Meet Sin Ming Loo, Associate Dean of the College of Innovation and Design

Learn more about Loo's background-and a few fun facts, in the following Q and A.

What excites you most about your new role at CI+D?
Working all across campus to see how we can help. It is not just about creating new things; it's also about helping make connections because it can feel like different parts of campus are disconnected, but CI+D is in a good spot to make those connections.

What first drew you to the field of cybersecurity?
I was first interested in cybersecurity when I was in grad school and learning about cryptography. Then, I put it aside and finished grad school in electrical and computer engineering. Years later, after I became faculty, I got re-engaged, but in some way, it was a natural progression because when creating new gadgets and widgets, I would have to worry about security all the time. It's all interconnected.

"You can take me out of engineering, but you can't take the engineering out of me."

If you weren't working in this field, what other career might you have chosen?
You can take me out of engineering, but you can't take the engineering out of me. I have the engineering mindset, so if I weren't at Boise State, I would probably be an engineer somewhere else. Or unemployed because I want to do new and different things-you have to go out and search for this, and there's potential you could lose your way.

What's one project or accomplishment you're especially proud of?
It's not a project I'm proud of, but it's guiding and helping students figure out what they want to do. Mentoring is probably the most impactful thing for students. It could even be a ten-minute conversation, but it is still so helpful for those who really need it. That is what being an educator is about-whether they're a student at Boise State or not, I'm happy to help.

Outside of work, what are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
Mountain biking- the Homestead trail is the best because it's so punishing. It's 2 miles in a 1000 ft climb. I did it 4-5 times in the last week!

Coffee, tea, or something else entirely?
All of the above, I have way too many cups a day.

What's your favorite Boise restaurant or go-to comfort food?
Anything Chinese, Indian, hot pot, or sushi.

"This also made me believe in leaning into the unknown. Fear can actually be a great motivator."

Do you have a fun or surprising fact about yourself?
#1:I really like the number 42-it's a reference from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It's the "answer to life," meaning the answer is not what matters, but the question. 42 is also 101010 in binary.

#2: During my undergrad years I was a door-to-door salesman and it was the most difficult job I've ever had. I still use the skills I learned today-how to talk to people, get them to trust you, and truly believe in the product you're selling. This also made me believe in leaning into the unknown. Fear can actually be a great motivator.

If you could instantly become an expert in anything outside your field, what would it be?
A really good car/bike mechanic.

What advice would you give students for thriving at Boise State?
You have to find what you like, what you don't like, and be willing to put in the work to learn. Sometimes people think that finding what you want to do is most important, but understanding what you don't want to do is just as important because it can be just as helpful in finding your career. It's not about instant gratification, it's about preparing yourself and learning what you can do.

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