Joyce Chai

Joyce Chai is a Professor in the field of Computer Science and Engineering, with a focus on interdisciplinary research spanning Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Robotics. She mentors PhD students with a hands-on advising style, particularly in early stages, and encourages independence as students progress. Communication primarily occurs via email (response within 1-2 days) and Slack for group projects.

Her research emphasizes problem formulation, empirical evaluation, and dissemination through peer-reviewed literature. She advocates for flexible working hours while recognizing the value of in-lab collaboration. Students under her guidance are expected to lead research projects, attend conferences like ACL, AAAI, and ICRA, and participate in internships during summer.

She supports academic development through teaching assistantships, authorship based on contribution, and collaborative Overleaf drafting for timely feedback. Vacation planning is flexible, with advance notice required to avoid conflicts with deadlines.