What was your initial motivation to study Computational Intelligence?

During my undergraduate studies I did some courses on logic and formal methods which really clicked with me. When choosing a master's degree, I found the formal focus of CI appealing. I also liked the amount of freedom I was given in selecting my courses based on my interests.

What did you like about studying CI?

The rigorous formal courses taught as part of the CI curriculum gave me confidence to tackle theoretical work, which was essential in my later career. I also enjoyed deepening my knowledge of logic and theoretical computer science, which helped me understand my university education in the larger context of mathematics and mathematical logic.

The small classroom sizes gave me an opportunity to build close relationships with my professors and to gain some insight into the nature of theoretical academic research. I was also able to find a Master's project with Uwe Egly that precisely matched my interests.

How did the master's program contribute to your career?

I did a PhD in the area of formal methods in Oxford after finishing my MSc in Computational Intelligence. My background in formal methods was one of the reasons my PhD supervisor decided to work with me. The courses I took for CI prepared me for the coursework I had to in Oxford and gave me a good starting point for my research. The knowledge and skills I gained during my MSc project in Oxford proved to be essential for my research career. After my PhD, I joined a Silicon Valley company in the area of formal methods.