Christine Alvarado

Christine Alvarado is a distinguished educator and computer scientist at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). She currently holds several important positions at the university:

Academic Roles

• Teaching Professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department2
• Paul R. Kube Endowed Chair of Computer Science1
• Associate Dean of the Division of Undergraduate Education13

Research and Teaching Focus

Christine Alvarado specializes in computer science education, with a particular emphasis on:

• Developing curriculum and programs to make computing more accessible and appealing2
• Increasing diversity in computer science, especially among women and underrepresented minorities12

Her efforts have led to significant improvements in diversity within computer science programs. For instance, at Harvey Mudd College, where she previously worked, her initiatives helped increase the percentage of women in the computer science major from 12% to around 40%.1

Notable Achievements

• Founder of the CSE Early Research Scholars Program at UCSD, which has engaged hundreds of early undergraduates in research, including many women and students from underrepresented groups1
• Recipient of numerous awards, including:
  • A. Richard Newton Educator ABIE Award (2013)
  • UC San Diego Academic Senate Distinguished Teaching Award (2017)
  • UC San Diego Chancellor's Associates Faculty Excellence Award for Undergraduate Teaching (2019)
  • NCWIT Academic Alliance Joanne McGrath Cohoon Academic Service Award (2022)1

Educational Background

• Ph.D. in Computer Science from MIT (2004)
• S.M. in Computer Science from MIT (2000)
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Dartmouth College (1998, summa cum laude)1

Christine Alvarado's work has been funded by several National Science Foundation grants, including a CAREER award in 2005.1 Her contributions to computer science education have earned her recognition as a Distinguished Member of the Association for Computing Machinery.1