Vivek Rao

Vivek Rao serves as Associate Dean for Master's & Professional Programs and Executive Director of the Design and Technology Innovation Master's Program at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering. He is also an Executive In Residence in Engineering Graduate and Professional Programs, teaching core courses including Design Ethics & Social Innovation and Design Innovation Studio while leading the development of Duke's new Masters of Engineering program.

He earned his B.S. (2007), M.S. (2012), and Ph.D. (2018) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. His research spans Engineering Design Theory and Methodology, Product Design Innovation, and Emerging Technologies in Design, with significant focus on Sociotechnical Systems, Human-Computer Interaction, and Sustainability applications in water infrastructure. His interdisciplinary work integrates business innovation frameworks with engineering design principles.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2021-2024) reveals a dominant trend in AI-enhanced design tools, cybersecurity integration, and human-centered methodologies across disaster response, global health, and virtual collaboration contexts. These works demonstrate consistent interdisciplinary collaboration bridging engineering, business, and social sciences through journals like Design Studies and Journal of Mechanical Design.

No scientific awards were documented in the source material. Rao has secured substantial external and internal grant funding during his postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley and maintains an active consulting practice with clients ranging from pre-seed startups to the US Department of Defense. His pedagogical approach emphasizes project-based learning, as evidenced by his development of foundational courses for Berkeley's Masters of Design program and Duke's new initiative.

As Executive Director of Duke's Design and Technology Innovation program, Rao leads curriculum development and industry partnerships focused on translating design theory into real-world technological solutions, particularly in infrastructure and sustainability domains.