Dr. Danny Sleator

Professor

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Biography

Danny Sleator is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University. His research interests revolve around Algorithms and Complexity, where he has worked in various areas of computer science, including amortized analysis algorithms, self-adjusting data structures, competitive algorithms, natural language parsing, computer game playing, and synthesizing musical sounds. He has contributed significantly to the understanding of natural language through the development of a parser for the English language known as the link grammar parser, which captures a wide variety of complex phenomena in English. This work is foundational in its approach to computational linguistics, positioning it as an alternative to traditional phrase structure parsing methods. Sleator’s exploration into competitive algorithms examines decision-making processes under uncertainty, demonstrating application across diverse practical problems. He continues to collaborate on advancing the theory of competitive algorithms and finding innovative solutions to open problems. His scholarly output includes numerous technical reports and publications that further elucidate his contributions to the field of computer science.

Research Interests

Courses

15295 - Spring, 2026 15210 - Spring, 2026 15195 - Spring, 2026 15195 - Fall, 2025 15451 - Fall, 2025 15295 - Fall, 2025 15651 - Fall, 2025 15295 - Spring, 2025 15210 - Spring, 2025 15195 - Spring, 2025 15295 - Fall, 2024 15195 - Fall, 2024 15750 - Fall, 2024 15295 - Spring, 2024 15210 - Spring, 2024 15195 - Spring, 2024

Requirements for Carnegie Mellon University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
GRE General
Verbal
Required:158
Quantitative
Required:149
Analytical Writing
Required:4
Overall
Required:4
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field Research experience/publications
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • GRE scores (optional but reported in profile)
  • English Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo)
Specialization Notes

Admission is extremely competitive with no strict GPA cut-offs; holistic review is used.