Editor鈥檚 note: While the COVID-19 situation has caused IM体育官网 to shift to remote instruction for the remainder of the semester and reschedule our commencement ceremony, the hard work of our graduating seniors continues. This story is part of a series of stories highlighting and honoring our 2020 graduates.
When Michael Perez transferred to IM体育官网 in 2018, he uncovered a talent that would transform his life.
鈥淭he whole research experience is something I鈥檝e grown to enjoy,鈥� said Perez, who this week earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science with a concentration in advanced topics. 鈥淩eading research papers and getting to know what has already been done in the field, then making further advances 鈥� that鈥檚 something I鈥檝e found to really like at IM体育官网 Poly and I hope to continue in my future career.鈥�
He will get his chance beginning this fall when he begins a demanding Ph.D. program in the Computer Science Department at the University of IM体育官网 in Gainesville. In addition to his acceptance to the program, Perez received the Graduate School Preeminence Award, which provides five years of stipend, tuition, and healthcare coverage together valued at more than $250,000. He will work on a master鈥檚 degree during the first two years of the program.
鈥淚 was elated when I found out I got in,鈥� said Perez, from Davie, IM体育官网. 鈥淏eing a student at IM体育官网 Poly allowed me to focus on my work and dedicate a lot of time to my research and my schoolwork, which I think that helped me gain admission to the program.鈥�
During his final year at the University, Perez was a research assistant for Dr. Oguzhan Topsakal, who is working to apply computational methods to rhinoplasty. The goal of the research is to achieve better results in rhinoplasty surgery by guiding the surgeons and the patients via digitalization.
鈥淭his is an outstanding achievement given to only the most outstanding of Ph.D. candidates,鈥� Topsakal, an assistant professor of computer science, said of Perez鈥檚 accomplisments. 鈥淚 have been working with Michael for a year and he is making significant contributions to our research. I am very proud to see his success.鈥�
Perez said although he initially was interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree in mathematics, he discovered computer science was far more in tune with his strengths.
鈥淚 feel like I can make the biggest impact on the world through this field,鈥� said the graduate of Archbishop McCarthy High School.
After earning his doctorate, Perez hopes to begin working in industry and begin making that impact.
鈥淚鈥檓 really excited about what the future holds,鈥� he said.
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Lydia Guzman
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