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Crystal Nakatsu
Technical Lead Manager - Linguistic Engineering at Facebook
Professional Background
Crystal Nakatsu is a distinguished computational linguist specializing in the rapidly evolving fields of Dialogue Systems and Natural Language Processing (NLP). With a keen focus on Natural Language Generation (NLG), she has built an impressive career that spans various reputable organizations in the tech industry. In her role as the Technical Lead Manager at Facebook, Crystal pioneered innovative dialogue systems that have greatly enhanced user interactions and experience. Her leadership capabilities and extensive knowledge in linguistics are pivotal in executing complex projects aimed at improving natural language understanding and generation.
Crystal's career began at Intel Corporation, where she held multiple positions, including Natural Language Processing / Software Engineering Manager and Software Engineer. During her tenure, she contributed significantly to the development of NLP technologies that advanced the company's objectives and enhanced its product offerings. Her keen analytical skills and technical expertise facilitated the creation of solutions that facilitated natural communication between machines and humans, solidifying her a notable presence in the tech landscape.
Additionally, Crystal has served as a Dialogue Systems Architect at AllyO, where she played a critical role in designing intelligent conversational agents that improved the overall hiring experience through seamless dialogue management. Her foundational experiences, which began with her role as a Medical & Clinical Content Developer at Olympus, have equipped her with a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding natural language in various contexts, including healthcare and technology. Moreover, her stint as an intern at NASA Ames Research Center's Spoken Dialogue Systems Group illustrates her long-standing commitment to advancing the frontier of linguistic technology.
Education and Achievements
Crystal Nakatsu has solidified her expertise through her academic pursuits. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Linguistics from The University of British Columbia, where she laid the groundwork for her passion for language and technology. Building upon her undergraduate studies, she pursued a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Computational Linguistics at The Ohio State University, further deepening her understanding of the intersection between language and computation.
Currently, Crystal is progressing toward her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computational Linguistics at The Ohio State University, where she is exploring advanced topics within the field. Her ongoing research is expected to make significant contributions to the academic community and industry, considering her hands-on experience paired with her scholarly exploration.
Throughout her career, Crystal has been involved in groundbreaking projects, most notably in the area of NLG, where her work has transformed how machines comprehend and generate human language. Her ability to bridge theoretical linguistics with practical applications enables her to create impactful dialogue systems that resonate with end-users.
Notable Achievements
- Leadership at Facebook: As the Technical Lead Manager in Linguistic Engineering, Crystal has not only managed teams but has also steered the direction of technology that enhances communication between users and AI systems.
- Role at AllyO: Her efforts in developing smart dialogue systems resulted in significant improvements in powerful AI-driven recruitment processes, demonstrating her innovative approach to E-Recruitment.
- Career Progression at Intel Corporation: Her journey from a Natural Language Processing Software Engineer to a Manager illustrates her technical prowess and her ability to grow within an organization, further showcasing her skills in NLP and software development.
- Research Contributions: As a Research Assistant at institutions like The Ohio State University and Articulab, Crystal contributed to projects that furthered understanding in speech recognition and generation systems, underscoring her dedication to research and innovation.
Crystal Nakatsu’s unique blend of practical experience and academic knowledge positions her as a leading figure in the field of Computational Linguistics. She continues to inspire aspiring linguists and technologists aiming to harness the power of language in artificial intelligence and machine learning.