Michael Clarkson, PhD '10, is a Teaching Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Computer Science at Cornell University. He teaches computer programming courses at all levels, from students writing their first lines of code to graduate students using logic to prove that software is bug-free.

Michael was a first-generation college student who majored in computer science and music performance before coming to Cornell for graduate school in 2000. During his time as a graduate student, he sang with the Cornell Chorale and Schola Cantorum and served as an organist at Sage Chapel and Anabel Taylor Chapel.

Outside the classroom, Michael enjoys all kinds of games, including video games, board games, card games, and tabletop role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons. His other interests include Finger Lakes wine, Gimme! espresso, hi-fi audio, cooking, gardening, and home improvement. His favorite new adventure is Elsa, his eight-month-old rescue pittie dog.