Alumni Q&A: Kaikai Wang

A graduate of Penn Engineering’s Digital Media Design (DMD) program, Kaikai Wang (ENG’11) has worked for the past 15 years as a software engineer at Microsoft, Google and Meta. He currently leads the trusted computing effort at Meta Ads, with previous work on privacy-preserving machine learning systems, live streaming and virtual reality.

In this Q&A, Wang reflects on his formative experiences in computer graphics at Penn Engineering, the key mentor who shaped his path, and his most memorable experience at Penn.

Tell us about your time at Penn Engineering as a student.

My time at Penn Engineering was a transformative experience that laid the foundation for my career in computer graphics. I was a student in the Digital Media Design (DMD) program from 2009 to 2011, where I was able to deeply immerse myself in the world of computer graphics techniques and optimizations. The curriculum was incredibly engaging, allowing me to explore everything from the fundamentals of machine learning to the complex challenges of physically based animation, where I developed a photorealistic water simulator. This blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application gave me a significant head start when I joined Microsoft and began working on visual effects in Windows that are still used by billions of people today.

What was your most memorable moment at Penn?

My most memorable moment was undoubtedly my Senior Design project. I focused on next-generation real-time rendering technology using CUDA, a then-emerging platform for parallel computing. I spent countless hours in the (then new) SIG Center for Computer Graphics, crafting the best-looking demos I possibly could. The project was a culmination of everything I had learned at Penn, pushing me to my limits and allowing me to explore the cutting edge of computer graphics. I documented my journey on a blog, which became a space for me to share my progress and connect with others in the field. The final poster presentation was a nerve-wracking but thrilling experience, with judges from both academia and industry, including a representative from Zynga. I was honored to receive the Best Poster award, and even more so when Professor Norman Badler encouraged me to submit a formal paper to Eurographics, a computer graphics conference, even though I was just an undergraduate. That recognition was a powerful validation of my hard work and a moment of pride.

What is a fun fact about you?

Penn is not only where I discovered my professional passion, but it’s also where I met my wife, Jia (W’12). We now have two beautiful children, and in a tribute to the place that brought us together, we named them Penn and Penny. Our shared experience at the University created a special bond, and we often look back fondly on our time at Penn as the place where our lives intertwined.

Which professor had the greatest impact on you and why?

Norman Badler, who sadly passed away last year, was the professor who had the most profound impact on me. His classes were my introduction to the captivating world of computer graphics. He had a unique ability to blend the technical aspects of modeling and rendering with a touch of artistry, teaching us how to model human and world interactions with both precision and creativity. His guidance and mentorship were invaluable, providing me with the foundational knowledge and inspiration that have guided my career. The skills I learned in his classes were directly applicable to my work at Microsoft, and later at Google and Meta. His passing is a great loss to the Penn community and the world of computer graphics.

What inspires you to give to Penn?

My wife and I are incredibly grateful for the world-class education and supportive community we found at Penn. We both feel that our experiences at the University were instrumental in our personal and professional growth, and we would love to help ensure that future generations of students have the same foundational opportunities and can continue to benefit from the great experiences that Penn creates. We also want them to be well equipped to keep up with the latest trends the world is going through, such as AI innovations. We hope that our contributions will help foster the same kind of supportive and inspiring environment that we were so fortunate to be a part of.