NUS Computing Alumna Lynnette Ng Wins Carnegie Mellon’s 2026 Distinguished Dissertation Award

NUS Computing alumna Dr Lynnette Ng (Computer Science, Class of 2016) has received the 2026 Distinguished Dissertation Award from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science for her thesis, "The Foundations of Cyber Social Agents".

The award recognises outstanding work by a graduate of the school’s doctoral programmes, which span fields from computer science to robotics. This year’s award went to Lynnette, who completed her PhD in Societal Computing under the supervision of Professor Kathleen Carley.

Her thesis studies social media bots as “cyber social agents”: digital actors embedded in online networks, whose actions influence narratives and the people around them. Drawing on network analysis and machine learning, she examines how these agents coordinate to shape what people see and discuss online. The work also asks whether bots designed with good intent could help improve the online information environment.

At NUS, Lynnette received the NUSS Medal for Outstanding Achievement, which recognises academic excellence alongside contributions beyond the classroom.

Congratulations, Lynnette!