Bendekgey joins Department of Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science is pleased to welcome Harry Bendekgey as an Assistant Teaching Professor.

Bendekgey completed his PhD in computer science at the University of California, Irvine. His research focuses on optimization and constrained optimization, fairness and interpretability in deep learning, variational inference, and deep generative modeling. His dissertation explored how to introduce structure and constraints into deep generative models—an area that intersects with machine learning, mathematics, and ethical AI.

He has taught courses in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the mathematical foundations of computer science at both UC Irvine and Pomona College. At UC Irvine, he independently designed and taught a linear algebra course required for computer science and data science majors.

Bendekgey’s work has appeared in Optics Express, CAUSE, Journal of Statistics and Data Science Education, and publications of the American Physical Society. This fall, he will teach CS61: Discrete Mathematics and CS135: Introduction to Machine Learning.

Outside the classroom, Bendekgey is an avid board game enthusiast. He enjoys titles such as Molly House, 7 Wonders: Duel, Spirit Island, and Arcs, favoring games that reward adaptability and social interaction over rigid long-term strategy.

The School of Engineering is proud to welcome Harry Bendekgey to the faculty and looks forward to the mentorship and insight he will bring to our community.