Andrew Nere

Andrew Nere serves as Assistant Professor of Computer Science in the Math & Computer Science Department at Western Colorado University, teaching courses including Introduction to Web Design, Computer Science I, and Software Entrepreneurship since joining the faculty in Fall 2022. His industry background includes co-founding Thalchemy (2013), a startup specializing in embedded machine learning for wearable and environmental sensor applications, alongside prior internships at IBM and Qualcomm.

His educational credentials feature:

• PhD in Electrical Engineering from University of Wisconsin-Madison (2013)
• MS in Electrical Engineering from University of Wisconsin-Madison (2010)
• B.S. in Computer Engineering from St. Cloud State University (2007)

Nere's research centers on hardware-software co-design for efficient AI deployment, with dual focus on neuromorphic computing architectures and practical embedded systems implementation. He bridges theoretical neuroscience with engineering solutions, particularly for resource-constrained environments like fitness trackers and environmental sensors where computational efficiency is paramount. His work emphasizes translating academic research into real-world applications rather than pure theoretical exploration.

Analysis of his 2010-2013 publications reveals consistent innovation in brain-inspired computing hardware, with recurring themes of GPU-accelerated neural simulations, specialized cache architectures for AI workloads, and energy-efficient neuromorphic designs. The research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration across computer architecture, neuroscience, and machine learning communities, frequently targeting hardware acceleration for cognitive computing tasks.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Best Paper Nomination at IEEE International Symposium on Workload Characterization (2012)
• Best Paper in Track at International Parallel and Distributed Processing Symposium (2011)

Nere brings substantial industry experience to academia, having served as university collaborator on the DARPA/IBM SyNAPSE project modeling brain functionality in computing systems. His startup Thalchemy exemplifies his commitment to applied research translation, while his current Software Entrepreneurship course provides students with practical business development frameworks for technology ventures.

He actively leverages Gunnison Valley's natural environment for both recreation and potential research applications, noting particular interest in environmental sensing opportunities afforded by the region's wilderness proximity and diverse ecosystems.