Biography
I am a Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine, where I previously served as Department Chair for six years. During my tenure, I led a period of sustained growth and strategic advancement, including the recruitment of twelve new faculty members, among them three senior scholars, including a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Under this leadership, both the Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering programs experienced a significant rise in their U.S. News & World Report rankings. Prior to joining UC Irvine, I was a Professor at the University of Southern California. I received my Ph.D. in Computer Science from UCLA in 1982.
My research spans multiprocessor architecture, autonomous driving systems, and hardware-based security, and has resulted in more than 300 publications, including articles and books. This body of work has been supported by leading agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy (DoE), DARPA, and numerous industry partners.
I am the recipient of the 2026 Richard E. Merwin Award for Distinguished Service, and I am honored to be a Fellow of both IEEE and AAAS. I am also recognized as an IFIP Silver Core Member and a Professional Member of Eta Kappa Nu.
In 2017, I served as President of the IEEE Computer Society during a particularly challenging period marked by significant financial deficits. I led a comprehensive program of reforms spanning operations, governance, and financial management, restoring the Society to a stable and sustainable footing. These efforts established a strong foundation for future leadership. During my presidency, I also championed initiatives in emerging areas such as cybersecurity and blockchain, strengthened the Society’s global engagement, and advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
I have continued to contribute to the field through leadership and service, including co-chairing the 2025 International Symposium on Computer Architecture in Tokyo, which attracted a record attendance of 1,200 participants. I am also an active contributor to the IEEE Computer Society’s Annual Technology Predictions and IEEE Future Directions Committee (FDC) Megatrends initiatives, reflecting my ongoing commitment to shaping the future of computing. In addition, I have served in editorial roles for several IEEE journals and held leadership positions across numerous international conferences.
A central theme throughout my career has been a sustained commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. At UC Irvine, I served as EECS DECADE Mentor from 2020 to 2022, where I worked closely with doctoral and terminal master’s students to help foster a more inclusive and supportive academic environment.
