Sara Hooshangi

Sara Hooshangi is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering and serves as Director of the Master of Engineering in Computer Science program. Her research focuses on improving computer science education, particularly in areas such as transfer student integration, gender dynamics in computing, and curriculum development. She holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Princeton University and a B.S. in electrical engineering from McGill University.

Education:

• Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Princeton University
• B.S., Electrical Engineering, McGill University

Research Interests: Dr. Hooshangi’s work addresses challenges in computer science education through mixed-methods studies. Key areas include:

• Transfer student success metrics and barriers
• Gender perception and confidence in STEM fields
• Capstone course design and team-based learning
• Impact of socioeconomic factors on student performance
• Innovative teaching approaches like Algot’s visual CS curriculum

Research Trends in Articles: Her recent work emphasizes educational equity, leveraging qualitative methods to analyze systemic issues in CS education. Themes include bridging gaps for non-traditional students, rethinking capstone course frameworks, and exploring AI’s role in K-12 informatics. She also advocates for rigorous qualitative research training through faculty workshops.

Awards:

• No scientific awards explicitly listed in provided texts

Advising & Grants:

• No advising students listed
• No grant information provided

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with interdisciplinary STEM education initiatives at Virginia Tech, though specific lab details are not mentioned in the text.