Adam Michael Setapen is a Dean’s Honored Graduate in Computer Science. In addition to his Bachelor’s degree, Adam has simultaneously acquired a Master’s in Computer Sciences. He is part of the Turing Scholar’s Honors Program in Computer Science and is a Motorola Endowed Scholar. He also served as the Director of the Campus Technology Agency. Adam describes his research at UT with a great deal of clarity and ease. His research in robotics has attempted to make the increasing power of robotics more accessible to the general public. “Historically,” Adam says, “designing robot motions has required non-intuitive programming, making the transfer of knowledge from human to robot accessible only to the technically adept.” Adam developed a solution to this problem in which humans are able to “puppet” the robot in real time. “Even with differences in body geometries and dynamics between humans and robots, we have shown that people’s ability to refine fine-motor skills can overcome these disparities, enabling non-technical users to seamlessly and directly transfer motion skills to robots,” Says Adam. He has published two papers on artificial intelligence. During his time at UT, Adam has worked with Dr. Peter Stone, whom Adam describes as “a world leader in artificial intelligence.” Although he has a great deal of praise for Dr. Stone, Adam’s greatest tribute to Stone’s ability as a teacher is the work that Adam himself does every day. One of the greatest rewards of teaching is to see a student excel in an area that you have shown them, and it was Dr. Stone who originally got Adam excited about artificial intelligence. Adam says, “Professor Stone’s expert knowledge, thoughtful guidance, and ample patience have contributed greatly to my development as a researcher and my competence in the field.” In the fall Adam will go to Boston to pursue a Ph.D. with the Personal Robots Group at MIT Media Lab. He says that he will miss Austin where he has had “the opportunity to work with some of the best minds in science.” He would particularly like to thank his family and friends for their continuous support during his time at UT. Adam has selected six books The Sciences of the Artificial by Herbert A. Simon, Brain-Wise: Studies in Neurophilosophy by Patricia Churchland, The Society of Mind by Marvin Minsky, On Intelligence by Jeff Hawkins, Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud and I, Robot by Isaac Asimov.

My brother Murali Krishna has earned Masters degree in computer Sciences. Today was Rakhsha Bandhan and his graduation also at same day. Therefor he was in California. As I have told few months ago he moved to Nebraska and now he has job in Atlanta. Muawiz & Mueed have seen him first time. I am happy that he invites us and three of use attended his graduation ceremony:)