Part computer scientist, part cognitive scientist, Tom Williams '11 uses insights from cognitive psychology to design and enable language-based interaction between humans and robots. Williams is assistant professor of computer science at the Colorado School of Mines, where he directs the Interactive Robotics Research Lab. His focus is cognitive systems, which incorporate artificial intelligence and cognitive psychology. He recently received a prestigious CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation, the organization's highest award for junior faculty. It comes with a $550,000 grant that Williams will use to develop working memory potential for robots that are capable of language.