Staff
If you have a general question that other students could potentially benefit from, please make a post on Piazza. You can also choose to make your post private if it’s inappropriate for everyone to see.
If you have a logistical question, such as to schedule an exam accomodation or to request an extension due to extenuating circumstances, you should send an email to the CSE 373 staff email list at cse373-staff@cs. This makes sure that everyone is notified right away.
We are often available at other times by appointment, and we encourage you to schedule 1:1 appointments whenever you want to talk about concepts, grades, internships, or anything else. Right click on an email address to copy it to your clipboard.
Instructors
Kasey Champion
Pronouns: she/her
Email: champk@cs
Background: I was born just outside Vancouver, Canada. Moved to the bay area when I was 11 months old and then to Seattle when I was 7 so I’m about as “west coast” as they come. I went to UW for undergrad where I studied Electrical Engineering (embedded systems) but TA’d 143 for 9 quarters so I decided to go full software post graduation. I have had a lot of different and weird tech jobs since graduation but teaching is my true love so I teach AP Computer Science A at Franklin High School in addittion to 373 and my day job.
Converstion Starter: Let’s talk tech careers! Other less tech specific obsessions: my 1969 VW bus, camping, Disneyland, drag & burlesque, training service dogs
Zach Chun
Pronouns: he/him
Email: chunz2@uw
Background: I was born in San Francisco and lived in the bay area until I came to UW for undergrad. I took CSE 142/143 at UW and thought I wanted to be cool like my TAs, so I started TA’ing and really enjoyed it. I’ve been involved in teaching ever since!
Conversation Starter: Ask me about the times I’ve ‘cosplayed’ in quiz section for my students as a sheriff or a DJ. I really wanted to do a doctor thing too, but maybe in the future…
Teaching Assistants
Aileen Zeng
Pronouns: she/her
Email: aileenz@uw
Background: I took AP CS in high school, but thought I was going to study Biomedical Engineering (+ premed) when I started college. Partway through freshman year, I switched my major to CS, then transferred to UW during sophomore year! Data Structures was one of my favorite CS classes that I have taken here, so I hope you enjoy taking it this quarter too!
Conversation Starter: I started learning how to make lattes last summer! Last quarter, I kept 3 mugs + a full matcha set + matcha powder + (occasionally) hot chocolate around the CSE building to make impromptu lattes for folks. Come talk to me about making lattes / latte art!
Amanda Park
Pronouns: she/her
Email: wd1204@uw
Background: I am from a small town called Silverdale. CSE 142 was my first cse class. I really enjoyed cse143 and decided to take more cse classes. So far, cse373 is my favorite class and wanted to share my experience with other students!
Conversation Starter: I enjoy watching movies. I love all genres of films. I like light comedy like White Chicks, but as a kid, I often watched Bollywood films, including Three Idiots.
Anish Velagapudi
Pronouns: he/him
Email: anishv@uw
Background: I’m from San Jose, California and I’m a huge Warriors fan so you might see me wearing some gear throughout the quarter. 373’s a cool class—hope you like it!
Conversation Starter: Ask me about non-major CS classes, internships, basketball, or anything else!
Brian Chan
Pronouns: he/him
Email: brianc42@uw
Background: 5th-year Master’s student; from Sunnyvale, California; likes rhythm games
Elena Spasova
Pronouns: she/her
Email: elenaspa@uw
Background: I was born in Bulgaria and was raised in Seattle which I consider to be the best city in the US. A fun fact is that Kasey was my first ever computer science instructor in high school and she is a big reason of why I chose to study CS! I am so excited to be working with her, the rest of the amazing staff, and you all ~virtually~ this quarter. :)
Conversation Starter: I love R&B, volleyball, and food (growing it as well as eating it). Please give me advice on how to teach myself how to play the keyboard…I’m trying to learn!
Erik Hoberg
Pronouns: he/him
Email: ehoberg@uw
Background: I grew up in Reno, Nevada and came to UW for college. I originally wanted to do something in the medical field, but one of my friends convinced me to take CSE 142. It was the first time I ever programmed and I really enjoyed it and decided to pursue it further. I started TAing right after I took 143 and haven’t stopped! 373 is my favorite class to TA for and I hope you end up loving it as much as I do. Looking forward to meeting some new people this quarter!
Conversation Starter: Ask me about the time that my family appeared on Judge Judy! I like fast food, reality tv, and the occasional outdoor activity like hiking or mountain biking (although unfortunately I haven’t done a lot of that since I’ve been in Seattle!). Also happy to answer any questions about internships, classes, or other things you can do after this class.
