Italo Santos, Ph.D.

My primary line of research is in human aspects in software engineering, diversity and inclusion, and open-source software. My long-term goal is to design theoretically driven, evidence-based interventions that impact the lives of students and future developers that will design technology innovations and lead society to a better future. 

I have a Ph.D. in Informatics from Northern Arizona University (NAU). Over the past years, my research has focused on enhancing student engagement in open-source projects by identifying and addressing the barriers students face in making their first contributions. My qualifications for this research are strengthened by my commitment to multidisciplinary research, my experience teaching and mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds, and my dedication to improving the inclusivity of open-source environments. My work not only aims to ease the onboarding process for students but also specifically addresses gender bias in open-source communities, fostering a more welcoming and supportive environment for diverse contributors.

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Digital Media and Systems with ``Magna Cum Laude'' from the Federal University of Ceará in 2017. I hold an M.Sc. degree in Computer Science and Computational Mathematics from the University of São Paulo (USP-ICMC). I also hold an M.Sc. degree in Informatics from Northern Arizona University (NAU).

Teaching experience and philosophy

My academic journey has been enriched by various experiences that have allowed me to grow professionally and personally. During my undergraduate and graduate studies, I actively participated in research projects, teaching assistantships, and service activities. 

During my master's program, I also served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) at the University of São Paulo. I mentored courses on software testing, information systems, and web development. My responsibilities included class assignment planning and correction, collaborating on designing syllabi and lesson plans and providing assistance during lab activities. These experiences have nurtured my passion for educational support and a profound commitment to student development.

During the 2024-2025 academic year, I became a lecturer as part of my role as a Future Faculty Fellow at NAU. In this capacity, I independently taught a full course on open-source development as the lead instructor, gaining extensive experience in course design, instruction, and student mentorship. This role expanded on my previous work as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) (Fall'22, Spring'23, and Fall'23). In this capacity, I have actively contributed to guiding and mentoring students through the process of developing their Computer Science capstone projects (CS476 and CS486). My role as a GTA involved mentoring numerous student groups, guiding them through various activities ranging from initial project conceptualization and requirement engineering to implementation and product delivery stages. Throughout my GTA role, I had the opportunity to collaborate with 10 different capstone student groups, each consisting of an average of four students. This experience allowed me to develop expertise in managing diverse scenarios and providing support to a wide range of students. Witnessing the progression of students, both academically and personally, has resonated with me, highlighting the impact of my mentorship and guidance skills. During this time as a GTA, I collaborated with students to develop a poster for their work presentation at the NAU Undergrad Symposium. Through extensive interactions and by encouraging the students to give their utmost effort, one of the capstone teams I mentored achieved the distinction of winning the Best Poster award at the conference. Observing my students achieve their goals serves as a driving force that motivates me to continue my dedicated work. My teaching experiences continuously inspire me to pursue the dream of becoming a faculty member. This aspiration resonates with my deep passion for academia, student development, knowledge sharing, and the promotion of collaborative learning.

Moreover, my industry experiences have shaped my teaching practices to incorporate real-world experiences, teamwork, and self-organization to prepare students for the tech industry. Working as a GTA with computer science majors has been a rewarding experience, and their achievements motivate me to support their academic and professional success.

Service to the community

I have reviewed submissions for journals like the Empirical Software Engineering (EMSE) Journal, the Brazilian Journal of Information Systems (iSys), and the Systems and Digital Media Journal. On the international stage, I have contributed as a reviewer (2018-2025) and served on program committees (2019-2024) for conferences in the software engineering field. In these roles, I have played a part in facilitating the growth of the research community. Notably, I have held positions such as Publicity Chair for SESoS/WDES (2020-2023), ICPC (2024), and WASHES (2021-2022), as well as Proceedings Chair for SESoS/WDES (2024), and Participant Experience Chair ICSME (2024).

I worked as the representative for NAU's College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences (CEIAS) within the Graduate Student Government (GSG) (2022/2023). In this capacity, I actively participated in regular meetings, focusing on addressing the concerns and issues raised by graduate students. Additionally, I advocate for supporting and guiding graduate students on their academic journeys. Moreover, I also collaborate with projects that facilitate knowledge sharing in science by being a volunteer member of the Frontiers of Software Engineering podcast, a scientific dissemination initiative to reflect on the present and future of software engineering in Brazil.

Research and professional experience

In the scholarly domain, I have published my research findings in leading conferences and journals in the field of software engineering, including venues such as the International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE)---the premiere venue in Software Engineering---and the IEEE International Conference on Software Analysis, Evolution and Reengineering (SANER); as well as journals like the Empirical Software Engineering (EMSE) Journal and Information and Software Technology (IST) Journal. I have authored multiple peer-reviewed publications that have significantly contributed to advancing knowledge in software engineering, diversity in open source, and empirical studies. My work has been cited over 120 times, reflecting the impact and relevance of my research within the academic community. I am committed to publishing in these and other high-impact venues, furthering my contributions to the field, and advancing research on inclusive, high-quality software engineering practices.

I have previous experience writing grants as part of my current faculty fellow position at Northern Arizona University. Furthermore, my research projects will provide ample opportunities for student involvement, from undergraduate research assistants to graduate-level collaborators. Through hands-on experience in my research lab, students will develop technical skills and an awareness of the social impacts of technology. To successfully advance my research agenda, I plan to establish collaborative projects with my growing network of international colleagues. In the United States, I am actively researching human aspects of software engineering in collaboration with Dr. Anita Sarma from Oregon State University, Dr. Bianca Trinkenreich from Colorado State University, and Dr. Morgan Vigil-Hayes from Northern Arizona University. In Canada, my research focuses on diversity and inclusion, as well as software testing with an emphasis on large language models, in partnership with Dr. Ronnie Santos from the University of Calgary. In Brazil, I have collaborated with Dr. Simone Souza from the University of São Paulo, Dr. Kátia Felizardo from the Federal University of Paraná, and Dr. Emanuel Coutinho from the Federal University of Ceará, contributing to various interdisciplinary projects with a focus on software engineering. By leveraging these connections, I aim to expand the reach and impact of my work across diverse contexts and regions, fostering joint research initiatives that bring together varied perspectives and expertise to address complex challenges in software engineering.

It is worth mentioning that I also have industry experience in project management, web application development, and software quality, with a strong emphasis on software testing from 2015 to 2021. This background helps me bring practical experience to the classroom and improve my teaching practice.