麻豆视频

Computing Sciences doctoral student in the

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

I am a PhD student in Computing Science at SFU, working with Professor Mo Chen in the MARS Lab. Before entering computing, I worked in auditing at Deloitte. Today, I research how to make autonomous systems safer by combining mathematical methods with machine learning. I am motivated by the possibility that my work could one day help a wide range of autonomous systems, from robots to self-driving cars, operate more safely around people.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

During my undergraduate studies at SFU, I had a variety of opportunities to become involved in research, with support from many professors as I explored different ideas. Professor Mo Chen introduced me to autonomous systems safety and guided me in developing my current research. I chose to continue at 麻豆视频to build on these experiences and connections, and to explore the new questions emerging from my work.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

Imagine giving a robot or a self-driving car a 鈥渟afety driver鈥� that watches for danger and steps in to help prevent an accident. My research explores how to build that protection by combining mathematics, which helps us reason about what could go wrong, with machine learning, which can make complex and costly calculations more practical. I aim to make this protection more accurate and practical, and to understand how well it works on real robots.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

Autonomous Systems, Safety, Machine Learning

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

My research assistantships have helped me develop research skills and connect theory with experiments. My courses have filled gaps in my knowledge across different areas, giving me the confidence to explore new ideas. Mentoring undergraduate researchers has strengthened my ability to manage projects more effectively.

Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research

I received the NSERC Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 鈥� Masters, which has supported the research I began during my master鈥檚 studies and am continuing through my PhD. Beyond financial support, this award provided meaningful recognition early in my research journey, giving me the confidence to pursue my goals with greater determination. My studies have also been supported by an NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award, an 麻豆视频Graduate Fellowship, and an 麻豆视频PhD Research Scholarship.

What have been the most valuable lessons you've learned along your graduate student journey (or in becoming a graduate student)?

Changing fields has taught me that being a beginner does not mean starting from nothing: previous experiences can bring useful skills and perspectives to a new discipline. Research has also taught me to look beyond promising results and ask what they actually demonstrate. Especially in safety research, understanding a method鈥檚 assumptions and limitations is just as important as showing where it works well.

What are some tips for balancing your academic and personal life?

I try to set realistic goals and organize my research around short-, medium-, and long-term plans, breaking larger goals into smaller, manageable steps. I find it helpful to keep a bigger dream in mind while focusing on concrete steps toward it. This helps me maintain motivated and make steady progress.

Contact Luna:luna_sang@sfu.ca

Additional Links

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