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.
Instructor
Hannah C. Tang
Pronouns: she/her
Email: hctang@cs
Drop-in Times: Wed, 2:00–3:00 PM in CSE1 212; Fri, 11:00–12:00 PM in CSE1 212
Background: I’ve spent my entire life in the Seattle area. CSE 142 was the first time I programmed!
Conversation Starter: Ask me for ‘early days’ stories from any of the companies I’ve worked for.
Teaching Assistants
Aaron Johnston
Pronouns: he/him
Email: aaronj1@uw
Quiz Section: 12:30–1:20 PM in DEN 259 (Section AH)
Drop-in Times: Thu, 2:30–4:20 PM in CSE1 203
Background: I was born and raised in Seattle! I originally didn’t think computer science was for me, until someone introduced me to generative art and I realized it could be fun. I’m currently sticking around for my master’s to pursue teaching as a career!
Conversation Starter: Let me know if you want to commiserate over terrible U-District landlords! I have some horror stories :)
Amanda Park
Pronouns: she/her
Email: wd1204@uw
Quiz Section: 8:30–9:20 AM in JHN 022 (Section AG) and 1:30–2:20 PM in SAV 156 (Section AD)
Drop-in Times: Thu, 2:30–4:20 PM in CSE1 203
Background: I am from a small town called Silverdale in WA, and I also attended school in South Korea as well. CSE 142 was my first programming course.
Conversation Starter: I enjoy watching movies with my friends and family on weekends. My favorite movies are Reverse Benjamin Button and White Chicks.
Anish Velagapudi
Pronouns: he/him
Email: anishv@uw
Quiz Section: 3:30–4:20 PM in SAV 136 (Section AF)
Drop-in Times: Mon, 1:30–2:20 in CSE1 203
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
Drop-in Times: Tue, 4:30–6:00 PM in CSE1 403
Background: 5th-year Master’s student; from Sunnyvale, California; likes rhythm games
Elena Spasova
Pronouns: she/her
Email: elenaspa@uw
Quiz Section: 9:30–10:20 AM in SAV 131 (Section AA)
Drop-in Times: Tue, 3:30–4:20 PM in CSE1 203; Fri, 4:30–5:20 PM at CSE1 5th floor breakout
Background: I was introduced to computer science in high school when Microsoft employees from the TEALS program came to my school to teach introductory programming. I’ve been enjoying it ever since!
Conversation Starter: Let me know what your favorite thing to do in the winter is and give me ideas for how to fight winter blues and boredom! Talk to me about skiing, snowshoeing, reading by the fire, cooking, and things to do around town. I would also love to hear about your New Year’s goals and resolutions, and if you have any that we as TAs can help you achieve!
Ethan Knutson
Pronouns: he/him
Email: ethanmwk@cs
Quiz Section: 1:30–2:20 PM in SAV 156 (Section AD)
Drop-in Times: N/A
Background: I spent my whole life in Wenatchee (Central Washington) before coming to UW . I took CSE 142 at the end of my Sophomore year and it was the first time I programmed!
Conversation Starter: I love watching movies, TV, and music! My favorite artists are Bon Iver, Flume, and Drake; my favorite movies are Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Moneyball, and Whiplash; and my favorite TV shows are True Detective, Big Little Lies, and Succession!
Farrell Fileas
Pronouns: he/him
Email: ffileas@uw
Quiz Section: 9:30–10:20 AM in SAV 131 (Section AA) and 10:30–11:20 AM in SAV 136 (Section AB)
Drop-in Times: Wed, 4:30–5:20 PM at CSE1 5th floor breakout; Thu, 4:30–6:00 PM at CSE1 4th floor breakout
Background: I was born in a city called Bandung, near the capital city of Indonesia and grew up in the capital city Jakarta. I came to Seattle to pursue my education in community college for 2 years before I transferred to UW in 2018. I was first exposed to CSE in community college!
