People
Members of the AURA Lab
Lab Director
Antonio Mastropaolo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at William & Mary, USA . He graduated with his B.Sc. in Computer Science from University of Molise in 2018. He graduated with his M.S. in Computer Science from University of Molise in 2020, and his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Università della Svizzera Italiana in 2024. Dr. Mastropaolo directs the AURA Research Lab.
Ph.D. Students
Saima Afrin
Saima Afrin is a PhD candidate in Computer Science at William & Mary, specializing in applying Artificial Intelligence to automate Software Engineering, with a strong emphasis on Green AI. Since joining the AURA lab in the Fall of 2024, she has focused on exploring innovative Green AI techniques to optimize Large Language Models of Code (LLMc).
Before her PhD, Saima earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from Daffodil International University, Bangladesh, in 2019. She has been deeply immersed in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence throughout her academic journey. Her early career highlights include significant contributions as a full-time lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Daffodil International University, where she actively supported research and education. Saima’s dedication to academic excellence and her professional expertise continue to drive her vision for integrating sustainable AI solutions into Software Engineering and beyond.
Aya Garryyeva
Hi there! I’m Aya, a CS Ph.D. student at the College of William & Mary. I’m working with Dr. Antonio Mastropaolo and Dr. Denys Poshyvanyk at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering. My primary research goal is to make the AI models for software engineering tasks more interpretable and trustworthy.
Prior to my Ph.D., I worked as a Data Scientist, gaining valuable industry experience, and earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Wingate University and M.S. in Computer Science from William & Mary. I am passionate about STEM outreach and welcome questions from undergraduate and master’s students about pursuing research. I’m also open to collaborations in my area of interest.
Outside of research, I enjoy staying curious and engaged with the world through watching travel and educational documentaries, reading historical fiction, and just listening to people’s stories. For physical activities, I practice yoga and Pilates, hike, and travel. Staying curious and grateful keeps me motivated every day
Joseph Call
Hi there! – I’m Joseph Call PhD Student in Computer Science. I’m a researcher at the intersection of machine learning and software engineering. My work focuses on developing resource-efficient approaches to machine learning, particularly in the context of code analysis and generation, while exploring ways to make AI more efficient and accessible.
About me: I’m originally from La Paz, Honduras and have always loved the unique culture and atmosphere there. In my free time, you can find me playing my guitar or trying out new recipes in the kitchen.