Faculty Supervisor at Western Governors University , United States.
Dr. Brittany Hoard is a seasoned educator and researcher in computer science with a passion for technology, innovation, and leadership. With a Ph.D. in Computer Science and a strong foundation in nanoscience and physics, she brings a multidisciplinary approach to her work. 🧠 Currently serving as a Supervisor at Western Governors University, she oversees a team of evaluators and contributes to assessment and course development. 💼 Her academic excellence and commitment to student success shine through her high-impact research and educational leadership. 🖥️🌐
Professional Profile
Education & Experience
🎓 Education
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🧠 Ph.D. in Computer Science – Northcentral University (2018–2021)
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🧬 M.S. in Nanoscience and Microsystems – University of New Mexico (2013–2015)
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🌌 B.S. in Physics (Minor in Computer Science) – Penn State Erie (2008–2012)
💼 Professional Experience
Summary Suitability
Dr. Brittany Hoard stands as a prime candidate for the Best Researcher Award, distinguished by her interdisciplinary expertise, exemplary academic record, and impactful research in computer science and software engineering. Her innovative work, particularly in the domain of metamorphic testing among open-source software developers, bridges the gap between theoretical development and real-world application—contributing meaningfully to the evolution of automated testing in software quality assurance.
Professional Development
Dr. Brittany Hoard continuously elevates her professional skills through leadership, mentoring, and technical advancement. She designs and delivers evaluator training, creates application troubleshooting guides, and updates learning materials to meet evolving educational standards. 📈 Her active role in hiring, onboarding, and performance auditing demonstrates her commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. 🤝 She participates in calibration and development workshops, ensuring alignment across academic departments. 🧩 With her diverse expertise in programming, assessment development, and student support, she champions innovation in online education, supporting both her team and learners with dedication and vision. 🎯📘
Research Focus
Dr. Brittany Hoard’s research lies at the intersection of software engineering, open-source development, and automated testing. 💻 Her doctoral work explored metamorphic testing, a cutting-edge technique used to validate software in the absence of traditional test oracles — a growing need in quality assurance for AI and open-source tools. 🧪 She brings a deep analytical lens to developer behaviors, contributing to empirical studies that shape the future of software verification. 📊 With prior research in physics and nanoscience, she also demonstrates a unique cross-disciplinary understanding of scientific modeling, system simulation, and data analysis. 🔬🧠🧮
Awards and Honors
🏅 Graduated with Distinction – University of New Mexico (M.S. Program)
📜 Cumulative GPA: 4.0/4.0 – Northcentral University (Ph.D. Program)
🎖️ Dean’s List Honoree – Penn State Erie
🌟 Behrend Honors Program – Penn State Erie
Publication Top Notes
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Title: 15.7% Efficient 10-μm-Thick Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells Using Periodic Nanostructures
Authors: MS Branham, WC Hsu, S Yerci, J Loomis, SV Boriskina, BR Hoard, …
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell
Year: 2015
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Title: Empirical Comparison of Random and Periodic Surface Light-Trapping Structures for Ultrathin Silicon Photovoltaics
Authors: MS Branham, WC Hsu, S Yerci, J Loomis, SV Boriskina, BR Hoard, …
Journal: Advanced Optical Materials 4(6), 858–863
Year: 2016
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Title: Symmetry-Breaking Nanostructures on Crystalline Silicon for Enhanced Light Trapping in Thin Film Solar Cells
Authors: SJ Han, S Ghosh, OK Abudayyeh, BR Hoard, EC Culler, JE Bonilla, …
Journal: Optics Express 24(26), A1586–A1596
Year: 2016
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Title: Silicon Solar Cells: 15.7% Efficient 10‐μm‐Thick Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells Using Periodic Nanostructures (Adv. Mater. 13/2015)
Authors: MS Branham, WC Hsu, S Yerci, J Loomis, SV Boriskina, BR Hoard, …
Journal: Advanced Materials 27(13), 2268
Year: 2015
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Title: Influence of Model Resolution on Geometric Simulations of Antibody Aggregation
Authors: K Manavi, B Jacobson, B Hoard, L Tapia
Journal: Robotica 34(8), 1754–1776
Year: 2016
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Title: Extending Rule-Based Methods to Model Molecular Geometry
Authors: B Hoard, B Jacobson, K Manavi, L Tapia
Conference: 2015 IEEE International Conference on Bioinformatics and Biomedicine (BIBM)
Year: 2015
Conclusion
Dr. Hoard’s scholarly accomplishments, technical contributions, and leadership in educational assessment collectively demonstrate her extraordinary dedication to advancing research and academic excellence. Her ability to conduct high-impact, application-oriented research while mentoring others positions her as an outstanding recipient of the Best Researcher Award. Her work not only advances academic knowledge but also enhances operational systems in higher education—making her a true asset to the global research community. 🌐📚