Illinois Tech - School of Computing

10/13/2026

For Ananya Bhooplam Praveen (M.A.S. DSC 2nd Year), hands-on learning at Illinois Tech opened doors to industry connections, startup innovation, and real-world problem solving.

Through internships, hackathons, research-driven projects, and Illinois Tech’s startup accelerator, Ananya built the confidence and technical skills to thrive in data science. Her experiences even helped lead her team to a first-place finish at AnDackaThon 2026 for developing a real-time marine risk intelligence system.

“Being an Illinois Tech student makes me feel challenged in a positive way while also supported throughout my learning journey,” she says.

https://bit.ly/4dNnJ1n

Integrating projects, experiential learning, and real-world problem solving into the academic experience has helped Ananya Bhooplam Praveen (M.A.S.

10/08/2026

Illinois Tech Professor of Applied Mathematics Sonja Petrović has been invited to serve as a scholar-in-residence at the National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology’s Theory and Mathematics in Neuroscience program.

She’ll mentor junior researchers and bring her expertise in statistical modeling and networks to collaborative research exploring how neurons connect and behave.

Read more about her work: https://bit.ly/4dN1glM

The National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology (NITMB) has invited Illinois Tech Professor of Applied Mathematics

10/06/2026

The AI tools of today will change, but the ability to connect ideas, structure knowledge and apply technology to real-world problems will continue to matter.

A new Illinois Tech blog explores the rise of the “second brain,” an AI-powered approach to organizing knowledge that is gaining attention across the tech industry. More than a productivity trend, it offers a look at a broader shift in how people and AI can work together: humans provide the judgment, context and expertise, while AI helps organize information, surface connections and manage the systems around it.

The takeaway is especially relevant for students preparing for an AI-driven workforce. The future will need people who understand technology, but also know how to connect it to fields such as business, design, communications, science and other areas of expertise.

That kind of interdisciplinary thinking is at the heart of an Illinois Tech education, where students build technical skills while gaining experience solving complex, real-world problems across disciplines.

Read the full blog to explore why the future of AI needs more than people who build the technology. It also needs people who know how to connect it to something that matters.

Learn what a “second brain” is, how to build one, and why it shows that the AI future belongs to people who can connect ideas across disciplines.

10/06/2026

Illinois Institute of Technology Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Scott Dawson has been named one of the 2026 Illinois Researchers to Know by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition.

Dawson is recognized for his work developing new methods for modeling fluid mechanics and aerodynamic systems. His research explores how complex fluid flows can be represented through simple, meaningful models that help researchers understand, predict and ultimately manipulate complex physical systems.

The recognition also highlights the students, collaborators and institutional support that contribute to Dawson’s research at Illinois Tech.

Learn more about his research and the questions he is exploring next: https://bit.ly/46P41iL

Illinois Tech Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

10/01/2026

Research, coursework and mentorship helped Kaylee Rosendahl (MATH ’24/M.S. CS ’25) build the foundation for a career in machine learning.

At Illinois Institute of Technology, Kaylee gained hands-on research experience in supervised machine learning and regression, explored real-world data challenges through IPRO, and built relationships with faculty mentors who encouraged her to pursue new opportunities.

Today, she works as a machine learning engineer at 66degrees, designing and testing ML systems, data science models, RAG solutions and agentic workflows.

Read Kaylee’s story: https://bit.ly/4xI0Xjl

At Illinois Tech, Kaylee Rosendahl (MATH ’24/M.S.

09/29/2026

AI is everywhere, but who actually makes it work in the real world?

Meet the Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), a role combining software engineering, AI, problem-solving, and working directly with customers.

So why is this becoming one of tech’s hottest jobs, and what skills do you need to get started?

Read the full blog to find out: https://www.iit.edu/blog/forward-deployed-engineer

09/17/2026

Take your interest in cybersecurity beyond the classroom.

Illinois Tech undergraduate and graduate students are invited to apply for a Student Conferenceship Award to attend the Annual Computer Security Applications Conference (ACSAC) in Los Angeles, December 7–11.

Awardees receive complimentary conference registration and a travel stipend, plus the opportunity to explore cutting-edge security research and connect with experts in information and systems security.

Interested in attending? Applications require a current CV, a short essay about your interest and background in information security, and a faculty recommendation.

Learn more and apply:

09/14/2026

For four years, Illinois Tech students worked to transform a stock 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ into a next-generation electric vehicle through the EcoCAR EV Challenge.

More than 200 students participated through the Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) Program and independent study, working directly with General Motors engineers to develop advanced propulsion controls, connected vehicle features, and vehicle-to-everything connectivity while improving energy efficiency and meeting industry standards.

The project brought together students across engineering, computer science, architecture, business, and psychology, creating an experience that mirrored the collaboration and complexity of the automotive industry.

After two weeks of testing at GM’s facility in Milford, Michigan, the vehicle hit real roads to GM headquarters in Detroit. Illinois Tech earned the Best Final Vehicle Integration Award and finished sixth overall among 13 university teams.

The result was more than an award. Students gained the opportunity to build, test, solve problems, and develop skills that are helping shape their careers in automotive and beyond.

https://bit.ly/4qOHlbm

Illinois Tech students spent the last four years re-engineering a stock 2023 Cadillac Lyric into an award-winning, next-generation electric vehicle as part of the EcoCAR EV Challenge.

09/10/2026

Lt. Col. Michael Dunn (CS, M.P.A. ’10) has built his U.S. Air Force career around protecting the networks and systems that keep modern operations moving. His impact on cybersecurity education extends well beyond the military.

Dunn helped develop Scouting America’s cybersecurity merit badge, translating complex concepts like malware, encryption, multifactor authentication, and cyber threats into hands-on lessons for young scouts.

The badge quickly became one of Scouting America’s most popular, with 952 scouts earning it in its first 11 weeks.

His journey is a powerful example of how technical expertise can create impact well beyond the workplace, helping prepare the next generation to navigate and protect an increasingly connected world.

https://bit.ly/3T5BHFv

When Scouting America rolled out a new merit badge for cybersecurity in late 2025, the organization tried hard to stick to its motto: “be prepared.”

09/01/2026

Thinking about your next step in computing? 💻

Explore Illinois Tech’s School of Computing and discover what it’s like to learn, innovate, and build your future in Chicago. Join us for Discover Day on September 19 to learn more about admissions, scholarships and financial aid, academic programs, and campus life.

Register for Discover Day and experience Illinois Tech for yourself: https://bit.ly/4zEtQPs

Upcoming Events and Visits:Illinois Tech offers both in-person and virtual visit options for you to learn more about the Illinois Tech experience, regardless of where you are in the world. Below you