Karen Uttecht
Ph.D. Candidate in Computer Science
About Me
Longer Bio
I grew up in Chelmsford, MA, about 45 minutes outside of Boston. I attended Northeastern University for my undergraduate studies and graduated with my bachelor of science in computer science in 1994. While at Northeastern I did internships with Argonne National Laboratory, 3Com and Microsoft Corporation.
After graduation, I moved to the west coast to work at Microsoft in Redmond, WA as a software developer in the Windows CE networking group. During my tenure at Microsoft I switched roles to become a Program Manager in the Subscription Platform Group and designed the Subscription Platform Service API set. This system is still in place today, used for billing and provisioning of all Microsoft services.
In 2001, I married my wonderful husband, Robert Uttecht. While in Redmond we had two beautiful children, who are the light of my life. After my oldest was born, we made the decision that I would stay home with them while they were little, so I left work at Microsoft for a few years. In 2005, after my son was born, we made the difficult decision to leave the west coast and return to the east coast to be closer to both of our families.
While at home with my kids I was president of the Keystone Montessori Parents Organization for two years, and also served on the board of the Chelmsford Mother's Club. Seeking an intellectual challenge, I chose to take courses at UMass Lowell and received a graduate certificate in the foundations of business in 2009.
My
children are now 6 and 8, and at the age of full
time schooling, so I decided I would enter graduate school and pursue
my Master's in Computer Science in anticipation of returning to
work. After a year of classes, I was offered a research assistant
position with the Submillimeter-Wave Technology Laboratory and chose
to expand my goal to pursue a Doctorate instead. I am planning to
graduate by 2014 and pursue a career in industry or government
research.
Interests
I love to swim, bike, hike and walk with my husband and children. I recently took up running and am currently training for a half marathon.
I enjoy reading, especially science fiction. I especially enjoy a book that makes you think about the world in which we live in an entirely new way.
I also enjoy crafting and photography, and took the picture of the sunflowers used in this website at my husband's aunt's farm in South Dakota. Most of my pictures tend to be of my children.
Local politics have always held an interest for me, and I tend to stay involved in issues that affect my town and greater community. I have served as a Town Meeting Representative and on town committees in the past.
Invictus
by William Ernest Henley
(My favorite poem)
OUT of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.