Stephen Michael Plaza's Website

Greetings!  This webpage is a portal to my professional and personal life.  My name is Stephen Plaza and I received a PhD in computer engineering from the University of Michigan in 2008.  After spending some time in electronic design automation for silicon optimization, my current research focus is in bioinformatics and neural connectivity at Howard Hughes Medical Institute outside of Washington D.C. 

Research Interests:

Central belief: the importance of a diverse educational background

My current research focus is in the domain of computer chip optimization (logic and physical design) and heavily involves algorithms, software optimization, and parallel programming.  I have also worked extensively on Boolean Satisfiability.  I have exposure to quantum computation in an academic setting and am continually exploring such diverse fields as advanced mathematical optimization and genetic engineering.  I am now extending these experiences into the biology domain to explore neural connectivity in simple organisms.

I am currently developing a new web-based information utility, called the ClumpDump project.

Personal Interests:

My personal intersests are as varied as my professional and research ones.  I am an avid hockey, baseball, and football fan.  I play roller hockey every week and frequently practice yoga.  I enjoy reading any book and watching any movie that I can get my hands on.

I volunteer in several different capacities.  I have helped disperse information brochures and promote blood donation for the Red Cross. During the school year, I was involved in the Oregon SMART program where I help elementary students read.  Also, I have taught advanced math for gifted public school students.