Joyce Elauria
Pronouns: she/her
Email: jelauria@uw
Background: I grew up across the Puget Sound in a town called Bremerton, where I attended community college before transferring to UW. I hadn’t taken a programming course since high school, but decided to revisit it again at UW after figuring out my original major (biochemistry) wasn’t the best for me (it was really late in my academic career – junior year!). Had a blast, and now I’m here!
Conversation Starter: I play Dungeons and Dragons, knit/crochet blankets n’ socks, longboard, and swim competitively – all while enjoying a dope cup of tea. Tell me about your adventures, crafts, cruises, and victories! None of my hobbies really go together, but you can ask me about the time where I tried to do all 4 at once!
Keanu Vestil
Pronouns: he/him
Email: keanu@cs
Background: I was born and raised in Southern California and I originally came to UW to study math. I took some programming classes in high school, but it wasn’t until UW that I found my passion for computer science. I’m currently a senior but I’ll be here next year for the 5th-year Master’s program.
Conversation Starter: Ask me about Husky Marching Band, computer security, video games, math rock, philosophy, TV shows, or learning new languages… or anything else! :)
Kevin Son
Pronouns: he/him
Email: juns139@uw
Background: Born in South Korea and grown/raised locally in 425. Took me 4 tries to get into the Allen School so it was definitely hill to climb.
Conversation Starter: I’ve eaten 10 Hot Pockets in one sitting. I highly recommend Jalapeño Steak with Cheese flavor. That stuff is so fire. If you want to talk about good food stories, hmu.
Leona Kazi
Pronouns: she/her
Email: lkazi@cs
Background: I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, but have lived in Washington all my life. I never thought I would be interested in CSE until I took my first computer science course at UW (CSE 142) and ended up really enjoying the problem solving aspect within programming. This has led me to chase opportunities that allow me gain more exposure to this field, and that’s why I am super excited to be TA’ing for the first time this quarter for CSE 373!
Conversation Starter: Ask me about the Bachelor/Bachelorette, being a Resident Advisor, or Harry Potter. Also, I love exploring, going out and staying active, so I appreciate any suggestions or stories you have on things that you’ve done around Seattle!
Mitchell Szeto
Pronouns: he/him
Email: szetom2@cs
Background: I was born in Singapore and grew up in the Seattle area. I found out I like programming when I took 142 at the end of my freshman year.
Conversation Starter: Ask me anything about food, dancing, or traveling!
Nishu Chakrapani
Pronouns: he/him
Email: nishec@uw
Background: I was born in Los Angeles but was raised in Sammamish, Washington. I started studying CS early in high school and ended up loving it, even though I initially hated it.
Conversation Starter: I am a crazy sports fanatic and I am always down to talk about almost any major sport (maybe even hockey!)
Sam Long
Pronouns: he/him
Email: sam3217@uw
Background: I lived in Spokane before I went to UW. While in high school I learned to program by creating my very own video games. I’ve been hooked to programming ever since! Before TAing this course, I was a TA for the intro series (142 & 143) for 6 quarters!
Conversation Starter: Ask me about the games I’m currently developing.
Santino Iannone
Pronouns: he/him
Email: iannos@uw
Background: I was born in Tampa, FL but grew up in Seattle! I am a microbiologist who was charmed by Robbie Weber into pursuing CS as well. As you can probably guess, I am very interested in computational biology!
Conversation Starter: Talk to me about: biology (please), TV (favorites: Fargo, Mr. Robot, It’s Always Sunny), Ave restaurants (I have them ranked), or anything else!
Sherdil Niyaz
Pronouns: he/him
Email: sniyaz@cs
Background: I’m a third-year PhD student who caught the teaching bug while I was in undergrad. It’s become a huge passion of mine since then, and I hope to become a teaching professor once I complete my degree!
Conversation Starter: One time my family and I broke into a police officer’s car in Turkey (by mistake). I’m 100% serious.
Yifan Bai
Pronouns: he/him
Email: yfbai@uw
Background: I was born in Shanghai, China and lived there before I came to UW. My first experience in ‘real CS’ was trying to teach myself AP CS during my senior year in high school but ended up not knowing Java at all and getting a 3 in the AP Exam. I enjoyed the CSE classes here and decided to be a TA!
Conversation Starter: I’ve been playing Animal Crossing, Legend of Zelda and Pokemon Sword on my Nintendo Switch and trying different flavors of instant noodles during the break and will be likely to keep doing those through the quarter.