Dr. Binger Chen began her academic journey in Physics and Astronautical Engineering. In 2019, she shifted her focus to Computer Science and joined the Data Integration and Data Preparation Group under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Ziawasch Abedjan. On September 6, 2024, she successfully completed her PhD with the highest distinction, Summa cum Laude. Her dissertation “Advancing Program Representation and Leveraging Big Code for Automatic Program Transformation” concentrates on utilizing big data and machine learning technology to create representations of programming language features and to develop applications for program transformation, including code translation and code style transfer.
Please describe and explain your research focus?
Binger: My research focuses on leveraging Big Code data for program transformation. For example, the application would automatically rewrite the code from Java to Python. Foundational research like this is essential when developing applications that run on different operating systems like Android, Mac, or Windows.
Which major innovation do you expect in your research field in the next ten years?
Binger: The innovation could be adapting Large Language Models in this field; no human post-processing would be needed, which would speed up software development.
What personally motivated you to enter this specific research-field?
Binger: I like to discover new things at work. Besides, doing research can make people extremely focused on one thing. I like this atmosphere.
Which living or historical scientist has fascinated you and why?
Binger: There are many brilliant scientists who I respect. Chien-Shiung Wu is one of my role models because, during the challenging times of World War II and when gender barriers were immense, she made groundbreaking discoveries in physics, remained committed to her work, and never sought credit for herself.
AI is considered a disruptive technology - in which areas of life do you expect the greatest upheaval in the next ten years?
Binger: I believe AI will have the most significant impact on healthcare by addressing the shortage of medical professionals and improving access to care. AI can enhance diagnostics, personalize treatment, and provide continuous monitoring, making healthcare more efficient and accessible.
Where would one find you, if you are not sitting in front of the computer?
Binger: I would be cycling my road bike in nature around Berlin or watching a football game in a stadium.