiCHI . Labs/Teams : Affiliated with the INDElab at the University of Amsterdam and involved in the DataEd workshop at SIGMOD.

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