Michael Taylor

Assistant Teaching Professor

Office 4126 Gates and Hillman Centers

Email mdtaylor@cmu.edu

Phone (412) 268-3818

Department
Computer Science Department

Administrative Support Person
Marcella Baker

CSD Courses Taught

15112 - Spring, 2024

15110 - Fall, 2024

Biography

Mike Taylor has taught 15-112 Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science since the fall 2018 semester, first as a Mark Stehlik Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow and subsequently as an assistant teaching professor. He was awarded the Herbert A. Simon Award for Teaching Excellence in Computer Science in Spring 2023.

In 2016, Mike completed his Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon University as a member of the Robotics Institute's CREATE (Community Robotics Education And Technology Empowerment) Lab, where his research focused on low-cost air quality sensing, automated sensor calibration, data visualization, and technology literacy. This research contributed to the formation of Airviz Inc., which provides affordable air quality monitoring to communities and individuals seeking to understand and limit fine and ultrafine particulate exposure. Related research in Uganda also led the Taylor family to form Sylvia's Sisters, a non-profit dedicated to reducing education and socioeconomic disparities by providing menstrual supplies to disadvantaged students.  

Teaching Statement

Mike's pedagogy is heavily influenced by his project-based learning experience at Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, where he received his undergrad in electrical and computer engineering in 2010. He believes the first step to becoming a versatile problem solver is learning to embrace every mistake as an opportunity for growth. He hopes his students will become interdisciplinary explorers who value creativity and kindness as much as cleverness.

Publications