Jennifer Mankoff facts for kids

Jennifer Mankoff is a well-known professor in the field of computer science. She holds the Richard E. Ladner Endowed Professorship at the University of Washington in Seattle. She also helps lead the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering by focusing on diversity and inclusion. Professor Mankoff joined the University of Washington in 2017.

Early Life and Education

Jennifer Mankoff studied at Oberlin College where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. Later, she went on to get her Ph.D. in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her advisors during her Ph.D. studies were Gregory Abowd and Scott Hudson.

Career and Research

Before joining the University of Washington, Professor Mankoff was a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. She worked there from 2004 to 2017 in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute. This institute is part of the School of Computer Science. Earlier in her career, from 2001 to 2004, she was a faculty member at the University of California, Berkeley.

What is Human-Computer Interaction?

Professor Mankoff's main research area is Human-Computer Interaction, often called HCI. This field looks at how people use and interact with computers. It's all about making technology easy and helpful for everyone.

Ubiquitous Computing and Assistive Technology

Her work also focuses on ubiquitous computing. This means computers are everywhere around us, often without us even noticing them. She creates tools and methods to quickly build new applications for this type of computing.

Another important part of her research is assistive technology. These are special tools and devices designed to help people with disabilities. She works to make technology more accessible for everyone, including older adults and those with special needs.

Helping the Environment

Professor Mankoff is also interested in how technology can help with sustainability. This means finding ways to use technology to protect our environment. For example, some of her projects have explored how mobile tools can help people track and improve their green transportation habits.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout her career, Jennifer Mankoff has received several important awards. She was given the Sloan Fellowship in 2007. She also received the IBM Faculty Fellowship in both 2004 and 2006. These awards recognize her important contributions to computer science and her innovative research.

Publications and Impact

Professor Mankoff has written or co-written many scientific papers. These papers share her research findings with other scientists. Her publications cover topics like making websites easier for blind people to use. She has also explored how social networks can encourage people to reduce their impact on the environment. Her work helps shape how we think about technology and its role in our daily lives.