Naval Reservist David Eichinger is pursuing a master’s degree in computer science at George Mason University, according to a Mar. 9 announcement. Eichinger, who previously worked as a scientist for the federal government and holds a background in microbiology, is now engaged in graduate research focused on robotics.
Eichinger’s journey highlights the opportunities available for nontraditional students and veterans at George Mason. He said he chose the university’s computer science program to learn about computer vision, machine learning, deep learning, and robotics in order to better understand pattern recognition in data.
When searching for graduate programs, Eichinger prioritized proximity to his job and support for veterans alongside academic excellence. He said that the flexibility of class schedules—offered both online and in person—and faculty accessibility were important factors in his decision. “George Mason’s [Computer Science Program] was just very flexible as far as the time of day they offer their classes,” he said.
Currently, Eichinger works in Xuesu Xiao’s robotics lab at Fuse on Mason Square, where he focuses on off-road mobility and social navigation robotics. Describing the environment as lively and collaborative, he said: “It’s like a little makerspace to geek out on with different toys. It is a joy to play with these robots and try to program them to move on their own.”
Eichinger emphasized that George Mason supports students from varied backgrounds and goals, including veterans and those returning to school later in life. “It is not a walk in the park,” he said, “but it is worth doing if you believe in it.”
