Annu Prabhakar

Dr. Annu Prabhakar is a Professor at the University of Cincinnati's School of Information Technology, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Health Informatics, and inclusive technology design. She holds leadership roles including ACM-SIGCHI Global Inclusion co-chair and ABET accreditation commissioner. Her research bridges technology with social impact, focusing on maternal health, cultural inclusivity, and equitable access.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Informatics, Indiana University Bloomington
• M.S. in Informatics, Indiana University Bloomington
• M.S. in Computer Science, Mississippi State University
• B.Tech. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, College of Engineering Trivandrum

Research Focus: Dr. Prabhakar's work explores culturally responsive HCI solutions for vulnerable populations, emphasizing maternal health support, DEI-centered AI, and global ICT4D initiatives. Her methodologies integrate participatory design, machine learning, and qualitative analysis to address disparities in healthcare access and technology adoption.

Publication Trends: Recent articles (2016-2023) demonstrate a strong focus on maternal well-being technologies, social support systems, and equitable AI. Key themes include remote research methods for distributed populations, compassion-driven design frameworks, and cross-cultural technology adaptation, with recurring emphasis on low-income communities and ethical AI.

Awards:

• George Barbour Award (2013)
• Golden Apple Teaching Award (2013)
• Best Paper Award at Pervasive Health (2017)
• ACM SIGCHI Honorable Mention (2017)
• Graduate Research Competition Winner (2019)

Academic Service: Founded the Women in IT Student Group and teaches courses including HCI, Web Development, and Software Engineering. Leads interdisciplinary projects on stress-care technologies and STEM equity.