Summary
Justin Li is an associate professor of computer science and cognitive science at Occidental College with 15 years of experience blending research, teaching, and software practice. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Michigan and has progressed from graduate research and tech roles to a faculty career focused on interdisciplinary problems. Based in Los Angeles, he describes himself as an "aspiring generalist"—comfortable spanning algorithms, cognitive modeling, and practical web technologies—and brings a playful touch to academia, enjoying puns. His background includes hands-on web development at Northwestern and teaching at Johns Hopkins' Center for Talented Youth, reflecting a long-standing commitment to education and outreach. Colleagues and students benefit from his mix of rigorous research training and pragmatic engineering experience, making him adept at converting complex ideas into teachable, implementable work.
15 years of coding experience
12 years of employment as a software developer
PhD, Computer Science, PhD, Computer Science at University of Michigan
Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, Bachelor of Science, Computer Science at Northwestern University
Hong Kong International School