Outstanding Seniors in the College of Science: MohammadHossein Rezaei

This fall, the College of Science recognized ten outstanding seniors for their contributions in and out of the classroom. MohammadHossein Rezaei is this semester's recipient from Computer Science and the college's Overall Outstanding Senior Award recipient.

The College of Science caught up with Mohammed to learn more about his experiences at the University of Arizona and what is on the horizon after graduation.

Why did you choose to study Computer Science?

I have always wanted to make a positive impact on the world through science and technology. Computer Science stood out to me as a field that combines creativity, problem-solving, and innovation to address real-world challenges. The recent advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning particularly fascinated me, as they have the potential to revolutionize various industries and improve people's lives.

Tell us about a class or research project you really enjoyed.

The research project that shaped my undergraduate research experience was working in the Computational Language Understanding (CLU) Lab with Dr. Eduardo Blanco. We developed several techniques from pre-training to inference-time interventions that improve the model's understanding of negated statements, which is crucial for applications that rely on accurate language comprehension.

What is one specific memory from your time at U of A you’ll cherish forever?

One specific memory that I'll cherish forever is the day our research paper on negation understanding in language models got accepted to a top-tier conference. The excitement and sense of accomplishment I felt, along with the support and encouragement from my peers and mentors, made it a truly unforgettable moment in my academic journey.

What are you most proud of having accomplished in your time at U of A?

I'm honored to have had the opportunity to engage in meaningful research and contribute to the academic community at UA. Beyond that, I'm proud of the community involvement I've had, from serving as a teaching assistant to mentoring fellow students. These experiences have allowed me to grow both academically and personally, and I'm grateful for the relationships I've built along the way.

What is next for you after graduation?

I'll be joining an AI company working on machine learning research and development. I'm excited to apply the skills and knowledge I've gained during my time at UA to real-world problems and contribute to advancements in AI technology.