Getting to Know … Dr. B. Prabhakaran

Dr. B. Prabhakaran, a renowned computer science professor at UT Dallas, is recognized for his innovative contributions to multimedia systems, computer vision, and healthcare informatics.

His advanced research—encompassing multimedia data management, 3D medical imaging and video analytics—has been extensively published in leading journals and conferences, solidifying his status as a thought leader in these domains.

Motivated by a desire for tangible impact, Dr. Prabhakaran actively collaborates with industry and healthcare organizations to create solutions that integrate computer science with data science.

He has received numerous accolades and serves as a committed mentor, playing a pivotal role in professional organizations such as IEEE and ACM, where he has advanced in the fields of multimedia and health informatics. Below is our interview with him.

What brought you into the world of computer science? When did you know you wanted to be a computer scientist?

During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to work with graphics programming for computer games. The ability of a machine (i.e., a computer) to present different views to a user (through graphics) impressed me greatly. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a computer scientist. 

What is the best aspect of being a computer scientist, in your opinion?

The ability to solve different types of problems by developing new algorithms and techniques, as well as seeing the impact that these solutions could have on various populations.

How do you stay current with the latest developments and trends in computer science?

Attending highly ranked conferences and serving on the editorial boards of top journals has helped me understand and stay current with research advances. However, working closely with my research students on their PhD dissertations is the main thing that keeps me current.

How did you arrive at UT Dallas, and what made you choose to teach here?

I was a tenure-track faculty member at the National University of Singapore (NUS) when I received an offer from UT Dallas. I was initially unsure about the move, so I took a one-year leave of absence from NUS and came to UT Dallas. Subsequently, I liked it here so much that this one year became 25 years in the blink of an eye!

As Associate Vice President for Research Centers and Institutes at UTD, could you briefly share more about your role and key activities in this position?

I have been mentoring faculty applying for large center-level grants (at $15 to 20 million budget) in addition to the following:

• Working with UT (University of Texas) system-wide and international opportunities such as a UT System/Texas legislation/Israel AI (Artificial Intelligence) collaboration, and a UT System/Taiwan research collaboration on semiconductors.
• Developing and implementing a strategic vision for UT Dallas in critical areas such as University-wide AI initiative, quantum computing, and high-performance computing.
• Creating research alliances among universities in the North Texas region to foster research collaboration in the areas of AI (artificial intelligence), quantum computing, and 5G/6G networking. 

What has inspired your current research?

The challenges encountered by stroke survivors and amputees have significantly shaped and motivated my research.

What are some practical applications of your research?

My interests in applying my computer science research to other fields mainly relate to physical medicine, rehabilitation, and STEM education. Specifically, the algorithms we develop have been incorporated into systems deployed for in-home rehabilitation of stroke patients and amputees.

Have you had the opportunity to collaborate with other faculty here at UTD?

I have always enjoyed working with UTD faculty. Throughout my time at UTD, I have collaborated with over a dozen faculty members. Their diverse expertise is essential for the interdisciplinary research I pursue.

How do you handle working on multiple projects or tasks simultaneously?

Multitasking seems like an attractive option, but it may not be very efficient due to context-switching from one task to another. However, if the tasks are synergistic in nature, it really helps. Most of the projects I work on are synergistic in nature. Thus, it becomes easier for me to handle multiple projects.

Can you describe your research lab and how the students are involved? How do you engage research students in your work?

The research lab fosters an environment of creativity for developing new algorithms and systems. I encourage junior PhD students to work with senior ones in the lab, providing a healthy mentor-mentee environment. I also challenge the new PhD students in my research lab to solve more complex problems by working with senior students and writing joint research papers.

What advice would you give to a student just starting their graduate program or any student wanting to enter the world of research?

Conducting research entails navigating various uncertainties; solutions may not be effective, or the issue could turn out to be less complex than imagined (implying that it may not be worth publishing as a research paper). Occasionally, previous researchers might have already addressed the problem. A PhD student should be comfortable dealing with these uncertainties and should try to move forward. Research becomes enjoyable when you embrace these challenges and celebrate your achievements.

While reflecting on your time at UTD, what have been some of your proudest moments? Our proudest moment was showcasing our research to the incoming congressmen at the U.S. Capitol. You can read about it here.