Roberto Tamassia

Contact Information

• Alternate email: roberto_tamassia@brown.edu
• My assistant: Kate Correia  (katherine_correia@brown.edu)

Q&A with Roberto

Tell us a little about your background: educational, professional, personal, etc.

I am originally from Italy. Franco Preparata was my doctoral advisor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After completing my PhD in 1988, I joined Brown, where I am currently James A. and Julie N. Brown Professor of Computer Science and Chair of the Department of Computer Science.  

What do you focus on in your research? Any recent advances?

My primary research area is computer security and applied cryptography. Recent work includes methods and system prototypes for searchable encryption.  I am also interested in design and analysis of algorithms, graph drawing, geometric computing, data management, and information visualization.

What do you like teaching classes about?

I like teaching classes that cover both theory and practical implementations. In 2005, I developed a course on computer systems security that can be taken by students as early as the second year.

How did you become interested in computer science?

As an undergraduate at the University of Rome, I was an electrical engineering concentrator. What got me interested in computer science was a course on programming and data structures taught by Carlo Batini, who eventually became my first academic mentor.

What is your favorite thing about Brown?

The synergism between excellence in research and in teaching.

Any hobbies or passions?

I am interested in classical music and finance. I enjoy stand-up paddleboarding, ocean kayaking, and cross-country skiing.