Opportunities for Growth: An Interview with Peizhao Li, PhD '24 in Computer Science
August 8, 2024
Abigail Arnold | Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Peizhao Li, PhD ‘24, was initially attracted to the Computer Science PhD program at Brandeis University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) because of its strong faculty and its location close to Boston. Once he started in the program, he found that he had great opportunities to develop as a researcher. “I was trained to be a researcher during this time,” said Li. “It was a very fruitful four and a half years.”
Li conducted research on responsible artificial intelligence (AI) and preventing discrimination in the use of AI, for which he was recognized through a graduate research fellowship. When reflecting on his experience, Li was especially grateful for his faculty mentor, Hongfu Liu. “I came to Brandeis without much research experience, and he trained me very well in how to conduct research, develop innovative approaches, and write papers to present my findings, as well as how to pursue my career,” said Li. “He taught me many things about how to be a good person, how to pursue research after graduation, and how to shape my personality for working with others.” Li also found the Brandeis community in general to be a supportive one. He participated in the Career Fellows Program through GSAS, gaining career development skills.
Since graduating in February of 2024, Li has worked as an AI scientist at GE HealthCare. He works with a team on a variety of products for healthcare applications powered by artificial intelligence.
Li encourages students who are interested in computer science to spend a lot of time developing their skills. “Computer Science requires a lot of practice. I would encourage a student to spend more time in coding or engineering to gain experience,” he said. “This is a very key point for having a successful career in the future. AI is a very hot topic now; if you’re interested in it, get started with some research or engineering work as soon as possible to gain more practice.”
He also praised Brandeis as a supportive place to pursue this work, noting the Computer Science PhD program’s small size and its adjacency to the Computational Linguistics master’s program, making it a strong choice for students who are interested in AI or natural language processing, as well as general computer science. “It’s a nice place to spend time and get your work done,” he said. “We have a flexible and supportive environment for students to do their research here.”