Dr. Michael Taylor

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Mike Taylor taught 15-112 Fundamentals of Programming in the Computer Science fall 2018 semester, served as a Mark Stehlik Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow, and is currently an Assistant Teaching Professor. In Spring 2023, he was awarded the Herbert Simon Award for Teaching Excellence in Computer Science. Mike completed his Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon University in 2016 and is a member of the Robotics Institute's CREATE (Community Robotics Education Technology Empowerment) Lab. His research focuses on low-cost air quality sensing, automated sensor calibration, data visualization, and technology literacy. His work contributed to the formation of Airviz Inc., which provides affordable air quality monitoring for communities and individuals seeking to understand and limit fine and ultrafine particulate exposure. His related research in Uganda led him and his family to form Sylvia's Sisters, a non-profit dedicated to reducing educational and socioeconomic disparities by providing menstrual supplies to disadvantaged students. Mike's teaching philosophy is heavily influenced by project-based learning experiences he gained at Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, where he received his undergraduate degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2010. He believes that embracing mistakes as opportunities for growth is a crucial step in becoming a versatile problem solver, and he hopes his students will become interdisciplinary explorers who value creativity and kindness.

Research Interests

Experience

Assistant Teaching Professor

2018-08-01 — Present

Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

Teaching various computer science courses and engaging in research in the field of low-cost air quality sensing and technology education.

Awards

#

Herbert Simon Award

2023-03-01

Courses

15113 - Spring, 2026 15112 - Fall, 2025 15112 - Summer, 2025 15112 - Spring, 2025 15110 - Fall, 2024 15112 - 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.