Education

• PhD in computer science, University of Massachusetts, Lowell
• MS in computer science, University of Massachusetts, Lowell
• BS in electrical engineering, Universidad Metropolitana, Caracas, Venezuela

Biography

Jose Annunziato is an experienced software engineer with over 17 years of experience in the software development industry. He has taught graduate computer science courses at universities in the Boston area for over 15 years. Annunziato earned both his MS and PhD in computer science from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Caracas, Venezuela and New York City, with extended family in Italy. I returned to Venezuela for university, and my Italian, Venezuelan, and New York backgrounds give me exposure to different cultures.

What are the specifics of your educational background?

I received a BS in electrical engineering at Universidad Metropolitana in Caracas, Venezuela, as well as a MS and PhD in computer science at UMass Lowell.

What are your research interests?

I am exploring tools with students to bring programming to the masses by building tools for the casual programmer, such as those who want to create simple applications which do not need a dedicated software engineer.

What courses/subjects do you teach?

• CS5610
• CS4550
• CS3200
• CS1500

What do you enjoy most or find most rewarding about what you teach?

I love to dispel myths and stereotypes about technology. I like to show how easy and accessible computer science is and how to create practical solutions to complex problems. I love to see students’ faces when they understand a topic and realize that it is not as hard as they thought it was. I enjoy sharing real life experiences and anecdotes with students – stories from the front line, which prepare them for real world working environments. Through these examples, I share the kinds of interactions and expectations other teammates may have.

What are the specifics of your industry experience?

I have ten years of experience with server side web development in the industries of defense, telecommunications, and finance, as well as seven years in front end web development for content management, publishing, education, and healthcare. Prior to web development, I worked for three years in electrical engineering for automated manufacturing.