Rishab Nithyanand

Rishab Nithyanand is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Iowa, where he leads the SPARTA Lab and co-directs the Center for Publics, Platforms, and Personalization (CP3). He holds a courtesy appointment in the College of Law and collaborates with law and social science researchers. A graduate of Stony Brook University (Ph.D.), he has received prestigious awards including the Google Faculty Research Award and Ford-Mozilla Open Web Fellowship.

• Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stony Brook University

Research Focus: Privacy and social computing, with emphasis on improving transparency and accountability in online data ecosystems. His work examines algorithms in social media and ad-tech through platform auditing, policy analysis, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Scientific Contributions: His research spans algorithmic transparency in YouTube demonetization, social radicalization dynamics, and ad-network tomography. Awards include the Andreas Pfitzmann Award Runner-up for his work on tracker-advertiser relationships.

• Scientific Awards: Google Faculty Research Award, Ford-Mozilla Open Web Fellowship, OTF Emerging Technology Senior Fellowship, Qualcomm Franklin Antonio Scholarship, Andreas Pfitzmann Award Runner-up

Labs & Collaborations: Leads SPARTA Lab and co-directs CP3 research group, working at the intersection of computer science, law, and public policy.