Anup Rao
Assistant Professor, Computer Science & Engineering
- Ph.D., Computer Science, University of Texas at Austin
- B.S., Mathematics and Computer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology
Anup Rao concentrates his research in theoretical computer science. His past work has focused on the study of pseudo randomness, lower bounds and approximation algorithms, efficient ways to reduce the dependence of computer science solutions on pure randomness, and on improving understanding of optimization problems for which it is hard to approximate answers.
Rao’s theoretical research has achieved success in answering the questions “To what extent is the use of randomness necessary to computer science?” and “How can we amplify the hardness of computational problems?” Such questions can sometimes lead to strange and unexpected discoveries; for example, a recent sequence of papers that he co-authored led to the discovery of the most efficient shape for soap bubbles.
Prior to joining UW, Rao was a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, and at Princeton University. His awards include a Dean’s Excellence Award and MCD Fellowship, both at the University of Texas at Austin, and a President’s Award for Undergraduate Research at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
New Faculty 2009 by Department
Aeronautics & Astronautics
Antonino Ferrante
Setthivoine You
Bioengineering
Barry Lutz
Kim A. Woodrow
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Linda Ng Boyle (also ISE)
Cynthia Chen
Michael Dodd
Erkan Istanbulluoglu
Andrey Shcherbina
Chemical Engineering
James Pfaendtner
Computer Science & Engineering
Su-In Lee
Anup Rao
Electrical Engineering
M.P. (Anant) Anantram
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Linda Ng Boyle (also CEE)
Mechanical Engineering
Brian Polagye