Starkville, Mississippi, USA: Mississippi State University has named Indian-American scholar Bimal Balakrishnan as the interim dean of its College of Architecture, Art, and Design (CAAD).
He will step into the role during the college’s leadership transition, working closely with outgoing dean Angi Bourgeois, who is moving to the provost’s office to serve as interim vice provost for the 2025 academic year.
Balakrishnan previously served as associate dean for research at CAAD, where he focused on strengthening academic and research initiatives. In his new position, he will take charge of the college’s academic programs, research efforts, and daily operations. University officials noted that the appointment ensures smooth continuity of leadership while supporting important institutional goals.
In their statement, Mississippi State leaders praised his collaborative style and vision, adding, “Balakrishnan will serve as an effective and unifying leader during this interim period.”
A professor in the School of Architecture, Balakrishnan is widely known for his work connecting design, 3D visualization, and human-computer interaction. He heads the Simulation and Interactive Visualisation Applications Lab (SIVA Lab), which explores the use of emerging technologies—such as virtual and augmented reality—to study human-environment interactions and solve complex, cross-disciplinary challenges. His research has attracted funding from federal bodies as well as industry partners.
Before arriving at Mississippi State, Balakrishnan was chair of the Department of Architectural Studies at the University of Missouri from 2018 to 2021, after joining its faculty in 2008.
Born and educated in India, he completed his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Kerala and began his career as a licensed architect, contributing to several award-winning projects. Later, he moved to the United States, earning both a master’s in architecture and a Ph.D. in mass communications from Penn State University.
