Amitabh Varshney

Amitabh Varshney is the Dean of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences and Professor of Computer Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. He previously directed the UMD Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (2010–2018) and served as interim Vice President for Research (2016–2017 and 2021). His research focuses on virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR), scientific visualization, molecular graphics, and high-performance computing. Collaborations include NVIDIA, Honda, IBM, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB).

Education: B.Tech. (IIT Delhi, 1989), M.S. and Ph.D. (UNC Chapel Hill, 1991 and 1994). Research highlights include molecular surface algorithms, GPU computing, and immersive technologies for healthcare and education. Awards include the NSF CAREER Award (1995), IEEE Visualization Technical Achievement Award (2004), and IEEE Fellow (2010). He leads the NVIDIA CUDA Center of Excellence and co-founded the Maryland Blended Reality Center.

Recent work explores nanophotonics for AR/VR displays, VR medical training, and bias detection in AI systems. His interdisciplinary projects address challenges in personalized medicine, pain management, and implicit bias training through extended reality (XR).

• Key Projects: Augmentarium (immersive infrastructure), CHIB (healthcare bioinformatics), Immersive Media Design Program.
• Grants: NSF, NIH, industry partnerships.

Awards: NSF CAREER, IEEE Technical Achievement Award, IEEE Fellow.