The Department of Computer Science at Stony Brook University proudly celebrates the achievements of department alum Dr. Shikha Singh, who has been awarded tenure as an associate professor at Williams College. A theoretical computer scientist with expertise in algorithmic game theory and data structures, Dr. Singh’s journey from Stony Brook to this milestone reflects her dedication to education, research, and innovation.
A Journey Rooted in Academia
Dr. Singh earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics and computing from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. After receiving a job offer from a financial consulting firm, Dr. Singh chose instead to pursue academia, completing her doctorate in computer science at Stony Brook University in 2018. Her dissertation focused on designing efficient algorithms and incentive-based models for verifiable computation outsourcing.
“I didn’t feel like [the firm] was necessarily somewhere I could thrive,” she explained. “I really like the intellectual atmosphere of college…and school environments.”
Innovative Teaching and Research
During her time at Williams College, Dr. Singh has designed and taught courses such as Algorithmic Game Theory, which explores computational perspectives on game theory and mechanism design. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes accessibility and engagement: “I really enjoy introducing [students] to the joys of being a computer science person,” she said. “It’s for everyone, and everyone can do it.”
In addition to teaching, Dr. Singh focuses her research efforts on creating efficient algorithms that adapt to real-world challenges. She is particularly interested in how incentives influence algorithmic outcomes and how algorithms can be optimized for large-scale data processing. Her work has been published in leading conferences and journals, and she often collaborates with undergraduate students at Williams College.
Addressing Broader Challenges
Dr. Singh is also passionate about addressing challenges in computer science education, including the impact of generative AI tools like ChatGPT on learning practices. She advocates for curricula that emphasize critical thinking, AI ethics, and responsible innovation to prepare students for a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
A Shared Milestone
Dr. Singh’s husband, Dr. Sam McCauley, also a Stony Brook alumnus and assistant professor of computer science at Williams College, was granted tenure alongside her this year. Together, they represent the strength of Stony Brook’s alumni network in advancing computer science education.
Dr. Singh’s achievements exemplify the potential of Stony Brook graduates to shape the future of academia while inspiring students to pursue their passions in computer science.
By Yuganshu Jain