Harpur College Graduate Eric Horvitz '80 Comes Back to Campus

When you run Microsoft software, you may be benefitting from the ideas of Harpur College alumnus, Eric Horvitz '80, a senior researcher at Microsoft Research, Microsoft's computer science think tank.

On April 26, 2001, Horvitz returned to campus and spoke to several groups about his research and development work in decision making under uncertainty.

Horvitz graduated from Harpur College in 1980 with a major he created in Biophysics through the Innovative Projects Board. After Binghamton, he went on to receive an MD/PhD at Stanford University. At the time, his intention was to study neurobiology. But he ended up with an M.D. ---and a Ph.D in computing and decision science. "Life is an uncertain journey," he said. I came to graduate school with a passion to understand the nervous system. I found that my fundamental interest was in cognition and cognitive processes, and I decided that computational models would be a path to deeper insights than neurobiology. So, I switched to computer science in my first year."

During his graduate work, Horvitz caught "Silicon Valley fever" and co-founded two startup companies. One of these companies was acquired by Microsoft, and he and two colleagues became early members of Microsoft Research. That team grew from about 20 people to 500, and now spans three labs in China, the United Kingdom, and Redmond, WA.

Horvitz’s groundbreaking early work in the field of "automated decision making" has led to multiple scientific publications, and to a number of projects and features in Microsoft software. For example, Office Assistant in Microsoft Office employs probabilistic models in understanding how to interpret a user's actions and words, assisting a user looking for help. Among his many current projects is one called "Priorities," an e-mail application that will alert you by phone or pager only if the message is considered important, based on reasoning about a user's context in the world. This is one piece of a larger "Notification Platform" research project that has become a central component of Microsoft's new .Net initiative.

His visit to campus included an impromptu visit to Lehman hall, where he'd served as an R.A., lunch with several of his favorite former professors, and a technical colloquium at the Watson School of Engineering.

In Horvitz's final presentation titled "A Journey Into Uncertainty," he spoke about the links between his research and interest in decision-making and life itself. "I've always been intrigued by uncertainty," he said. "Uncertainty is inescapable and ubiquitous."

His professional interests and research include understanding cognition, time-critical decision-making, and taking ideal actions under limited time and information.

Throughout the day, Horvitz spoke enthusiastically about his memories.

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GIVES HARPUR COLLEGE'S MATHEW MAYE '01 HONORABLE MENTION

Mathew Maye '01 has a curriculum vita that would make any aspiring academic envious. A senior majoring in Chemistry, he has recently received an honorable mention in the national competition for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Student Fellowships. This tops a long list of publications and awards for his research in Chemistry at Harpur College.

Maye is also a two-time winner of the Undergraduate Materials Research Initiative of the Materials Research Society designed to introduce students to the excitement of discovery through research in materials science and engineering by providing funds for research and subsequent awards.

He is currently wrapping up his thesis, titled "New Approaches to Processing Nanoparticles and Nanostructures." Maye plans to stay at BU for graduate school and earn a Ph.D. in Chemistry, but he is keeping his career options open. "I haven’t decided whether to go into industry or academia."

Maye can thank Assistant Professor Chuan-Jian Zhong for being there every step of the way. The two have teamed up with others to write and publish fourteen academic papers. An impressive list of their titles can be viewed at http://chemiris.chem.binghamton.edu/ZHONG/zhong.htm

"Dr. Zhong lets us explore our own ideas," said Maye, "All of the students have their own interests, so we bring them to him. He helps us plan the Chemistry courses that we should take, other than the ones that are required, and he guides us in the right direction in the laboratory." Maye has also enjoyed taking classes with Professors Wayne Jones, M. Stanley Wittingham, David Doetschman, and James Dix.

Away from the lab, Maye enjoys history and music. He has lived at home throughout his education. "[My family] gives me a lot of space. I’m not home that often between work and school, but it’s been good support when I’ve needed it."

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Alumni from Harpur College, the School of Management, and the Watson School of Engineering who work in financial services gathered at the New York Stock Exchange on May 2, 2001 for an evening of networking and fun.

Harpur College alumnus James Ludwig '81, president of Susquehanna International Group and director of Susquehanna Partners graciously hosted the event, which included refreshments, door prizes, and a speech by President Lois B. DeFleur.

The occasion is known as "The Wall Street Event" and is held annually for alumni across the University who have careers in finance. This year's event was exciting not only because of its prestigious location, but also because it was the largest ever with over 200 in attendance.

Congratulations to our door prize winners: Andy Xu '98, Jeffrey Rubin '71, Ryan Cannata '00, Jim Weiner '97, David Leifert '00, and Robert Mancini '80.

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