Profile
Ranjini Swaminathan
My CV
-
Education:
I did my schooling and college in India. In high school when given a choice I picked Biology over Computer Science. However I eventually got my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Madras in India. I then went to study in the USA and got a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Arizona.
-
Work History:
Research Assistant in Geosciences — teaching assistant and a student lecturer — camp organizer of a computing camp for middle school students — recording and archiving lectures in my department — teaching computer science classes at a university and research in robotics and climate science.
-
Current Job:
Research Scientist in the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading and member of the core team that develops the UK’s Earth System Model which is a climate model.
-
About Me:
I am a research scientist who uses computer science to solve problems in climate science so we can understand better how the earth works and what our future climate will be like.
-
My Typical Day:
A typical day at work for me is mostly writing computer programs that produce numbers or pictures(!), reading research papers and books, talking to other scientists and doing math!
-
What I'd do with the prize money:
I would donate it to start a student environment club in a school in my area.
-
My Interview
-
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
curious, friendly, cautious
What did you want to be after you left school?
Scientist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
For day dreaming!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
ABBA
What's your favourite food?
Chocolate ice cream
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I would want to visit Antarctica. I would want to travel on the Trans -Siberian railway across Europe and Asia! I would want to fly(!!!)
Tell us a joke.
Why did the two 4s skip lunch? They already 8!
-