Alexandra Silva facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexandra Silva
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|---|---|
| Born |
Alexandra Martins da Silva
February 1984 (age 41) Chaves, Portugal
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| Alma mater | University of Minho Radboud University Nijmegen (PhD) |
| Awards | Philip Leverhulme Prize (2016) Presburger Award (2017) Roger Needham Award (2018) Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship (2019) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Computer science Programming Languages Semantics F-Coalgebra Formal methods |
| Institutions | Cornell University |
| Thesis | Kleene coalgebra (2010) |
| Doctoral advisor | Jan Rutten and Marcello Bonsangue |
Alexandra Silva (born in 1984) is a brilliant computer scientist from Portugal. She is a Professor at Cornell University in the United States. Before that, she was a Professor at University College London in the UK.
What Does a Computer Scientist Do?
Alexandra Silva works in computer science. This field is all about how computers work and how we can make them do amazing things. She focuses on areas like:
- Programming Languages: These are the special languages used to write instructions for computers.
- Semantics: This is about understanding the exact meaning of computer programs. It helps make sure programs do exactly what they are supposed to do.
- Formal Methods: These are special techniques that use math and logic to prove that computer systems are correct and safe. This is super important for things like self-driving cars or medical devices.
Her work helps make sure that the computer programs and systems we use every day are reliable and safe.
Her Journey in Education
Alexandra Silva studied at several top universities.
- She earned her first degree from the University of Minho in Portugal.
- She then completed her PhD at Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands. A PhD is the highest university degree you can get.
After her studies, she became a professor. This means she teaches students and does her own research to discover new things in computer science.
Awards and Special Honours
Alexandra Silva has won many important awards for her work. These awards show how much her contributions are valued in the world of computer science.
- In 2016, she received the Philip Leverhulme Prize in engineering. This prize is given to outstanding young researchers in the UK.
- In 2017, she won the Presburger Award. This award is given each year to a young scientist who has made amazing contributions to the ideas behind computer science.
- In 2018, she was awarded the Roger Needham Award. This award recognizes excellent research in computer science.
- In 2019, she received a Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship. This fellowship supports top scientists in their research.
These awards highlight her important role in shaping the future of computer science.