Conversation Starter: Ask me to show you a magic trick (assuming if I have a deck of cards with me).
Howard Xiao
Pronouns: he/him
Email: thx@uw
Quiz Section: 12:30–1:20 PM in DEN 259 (Section AH)
Drop-in Times: Tue, 10:30–11:20 AM at CSE1 203
Background: I have lived here, here, here and now here. I originally got hijacked into taking CSE 373 by a friend who wanted a project partner, but liked it so much that I’ve stayed on staff ever since!
Conversation Starter: Talk to me about operating systems, public transit, and indie rock great napping spots on campus (turns out napping is not allowed by state law)! I’m also learning Esperanto, not quite enough to answer CS questions in it though.
Jade Watkins
Pronouns: she/her
Email: jliza@cs
Quiz Section: 2:30–3:20 PM in SAV 131 (Section AE)
Drop-in Times: Wed, 4:30–5:20 PM at CSE1 5th floor breakout
Background: I started as a Computer Engineering/3D Art and Animation double major at the University of Idaho forever ago. Turns out, I’m not great at physics and 3D modeling wasn’t quite my jam. So here I am now! My first language was “C++” taught as though it were still C by electrical engineers that had a band together and “beer o’ clock” meetings on Mondays.
Conversation Starter: I like making stuff and growing carnivorous plants. I crochet, sew, dabble in pottery, and occasionally get really enthusiastic about some new crafting method that ultimately fizzles without a finished project… My plants are really cool though!
Lea Quan
Pronouns: she/her
Email: karroybb@uw
Quiz Section: 3:30–4:20 PM in SAV 136 (Section AF)
Drop-in Times: Fri, 4:30–5:20 PM at CSE1 5th floor breakout
Background: I have a broad interest in front end, UX/UI design, and product management, and I’d love to share some tips on finding your passion! Fun fact: I lived in Hawaii but dunno how to swim :’(
Conversation Starter: Come talk to me about k-pop, boba, horror movies, cali, or just life in general!
Nathan Lipiarski
Pronouns: he/him
Email: lipian@uw
Quiz Section: 10:30–11:20 AM in SAV 136 (Section AB) and 12:30–1:20 PM in ART 003 (Section AC)
Drop-in Times: Tue, 4:30–6:00 PM in CSE1 403
Background: I grew up in the Philadelphia area, but move to Seattle after being accepted at the UW. I am now a Junior and have been in the computer science program for a year and a half.
Conversation Starter: Talk to me about memes and musicals or if you want someone with no palate to complain about the food in Seattle.
Sam Long
Pronouns: he/him
Email: sam3217@cs
Quiz Section: 12:30–1:20 PM in ART 003 (Section AC)
Drop-in Times: Mon, 4:30–5:20 PM at CSE1 5th floor breakout; Tue, 3:30–4:20 PM in CSE1 203; Thu, 11:30-12:20 PM in CSE1 203
Background: I lived in Spokane before I went to UW. While in high school I learned to program by creating my own video games!
Conversation Starter: Ask me about what countries I’ve traveled to
Yifan Bai
Pronouns: he/him
Email: yfbai@cs
Quiz Section: 8:30–9:20 AM in JHN 022 (Section AG)
Drop-in Times: Thu, 2:30–4:20 PM in CSE1 203
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 took CSE 142/143 in my first two quarters at UW and realized that I am actually not that bad at CS.
Conversation Starter: I went to Hawaii in the winter break!
Yuma Tou
Pronouns: she/her
Email: yumatou@cs
Quiz Section: 2:30–3:20 PM in SAV 131 (Section AE)
Drop-in Times: Thu, 4:30–6:00 PM in CSE1 4th floor breakout
Background: I grew up here in the Seattle area. I ended up deciding to major in CS after programming for the first time when I took CSE 142 and 143 at the end of my sophomore year at UW.
Conversation Starter: Ask me about my favorite books or tell me about yours! I read mostly comic books and fiction :)