Kapil R. Dandekar

Kapil R. Dandekar serves as the Interim Dean of Drexel Engineering and holds the E. Warren Colehower Chair Professorship in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Drexel University's College of Engineering. He has been a faculty member at Drexel since 2001, contributing significantly to education and research in wireless communications and engineering innovation.

His educational background includes a PhD and MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin (2001 and 1998, respectively) and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Virginia (1997).

• PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2001
• MS, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1998
• BS, Electrical Engineering, University of Virginia, 1997

Dandekar's research spans wireless communications, antennas, and engineering education with current emphases on reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), software-defined radio (SDR), functional fabrics, cybersecurity, and IoT applications. His work bridges theoretical innovation and practical implementation, particularly in healthcare-focused wireless sensing and wearable technologies. As an educator, he pioneered hands-on SDR laboratory classes with "Radio Wars" projects and co-founded the EPICS-in-IEEE international service-learning program.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals strong trends toward AI/ML integration in wireless systems, next-generation RIS applications for signal control, and healthcare-focused wireless sensing. His team increasingly combines millimeter-wave communications with machine learning for interference mitigation while advancing physical layer security and 6G modulation techniques through FPGA implementations.

His scientific contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards:

• 2023: Fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering
• 2019: College of Engineering Outstanding Innovation Award
• 2016: Provost’s Award for Outstanding Mid-Career Scholarly Activity
• 2015: Drexel University College Outstanding Research Award
• 2013: President’s Award for Civic Engagement
• 2012: IEEE Meritorious Service Award
• 2007: Department Research Award

Dandekar directs the Drexel Wireless Systems Lab (DWSL), securing major funding from NSF, Army CERDEC, NSA, ONR, FAA, DARPA, and industry partners. His educational leadership includes co-developing SDR curricula and leading Team Dragon Radio (with Dr. Geoffrey Mainland) to 8th place in the DARPA SC2 competition. DWSL's research has yielded commercialized intellectual property, particularly in RFID-based healthcare monitoring and reconfigurable antenna systems.

The Drexel Wireless Systems Lab serves as the primary research hub, fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations with the College of Computing and Informatics. Recent projects include wearable DVT prevention devices, RF jamming mitigation systems using machine learning, and functional fabric-based wireless sensors, often developed through student teams competing in national challenges.