Computer Science Students Recognized by Computing Research Association

Four undergraduate students in the Department of Computer Science have been recognized by the Computing Research Association (CRA) in its 2025-2026 Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Awards program. Alexandra Barancikova, A26, Saskia Solotko, A26, Kyle Wigdor, E27, and Kevin Yu, A26, each received honorable mentions from the CRA for their award nominations. This recognition celebrates the students’ remarkable achievements in computing research.

A double major in computer science and mathematics with a minor in dance, Barancikova brings an interdisciplinary perspective to her research with Professor Reuth Mirsky, drawing on diverse ways of thinking about structure, coordination, and adaptation. Solotko is a mathematics major whose research exemplifies how rigorous mathematical theory can drive advances in computational thinking and algorithmic design. Wigdor conducts research in human-computer interaction and accessible technology under the mentorship of Professor Fahad Dogar. Yu is a double major in data science and biology who conducts research in computational biology under the mentorship of Professor Lenore Cowen.

The CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Awards program highlights students in North American colleges and universities who demonstrate outstanding potential in computing research. Each of the Tufts nominees has engaged in rigorous research with faculty mentors from the department on topics ranging from human-computer interaction and accessible technology to investigating how mathematical theory can drive advances in computational thinking. Several of this year’s honorable mentions also took advantage of summer research opportunities at Tufts, such as the Summer Scholars program and the DIAMONDS program.

The Computing Research Association (CRA) counts among its members nearly 300 North American organizations active in computing research: academic departments of computing; laboratories and centers in industry, government, and academia; and affiliated professional societies. Since 1972, the CRA has worked with these organizations to represent the computing research community and to effect change that benefits both computing research and society at large.

Read more about this year’s honorable mentions.