Featured in Five is a monthly section where we pose five questions to a Computing Reviews featured reviewer. Here are the responses from our September featured reviewer, Ganapathy Mani (George Washington University).
Q: What is the most important thing that's happened in computing in the past 10 years?
A: Data mining.
Q: By the end of your career, where do you think computer science will have taken us? What are you working on that might contribute toward that?
A: Computer Science will take us to a society where everything is run by artificial intelligence. I am working on machine learning algorithms that could contribute toward that goal.
Q: Who is your favorite historical figure? Why?
A: Roman emperor Rudolf II -- He funded scientific endeavors, which laid the foundation for the scientific method. He funded Tyco Brahe and Johannes Kepler who laid the foundations for data collection and verification through data.
Q: If you weren't working in the computer science field, what would you be doing instead?
A: I would be working in the field of physics (astronomy/cosmology/quantum mechanics) or biology (evolution, genetics).
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
A: Anything that sounds good, from Western to Indian Carnatic music.
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Click here to learn more about Ganapathy, and here to read one of his recent reviews.