Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA: Indian-American Scientist Pavithra Prabhakar Named First MathWorks Endowed Chair at UNM
The AI expert will spearhead research in autonomous systems, trustworthy computing, and software innovation at MATLAB’s birthplace.
The University of New Mexico (UNM) has announced the appointment of Indian-American computer scientist Pavithra Prabhakar as the inaugural Cleve Moler and MathWorks Endowed Chair in Mathematical and Engineering Software.
Funded by a $2 million endowment from MathWorks, the role honours UNM’s historical connection as the origin of MATLAB and aims to elevate its international prominence in software, AI, and autonomous systems research.
Prabhakar, a globally recognised leader in trustworthy AI and machine learning for safety-critical systems, is set to begin in December. She transitions from Kansas State University, where she holds the Peggy and Gary Edwards Chair in Engineering and serves as a computer science professor.
“UNM has exceptional faculty and a vibrant research environment,” Prabhakar commented. “My work spans computer science, engineering, and mathematics, and I’m excited to foster collaborations and advance studies in trustworthy AI and autonomous technologies.”
Donna Riley, dean of engineering and computing at UNM, emphasised the significance of the role: “This endowment has been vital in attracting leading experts to our faculty, reinforcing both our legacy and future vision.”
Prabhakar’s appointment strengthens UNM’s collaboration with MathWorks and the national laboratories. Her research focuses on the safety, reliability, and verification of AI systems in high-stakes areas such as autonomous vehicles, robotic-assisted surgery, and cyber-physical systems.
Her professional journey includes positions at Caltech, Spain’s IMDEA Software Institute, and a leadership role at the U.S. National Science Foundation, where she managed a $100 million research portfolio across 200 projects.
At UNM, Prabhakar intends to expand partnerships with Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories while launching new educational and research initiatives in verifiable AI and autonomous systems. “Her experience will further strengthen our department’s capabilities in AI, robotics, and cyber-physical research,” said Shuang (Sean) Luan, acting chair of computer science.
She has authored over 50 research publications and received numerous accolades, including the NSF CAREER Award, the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award, and the Amazon Research Award in 2021.
Originally from Hassan in Karnataka, India, Prabhakar earned degrees from the National Institute of Technology, Warangal, the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and completed her PhD in computer science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
