Research

At Harvard SEAS, Nada Amin and her team explore new ways of programming that are easier, faster, safer.

For safer, we look at systems and formalisms based on types and verification.

For faster, we look at meta-programming techniques including generative programming and reflection to collapse levels of interpretations as well as move between different views of the same program in a way that helps optimizations, understanding and modifications.

For easier, our goal is to enable a greater number of people to manipulate computer programs (static) and processes (dynamic) in a robust way. To this end, we look at combining Machine Learning and Programming Languages to enable the creation of neuro-symbolic systems that can move back and forth between learnable (neural) and interpretable (symbolic) representations of a system.

We are always looking for new application domains in which to evaluate programming techniques, particularly around medicine or creativity.

Teaching

  • Spring 2024: CS 152 Programming Languages
  • Fall 2023: CS 252R  Program Synthesis
  • Fall 2022: CS 252R  Advanced Semantics of PL
  • Spring 2022: CS 152 Programming Languages
  • Fall 2021: CS 252R  PL Design Graduate Seminar (PL Studio)
  • Spring 2021: CS 152 Programming Languages
  • Fall 2020: CS 252R  PL/AI Graduate Seminar
  • Spring 2020: CS 152 Programming Languages
  • Fall 2019: CS 252R PL/HCI Graduate Seminar

Team

We are part of Harvard PL and lead the metareflection lab.

Joining

If you're an undergraduate at Harvard, I am happy to brainstorm and supervise a research project (CS91r or HCRP) or thesis around common interests. This could range from theory (a type system for 'X') to implementation (a domain-specific language for 'X'). I value previous experience in software engineering, machine learning, functional programming, logic programming, proof assistants, and your chosen domains of application. I offer projects to both students that have taken my classes and students that have not, though they may be different in nature.

If you're a prospective PhD student, please apply to SEAS and mention me in your application.

If you're a current researcher (PhD student, postdoc, faculty, ...), I am open to collaboration and co-supervision opportunities.

If you're a member at large, I am happy to engage as well time allowing.

Publications

Projects

Code

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