Thiago Ferreira

Thiago Ferreira is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Technology & Informatics at the College of Innovation & Technology, University of Michigan-Flint. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Federal University of Paraná (2019) and has held postdoctoral and teaching roles at the University of Michigan-Dearborn prior to joining UM-Flint. His research is centered on improving software engineering practices through artificial intelligence and optimization techniques.

Research Interests: His work primarily focuses on Search-Based Software Engineering (SBSE), software refactoring, software testing, and requirements engineering. He investigates how user preferences and AI—particularly large language models—can be leveraged to automate and enhance software development decisions, including objective function selection, refactoring, and product line testing. His recent publications emphasize empirical studies on Docker refactorings and AI-driven software design.

Article Trends: His latest research (2023–2025) demonstrates a growing integration of large language models and AI in software engineering tasks, with a strong emphasis on reproducibility, explainability, and empirical validation. He frequently collaborates on interdisciplinary projects involving accessibility, STEM equity, and assistive technology, reflecting a commitment to socially impactful computing.

Honors & Awards:

• Nominee, 2024 Outstanding Student Organization Advisor
• Awardee, 2024 Lois Matz Rosen Junior Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award
• Fall 2024 Golden Apple Recognition
• Awardee, Early Career Award Academic (2023)
• 🥇Best Paper at SBCARS '24

Advising and Grants: Dr. Ferreira actively mentors students across research projects and publications. He is the Principal Investigator (PI) on multiple funded grants, including a Google Research Scholar Program award (2025, $60,000) and the NSF REU Site on Digital Accessibility (2024–2027, $429,397). He also leads projects on community-based STEM engagement and software refactoring, demonstrating strong leadership in both technical and social innovation.

Labs and Teams: He leads a research lab focused on AI and search-based software engineering at UM-Flint, frequently collaborating with students and faculty across disciplines, particularly in occupational therapy and community service projects like Play Beyond Boundaries and Kaden's Car. These initiatives highlight his role in fostering interdisciplinary, student-driven innovation.