Leo Porter

Leo Porter is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at University of California San Diego. His research focuses on computer science education, AI-assisted programming, and active learning pedagogies like Peer Instruction.

Research Interests

• Computer science education research
• AI in programming instruction
• Data structures pedagogy
• Machine learning for student success prediction
• Micro-classroom community building
• Generative AI tools (GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT)

Scientific Awards

• BEST PAPER SIGCSE 2022
• BEST PAPER ICER 2021
• CHAIR’S AWARD ICER 2014
• SIGCSE 2019 BEST PAPER
• SIGCSE 2016 BEST PAPER
• SIGCSE 2013 BEST PAPER
• SIGCSE 2013 BEST PAPER
• ICER 2025 LASTING IMPACT AWARD

Advising & Grants

• Co-founded Computing Education Research Lab
• NSF IUSE grants (1712508, 1641214, 1505001, 2044473, 2121592)
• Co-author of Learn AI-Assisted Python Programming