CSC108H: Instructor Biographies

Michelle received her BASc in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo and was drawn to Computer Science at the University of Toronto because of her interest in machine learning (part of artificial intelligence). She discovered quickly that her real passion was learning new ideas and teaching them to others. After earning her MSc degree, Michelle joined the teaching faculty in the department of computer science.

For the past 14 years, Michelle has divided her time between the Mississauga campus and the St. George campus, but this term she is excited to be spending more time downtown and co-ordinating CSC 108. This fall she will also be running the Gr8 Designs for Gr8 Girls program and the CS4HS program for high school teachers.

Michelle works only 80% of full-time so that she has more time for volunteer activities, cheering on her teenagers' hockey teams, and playing hockey herself.

Diane received her BSc in Computer Science from the University of Western Ontario and her MSc from the University of Toronto. She enjoyed her research in computational linguistics, but realized during the PhD program that she loved teaching. Diane is thrilled to be part of the dynamic faculty in CS at UofT. She is a 3-time winner of the department's award for teaching excellence. She was Associate Chair of Undergraduate Studies from 2002-07. Her leadership in improving the student experience was recognized with a Joan E. Foley Quality of Student Experience Award.

Outside of work, Diane enjoys playing with her kids and choral singing. She loves to fall from great heights on roller coasters, but is too chicken to sky dive.

Dan has a BSc and MSc in Computer Science (McMaster) and an MEd in education (OISE), and is currently working on his PhD in education.

Dan does not have any teaching awards. However, without consulting with anyone else, he has given himself the Most Entertaining CSC108 Instructor (MECI) award for the third year in a row. One day he hopes to put some real accomplishments here :P

In Dan's spare time, he enjoys playing piano, playing old video games, listening to baseball... and writing CSC108 biographies.