Thomas Dickerson

Back to All Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics Spotlights

2013

Current job title and employer and briefly describe what it is you do: I am the Chief Science Officer at an early-stage startup called Geopipe, which automatically generates large-scale 3D models of the real world, for use in a variety of applications.

Academic experience at Saint Michael's College help prepare you for your career: My research has centered on applying the algorithmic lens (or “computational perspective”) to problems with collaborators across disciplines, continuing a theme that began during my undergraduate research with Saint Mike’s professors Jo Ellis-Monaghan and Greta Pangborn. In addition to my research, as a graduate student I have been a teaching assistant for “Design and Analysis of Algorithms” (roughly equivalent to the Advanced Algorithms course taught at SMC), which I was well prepared for by my experience TAing the intro computer science track as an undergraduate student.

Favorite memory or class from your time studying at St. Mike’s: It’s hard to pin down a single favorite class, as I enjoyed the vast majority of my classes a great deal, but I would like to give a shout-out to the ultimate frisbee club for providing a fun and supportive environment, and to Alliot for regularly serving oreo-goop.

Other information you would like to share or advice for incoming or current students: (A) You may think that you need to stay up late to study, but you won’t actually retain all of that studying if you’re cognitively impaired from sleep deprivation. (B) Take classes that stretch your boundaries and challenge you to grow both intellectually and emotionally. Don’t insulate yourself in a bubble of people who think the same way that you do. (C) Get outside and off campus and take advantage of all that Vermont has to offer.