Neil Patel
neilp AT cs DOT stanford DOT edu
Gates 382
353 Serra Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-9025
I am a second-year PhD student in the Computer Science department at Stanford. Currently, I work in the HCI Group and am advised by Scott Klemmer and Tapan Parikh (at the UC Berkeley iSchool). Prior to coming to grad school, I worked at various places in industry for a couple of years, most recently at a startup called Searchforce. Before that, I had some of the best times of my life studying Computer Science and Business Administration at UC Berkeley.
I am broadly interested in researching the appropriate design and deployment of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) for empowering underserved populations, particularly in developing regions. My goal is to discover ways in which ICTs can help to provide education, healthcare, and economic development services to those who have limited or no access. Currently my focus is on building affordable and accessible rural information systems that support community-driven, ecologically responsible economic development for small farmers in India; particularly these systems should leverage local infrastructure and cababilities to enable improved market access, active farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing, and the building of meaningful consumer-producer relationships.
Most recently, I have been studying small farmers in California to understand how software tools may support farm management, active experimentation, and sharing of innovations in the community of practice.
I'm also generally passionate about service, both globally and locally. I'm especially enthusiastic about opportunities to teach and promote computer literacy in places where it is lacking. If you are interested in finding volunteer opportunities in the Bay Area, or have served with a cool organization yourself, send me an email... I'd love to exchange notes!
Currently I use some of my spare time to help at the Opportunity Center and with CharityFocus. I highly recommend both if you are looking for ways to serve. I keep a blog that I update from time-to-time, mostly about service. I also enjoy dancing, reading books, and playing sports.